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Otaru Art Base

Canalside Vintage Art District

Otaru Art Base is located near the Otaru Canal and consists of four historic buildings from the early 20th century. These buildings, which were mostly used as banks and warehouses during the Showa period, have been renovated and remodeled to become art exhibition areas with collections of artworks from Japan and around the world.

Otaru Art Base is located on the west bank of the Otaru Canal and consists of Four Historical Buildings, which are the Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, the Former Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch, the Former Takahashi Warehouses and the Former Arata Trading Co. Most of them were built in the early 20th century, when Otaru was at its peak as the maritime gateway to Hokkaido, and there were as many as 25 banks in Otaru at that time.

The Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch was built in 1927, with the five arches on the Neo-renaissance style facade. The lobby of the bank is Spacious with High Vaulted Ceiling, which is decorated with beautiful plaster sculptures. The Safety Deposit Box Vault and Conference Room have been maintained in their original form, giving visitors a glimpse into the past of Otaru, the economic capital of Hokkaido.

Manywhere Trivia:
Similar to Otaru, Ancient Town Nanxun is also a former commercial town that has also been rejuvenated with culture and tourism.

The Former Takahashi Warehouses is now Stained Glass Museum. The building the same age as the Otaru Canal, was originally a warehouse for storing soybeans, but now the walls of the building are covered with stained glass windows. These religious-themed glass windows were created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are originals from churches in England. A gift store is located at the entrance of the Stained Glass Museum, which was converted from another historic building in Otaru Art Base, Office of the Former Arata Trading Co..

The four-story Former Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch, also built in 1923, is now open to visitors as the Nitori Museum of Art and houses a collection of world-class artworks.