Herring Palace Tomari - Hokkaido

Herring Palace Tomari, also called Herring Goten Tomari (鰊御殿とまり), is a local history museum that houses a plethora of displays from the Golden Age of Herring Fishing of Tomari. It is located at 59-1 Tomari, Furu District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Herring Palace Tomari

Herring Palace Tomari Details

Tomari Village, located in Hokkaido, is home to the historic Herring Goten Tomari, a cultural treasure that preserves the story of the region’s once-thriving herring fishing industry. Herring fishing in Tomari began around 300 years ago, shaping the village’s economy and culture.

Herring Palace Tomari - Tomari village, Hokkaido Prefecture

A Glimpse into the Herring Boom

During the Meiji period, herring fishing reached its peak in Tomari. Rows of banya—traditional fishermen’s lodges—lined the village, reflecting the immense wealth brought by the industry. At that time, more than 50 herring watchtowers were built in the village, symbolizing Tomari’s prosperity. Herring fishing brought enormous wealth, and the watchtowers stood as a testament to the village’s thriving industry.

Photos from outside the Herring Palace Tomari

Entrance to Herring Palace Tomari Grounds

The history of Herring Palace Tomari

A herring fishing boat is displayed outside

Old Kawamura Work House

にしん 街道 泊村 - Herring Road Tomari

Takei Guest House and the Kawamura House

Tomari colored manhole cover

The Kawamura family, one of the most prominent fishing families, managed these operations, employing local fishermen and constructing unique vertical lodges that still stand today. Later, the Takei family contributed to preserving and restoring these buildings, allowing visitors to experience the village as it looked during its herring boom.

Herring Palace Today

The Herring Palace Tomari preserves the prosperity of that era through its historic buildings:

🐟 Kawamura Family Guardhouse (built 1884): Constructed by fishing master Kawamura Keijiro, this building housed the master and the fishermen he employed. Its unique vertical structure also served as a guest space and a place for business negotiations, reflecting the prosperity of the time.

🐟 Takei Residence Guest House (built circa 1916): Built by Takei Tadakichi as a contiguous building to the main house, it complements the Kawamura Guardhouse in recreating the appearance of Tomari during the herring boom.

Herring Palace Tomari Exhibits*

* 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 Herring Palace Tomari has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

Both buildings have been relocated and restored, and in 2001, they were the first in Tomari Village to be designated as tangible cultural properties.

Team Nicerio visits Herring Palace Tomari

On October 8, 2023, my family and I visited Herring Palace Tomari on the second day of our three-day “Sports Day 2023” Road Trip. This day also marked my 706th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme—a meaningful milestone in my journey here. I made sure to include this museum in our itinerary because I love exploring the history of the places I visit. Herring Palace Tomari was exceptionally well-preserved, featuring numerous exhibits that make it well worth a visit.

Herring Palace Tomari Admission Fee

Herring Palace Tomari Admission Fee

English brochures are available

Admission to Herring Palace Tomari is 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for elementary to junior high school students. Children younger than elementary school age can enter for free.

Herring Palace Tomari Operating Hours

Herring Palace Tomari is open annually from mid-April to early November, with visiting hours from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The museum is closed every Monday.

 

Why Visit Herring Palace Tomari?

Visiting Herring Goten Tomari feels like stepping back in time. The museum immerses you in the village’s prosperous past, showcasing its rich fishing culture, historic artifacts, and unique architecture. For travelers exploring Hokkaido’s cultural gems or discovering Japan’s fishing heritage, Herring Goten Tomari is an unmissable destination that brings history vividly to life.

Getting to Herring Palace Tomari

From Iwanai Bus Terminal, board the Chuo Bus heading to Kamieuchi, alight at Tomari Yakuba-mae or Hourinnji Temple bus stop, and walk about 10 minutes to reach the destination.

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