Bank of Japan Otaru Museum

A Grand Building Designed by Kingo Tatsuno

The building was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the renowned architect also responsible for the design of Tokyo Station’s famous red-brick building. Construction of the Otaru Branch was completed in 1912.

The two-story structure was built with brick walls finished with mortar, creating a stately Western-style appearance. An eastern tower, from which views over Otaru could be enjoyed, was fitted with a spiral staircase manufactured in England.

The building itself is an important part of the museum experience. Rather than simply displaying historical materials in a modern exhibition hall, the museum retains many of the architectural details and interior features from the period when the building operated as a bank.

Elegant Interiors Preserving the Atmosphere of a Historic Bank

The lobby and former banking counter feature marble from Akasaka in Gifu Prefecture, adding a sense of grandeur to the interior. The ceiling above the banking hall is another notable feature. By incorporating steel framing into the brick structure, the architects created a spacious open interior that was well suited to the building’s original banking functions.

Another distinctive feature is a series of sculptures inspired by the Blakiston’s fish owl, an owl regarded in Ainu tradition as a guardian deity. Twelve owl sculptures can be found on the interior walls alone, adding an artistic element to the imposing financial architecture.

Discover the History of Japan’s Central Bank

The museum is broadly divided into three exhibition areas: the History Exhibition Zone, the Banking Operations Exhibition Zone, and the Multimedia Corner. Together, they introduce the history and functions of the Bank of Japan in an accessible way.

History Exhibition Zone

The History Exhibition Zone presents the history of the Bank of Japan through informative panels and displays of actual banknotes issued after World War II. Visitors can also see miniature models of the former Otaru Branch and other historic buildings that once formed Otaru’s celebrated “Wall Street of the North.”

These exhibits provide insight into the development of Otaru as a major commercial and financial center, while the preserved architecture allows visitors to imagine how the district looked during its period of prosperity.

Banking Operations Exhibition Zone

The Banking Operations Exhibition Zone explains the major functions of the Bank of Japan, including the process of issuing banknotes and the mechanisms behind Japan’s financial system.

Visitors can also see an actual bank vault that was once used in the building. One particularly engaging exhibit invites visitors to try lifting the equivalent weight of ¥100 million, providing a surprisingly tangible way to appreciate how heavy a large amount of money really is.

Interactive displays also allow visitors to explore the amount of money circulating in society and consider how changes in the flow of money relate to economic activity.

Multimedia Corner

The Multimedia Corner offers a more interactive introduction to finance. Large-screen video presentations explain a variety of financial topics, while an internet area provides access to information from the Bank of Japan.

Visitors can also challenge themselves with the “Nichigin Quiz,” a quiz designed to test their knowledge of the Bank of Japan and the financial system.

Where Architecture and Financial History Meet

The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum offers more than an introduction to banking. Its historic building provides a vivid reminder of the period when Otaru flourished as a major port, commercial center, and financial hub in northern Japan.

The combination of Renaissance-style architecture, preserved banking interiors, historic banknotes, vaults, and interactive exhibits makes the museum appealing even to visitors who do not normally consider finance a major sightseeing theme.

Experience Otaru’s Financial Heritage

Walking through the former banking hall, beneath its spacious ceiling and surrounded by marble, brick, and distinctive owl sculptures, visitors can sense the importance that finance once held in Otaru’s development. The museum brings that history to life through both its architecture and its exhibits.

For travelers exploring Otaru’s historic district, the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum is a fascinating place to discover the city’s lesser-known financial heritage and understand why Otaru was once known as the “Wall Street of the North.”