Tengu Hall

AdmissionFree
Opening Hours9:30 - 21:00
Closed-
Contact0139-42-2216
NotesMuseum & gallery
Location /
Getting There
Access via Mt. Tengu Ropeway. Top of Mt. Tengu
2-chōme-16-16 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0023

 

天狗山

Tengu masks

Tengu which translates to ‘Heavenly Dog’ is a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. They are considered a supernatural being or god. Originally they were though to take the form of a bird of prey with human characteristics. The earliest Tengu were pictured with beaks, but today the Tengu are depicted with unnaturally long noses. Buddhism believe the tengu were disruptive demons and harbingers of war. Their image gradually softened, however, into one of protective, if still dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forests.


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天狗山

Otaru Ski Museum

Mt. Tengu is said to be protected by this deity. Tengu Hall is is a small exhibition space that has approximately 700 varieties of Tengu masks that have been collected from all around Japan. It can be found after exiting the gondola on top of the mountain. It is a fascinating spot to see all the different types of masks. To get to Tengu hall, enter Otaru Ski Museum. This museum is interesting in itself and has some 400 items on display, relating to the history of skiing in Japan. Otaru has known to have produced many professional skiers, who have long skied the slopes of Mt. Tengu