Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses are a historic group of buildings located in the Bay Area of Hakodate, Hokkaido. With their retro atmosphere full of exotic charm, they have become one of Japan’s most popular multi-purpose attractions, offering shopping, gourmet dining, and events. The dignified appearance of the warehouse complex has also appeared in films and TV commercials, making it one of Hakodate’s signature landmarks.

History and Development
The origins of the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses date back to 1887, when Kumashiro Watanabe I purchased an existing building and opened “Kanamori Yo-Mono Store” as Hakodate’s first operating warehouse. At the time, Hakodate was developing as an international trading port, and the warehouses expanded in response to growing logistics demand.

However, a major fire in 1907 destroyed six warehouse buildings. They were later rebuilt in 1909 using fire-resistant brick construction, giving birth to the present red brick warehouse complex.

In the Showa era, as the role of the site as a logistics hub changed, Hakodate History Plaza opened in 1988. Since then, the historic buildings have been repurposed as commercial facilities, evolving into a multi-purpose area where tourism, culture, and shopping come together. Some of the warehouses are still used today as active storage facilities.

Main Facilities and Highlights
The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses are divided into the following four areas, housing around 50 diverse shops.

1. BAY Hakodate
This facility was renovated from a warehouse once owned by Nippon Yusen, with two buildings connected by bridges across a canal. Fashion boutiques, general stores, cafés, and restaurants line the area, and visitors can also enjoy hands-on craft experiences such as music box making and leather crafting.

From the adjacent quay, the Kanemori Bay Cruise departs for a roughly 15-minute tour of Hakodate Bay. During the cruise, the boat passes under Shichizai Bridge, a famous spot known for its thrill and playful charm.

2. Kanemori Yobutsukan
Named after the original Kanamori goods store, this area features brick warehouses filled with variety shops, accessory stores, character goods, and jewelry boutiques.

Family-friendly offerings are also abundant, including the free-to-play Brick Lab and the Santa Post Office, which opens seasonally during Christmas.

3. Hakodate History Plaza
A signature attraction here is the Hakodate Beer Hall, which recreates the atmosphere of a Meiji-era beer hall. Visitors can enjoy draft beer delivered directly from Sapporo Breweries and local dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients from southern Hokkaido.

The interior, with its retro wooden pillars, beams, and brick walls, is also worth seeing for its architectural beauty that preserves the look of the era.

4. Kanemori Hall
A multipurpose hall used for live music, theater, and film screenings, it serves as a hub for local culture. It is also used for weddings and parties, and hosts a wide variety of events.

Seasonal Events
One especially notable event is the winter tradition Hakodate Christmas Fantasy. A giant Christmas tree brought from Canada is floated offshore in front of the red brick warehouses and illuminated with about 150,000 lights, creating a magical scene.

Fireworks launched in sync with the 6:00 p.m. lighting ceremony, along with the event-exclusive soup bar, are also popular. On the special red-lighting days known as the Premium Red Tree, the area is filled with an especially festive atmosphere and attracts attention as a highly photogenic spot for social media.

The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses are conveniently located about a 15-minute walk from JR Hakodate Station. Crossing Shichizai Bridge from Hakodate Morning Market reveals the red brick warehouses set against a beautiful landscape surrounded by the sea and mountains.

With Mount Hakodate behind it and Hakodate Bay in front, this scenic area offers the perfect location to experience both the history and nature of Hakodate at once.

Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses are a rare destination where visitors can experience Hakodate’s history and culture as a port city, along with its modern appeal. While preserving the historical traces embedded in its imposing brick buildings, it offers a wide range of enjoyment through shopping, dining, activities, art, and more.