Muroran offers several distinct points of interest: its aquarium history dates back to 1953, the former station building dates from 1912, and the Minato-machi walking trail comprises three routes with historic port city connections. Also of note is the outer coast of Pirika Noka, designated a national natural monument on January 24, 2012. During your stay, you can choose between city history, landscape and a walk connected to the port city’s past.

An Aquarium with a Long History

Muroran Minpō Minna no Aquarium opened in June 1953 as Hokkaido’s first aquarium and is the oldest aquarium in Hokkaido. A city description updated in 2024 lists approximately 120 species and 3,300 specimens. Among the animals kept there are rare tropical fish from the Muroran area, Hokkaido and mainland Japan. Their origins thus range from the local area to mainland Japan. The figures are approximate values from that description.

Building and Port City History

The former Muroran station building was constructed in 1912 and is part of Japan’s “Coal, Iron and Port” Heritage. On the second floor of the roadside station “Mitala Muroran,” valuable materials on the construction of the Hakucho Bridge are on display; there is also a children’s play area. The focus differs: for the station, the construction year and its Heritage status are specified; at Mitala, the focus is on materials related to bridge construction. The children’s play area is another feature of the roadside station.

If you are sorting through your cultural interests, the themes are clearly distinct: the aquarium represents a long institutional history, the former station building is a historic structure, and Mitala focuses on a specific bridge construction project.

Landscape and Walking Trails

The outer coast of the Etomo Peninsula, “Pirika Noka,” was designated a national natural monument on January 24, 2012. Muroran’s Minato-machi walking trail comprises three routes where you can experience the port city’s historic character on foot. These offer two distinct points of interest: Pirika Noka is noted for its landscape designation, while Minato-machi is defined by its routes and the port city character you can experience on foot. If you are looking for a walk, the three Minato-machi routes provide a specific point of reference.

A Culinary Note

In April 2019, a restaurant and café serving Muroran yakitori opened at the roadside station “Mitala Muroran.” Uzuran soft-serve ice cream, described as available only here, was also sold there.

Historical Dates and Current Planning

For travel planning, these details serve different purposes: the opening year, construction year and monument designation provide historical context, while Minato-machi describes a walking activity with three routes. The collection figures are approximate and come from a description updated in 2024, while the food details refer to 2019. If current collection figures or a particular dish are important for your visit, check the latest information in advance. This helps distinguish historical facts from details that may change.

Discover More Destinations

Otaru, Rishirifuji, Wakkanai, Menashi District, Urahoro, Shibetsu District, Toyotomi, Suttsu

For the main travel overview: Hokkaido.