Former Shimamatsu Post Office - Hokkaido

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office (旧島松駅逓所) is a preserved former post station facility, which is not a historical landmark of Kitahiroshima City. It is located at 1-1 Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Former Shimamatsu Post Office

Former Shimamatsu Post Office Details

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office offers a captivating glimpse into Japan's rich history of transportation and pioneering development. Once a vital post station, this facility played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of people, horses, and goods across the rugged terrain of Hokkaido. With its roots tracing back to the Edo period, the Former Shimamatsu Post Office remains a significant symbol of the island’s development during the Meiji era and beyond.

Former Shimamatsu Post Office - Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido Prefecture

The Role of Post Stations in Hokkaido's Development

Post stations, like the Former Shimamatsu Post Office, were established in regions with limited access to transportation. These stations were equipped with buildings, personnel, and horses to provide essential services such as lodging, transferring personnel and goods, and supporting transportation in remote areas. By facilitating these vital functions, post stations played an indispensable role in Hokkaido's pioneering development.

Former Shimamatsu Post Office facade

During the Edo period, the Matsumae Domain established post stations to support the movement of people and goods across the island. After the Meiji period, these stations continued to evolve, adapting to the needs of the growing region. At one point, there were more than 610 post stations spread across Hokkaido. However, with the abolition of the post system in 1947, most of these stations gradually disappeared, leaving only a few historic landmarks like the Former Shimamatsu Post Office to tell their stories.

Information Board of the Former Shimamatsu Post Office

The Historical Significance of Shimamatsu Post Office

Founded in 1873 (Meiji 6), the Shimamatsu Post Office was initially located on the right bank of the Shimamatsu River, in what was then Shimamatsu Village, Chitose County, Iburi Province (now Eniwa City). Its establishment coincided with the opening of the Sapporo Main Road (now National Route 36), a key route that enhanced transportation between the major cities of Hokkaido. The first postmaster, Yamada Bun'emon, was also the general manager of the Yufutsu location, marking the beginning of the post office's influential role in the area.

Inside the Former Shimamatsu Post Office*

Emperor Meiji's room

*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 Former Shimamatsu Post Office has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

In 1884 (Meiji 17), Kyuzo Nakayama, famously known as the "father of cold region rice cultivation," took over as the fourth postmaster. Nakayama’s legacy extends beyond his role in postal services—he is credited with successfully cultivating Akae rice in the Shimamatsu region, a feat that contributed greatly to the agricultural development of Hokkaido. Nakayama managed the post office until its closure in 1897 (Meiji 30), marking the end of an era for the Shimamatsu Post Office.

A Landmark in Japanese History

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office holds a special place in history, not only for its postal services but also for its connection to some of the most iconic figures in Japanese history. In 1877, W.S. Clark, the vice principal of Sapporo Agricultural College, famously stopped at the house of Kyuzo Nakayama during his return to the United States after a nine-month term of office. It was here that he left behind the famous quote, “Boys, be ambitious,” which has since become a symbol of inspiration for generations of students.

Former Shimamatsu Post Office Grounds

The monument marking the beginning of cold-climate rice cultivation

The garden behind the Former Shimamatsu Post Office

The Monument of William S. Clark

Gozen Well

Imperial Gift Monument

William S. Clark Monument

Additionally, in 1881, the residence of the Shimamatsu Post Office served as the residence of Emperor Meiji during his tour of Hokkaido. This connection to the Emperor only added to the post office’s historical significance.

In recognition of its historical importance, the Former Shimamatsu Post Office was designated a national historic site in 1984. Today, it stands as the oldest surviving post office in Hokkaido, preserving a piece of the island’s pioneering past for visitors to explore.

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office: A Must-See Historical Site in Hokkaido

Now a nationally designated historic site, the Former Shimamatsu Post Office is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Hokkaido and Japan's pioneering era. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture, or simply someone looking to experience the beauty of Hokkaido, a visit to this historic landmark offers a fascinating journey back in time.

Team Nicerio visits the Former Shimamatsu Post Office

My daughter and I, together with my siblings, visited the Former Shimamatsu Post Office last July 28, 2023, during our Sibling Road Trip 4, which was also my 634th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. Surprisingly, like in the other museum that we visited for the day, there weren’t any tourists around, so the museum staff also showed us around this historic building. We learned that Emperor Meiji once stayed here when he visited Hokkaido in 1881, which is something worth noting. 

Former Shimamatsu Post Office Admission Fee 

To enter and explore the Former Shimamatsu Post Office, visitors need to pay an admission fee.

Adults: 200 yen (group discount 150 yen)

Elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen (group discount: 70 yen)

Former Shimamatsu Post Office Operating Hours

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. 

It’s closed every Monday and also during winter, from November to April. 

Update: The main building of the post office is temporarily closed for earthquake reinforcement and preservation repairs, starting July 16, 2024. It is expected to reopen on April 28, 2026.

Why visit the Former Shimamatsu Post Office?

The Former Shimamatsu Post Office isn’t just a historic site; it’s a living connection to Japan’s pioneering past and an opportunity to step back in time to explore the island’s early days of development. It’s a great place to learn about Kitahiroshima’s rich past. 

Getting to the Former Shimamatsu Post Office

 

By Bus:

Take the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Chitose Line, which operates from Sapporo Terminal, Fukuzumi Station, and Omagari bus stops. Get off at either Shimamatsu Golf Course or Shimamatsuzawa bus stop, then walk for about 10 minutes to the post office. (Note: Buses do not depart from JR Kitahiroshima Station or JR Shimamatsu Station.)

By Taxi:

It takes about 20 minutes from JR Kitahiroshima Station and around 10 minutes from JR Shimamatsu Station.

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