Home > Otaru Sightseeing Portal > Otaru in Photos

From the Meiji to Taisho periods, Otaru flourished as a major logistics hub and the gateway to Hokkaido. At its peak, it grew into the leading commercial city in northern Japan, reaching the height of its prosperity. Historic buildings that preserve the vestiges of this era, such as the Otaru Canal, which was created by reclaiming land from the sea during the Taisho period and became nationally famous for its preservation movement in the Showa era, line the streets. Its nostalgic townscape is now one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations.

UNGAPLUS has created a photo gallery of recommended tourist spots and local specialties in Otaru that you should definitely visit. Otaru has many picturesque buildings, scenic views, and delicious seafood, so we recommend staying overnight to explore it thoroughly.

Presenting Otaru.

From UNGAPLUS, located in the "Former Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we bring you "The Story of Otaru" that journeyed with the Kitamaebune ships,
introducing "Otaru's Must-See Spots."

Please enjoy Otaru.

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

1. Otaru Canal

From the Meiji period to the early Showa period, Otaru Port played an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido. Large ships anchored in the port would unload cargo using small boats called lighters, but as the volume of cargo handled increased, congestion from lighter operations became a problem. To enable more efficient loading and unloading, an artificial island was constructed over approximately nine years starting in 1914, allowing cargo handling around it. The 1,314-meter-long, 40-meter-wide waterway remaining between the original quay and the artificial island became commonly known as the "Otaru Canal." ...Read more

Evening, from the Otaru Canal promenade looking north

Night, from Chuo Bridge towards Asakusa Bridge

Daytime, the North Canal from Chuo Bridge

The North Canal in winter, with its original 40m width

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

2. Former Temiya Line

The abandoned railway line of the former Temiya Line, a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, has become a popular tourist spot in Otaru. It began as Hokkaido's first railway and Japan's third, built by American railway engineer Joseph Ury Crawford, and opened in 1880 from Temiya to Sapporo for coal transportation. After flourishing with coal and seafood shipments, it was nationalized in 1906 and served as a means of transportation for Hokkaido residents until the late Showa era, finally closing in November 1985. ...Read more

From Otaru Station main street, with the former Temiya Line site on the right

A woman strolling along the former Temiya Line site

The former Temiya Line at night, illuminated by streetlights

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

3. Former Otaru Warehouse

The Former Otaru Warehouse, with its distinctive shachihoko (ornamental rooftop tiger-fish) and prominent location along the Otaru Canal, is a representative historical building even among Otaru's many such structures. It was built in 1890 (Meiji 23) by Nishitani and Nishide from Kagahashidate on the recently developed south shore of Otaru Port. Later, due to circumstances of the Nishide family, the warehouse came under the management of Kyuemon Yamamoto (2nd generation), who had also established a base in Otaru with Kitamaebune ships. The Otaru Warehouse was then expanded and renovated into its current "□" shape, becoming a large-scale warehouse spanning 3,000 square meters. ...Read more

Hokkaido's first government-approved warehouse

Fire dog "Bunko" in front of the former Otaru Warehouse

UNGAPLUS in the former headquarters building, made of brick

UNGAPLUS

Bringing good fortune from Otaru, a city of maritime transport...
May your luck also open up,
empowered by the flow that has been continuously preserved.

Otaru flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido's development during the Meiji period.
Kitamaebune ships, with their pure white sails billowing across the vast ocean, brought many goods and cultures to this land through their trade with Honshu.

From the "Former Otaru Main Warehouse," Hokkaido's first commercial warehouse built by Kitamaebune ship owners Magosaburo Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani, UNGAPLUS delivers original products carrying the history and culture still remaining in Otaru, as well as fine goods from the Kitamaebune ports of call.

The story of Otaru, which journeyed with the Kitamaebune ships, from this place.

We await your visit with a selection of unique original items that also make delightful souvenirs.

Click here for UNGAPLUS details

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

4. Otaru Port

Otaru has three fishing ports: Shukutsu Fishing Port, Shioya Fishing Port, and Oshoro Fishing Port, all of which are Category 1 fishing ports (primarily serving local fishing). The fishing port in Takashima is called Takashima Fishing Port Area and is considered part of "Otaru Port," a "major port" based on the Port and Harbor Act. All of Shukutsu, Shioya, Oshoro, and Takashima fishing port areas developed as fishing grounds by people who moved north in search of herring from the late Edo period to the early 19th century. Many industrial heritage sites from the herring fishing era still remain, making them very charming places. ...Read more

Otaru Port with the sunrise over Ishikari Bay

Ushio Festival Fireworks Display held at Otaru Port

Warehouses at Otaru Port's Third Pier, to be developed in the future

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

5. Otaru Bank District

From Asakusa Bridge, a famous photo spot on the Otaru Canal, cross the large Rinkosen Avenue and continue straight towards Otaru Station on the Nichigin Dori (Bank of Japan Street), and you will eventually reach the intersection with Ironai Odori. This area retains many bank buildings constructed during Otaru's peak, when it was known as the "leading economic city in northern Japan," and boasted as many as 25 financial institutions with head or branch offices. Furthermore, various architectural styles from each era, from the 113th Bank and the Bank of Japan in the Meiji period to the former Savings Bureau (Municipal Museum and Literary Museum), a precursor to modern post-war architecture, are lined up within a small radius of 500 meters, all designed by first-class architects. ...Read more

Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, symbolizing past prosperity

Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch, designed by Tatsuno Kingo

Former Yasuda Bank Otaru Branch, in Greek style

Former Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

6. Otaru Markets

I'm Tomoko Taguchi, market lover! Starting this month, I'll be writing the "ICHIBA SANPO" column on the UNGAPLUS website! I'm so happy! Actually, about 15 years ago, I declared myself a "Self-Proclaimed Market Ambassador" and promoted markets on FM Otaru and other programs, but then Irunefune Market closed, and Myoken Market closed... I started to worry that Otaru's beloved market culture would disappear. Otaru currently has six markets: Chuo Market, Chuo Wholesale Market, Sankaku Market, Rinyu Market, Minami Otaru Market, and Shin Minami Otaru Market. Having six markets in a city of 110,000 people (and still surviving)... that's actually quite amazing. So, I hope to convey their charm and promote them in my own way, so that these six markets will continue to thrive in Otaru. ...Read more

Sankaku Market, popular with tourists

Minami Otaru Market, drawing crowds even from Sapporo

Rinyu Morning Market, open from 4 AM

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

7. Otaru Shrines

As Otaru has long flourished as a port town, there are many shrines dedicated to water deities, sea deities, and gods of business prosperity. From the late 18th to early 19th centuries, many agricultural immigrants came from Honshu, leading to the establishment of numerous Inari Shrines dedicated to agricultural deities.

Speaking of shrines in Otaru, Otaru Sumiyoshi Shrine

Suitengu Shrine standing on a hill in Otaru

Ryugu Shrine established by Enomoto Takeaki

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

8. Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Building

Kitaichi Glass, famous as a mecca for Otaru tourism, has 17 stores in the city, including its No. 3 Building glass gallery, as well as restaurants and cafes. Kitaichi Glass is a leading glass brand in Otaru and has grown alongside Otaru's modern history. Asahara Glass, the predecessor of Kitaichi Glass, was founded in 1901 (Meiji 34). It dramatically expanded its business by manufacturing and selling oil lamps and glass fishing floats. However, as electricity and petroleum became widespread, the era shifted from glass to plastic. Of the several glass manufacturers in the city, only Asahara Glass remained by 1960 (Showa 35). ...Read more

Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Building with an attached glass art gallery

Oil lamps that made Kitaichi Glass famous

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

9. Otaru Tenguyama

Otaru Tenguyama, a symbolic presence that has long been cherished by the citizens of Otaru, stands at an elevation of 532 meters and can be seen from various parts of Otaru's city center. The summit can be reached by a ropeway that runs every 6 to 12 minutes, or by car (road closed during winter). Otaru Tenguyama has five observation decks, and the summit observatory, in particular, is a must-see spot that has earned one star in the "Michelin Green Guide Japan." ...Read more

Otaru Tenguyama, offering panoramic views of Otaru

Otaru Tenguyama, one of Hokkaido's three great night views

Otaru's Famous Places in Photos - Otaru Tourism

10. Otaru Snow Light Path

The "Otaru Snow Light Path" began in 1999 (Heisei 11) as a measure to combat the decrease in tourists during the winter season. Held annually in February, it has become one of Otaru's representative events, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors over about 10 days. The name is inspired by the poetry collection "Yukiakari no Michi" (Path of Snow Light) by Otaru-born poet Sei Ito. The warm glow of candles envelops Otaru's unique old townscape, with its many historical buildings such as banks and warehouses built during the Meiji and Taisho periods. During the event, over 100,000 candles are used, and volunteers from both Japan and abroad cooperate to light them, valuing human warmth. ...Read more

Enchanting candlelight

Snow lights illuminating storefronts

Snow tunnel filled with candles

Snow lights on the trees in town

UNGAPLUS

Bringing good fortune from Otaru, a city of maritime transport...
May your luck also open up,
empowered by the flow that has been continuously preserved.

Otaru flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido's development during the Meiji period.
Kitamaebune ships, with their pure white sails billowing across the vast ocean, brought many goods and cultures to this land through their trade with Honshu.

From the "Former Otaru Main Warehouse," Hokkaido's first commercial warehouse built by Kitamaebune ship owners Magosaburo Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani, UNGAPLUS delivers original products carrying the history and culture still remaining in Otaru, as well as fine goods from the Kitamaebune ports of call.

The story of Otaru, which journeyed with the Kitamaebune ships, from this place.

We await your visit with a selection of unique original items that also make delightful souvenirs.

Click here for UNGAPLUS details