Maruichi Honmake, the former merchant house in Mashike

posted on July 8, 2015

This place is written as [旧商家　丸一本間家] in Japanese.

Maruichi Honmake wielded significant influence from the Meiji to the middle of the Showa era. Its founder, Taizo Honma, operated a general store starting in 1875, but faced devastation when it burned down in 1880, causing him to lose everything. Undeterred, he swiftly rebuilt the shop and expanded his offerings to include fishing supplies, a kimono shop, general store goods, sake brewing, and warehousing.

Over twenty years, he invested heavily in constructing company offices and his residence. Today, visiting Maruichi Honmake allows you to experience the town’s prosperous past in Mashike. Recognizing its historical importance, Honmake’s building was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2003.

The house is open to visitors from April 24 to November 4 but closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.

Open

the end of April – the beginning of November
Closed Thursday, but open all weekdays from July to August.
10:00 – 17:00

Access

It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to get there from Sapporo by car.

The entrance opens into a spacious trading room. Taizo Honma studied business in Otaru before starting his own business at the age of 26, dealing in general goods.

His store stored various items including kimonos, musical instruments for geishas, and general goods. During that period, Mashike thrived due to herring fishing, particularly in the Meiji era, making his business highly profitable.

Inside the home, there is a living room and a guest room on the right side. Taizo Honma, originally from Sado in Niigata Prefecture on the northeastern side facing the Sea of Japan, employed skilled craftsmen known as ‘Miyadaiku’ who were renowned for their expertise in building shrines and temples.