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Otaru Canal

Red Brick Warehouses and Gas Lights

Construction of the Otaru Canal began in 1914 and took nine years to complete. During the pioneering days of Hokkaido, the Otaru Canal was used as a port for ships entering and leaving Hokkaido, and the red brick warehouses along the canal are still in use today.

During the pioneering period of Hokkaido, Otaru was the main port for ships going in and out of Hokkaido. In order to increase the port’s capacity, a man-made canal was constructed by reclaiming land from the sea, which is now Otaru's Most Famous Sightseeing Spot, Otaru Canal.

The construction of the Otaru Canal was started in 1914 and took nine years to complete, extending the Otaru coastline by 1.3 kilometers and allowing more cargo ships to land at the same time. A row of Red Brick Warehouses was built on the east bank of the canal, and these warehouses have been used ever since, although they have been converted into commercial facilities such as restaurants and shops.

Manywhere Trivia:
The Otaru Canal had been in decline for a long time at the end of the last century, but it was revived when it found a way to sell tourism, which was the turning point with the release of Iwai Shunji’s film Love Letter.

The Otaru Canal has bridges such as the Asahi Bridge, the Asakusa Bridge, the Ryugomiya Bridge, and the Chuo Bridge, and is divided into north and south sections. The 40-meter-wide North Canal has remained unchanged, with many working ships docked along the shore. The southern section of the canal is popular with tourists. It takes only 10 minutes to walk from Chuo Bridge (Central Bridge), which is directly opposite to Otaru Station, to the Asakusa Bridge at the southern end of the canal and back. 63 Gas Lamps by the riverside are lit as night falls, and they not only illuminate the river and warehouses, but also create a romantic atmosphere for people walking along the river.

Gas lamps and Seagulls

In addition to the commercial facilities converted from warehouses, there are many other places to experience around the Otaru Canal. Otaru Denuki Koji 小樽出抜小路, the canal-side eatery, is small but still popular for its vintage architectures. The Canal Plaza, which houses a souvenir shop and tourist center, is located on the west bank of the Otaru Canal, as well as the Otaru Canal Museum.