Old Aoyama Villa (Herring Palace) — Attraction in Otaru

紫陽花が綺麗だった‼️

from otaru station take a bus to otaru aquarium, get off at shukutsu 3 chome (one stop before the last stop) then cross and walk just for 7 minutes up. entrance ticket 300 ¥ try to bring small change. and immediately enter the garden area or front yard of the palace filled with peonies, lilies, roses and others. the building is spacious and very traditional, unfortunately not all are open to the public. to enter the house you must enter the large multi-storey building right in front of the yard, which contains a restaurant and souvenir shop. there is an automatic ticket machine which means you have to pay again to be able to enter. no photos or recording inside. inside is very beautiful and authentic, the style of a typical Japanese house with partitions and narrow tunnels connecting rooms that who knows where is very unique. I would often get lost if I lived in a place like that. 😅😅 there is a garden with bonsai and stones and sand. from the small checkered glass windows it feels very different. You will really enjoy it,,,, but only once because the ticket is quite expensive. In the hydrangea season between July-August there is a special garden that is very popular!!!! small but very beautiful❤️❤️❤️ through the small side door it's like you are taken to a charming...

Well, worth see the tradition of herring fishery from this region in this house. Many relics and very old pieces related from the fishery are in permanent exposition. Sadly the place don't have much to do and isn't foreign friendly (no explanation in English or other language besides Japanese) If you have a Japanese national to translate the explanations, better.

This place have a simple but decent souvenir corner and unusual herring vacuum packed tasty food that is not easy find in any regular store outside Hokkaido.

Outside the place, the view is gorgeous. Is located close to a lighthouse. I have been three times over past years and luckily in all sunny days. Staying on the cliff looking the region around (name: Shukutsu) really relax.

From JR Otaru station, there is a small bus terminal. Buses heading to Otaru Aquarium are the ones to go to this herring house and the light house. From the Otaru Aquarium final bus stop, walk...

Walking through the hydrangea garden at Otaru Kihinkan was beautiful enough on its own, but stepping inside the villa really made this visit something special.

Having seen a number of castles across Japan, it was fascinating to experience the home of a wealthy commoner from the early 1900s. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, and the preservation of this space gives you such a unique glimpse into a very different side of Japan’s history.

Highly recommend taking the time to visit — it’s peaceful, beautiful, and offers something a bit different to the usual temples...