Otaru Canal, Hokkaido Prefecture

This picture shows one of the many historic warehouses lining the canal in a restored historic section of Otaru, which originally served as a port for Sapporo, the largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Otaru (lit. small barrel) was first established in the Tokugawa period (1603-1867) as a fishing village. It is located on Ishikari Bay, with mountains on the other three sides. By the late 19th century it had become an economic hub and a major herring port. During the Meiji period (1868-1912) it was the Hokkaido’s only major port on the Sea of Japan. This is when the canal area flourished, with barges constantly ferrying goods from ships to the many old brick and stone warehouses lining the canals.

The port remained busy through the first half of the 20th century, and then fell into decline as the fishing and shipping industries began to fade. Through the efforts of a strong citizen group, the canal area of Otaru was restored in the 1980’s and has become a popular destination. Many of the warehouses have been adapted to house an attractive array of cafes, museums, shops and restaurants (with wonderful fresh seafood), all in a beautiful historic setting, lit in the evening by antique gas lamps. Otaru’s popularity with tourists is further enhanced by the fact that it is surrounded by ski areas, beaches and hot springs.

Japan Travel Guide: http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/destinations/hokkaido/otaru.html
Japan Guide: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6701.html
Japan-i: http://www.japan-i.jp/explorejapan/hokkaido/doo-otaru-niseko/
http://www.japan-i.jp/explorejapan/hokkaido/doo-otaru-niseko/