Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch | Otaru Tourism

Home | Otaru Tourism Portal | Former Nippon Yusen Co., Ltd. Otaru Branch

The former Otaru branch of Nippon Yusen Kaisha, with its luxurious appearance, gives a glimpse into the prosperity of Otaru during the Meiji period. Built in October 1906 by Nippon Yusen Kaisha, it remains a core company of the Mitsubishi Group. As one of Japan's three major shipping companies, it is well known overseas and is still referred to as the representative of Japanese shipping.

At the time, Otaru was expanding its commercial port functions to Europe as a base for the national Hokkaido development project. At the same time, financial institutions and trading companies were actively moving into the city, to the point that it was called the "Wall Street of the North," and many buildings were constructed by first-class architects showcasing the finest techniques.

This building symbolizes the heyday of Otaru's development. It is a two-story stone structure in the European Renaissance style, and the VIP room inside is an extravagant and luxurious space with a plaster ceiling and chandeliers, crimson curtains, a parquet floor and a striking carpet with a large floral pattern, and gold leather paper with a chrysanthemum crest on the walls, which is said to have been extremely difficult to restore.

Kinkarakawa paper is a traditional Japanese craft that was created based on "kinkarakawa," a leather craft invented in Europe during the Renaissance. When it was exhibited at the Vienna World Exposition, it attracted a lot of attention in Europe and was eventually exported.

Facility name : Former Nippon Yusen Co., Ltd. Otaru Branch

Address: 3-7-8 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido, 047-0031

phone
0134-22-3316

Opening hours
9:30-17:00

Closed : Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday), New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)

Home page
＞Click here for the homepage

I want to explore Otaru

This Tai Monaka chocolate features 23 lucky spots in Otaru on the packaging. Chocolate and rice puffs are placed inside a traditionally baked monaka shell made from 100% glutinous rice.

Otaru Tourism Category List

Otaru Tourism Portal Homepage

UNGAPLUS

This shop, renovated from the "Old Otaru Warehouse Main Building," said to be the oldest commercial warehouse in Hokkaido in the Otaru North Canal area, develops and sells original products that convey the charm of Otaru. The shop tells the story of Otaru's prosperity during the Hokkaido pioneering era and the history of the Kitamae ships, and displays and sells processed seafood and agricultural products from ports of call and Hokkaido, as well as original products by artisans and artists with ties to Otaru.