Central Market | Otaru Tourism

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In 1880, Hokkaido's first railway opened between Otaru and Sapporo. Otaru became a bustling city with settlers arriving and goods being transported, and it developed into the leading economic city in northern Japan. However, it entered a period of chaos immediately after the end of World War II.

After the war, Japanese rule was lifted and many people returned to Japan from northeastern China, Manchuria, and other areas. The Central Market was founded in 1946 by people who had returned to Otaru from overseas territories.

Originally, it was called "Otaru Central Market." After the chaotic period following the end of the war, the city of Otaru forced it to be demolished and relocated in order to make way for urban development, but the union president at the time visited City Hall many times and continued to plead, and eventually the market was allowed to continue.

The market association was then incorporated to make the shacks into a permanent facility, and construction began on a modern reinforced concrete market. The first building was completed in May 1953, followed by the second building the following year. The third building was completed a little later, in 1956.

At the time, the modern facilities attracted attention and were met with a response from all over Hokkaido. Nearly 70 years later, the building is still as sturdy as ever. Currently, there are around 30 stores in operation, including restaurants and barber shops in the first building, butcher shops and delicatessens in the second building, and fresh fishmongers and greengrocers in the third building.

Facility name : Central Market

Address: 3-11-2 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido 047-0032

phone
0134-22-5384

Opening hours
9:00-18:00

Closed : Sundays

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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.