Otaru (Japanese: 小樽) is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture (後志総合振興局), Hokkaido (北海道), Japan. Constructed in 1914 and opened in 1923, Otaru Canal (小樽運河) was a central part of the city's busy port in the first half of the 20th century.
Otaru faces Ishikari Bay (石狩湾) and the Sea of Japan, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination.
The canal became obsolete when modern dock facilities allowed for direct unloading of larger vessels. Thanks to a citizens' movement, a part of the canal was beautifully restored in the 1980s instead of being landfilled.
There are some reliefs on the banks of the Otaru Canal , depicting the history of the canal, while the warehouses along the canal have been transformed into museums, shops and restaurants.
Canal Plaza (運河プラザ) is a visitor center. This visitor center has plenty of acilities, including information desks, exhibition halls, shops and restrooms. The center provide heating and free Wi-Fi, which is very considerate.
If you are interested, you can take a boat to travel along the canal, but maybe the weather is too cold, no tourist seems to be interested.
As dusk approaches, the light softens, the scenery of Otaru Canal is beautiful.
There is a small plaza next to Asakusabashi (浅草橋), and there is another visitor center in the plaza, but not as big as Canal Plaza, with only one information desk.
