Whale Museum

The Whale Museum (鯨賓館ミュージアム), also known as the Geihinkan Museum, offers a compelling insight into the enduring relationship between the Goto Islands and the sea. Located inside the Arikawa ferry terminal on Nakadori Island, this compact but well-curated museum explores the region’s whaling heritage, which dates back to the Edo period. Through a combination of historical artifacts, archival photographs, and interactive displays—including life-size models and hands-on exhibits—it highlights traditional whaling techniques and the communities that relied on them. Visitors of all ages can enjoy discovering how whaling shaped local life, culture, and economy.

Just a short walk from the terminal lies Kaido Shrine, a peaceful spiritual site nestled in a small grove overlooking the harbor. Historically, this shrine served as a place where whalers and their families would pray for safety before setting out to sea. One of its most distinctive features is the entrance: instead of a traditional torii gate, visitors pass beneath what appears to be the massive jawbones of a whale—a powerful symbol of the island’s maritime legacy. Together, the Whale Museum and Kaido Shrine offer a meaningful glimpse into how faith, tradition, and survival have long been woven into the daily lives of these coastal communities.