Diving deep into Nemuro’s history: discovering stories from the past

Casi (pronounced “chashi”) refers to fences or a fence line in the Ainu language. They were used for various purposes, including as fortresses, ritual sites and lookouts. There are thirty-two remaining casi sites in Nemuro City, twenty-four of which are listed as part of the Nemuro Peninsula Casi Sites and designated as Historic Sites in Japan. Many of the casi sites in Nemuro are characterized by a semicircular or quadrangular moat located on a cliff top. Quite a few of them are large, reflecting the economic power the Ainu held by trading marine products such as salmon and kelp, as well as sea otter pelts. Only two of the sites are open to visitors: the Notsukamafu No.1 and No. 2 Casi Site and the Onnemoto Casi. Visiting these sites, you’ll be able to feel the sea breeze as you think back to how the Ainu used this spot.

In the grounds of the Kotohira Shrine, you’ll find a statue of a man. That man was Kahei Takadaya, an Edo period (1603 to 1868) merchant who was one of the founders of the fishing industry in Nemuro. While developing trade between Honshu (the main island of Japan) and Ezochi (Ainu lands, now Hokkaido), he opened fishing grounds in Nemuro and also shipping routes to neighboring islands, creating an opportunity to connect Nemuro with the islands. He is also an indispensable figure in the history of Nemuro because he founded the Kotohira Shrine and, even though he was only a civilian, helped resolve the Golovnin Incident, an important moment in Russo-Japanese relations. Erected in a location overlooking Nemuro Port, his statue continues to watch over the seas of Nemuro.

Seiryu-ji Temple is close to Nemuro Station. In early May, you’ll find Kurile cherry trees blooming brilliantly in the grounds of the temple. Although the trees are low because they branch out from the base, their stately appearance is representative of the landscapes found in the Nemuro region. The temple’s Kurile cherry trees were brought back from Kunashir Island in 1869, indicating that Nemuro once had exchange with neighboring islands. The trees are over 150 years old and are designated as a protected tree of Hokkaido for their history. As the last cherry blossoms to bloom in Japan, they signal the arrival of spring at the easternmost point of the country.

These stately brick warehouses stand in the center of the city. This is the brewery where Nemuro’s local sake Kitano-Katsu is brewed. Katsusaburo Usui, the founder of Usui Katsusaburo Shoten, came to Hokkaido in 1875 and laid the foundations of Nemuro’s industry by starting a canning, brewing, and cattle breeding business. He started brewing sake in 1887. This brewery, which has remained intact since its founding, is over 130 years old. At its core, the brewery has always maintained an unwavering sense of reverence and gratitude to nature, which is the foundation of sake brewing. Traditional techniques and knowledge have been handed down from generation to generation, and Kitano-Katsu continues to be loved by many Nemuro locals.

This museum stores and exhibits materials related to the history and nature of Nemuro. At the museum, you can trace the history of Nemuro from Jomon pottery and Okhotsk culture to the diplomatic history between Japan and Russia in the early-modern period. Surrounded by sea, Nemuro has developed through trade and fishing at its harbors. The city has its own unique culture and history, including exchange with Russia in the past and the canning industry that made the most of the area’s abundant marine resources. Learning about the origins of Nemuro at this museum will enrich your experience as you explore the city.