＃Otaru Canal
Sightseeing Recommendations Walking Guide
Otaru Travel Guide 2024

Otaru Canal
Sightseeing Recommendations Walking Guide
Otaru Travel Guide 2024

In the late Edo period (1603-1868), people moved to Otaru City when herring fishing became prosperous, and later, during the Meiji and Taisho periods, the city rapidly developed as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido. As a shipping town that distributed various goods through Otaru Port, the volume of cargo handled increased dramatically, so the sea was reclaimed and waterways were built to facilitate efficient transportation. The Otaru Canal was completed in 1923.

Otaru City is now one of the top three tourist destinations in Japan, along with Sapporo and Hakodate, among the most popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido. One of the reasons for Otaru's popularity is that it is relatively easy to visit, only 30 to 40 minutes from Sapporo Station by JR rapid train. The Otaru Canal is the symbol of Otaru City.

We will introduce the sights and stores around Otaru Canal from the perspective of Otaru UNGA↑ so that first-time visitors can enjoy Otaru Canal with ease.

History of Otaru Canal

Otaru Port played an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido from the Meiji Era to the early Showa Era. Large vessels docked in the port and barges were used to unload their cargoes, but as the volume of cargoes handled increased, barge traffic congestion became a problem. Therefore, to enable more efficient unloading and loading, an artificial island was constructed over a period of about nine years starting in 1914, and unloading operations could be carried out around the island. The water surface between the original wharf and the artificial island, which was 1,314 meters long and 40 meters wide, became commonly known as the Otaru Canal.

After its completion in 1923, the canal supported the prosperity of the commercial city of Otaru for a while, but after the war, when wharves were built in Otaru Port, barge traffic gradually declined, and when large ports were built in cities on the Pacific side, many ships shifted to the Pacific route. The Otaru Canal gradually became a useless place where sludge and garbage accumulated.

A plan was proposed to reclaim the canal and build a three-lane road to make Otaru a logistics hub once again. In response, a citizens' movement was launched to preserve the canal as a symbol of Otaru, which led to the "Otaru Canal Preservation Movement" that became a nationwide topic. As a result, the southern half of the road along the Otaru Port Route was reclaimed as a road, but the canal was turned into a walking path with cobblestone pavement and gas lamps, and today it is a popular tourist spot representing Hokkaido that attracts many people with its beautiful scenery. The north side (commonly known as "North Canal") is still 40 m wide as it was in the past.

Asakusa Bridge, a classic photo spot

The Asakusa Bridge is the first and most frequently seen photo spot on the Otaru Canal. The name "Asakusa-bashi" comes from the fact that there is a temple called "Senso-ji" located about 1 km away from here on the Yamanote side of the canal, and the road that extends from the temple to the canal is called "Asakusa-dori" and the bridge where this street intersects the canal is called "Asakusa-bashi". Incidentally, locals in Otaru do not call it "Sensouji" like in Tokyo, but "Asakusadera.

There is also a tourist information center on the premises, which is very convenient for gathering the latest tourist information and pamphlets about the facilities. There is a plaza on the bridge, and it is standard practice to take commemorative photos with the Otaru Canal in the background from here. In the surrounding area, restaurants and other tourist attractions such as Sakai-machi Street, the former Otaru branch of the Bank of Japan, and the former Japan National Railways Tegumiya Line are within walking distance.

Central Bridge, the departure and arrival point for canal cruises

About a 10-minute walk straight downhill from JR Otaru Station, Chuo Bridge is located in the center of the Otaru Canal. It is the departure and arrival point for the Otaru Canal Cruise, a popular cruise ship that circles the Otaru Canal and Otaru Port, and one of the highlights of the cruise is to pass under this bridge twice during the cruise. The area under the central bridge is said to be a "pigeon apartment," and at times when there are many, about 20 pigeons are resting their wings. This is one of the places where tourists are surprised to see them. In the vicinity, there is the Canal Plaza Tourist Information Center (Otaru International Information Center), which serves as a base for sightseeing, as well as a pier for marine sightseeing boats bound for Shukujin and Otamoi.

The royal way to enjoy the atmosphere is to walk along the "Otaru Canal Walking Path" along the canal between Chuo Bridge and Asakusa Bridge. If you have less time, it may be a good idea to start from this Chuo Bridge and walk along the canal walking path.

Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

From Otaru, the city of shipping, comes good fortune...
The uninterrupted and protected flow is on our side.
May your luck open up too.

Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido during the Meiji period.
Kitamae-bune ships flapped their pure white sails on the ocean, bringing many goods and culture to this area through traffic to and from Honshu.

Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ offers original products carrying the history and culture that still remain in Otaru, as well as good products from the port of call of the Kitamae Ship, from the former Otaru warehouse, the first business warehouse in Hokkaido built by the Kitamae Ship owners, Sonzaemon Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani.

The story of Otaru, which lived together with the Kitamae Senpaku, is told from this location.

We look forward to serving you with an assortment of original items that can only be found here and that will be appreciated as souvenirs.

▷Click here for more information on Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

Facility name
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑
Adress
〒047-0027　2-1-20 Shikinai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
Phone
0134-65-8150
Opening hours
11：00～18：00
Regular closing day
without a holiday
Website
＞Click here to visit our website.

The "North Canal," which still retains the atmosphere of those days

The North Canal, located on the north side of the Otaru Canal Walk, retains its ancient appearance. There are many historical buildings and stone warehouses built in the Meiji era, such as the former Otaru branch of NYK Line and the former Shibusawa Warehouse. There are also many things that tell the story of the old Otaru, such as gas lamps and the Hokkai Can Otaru factory. Unlike the bustling Otaru Canal area, which has become a tourist attraction, this quiet area retains the atmosphere of an old port town.

At the northern end of the North Canal is Canal Park, a popular recreational spot for Otaru residents, with cobblestone pavement and a fountain in the center of the park. The Western-style building behind the fountain is the former Otaru branch of NYK. The building, completed in 1906, is a two-story stone building in the Early Modern European Revival style, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Near the park, there are also many delicious cafes and restaurants in renovated stone warehouses, such as the Rinkyu morning market crowded with shoppers and the former Shibusawa Warehouse, making it a good spot for a stroll on your Otaru trip.

Otaru Canal Gas Light Lighting Hours

・Otaru Canal Walkway　sunset～24：00
（June～August 18：00～24：00）

・North Canal Walkway Light sensor turns lights on and off
（June～August 18：00～4：00）

・Gas light in front of Canal Plaza　sunset～24：00

・Canal warehouses illuminated　sunset～22：30

Stores in the North Canal

We have picked up stylish cafes, select stores, general merchandise stores, and sweet stores in the North Canal area, which you should definitely visit when you come to Otaru Canal, from the viewpoint of Otaru UNGA↑. Enjoy a different Otaru tour from other guidebooks.

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The old town of North Canal

The North Canal, which retains its old appearance, is home to many historical buildings and stone warehouses built in the Meiji era, such as the former Otaru branch of the Nihon Yusen Company and the former Shibusawa Warehouse. There are also many reminders of the old Otaru, such as gas lamps and the Hokkai Can Otaru factory.

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A classic sightseeing spot in Otaru

Otaru City is now one of the top three tourist destinations in Japan, along with Sapporo and Hakodate, among the most popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido. Another reason for Otaru's popularity is that it is relatively easy to visit, only 30 to 40 minutes from Sapporo Station by JR rapid train.

We will introduce the most popular tourist attractions and stores in Otaru so that first-time visitors can enjoy Otaru with ease.

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Introduction to Otaru's spectacular scenery

Hokkaido, with its vast land and beautiful nature, is a treasure trove of spectacular scenery. Otaru, located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, is a popular tourist destination with easy access from Sapporo. Many historical buildings designated as cultural assets, such as the Otaru Canal with its retro and atmospheric stone warehouses and gas lamps, and the old banking district, attract people with their emotional townscape.

Otaru is also home to many beautiful and spectacular spots, such as Otaru Tenguyama, which commands a panoramic view of Otaru's city center and is one of the three most beautiful night views in Hokkaido; Shukuzu Panorama Observatory, where the coastline and the morning and evening sun can be seen as a set; and the Blue Cave, which is known for its beautiful contrast of rough rocks and refreshing blue. How about a trip to Otaru's beautiful spots?

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Introduction to Otaru's Gastronomy

Otaru City is a popular tourist city, ranked 4th in Japan's most attractive cities (2019 Tourism Motivation Ranking). What comes to mind when you hear the word "delicious food" in Otaru? Generally, "sushi" and "seafood bowls" come to mind. Of course, seafood caught in Otaru, located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, is undoubtedly delicious, but that is not all Otaru has to offer. As a popular town in Hokkaido, which is said to be a treasure trove of food, Otaru offers a wide variety of other delicious foods as well. Let us introduce you to some of Otaru's "Delicious Things to Eat".

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Otaru History and Literature

The history of Otaru dates back to the late Edo period, when a village was established by people who immigrated to Otaru in search of herring. From that time, Kitamae-bune, which was called a general trading company of the sea, also began to come and go. Many daily commodities were brought into Hokkaido, and at the same time, an abundance of seafood was brought to Honshu. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), the port was positioned as the most important port for the development of Hokkaido, and many financial institutions began to operate in the area, leading to its continued prosperity. In the Taisho era (1912-1926), the sea was reclaimed and a waterway was built to facilitate efficient transportation. This was the Otaru Canal.

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