Former Seto Residence

The Former Seto Residence, designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, is a two-story wooden house built in 1952 by Tsunezo Seto, a prosperous bottom trawl fishing fleet owner. The residence preserves the vibrant atmosphere of Wakkanai from the 1945–1965, when it flourished as a base for bottom trawl fishing and drew people from across the country.

Distinguished by its red tin roof and two tall brick chimneys at the front and back, the residence features thick mortar walls reminiscent of traditional ryokan inns from the Meiji and Taishō eras. Inside, premium materials such as Akita cedar and Mōsō bamboo were used in its construction. The layout includes both Japanese- and Western-style rooms, a spacious kitchen unusually large for a private home, a grand banquet hall, a traditional tea room, and a beautifully landscaped garden—all offering a glimpse into the affluence brought by the fishing industry at the time.

The interior features numerous exhibits from the post–World War II era, including models of bottom trawlers, fishing tools, and household appliances that reflect Wakkanai’s development during that time.