Where the Sakhalin Border Was Drawn in 1906
The Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch (旧日本郵船株式会社小樽支店) is a shipping company branch office of 1905, completed in 1906 in Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on March 12, 1969 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a two-storey stone building with a front porch and a sheet-metal roof, covering 485.0 square metres; designation number 01701.
A Stone Branch Office Completed in 1906
The Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch is a two-storey stone building completed in 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The date field of the Agency database gives 1905.
The interior is well preserved, with original light fittings and fireplaces (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A stone front gate with a wicket gate, a stone wall and a ridge tag are designated with it.
The 1906 conference that fixed the border on Sakhalin was held in this building, which makes it a historic site as well (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
It is a stone branch office that keeps its original light fittings and fireplaces, and a historic place where the Sakhalin border conference met (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It was designated an Important Cultural Property on March 12, 1969.
What to Look For
Look for the original light fittings and fireplaces inside and the stone gate and wicket gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to the Otaru City General Museum, it is closed on Tuesdays (the next weekday when Tuesday is a holiday) and over the New Year. The notice gives no opening hours or admission fee.
Q&A
- When was the building completed?
- In 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs); the date field gives 1905.
- What meeting was held there?
- The 1906 conference that fixed the border on Sakhalin.
- What survives inside?
- Original light fittings and fireplaces.
- When is it closed?
- On Tuesdays and over the New Year, per the Otaru museum.
- When was the Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On March 12, 1969 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch (旧日本郵船株式会社小樽支店) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-7-8 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1969/03/12 (Showa 44) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stone, 485.0 m², two storeys, front porch, sheet-metal roof; with stone gate and wicket gate, stone wall and ridge tag |
| Owner | Otaru City |
| Public Access | Closed Tuesdays (Otaru City General Museum) |
References
- Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/22
- Otaru City General Museum calendar, January 2026 (Otaru City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020111300781/file_contents/calendar202601.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.18