- ＃Highlights of the Otaru North Canal.
13 Sightseeing Spots. - ＃History and Literature of Otaru.
14 Historical Sites. - ＃Historic Buildings in Otaru.
20 Must-See Spots - ＃２days itinerary Otaru
Otaru Travel Guide 2024 - ＃Otaru Travel Guide 2024
- The BEST Things to Do in Otaru -
One Day Trip - Itinerary - ＃Otaru Canal
Sightseeing Recommendations Walking Guide
Otaru Travel Guide 2024
Warehouses in the North Canal
Otaru Travel Guide 2023
The BEST Things to Do in Otaru, Japan｜Otaru Day Trip
The northern part of the Otaru Canal, which runs in a north-south curve, is commonly known as the "North Canal.
The 40m width of the canal, which still remains as it was when it was first constructed, is reminiscent of the scene when fishing boats and cruisers were moored and barges were crowded together.
Among them, the "Old Shibusawa Warehouse" (the name of Shibusawa Warehouse will soon be changed to Old Endo Warehouse), which was built in the mid-Meiji period, shines conspicuously.
It has a unique shape with a large roof over two warehouses originally built by Matabei Endo, a businessman who made his fortune by herring fishing.
Known as the "father of Japanese capitalism," Shibusawa, whose portrait will be on the new 10,000 yen bill issued in 2024, is known for founding and managing many companies.
As for warehousing, he established "Shibusawa Warehouse Co., Ltd.", which was the first viewpoint outside of Tokyo to expand into Otaru.
That warehouse was designated as a historical building by Otaru City in 1991 and is now used as a live music club and cafe.
Further north to the edge of the North Canal, three large stone warehouses stand in a row.
All of them are designated as historical buildings by Otaru City.
From the front on the left, they are the former Masuda Warehouse, the former Koumi Warehouse, and the former Ukon Warehouse, all of which were built in the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The former Masuda Warehouse, built in 1903 by Masuda Mataemon, a Kitamae shipowner, is one of a group of wooden-frame stone warehouses with gable roofs and Western-style truss structures, typical of Otaru warehouse architecture.
The former Koumi Warehouse, located to the north of the former Masuda Warehouse, was also built in 1889 by Jisaburo Koumi, a Kitamae shipowner.
It is the oldest example of a large wooden and stone warehouse in Otaru, and its construction techniques and short construction period became a model for later warehouse construction in Otaru.
The large warehouse at the northern end of the three-building warehouse complex is the former Ukon Warehouse.
It was built in 1894.
It was built by Ukon Gonzaemon, a Kitamae shipowner, and when it was first constructed, it had a "hip roof" for lighting.
It was partially damaged by strong winds about 20 years ago, but the roof has been restored to its present form.
As for the area inside the building, it is the largest warehouse in Otaru.
There is also a large canal park around the North Canal, and the former Otaru Branch of NYK Line, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, stands at the back of the park.
The North Canal area has a different atmosphere from other sightseeing spots such as Sakaicho Street, and is a highly recommended strolling spot to experience Otaru's history.
Facility name
PRESS CAFE
Address
〒047-0031 3-3-21 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Phone
0134-24-8028
Opening hours
11:30~22:00
Regular closing day
Thursday
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.
The BEST Things to Do in Otaru, Japan｜Otaru Day Trip
The northern part of the Otaru Canal, which runs in a north-south curve, is commonly known as the "North Canal.
The 40m width of the canal, which still remains as it was when it was first constructed, is reminiscent of the scene when fishing boats and cruisers were moored and barges were crowded together.
Among them, the "Old Shibusawa Warehouse" (the name of Shibusawa Warehouse will soon be changed to Old Endo Warehouse), which was built in the mid-Meiji period, shines conspicuously.
It has a unique shape with a large roof over two warehouses originally built by Matabei Endo, a businessman who made his fortune by herring fishing.
Known as the "father of Japanese capitalism," Shibusawa, whose portrait will be on the new 10,000 yen bill issued in 2024, is known for founding and managing many companies.
As for warehousing, he established "Shibusawa Warehouse Co., Ltd.", which was the first viewpoint outside of Tokyo to expand into Otaru.
That warehouse was designated as a historical building by Otaru City in 1991 and is now used as a live music club and cafe.
Further north to the edge of the North Canal, three large stone warehouses stand in a row.
All of them are designated as historical buildings by Otaru City.
From the front on the left, they are the former Masuda Warehouse, the former Koumi Warehouse, and the former Ukon Warehouse, all of which were built in the middle of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The former Masuda Warehouse, built in 1903 by Masuda Mataemon, a Kitamae shipowner, is one of a group of wooden-frame stone warehouses with gable roofs and Western-style truss structures, typical of Otaru warehouse architecture.
The former Koumi Warehouse, located to the north of the former Masuda Warehouse, was also built in 1889 by Jisaburo Koumi, a Kitamae shipowner.
It is the oldest example of a large wooden and stone warehouse in Otaru, and its construction techniques and short construction period became a model for later warehouse construction in Otaru.
The large warehouse at the northern end of the three-building warehouse complex is the former Ukon Warehouse.
It was built in 1894.
It was built by Ukon Gonzaemon, a Kitamae shipowner, and when it was first constructed, it had a "hip roof" for lighting.
It was partially damaged by strong winds about 20 years ago, but the roof has been restored to its present form.
As for the area inside the building, it is the largest warehouse in Otaru.
There is also a large canal park around the North Canal, and the former Otaru Branch of NYK Line, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, stands at the back of the park.
The North Canal area has a different atmosphere from other sightseeing spots such as Sakaicho Street, and is a highly recommended strolling spot to experience Otaru's history.
Facility name
PRESS CAFE
Address
〒047-0031 3-3-21 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Phone
0134-24-8028
Opening hours
11:30~22:00
Regular closing day
Thursday
Website
＞Click here to visit our website.
Chocolate in the shape of a sea bream
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 Travel Guide Category List
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.
