Former Muroran Station Building

Built in 1912, this station building is the oldest wooden station structure in Hokkaido. It stands as a symbol of Muroran’s history as a former hub for coal transport. The building served as the third Muroran Station building until 1997, and was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 1999.

The building has a hipped roof with slopes on all four sides, and is characterized by its roofline and white exterior walls that retain the look of Western-style architecture from the Meiji era. The outer structure incorporates an irimoya-style design and an arcade style called “gangi,” and buildings preserving these features are rare even across Japan. Its stately exterior also makes it a popular photo spot.

Today, it is open as a tourist information center with a hall, exhibition space, and rest area. Inside, visitors can see photos from when the station was still in operation, valuable railway items, and track layout maps, making it a must-see for train fans. In the adjacent park, you can also see a steam locomotive once used for coal transport.