MASHIKE
A Sea of Japan Port Town
That Prospered on Herring: Mashike
Townscapes that still carry the atmosphere of the Meiji era, including the nationally designated Important Cultural Properties of the former Mashike Station and the former Marui Honma family merchant house. A gateway to northern Hokkaido, where you can also enjoy Mashike-grown apples and fresh seafood.
Mashike is a town on the Sea of Japan coast in western Hokkaido. Once a thriving port town built on herring fishing, its center still retains old buildings dating back to the Meiji era, making a walk through its historic streets one of its main draws. Surrounded by mountains and sea, it’s also a rich natural environment—an area with plenty of hidden charm for both food and nature.
Former Mashike Station
Culture & HistoryThe former terminus of the Rumoi Main Line, which was discontinued in 2016, this historic building is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The wooden station house has been preserved as-is, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the area’s railway history.
📍 Central Mashike
Former Marui Honma Merchant House
Culture & HistoryA merchant estate symbolizing the prosperous herring-fishing era, designated a nationally Important Cultural Property. Its architecture and furnishings, open to the public, hint at the wealth of the time and offer a deep look into Mashike’s history.
📍 About a 5-minute walk from the former Mashike Station
Mashike Apples & Seafood
GourmetMashike is also known for producing particularly sweet apples, and some farms offer harvest picking in autumn. As a fishing port town on the Sea of Japan, it’s also rich in fresh seafood like shrimp, crab, and herring, which you can enjoy freshly caught at local eateries.
📍 Various locations around Mashike
Outdoor Activities
ActivitiesSurrounded by mountains and sea, Mashike offers outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. A coastal drive watching the sunset sink into the Sea of Japan is also a quintessential Mashike experience.
📍 Various locations around Mashike
A Private Charter Taxi Is the Easy Way to See Mashike
Public transportation options are limited in Mashike. A private charter taxi can take you directly from Sapporo or Otaru, with no transfers, all the way to the former Mashike Station and the historic streets along the Sea of Japan coast.
Ask MUTO TAXI About Mashike Sightseeing & Transfers