Kitamaekan

Kita Mae and the Kazemachi Museum

Kitamaekan is a building situated right next to Takeno Beach housing a variety of attractions.

The building receives its name from the Kita Mae ships that were active from the Edo period to the Meiji era, setting sail from Hokkaido and transporting goods to ports around Japan. Takeno was one of the stops along the Kita Mae route, and the townspeople still commemorate this history today.

A 1/5 scale replica of the Kita Mae welcomes visitors at the building’s entrance.

The Kazemachi Museum is a free two-story museum with exhibits explaining the history of the unique geological formations dotting Takeno Beach as well as Takeno’s history as a trading hub. Explanations are also written in English.

The highlight of the Kazemachi Museum is a 4-minute circular video projection in Japanese explaining Takeno’s geographic evolution.

Oceanside Hot Spring

Indoor and outdoor hot spring baths along with saunas located on the second floor are available for use during Kitamaekan’s business hours.

The outdoor baths give visitors a magnificent view of Takeno Beach, one of Japan’s top 100 beaches.

Tickets for the hot springs can be purchased via a vending machine located on the first floor.

Local Gifts

A gift shop of the first floor offers a variety of local souvenirs and products for purchase, including Takeno’s locally-produced salt, Tanjō no Shio.