Otaru Canal

Otaru Travel Guide 2023
The BEST Things to Do in Otaru, Japan｜Otaru Day Trip

Otaru Port played an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido from the Meiji Period to the early Showa Period.
Barges were used to unload cargo from large vessels docked in the port, but as the amount of cargo handled increased, barge traffic congestion became a problem.



In order to facilitate 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 1,314-meter-long, 40-meter-wide water surface left between the original wharf and the artificial island came to be 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 filled with sludge and garbage.

Plans were made to reclaim the canal and build a three-lane road to once again make Otaru a logistics hub.
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.

Facility name
Otaru Canal
Address
〒047-0007　5 Minatomachi, Otaru City, Otaru Canal
Opening hours
Walking is possible throughout the year
Regular closing day
Walking is possible throughout the year
Website
＞Click here to visit our website.





Tai monaka chocolate with 23 lucky spots in Otaru decorated on the packaging. Chocolate and rice puffs are added to the 100% glutinous rice monaka dough, which is baked using traditional techniques.







Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

Original products that convey the attractions of Otaru are developed and sold in a storefront converted from the former Otaru warehouse headquarters, which is said to be the oldest business warehouse in Hokkaido, located in the Otaru North Canal area. The shop tells the story of Otaru's prosperity in the pioneering days of Hokkaido and the history of the Kitamaebune, and displays and sells processed seafood and agricultural products from the port of call and Hokkaido, as well as original products by craftsmen and artists associated with Otaru.



Facility name
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑
Address
〒047-0031　2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru City
Phone
0134-65-8150
Opening hours
11:00~18:00
Regular closing day
None
Website
＞Click here to visit our website.