Lesser-known Muroran, the "city of slopes"

Located in Sakimori-cho, "The slope from which the name of Muroran originates"

There are many slopes in Muroran, where the port seems to be surrounded by elevated land. Local historian, Fushiki Akira headed to JR Sakimori Station to see the slope from which the name of Muroran originated. At the bottom of the small slope is a sign that reads “The slope from which the name of Muroran originates”. The Ainu called this slope mo ruerani, meaning small downhill slope.

Long ago, ships set out to sea from the south side of this slope. Around 1805, a trading post run by the shogunate was established, and a row of shops developed.
During the Meiji period, this became "Mororan" (currently Sakimori-cho). However, when the port was opened in 1872, the base for development moved to the area around the current Muroran Chuo-dori, which became the "new Muroran", leaving Mororan as the "old Muroran".

"Nishikoji Slope", with a gradient of 23%

"Nishikoji Slope" is not famous but is somehow strangely attractive. Its entrance is inconspicuous, but if you look back on the way up, you will see the port of Muroran at the bottom. Akutagawa Prize-winning author and native of Muroran, Yagi Yoshinori wrote in his book Umiake, "this district of Nishi Koji stretches over two sides of one slope: on the eastern side live the people in the sunlight; on the western side are those who live in clear contrast, without sunlight." A little further up the hill, beside the "23%" sign, my legs were tired and trembling.

"Makunishi Slope" entices you to the backstreets

Between Muroran Prince Hotel and Café Eikokukan is "Makunishi Slope", which leads to Mt. Sokuryo.

This area was once the red-light district.
From 1872, excavation work on the main road to Sapporo began, and, many laborers from Honshu spent the winters in "New Muroran" when the cold hindered construction. Makunishi became the scene of fights and even murders among the rougher men who had abandoned themselves to drinking and gambling.
In 1895, the various drinking establishments and brothels that had begun to appear along the Sapporo Road were consolidated and the Makunishi Brothel was born. Then, the railroads were laid to transport coal from Horonai and development of the area dramatically increased. At its peak, the district boasted 78 eateries and 13 brothels – a history formed of light and shadows.