Hachinohe’s Konakano area used to have a thriving red-light district. Inside this area, the Shin Mutsu Ryokan was originally founded as the Shin Mutsu Brothel in 1898. Eventually, the brothel closed, but the building was repurposed as a traditional Japanese inn. Since then the inn has retained and still retains much of its same looks. The brothel architecture from over 100 years ago makes the building resemble a movie set. Not only its exterior but the interior and furnishings are also remarkable and culturally valuable. As such it has been registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.

Address:

6-20-18 Konakano, Hachinohe City

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Access:

 By car: 20 minutes from Hachinohe Expressway
Hachinohe IC, 25 minutes from JR Hachinohe Station
15 minutes from downtown Hachinohe
By train: 10-minute walk from JR Hachinohe Line Konakano Station
A 10-minute walk from JR Hachinohe Line Mutsuminato Station
Bus: Hachinohe City Bus / Nanbu Bus – 5-minute walk from the “Shincho” bus stop