Although I always pass by Obira Roadside Station formally called Roadside Station Obira Nishinbanya (道の駅 おびら鰊番屋) whenever I travel to visit schools, The first and only time that I explored it with my family was last July 24, 2022, during our road trip with Teacher Kanda.
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| Obira Station Revisited |
My family and I were able to revisit Obira Roadside Station last November 19, 2022. It was my 383rd day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It wasn’t on our itinerary as we were supposed to go on an onsen trip and explore the town of Tomamae. However, on our way home, we decided to have a toilet break at Obira Roadside Station.
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| Obira Roadside Station - Obira town, Hokkaido Prefecture |
During our first visit, we weren’t aware that the second floor houses the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall. It was only during the time that I was researching and writing the Obira Roadside Station that I found out about it. Hence, this time, we checked it out.
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| 道の駅 おびら鰊番屋 |
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| Going inside Obira Roadside Station |
However, before that, here's a brief introduction for those who weren't able to read the first article about Obira Roadside Station.
Obira Roadside Station Details
Obira Roadside Station was registered as a roadside station on April 16, 1996. It was given Registration number 27. The roadside station is conveniently along Route 239 which is famously known as the Ororon Line. This roadside station is in the town of Obira in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| You can buy unique products at the vending machine of Obira Roadside Station |
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| There is also a beautiful waiting area inside the roadside station |
If you want to know more about its facilities, please check my previous article by clicking this LINK.
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| Specialty products shop |
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| Owner's Room (親方の間) |
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| You can go inside as long as you remove your shoes |
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| One of the herring fishing scene artworks displayed on the ground floor |
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| A miniature diorama of a herring fisherman's house |
The focus of this article today is the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall on the second floor of the roadside station. This exhibition hall houses numerous well-preserved displays about the herring fishing, farming, and daily life of the people of Obira decades ago.
These are some of the photos inside the exhibition hall*:
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| Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall |
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn’t label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall has to offer. Please visit the museum and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Obira Roadside Station stamp
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| Obira Roadside Station stamp |
Team Nicerio revisits Obira Roadside Station
Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall Fees:
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall.
Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall Operating Hours:
Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall is open from 9 AM to 6 PM (April to November) and 9 AM to 5 PM (December to March).
Why visit the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall?
Although the Historical and Cultural Preservation Exhibition Hall isn’t that big and can be explored in about 10 minutes, it’s a place to learn about the history of the town of Obira. It gives you a taste of what life was like in this fishing town years ago. If you want to know more and see more historical displays, please visit the nearby Former Hanada Family Banya. Lastly, it’s FREE so it’s a perfect extra activity when you visit Obira Roadside Station.
Getting to Obira Roadside Station
The best way to reach Obira Roadside Station and also to fully appreciate it is by coming in by car. Simply follow Route 239 until you reach Kikahirotomi in Obira.
However, if you plan to commute, you can ride the Coastal Engas Bus from Rumoi City to Toyotomi or Haboro. Board down at Hanada Banya Mae bus stop.
Travel fare: 660 yen if you come from the first stop of the bus
Travel time: around 50 minutes
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