A historical building that preserves the prosperity of the trawling industry
The former Seto Family House was built in the 1950s as the residence of Tsunezo Seto, a master of the offshore bottom trawling industry.
The residence, a symbol of the vibrant era when Wakkanai was a frontline base for the bottom trawling industry, was opened to the public in 2012, and has become a valuable place for visitors to feel the life in those days and history of the fishing industry.
The building of the former Seto Family House is characterized by its gabled red tin roofing and the decorative ridge at the top, strongly retaining the style of ryokan architecture from the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Inside the house, a banquet scene from that period is reproduced, giving visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Seto family.
There are also many exhibits related to Wakkanai's fishing industry, making this a facility where visitors can learn about the history and culture of the region.
In 2013, it was registered as a "Registered Tangible Cultural Property" of Japan as the main building of the former Seto Family Residence, becoming the first Registered Tangible Cultural Property in Wakkanai City.
