Mashike Town is a key transportation hub connecting northern and central Hokkaido.

Mashike is a very attractive town, famous as a filming location for movies and home to Japan's northernmost sake brewery, but don't you sometimes wonder where to go? Tourist guides don't feature Mashike Town specifically, and it's often treated as a single entity along with Rumoi.

So, this time, we'll introduce the charms of Mashike Town. We'll guide you through Mashike Town, a town of historical romance and warm-hearted people, so that you can fully enjoy sightseeing there.

1. What is Mashike Town?

Image provided by: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection Do Photo

The foundations of Mashike Town were laid during the Edo period. When Russian ships appeared in the north, the Edo shogunate ordered various domains in the Tohoku region to establish a base for northern defense, and Mashike Town became one of these bases.

The former main inn, which still serves as a museum today, was originally a building belonging to the Akita domain. As time passed, Mashike flourished as a herring fishing town during the Meiji era. Migrant workers from all over Japan, dreaming of the herring dream, gathered there, and the foundation of the town as it is today was laid.

Therefore, one of the defining characteristics of Mashike compared to other regions is its abundance of historical buildings. These structures were so well-built in their time that they are still in use today. Mashike is full of such places.

It's not particularly well-known as a tourist destination. However, that's precisely why it's a hidden gem in Hokkaido, offering stunning scenery, architecture, delicious food, and great shopping.

2. Tourist attractions in Mashike

2-1. Mashike Station / Station Front Tourist Information Center

The former Tada Shoten building, once used in the movie "Station" starring Ken Takakura, now serves as a tourist information center and is visited by many people.

The building retains the same facade used in the film, and inside you'll find still photos from the movie and a DVD screening of the film. It's a popular spot for commemorative photos, and it's only a 30-second walk from the station.

Mashike is the terminal station. However, the JR line between Rumoi and Mashike was discontinued in December 2016. After all, this line had the highest deficit in Japan.

However, many people lament the closure of this railway line, and whenever a train arrives, railway enthusiasts line up with their lenses to capture the sight. The station also sells the local specialty, octopus zangi (fried octopus). First and foremost, we recommend using it as a starting point for sightseeing.

Mashike Station / Station Front Tourist Information Center
Address: 1-chome, Bentencho, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido 077-0205
Phone: 0164-53-1108
Operating period and hours: Spring, Summer, and Autumn (late April to late October) 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

2-2. Former Jinya (fortified residence)

The former Jinya (fortified residence) is located on a hill a short distance uphill from the station towards Itsukushima Shrine. This building is the actual site of the Jinya, which was originally the base of the Akita Domain, which was ordered to guard Ezo (Hokkaido). A modern, reconstructed building has been created here as a comprehensive cultural facility.

The building houses a museum (admission fee required), a library, and meeting rooms. The museum, in particular, not only presents the history of Mashike through DVDs but also displays actual letters and tools used at the time. With a wide range of exhibits from the Edo period to the Showa era, and a wealth of valuable materials on display, it is an excellent facility for understanding the process by which the town of Mashike developed.

Former encampment
Address: 4-chome, Eiju-cho, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido 077-0201
Phone: 0164-53-3522
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
Closed on Thursdays, except when Thursday is a public holiday, in which case it will be closed the day before.

2-3. Former merchant house Maruichi Honma family

The Honma family, wealthy merchants who were indispensable to the development of Mashike Town, are still remembered for their prosperity today.

The building itself is a designated Important Cultural Property and is extremely valuable, but the exhibits inside are also very rare. While the former Jinya (feudal lord's residence) was, so to speak, centered on the "government," this one could be described as centered on the "private sector" and industry. This facility conveys to the present day how the weight of each of these historical elements has shaped the town of Mashike.

There is an entrance fee, but it is well worth it. Even just looking at its harmonious exterior, it is a beautiful historical building.

旧商家丸一本間家
Address: 1-27 Bentencho, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido 077-0205
Phone: 0164-53-1511
Opening period: Late April to early November, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on Thursdays. Open every day in July and August. Closed the day before public holidays.

2-4. Kunimare Sake Brewery

The somewhat dimly lit building is designated as a cultural property. It is said to have been in business since 1885 (Meiji 18), meaning it has been operating for over 130 years. A deep sense of history permeates the interior.

Kunimare Brewery is the northernmost brewery in Japan, and many Hokkaido residents consider it to be the best brewery in the prefecture. The sight of the brewing equipment lined up is truly impressive.

At the back of the long, narrow shop, you'll find a direct sales area and a variety of food products made with sake. But the real draw is the sake tasting. With over 10 types of sake available for tasting, and most of them free of charge, it's an irresistible service for sake lovers.

Some items can only be bought here, while others are seasonal. By the time you've tried them all, the cold breeze from the Sea of ​​Japan will have turned into a pleasant sea breeze. The delicacies made with sake lees from this brewery are also exquisite. They're definitely worth buying as souvenirs.

For those who don't drink alcohol, there's also a café attached, which is also very popular.

National rare brewing
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Address: 1-17 Inaba-cho, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 0164-53-1050

2-5. Former Mashike Elementary School

This is another former elementary school located on a slight hill in the town. It is famous as one of the largest and oldest wooden elementary schools in Hokkaido. Although it is no longer in use, the interior is open to the public every year.

Looking at it, it still seems like a building that could be used for a long time. Until its closure in March 2012, it served as an active elementary school, sending off countless students. The view from the playground is excellent, with the Sea of ​​Japan visible in the distance.

Outside of the periods when the interior is open to the public, you can only admire the exterior, but the building, which has withstood the elements for so many years, gives travelers an aura of power that exceeds its actual size. It's only a five-minute drive away. I highly recommend making the trip.

Former Mashike Elementary School
Address: 2-38 Minamishokancho, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido

2-6. Ofuyu Cape Observatory

Image provided by: Hokkaido Free Photo Collection Do Photo
Located on a high point of Ofuyu Cape, a rugged cliff that marks the border between Mashike Town and Ishikari City, is the Ofuyu Cape Observatory.

From the observation deck overlooking the mainland, you can sometimes see as far as the Shakotan Peninsula and the islands of Teuri and Yagishiri on a clear day. The sunsets, in particular, are breathtaking. This is a spot you should definitely visit on a drive.

Ofuyu Cape Observatory
Address: 795-1 Ofuyu, Mashike-cho, Mashike-gun, Hokkaido
Opening period: (Typically) Late April to mid-October
Opening hours: April-May, September-October 09:00-18:00
October to March 08:00 to 20:00

3. Mashike's Gourmet

3-1. Sweet shrimp

Every year at the end of May, there is a festival celebrating sweet shrimp and local sake, and many people in Mashike immediately respond with "sweet shrimp" when asked about Mashike, showing just how famous Mashike's sweet shrimp are throughout Hokkaido.

While it's great to simply enjoy its exquisite texture and flavor as sashimi, it's also superb when deep-fried. Because it's so fresh, the shrimp paste and innards have no bitterness and little odor, so when you eat it all with a satisfying crunch, you'll not only taste the sweetness of the flesh, but also the richness of the shrimp paste and the overall exquisite flavor.

The fish is firm and plump, and its deliciousness is on a completely different level from what you'd find on a typical izakaya menu. Naturally, sushi made with it is also popular, and restaurants that focus on locally sourced ingredients often have long lines. It's a flavor you should definitely savor from spring through summer.

Recently, Russian-sourced seafood has become common in Hokkaido, but seafood from the Sea of ​​Japan at this time of year is truly on a different level.

3-2 Fruit Picking

While the seaside is known for its sweet shrimp, octopus, and herring, the foot of Mount Shokanbetsu is a thriving center for fruit cultivation. Surprisingly, not many people in Hokkaido know about this.

However, in this region, where there are large temperature differences between day and night, fruits generally develop a sweeter taste. It is the northernmost large-scale fruit-growing region in Hokkaido, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of fruits.

Examples include strawberries, cherries, grapes, plums, pears, apples, and so on.

You can also enjoy fruit picking, and these strawberries are extremely popular as some of the latest-harvested open-field strawberries in Hokkaido. Even within Hokkaido, they are not widely available, so I hope you'll go to the local area and enjoy them to the fullest.

Final thoughts

The Rumoi Main Line, a JR line between Rumoi and Mashike, was discontinued in December 2016.

So, what did you think? Mashike is a town of history and gourmet food. While it's not often described in detail in guidebooks, it's a popular town among locals. Locals don't usually visit famous tourist spots, so its popularity among locals must be proof of its authenticity.

There are still many more attractions that I couldn't introduce this time. The sushi and seafood restaurants are excellent and reasonably priced, as they don't pander to tourists. The ramen is popular for its old-fashioned, light soy sauce broth. It has a simple flavor and there's always a line.

Mashike has so much more to offer than just Kunimare Sake Brewery and sweet shrimp, so be sure to visit before the end of the year. The JR line will also be discontinued in December. A trip along the defunct line will be bittersweet but full of a sense of exclusivity.

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