"Nishin Goten" or Herring Mansion is the popular name to call a residence of herring fishery proprietor called "Amimoto". Otaru in Hokkaido was once a prosperous town on herring fishing. However, Otaru’s Herring Mansion was originally built in Tomari Village on Shakotan Peninsula where also thrived on herring fishing in the late 1880s.
It was in 1958 that the building was reconstructed in the present place. Otaru’s Herring Mansion is the largest herring mansion in existence, and it is a Tangible Cultural Property designated by Hokkaido Government as valuable example to show how the herring fishing in those days was like.
Herring Mansion is situated on a scenic hilltop near Otaru Aquarium. Otamoi Coast footpath, where you can also have a magnificent view of coastline, is also nearby. Shukutsu is certainly a wonderful place to visit on a sunny day from spring to autumn.
Herring Mansion
Open every day during the season (April-November) 9:00-17:00
Admission: ¥200 (Adult) ¥100 (Child)
Getting there: Take No.11 bus from Gate No.3 of Chuo Bus Otaru Terminal. Get off at the final stop, 'Otaru Suizokukan(Aquarium)'. It’s a few minutes’ walk to get there.
