Otaru Canal
The canal stretches 1,140 meters in length and varies in width from 20 to 40 meters. The promenade is adorned with 63 gas lamps, and during dusk, the stone warehouses along the canal are beautifully illuminated. These warehouses have been repurposed into restaurants and shops, creating a charming blend of old Japanese elegance and new vitality. Especially, the glow of the gas lamps from sunset to midnight casts a magical light over the canal, delighting tourists as they enjoy nighttime strolls.
Otaru Canal is cherished by many as a highlight of Hokkaido tourism. Its historical background, beautiful scenery, and the surrounding restaurants and shops combine to create an attractive space. For first-time visitors, there are various ways to enjoy the area, making it a must-visit spot. When strolling along Otaru Canal, it is recommended to take your time and relish the experience.
Basic Information
- Spot Name
- Otaru Canal
- Location
- 〒047-0007 Minatocho, Otaru City, Hokkaido
- Access
- 8 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station on the Hakodate Main Line.
- Parking
- Please use nearby coin parking facilities.
- Business Hours
- Open for visitation.
- Contact Information
- Phone Number： 0134-32-4111 小樽市産業港湾部観光振興室
- Official Website
Map
Detailed Information
Otaru Port developed as the gateway to Hokkaido’s pioneering development. At that time, large ships anchored offshore, and cargo was unloaded using barges; however, as the volume of goods handled increased, there arose a need to make transport operations more efficient. Otaru Canal was created by reclaiming land from the sea in order to extend the distance barges could come alongside.
Completed in 1923, Otaru Canal is characterized by its gentle curve rather than a straight line, because it was built by reclaiming the coastal waters rather than by excavating inland.
However, as times changed and the postwar era began, its role came to an end with the improvement of the port’s wharves and quays.
In 1986, after more than a decade of debate over landfill, part of the canal was reclaimed, half of its width was converted into a road, and it was transformed into its present form with a promenade and small parks.
The canal is 1,140 meters long. Its width is 20 meters along the Roadside Port Line, while the northern section, known as the North Canal, remains 40 meters wide as it was originally.
Sixty-three gas lamps line the promenade, and the stone warehouses along the canal remain as they were in those days, now repurposed as restaurants and other facilities.
At dusk, the gas lamps are lit and the stone warehouses are illuminated, creating an atmosphere different from that of daytime.
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