Kitaichi Glass | Otaru Tourism

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Kitaichi Glass, famous as a mecca for tourism in Otaru, has 17 stores in the city, including glassware galleries such as Building No. 3, as well as restaurants and cafes. Kitaichi Glass is a glass brand that represents Otaru and has grown alongside Otaru's modern history.

Asahara Glass, the predecessor of Kitaichi Glass, was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34). They manufactured and sold oil lamps and fishing floats, and saw rapid growth in business. However, as electricity and oil became more widespread, the era shifted from glass to plastic. There were several glass manufacturers in the city, but by 1960 (Showa 35), Asahara Glass was the only one left.

It wasn't until the 1970s that the wind began to blow again. In 1971 (Showa 46), the company changed its name to the current Kitaichi Glass. The decision to display glass kerosene lamps, which were once a daily necessity, in the store proved successful. At the time, backpackers known as the "Kani-zoku" (Crab Tribe) brought back kerosene lamps as souvenirs, and they became popular as interior decorations, and their reputation quickly spread across the country.

In the 1980s, with the redevelopment of the Otaru Canal, a fishing warehouse built in 1891 (Meiji 24) was converted into a permanent gallery for tourists, which became a huge hit. Through this development, Kitaichi Glass successfully shifted its business model from manufacturing and selling lighting to selling glassware.

Currently, in addition to purchasing and selling products from domestic and international glass manufacturers and trading companies, we also plan our own products, operate affiliated factories, and operate restaurants and cafes, as well as selling alcoholic beverages such as sake and wine.

Facility name: Kitaichi Glass

Address: 1-6-10 Hanazono, Otaru City, Hokkaido, 047-0024

phone
0134-33-1993

Opening hours
08:45-18:00

Closed days <br>Open everyday

Home page
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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 Storehouse," 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.