North Canal Warehouses | Otaru Tourism

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The northern part of the Otaru Canal, which curves from north to south, is commonly known as the "North Canal." The 40m width of the canal when it was first constructed remains intact to this day, with fishing boats and cruisers moored here, evoking the image of the area once crowded with barges.

Among them, the one that stands out is the "Old Shibusawa Warehouse" (the name of which will soon be changed to the Old Endo Warehouse), built in the mid-Meiji period. Originally built by businessman Endo Matabei, who made his fortune from herring fishing, the warehouse has a unique shape with a large roof over two buildings.

Shibusawa is known as the "Father of Japanese Capitalism" and will appear on the new 10,000 yen bill due to be issued in 2024. He is also known for founding and running many companies. He established the warehousing business, Shibusawa Warehouse Co., Ltd., and expanded into Otaru, the first place outside of Tokyo. The warehouse was designated a historic building by the city of Otaru in 1991 and is currently used as a live music venue and cafe.

Continuing north to the edge of the North Canal, you will come across three large stone warehouses lined up in a row. All of them are designated as historical buildings by the city of Otaru. From the front left are the former Masuda Warehouse, the former Hiromi Warehouse, and the former Ukon Warehouse, all of which were built in the mid-Meiji period.

The former Masuda Warehouse, built in 1903 by Masuda Mataemon, a Kitamae ship owner, is one of a group of timber-framed stone warehouses, and features a typical Otaru warehouse architecture with a gable roof and Western-style truss structure.

The former Hiroumi Warehouse, located to the north of the former Masuda Warehouse, was also built by Hiroumi Jisaburo, a Kitamae ship owner, in 1889. It is the oldest example of a large timber-framed stone warehouse in Otaru, and its construction techniques and short construction period made it a model for subsequent warehouse construction in Otaru.

The large warehouse at the northern end of the group of three warehouses is the former Ukon Warehouse. It was built in 1894 by Ukon Gonzaemon, a Kitamae ship owner, and originally had a waist-high roof to let in light. It was partially damaged by a strong wind about 20 years ago, but the roof has been restored to its current shape. It is the largest warehouse in Otaru in terms of internal floor space.

There is also a large canal park around the North Canal, and at the back stands the former Otaru branch of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, a nationally designated important cultural property. The area around the North Canal has a different atmosphere from typical tourist spots such as Sakaimachi Street, and is a highly recommended stroll spot for experiencing Otaru's history.

Store name
PRESS CAFE

address
3-3-21 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031

phone
0134-24-8028

Opening hours
11:30~22:00

Closed: Thursdays

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This Tai Monaka chocolate features 23 lucky spots in Otaru on the packaging. Chocolate and rice puffs are placed inside a traditionally baked monaka shell made from 100% glutinous rice.

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UNGAPLUS

This shop, renovated from the "Old Otaru Warehouse Main Building," said to be the oldest commercial warehouse in Hokkaido in the Otaru North Canal area, develops and sells original products that convey the charm of Otaru. The shop tells the story of Otaru's prosperity during the Hokkaido pioneering era and the history of the Kitamae ships, and displays and sells processed seafood and agricultural products from ports of call and Hokkaido, as well as original products by artisans and artists with ties to Otaru.