Otaru Canal

The Otaru Canal is one of Otaru’s most iconic sightseeing spots. It was originally built in 1923 (Taisho 12) as a canal designed to move cargo close to warehouses, but after World War II it fell out of use, leaving behind only historic buildings. In 1986 (Showa 61), a promenade and small parks were created, transforming it into the Otaru Canal you see today. Along the 1,140-meter canal, 63 gas lamps glow at night, and the romantic scenery of timber-and-stone warehouses lining the water has made it a classic date spot. The stone warehouses have been repurposed into restaurants, souvenir shops featuring Hokkaido specialties, and tourist information centers. It is a sightseeing spot with strong visual appeal that retains a nostalgic atmosphere. The Otaru Canal Cruise is also popular, letting you enjoy the canal by boat, not just on foot. In addition to walking, services such as rickshaws and bicycle rentals are also well developed. The city also hosts an event called Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi on the same dates as the Sapporo Snow Festival, when the canal area is illuminated by about 140,000 candles, creating a magical, dreamlike atmosphere. To reach the Otaru Canal, walk downhill from JR Otaru Station for about 8 minutes.