Scenery of Otaru Canal

The Otaru Canal stands as a symbol of Otaru Port, which flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido’s development. Along the canal, where small cargo boats once shuttled back and forth, stone warehouses still line the banks, preserving the atmosphere of that era.

The Otaru Canal Scenery Reflecting History

One of the iconic views of Otaru Canal. Stone warehouses and brick warehouses line the canal, while flower beds and gas lamps are arranged along its banks, preserving the atmosphere of the port town of yesteryear. At dawn or dusk, the water surface is enveloped in soft light, creating a scene filled with tranquility and nostalgia.

A warehouse covered in ivy and the quiet flow of the canal

A corner of the stone warehouse complex remaining along Otaru Canal. Ivy covering the walls over many years tells the story of the buildings’ history. Once a commercial hub for Otaru’s thriving maritime trade, they are now repurposed as cafes and galleries, shaping the charming streetscape.

The red brick warehouses of Otaru Canal and their reflections on the water’s surface

Among the warehouses lining the canal, the red brick buildings stand out as particularly striking. Serving as a logistics hub that supported Otaru Port’s prosperity from the Meiji to Taisho periods, they now draw many visitors as a tourist attraction. The reflections of the buildings on the water surface further enhance the tranquil atmosphere.