Former Aoyama Villa
旧青山別邸
A lavish mansion built over six years by the Aoyama family, who grew rich from herring fishing. Considered the finest of Otaru’s herring mansions, it contains fine paintings, calligraphy and gardens.
The former Aoyama Villa was built between 1917 and 1923 by the Aoyama family, who grew rich from herring fishing in the Meiji and Taisho eras. It was constructed at great expense, entirely of wood, using many precious timbers. The interior has sliding-door paintings by Japanese artists, carvings and lacquerware. The garden blooms through the seasons. The villa is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property and is also known as the “Otaru Guest House.” Admission is about 1,100 yen. Hours are about 09:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 in winter). Photography is prohibited in some areas of the building. An on-site restaurant serves dishes including herring soba noodles. It is in the Shukutsu area, about 2 km from Otaru Aquarium.
Opening hours
9:00 am–5:00 pm (until 4:00 pm in winter)
Nearby sights
- Otaru Aquarium
- Otaru Herring Mansion
- Otaru City General Museum
- Otaru Canal
- Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1
- Nitori Otaru Art Base
- Former Temiya Line
- Funami-zaka Slope