We dissected common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni) and extracted total RNA from the nasal turbinals, olfactory bulb, and external skin. The aim was to investigate whether intact olfactory receptor genes are selectively expressed in the presumed main olfactory organ of baleen whales. Our findings indicate that class-2 olfactory receptor genes play a vital role in olfaction within the nasal cavity of baleen whales, and that they can detect preferred odors.