Kitaichi Glass Otaru
Otaru Travel Guide 2023
The BEST Things to Do in Otaru, Japan｜Otaru Day Trip
Kitaichi Glass, a famous Otaru tourist place, has 17 stores in the city, including a glassware gallery such as the No. 3 Building, as well as restaurants and cafes. Kitaichi Glass is a representative glass brand of Otaru and has grown along with the modern history of Otaru.
Kitaichi Glass's predecessor, Asahara Glass, was founded in 1901. The company was engaged in the manufacture and sale of oil lamps and fishing floats, and its business performance increased dramatically. Later, however, as electricity and petroleum became widespread, the shift was made from glass to plastic. By 1960, Asahara Glass was the only glass manufacturer left in the city.
It was not until the 1970s that the wind began to blow again, and in 1971 the company name was changed to Kitaichi Glass. The company dared to put oil lamps made of glass, once a necessity of daily life, on store shelves, and it paid off. The oil lamps brought back as souvenirs by backpackers, known then as "crabbers," were well received as interior decorations, and their reputation spread quickly throughout the country.
In the 1980s, the redevelopment of the Otaru Canal led to the conversion of a fishing warehouse built in 1891 into a permanent gallery for tourists, which became very popular. With this development, Kitaichi Glass succeeded in changing its business format from a lighting manufacturer and distributor to a glassware distributor. Today, in addition to purchasing and selling products from domestic and foreign glass manufacturers and trading companies, Kitaichi Glass is also involved in planning its own products, operating its own factories, operating restaurants and cafes, and selling Japanese sake, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
Facility name
Kitaichi Glass Otaru
Address
1-6-10 Hanazono, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0024, Japan
Phone
0134-33-1993
Opening hours
08：45〜18：00
Regular closing day
Open all-year-round
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
Kitaichi Glass, a famous Otaru tourist place, has 17 stores in the city, including a glassware gallery such as the No. 3 Building, as well as restaurants and cafes. Kitaichi Glass is a representative glass brand of Otaru and has grown along with the modern history of Otaru.
Kitaichi Glass's predecessor, Asahara Glass, was founded in 1901. The company was engaged in the manufacture and sale of oil lamps and fishing floats, and its business performance increased dramatically. Later, however, as electricity and petroleum became widespread, the shift was made from glass to plastic. By 1960, Asahara Glass was the only glass manufacturer left in the city.
It was not until the 1970s that the wind began to blow again, and in 1971 the company name was changed to Kitaichi Glass. The company dared to put oil lamps made of glass, once a necessity of daily life, on store shelves, and it paid off. The oil lamps brought back as souvenirs by backpackers, known then as "crabbers," were well received as interior decorations, and their reputation spread quickly throughout the country.
In the 1980s, the redevelopment of the Otaru Canal led to the conversion of a fishing warehouse built in 1891 into a permanent gallery for tourists, which became very popular. With this development, Kitaichi Glass succeeded in changing its business format from a lighting manufacturer and distributor to a glassware distributor. Today, in addition to purchasing and selling products from domestic and foreign glass manufacturers and trading companies, Kitaichi Glass is also involved in planning its own products, operating its own factories, operating restaurants and cafes, and selling Japanese sake, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
Facility name
Kitaichi Glass Otaru
Address
1-6-10 Hanazono, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0024, Japan
Phone
0134-33-1993
Opening hours
08：45〜18：00
Regular closing day
Open all-year-round
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.
