The office of the Arata Trading Company was constructed in 1935 in Art Deco style. Symmetrical bands of white stone emphasize the clean lines of the square two-story building. The arched stone entrance is the only departure from the strict linear design.
The building is connected to the Takahashi and Shimatani Warehouses by a courtyard. The exterior has been restored, and the former office has a museum shop and a café. It serves as the entrance to the Stained Glass Museum housed in the Takahashi Warehouse.
Arata Takichi (1877–1965) moved from Fukui Prefecture to Otaru at age 28, first trading in marine products before moving into shipping. The Arata Trading Company building served as the shipping company’s administration office. It was built on the waterfront, on land newly reclaimed from the harbor.