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| Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse |
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Details
The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a captivating historical site
located in the bay area of Hakodate City, Hokkaido. These iconic red brick
buildings, which once served as warehouses, now function as a vibrant shopping
mall, offering a blend of history, culture, and modern commerce. But the story
behind the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is as fascinating as the destination
itself.
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| Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - Hakodate City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
The current location of the Kanemori Red
Brick Warehouse is on reclaimed land that once housed a shipyard and a foreign
settlement during the Edo period. This area, initially called "Jizo-cho
Tsukishima," was renamed "Senba-cho" after the Meiji period. In
1872, the first meteorological observation by a Japanese person was conducted
here by Fukushi Shigetoyo, an official of the Hokkaido Development Commission.
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| History marker of Hakodate's Port and Warehouses |
The origins of the Kanemori Red Brick
Warehouse trace back to 1863 when the first Watanabe Kumashiro from Oita
Prefecture moved to Hakodate from Nagasaki. In 1869, Watanabe opened the
Kanamori Moriya Western-style clothing store in Omachi, which laid the
foundation for the warehouse's later development.
Facade of Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
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| Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse - Bay Hakodate |
The Rise of Kanemori Warehouse
In 1884, Watanabe Kumashiro realized the
need for a warehouse to support his growing business. The following year, the
merger of the Kyodo Transport Company and Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company
formed Nippon Yusen, which led to the availability of warehouse buildings and
land. Watanabe purchased these and began his commercial warehouse business in
1887, making it the first such business in Hakodate. The warehouse was built
with brick and tile materials, ensuring its durability.
By 1890, the shipping industry in Hakodate
flourished, and with it, Watanabe's warehousing business grew. The number of
warehouses increased, and his operations expanded to include the Kanamori Ship
Equipment Store. The warehouses, characterized by red brick and tile
construction, became synonymous with Hakodate's trade and industry.
Inside Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
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| Some souvenirs for sale in one of the stores inside Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse |
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| Marion Crepe |
A Devastating Fire and the Warehouse's
Resilience
Tragedy struck in 1907 when a large-scale
fire ravaged the area, leaving only a third of the town standing. Kanemori
Warehouse was not spared, losing six of its buildings in the blaze. However,
Watanabe's determination led to the rapid reconstruction of the warehouses
using fireproof materials. By 1909, the warehouses were rebuilt and operational
again, marking a remarkable recovery for both Watanabe's business and
Hakodate's warehousing industry.
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| Night view of Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse from Shichizai Bridge |
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| View from Shichizai Bridge in the morning |
Decline and Transformation
In the late Showa period, the warehousing
industry in Hakodate began to decline due to changing transportation methods,
the contraction of the fishing and shipbuilding industries, and the shifting of
Hakodate's port functions. However, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse building
earned recognition as a "traditional building," drawing media
attention and becoming a significant cultural site.
In 1988, a portion of the warehouse was
converted into the "Hakodate History Plaza," which later evolved into
"BAY Hakodate" and "Hakodate Christmas Square." The
Kanamori Museum of Art, which opened in 1989, was home to the only Baccarat
Museum outside of France until its closure in 2009. By 1994, the Kanamori
Western Goods Museum was opened, further contributing to the site's cultural
appeal.
Things to See Outside Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
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| Hakodate Marina |
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| Lucky Pierrot Marina Suehiro branch |
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| Starbucks Coffee - Hakodate Bayside |
A Modern-Day Attraction
Today, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
complex continues to attract visitors from around the world. In 2003, BAY
Hakodate was acquired by Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and the two properties have since
been managed together. In 2010, the warehouse received the Hokkaido Shimbun
Culture Award for its contributions to tourism promotion, solidifying its
status as a key landmark in Hakodate.
Team Nicerio visits Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
My family and I visited Kanemori Red Brick
Warehouse for the first time last April 3, 2023, during the 3rd day
of our 3-day “Birthday Road Trip”. It was my 518th
day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. We made sure to visit this
scenic and popular destination as it is one of the landmarks of Hakodate City.
There were numerous shops inside each warehouse, but since we were pressed for
time, we weren’t able to visit them all. It just means that we have an excuse
to visit each of them in the future.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Admission Fees
It’s FREE to enter and explore the Kanemori
Red Brick Warehouses. However, you would want to bring money to go shopping or try out its restaurants.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Operating
Time
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is open from
10 AM to 7 PM.
Why visit the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
Visitors can now explore the warehouse's
vibrant shops, restaurants, and historical exhibits, experiencing a blend of
the past and present. Whether you're looking to shop, learn about Hakodate's
rich history, or simply enjoy the scenic waterfront location, the Kanemori Red
Brick Warehouse offers an unforgettable experience.
Getting to Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse
There are several ways to reach Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse from Hakodate Station, but this is the one that I'm familiar with:
From Hakodate Station, walk approximately 130 meters to the Hakodate Asaichi bus stop. From there, board the Hakodate Station → Ropeway Mae bus operated by Hokkaido Bus Company.
Alight at the Meijikann Mae bus stop, then walk about 480 meters to the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse.
Travel time: 11 minutes
Fare: 210 yen
Alternatively, if you're looking to save money and enjoy a walk, you can simply walk from Hakodate Station to Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, which is just 1.2 kilometers away.
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