Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Discover Japan’s northernmost National Important Cultural Property—a massive wooden lodge built in 1905 that tells the story of Hokkaido’s golden herring era.

Standing along the rugged coast of Obira, the Former Hanadake Banya is a powerful symbol of Meiji-era prosperity and the largest surviving herring fishing lodge in Hokkaido. Step inside and the vast scale of the structure unfolds at once. Enormous beams and pillars, hand-cut from the local forests of Otodo, still retain a smooth, solid texture, bearing witness to more than a century of history. In the quiet halls, the echoes of the 200 fishermen who once lived and worked here seem to linger.

The interior functions as a living museum, where authentic fishing nets, vintage tools, and former living spaces recreate the atmosphere of a vibrant maritime community. The scent of aged wood and the openness of the rooms offer a direct connection to Hokkaido’s pioneering past. Nearby, Michi-no-Eki Obira Nishin Banya invites visitors to enjoy fresh local seafood while gazing out over the waves.

Across the highway, the Nishin Culture and History Park provides a tranquil place to feel the sea breeze, with a statue of Matsuura Takeshiro overlooking the water. At dusk, the setting sun aligns with the curve of the monument, bathing the Sea of Japan in gold. For the liveliest experience, visit in late May during the annual Herring Banya Festival, which celebrates the heritage and enduring spirit of northern Japan.