Otaru Canal

The port city of Otaru is one of the famous economic and tourist centers on the west coast of Hokkaido, Japan. This city can be compared to "Venice of Japan". This port town is located across from Ishikari Bay, which prospered until the first half of the 20th century. The neighborhood is made up of canals and buildings with a regal appearance.

If anyone has ever been here, surely it will not be missed the famous place in the heart of the city, which is the Otaru Canal, which was completed in 1923. At that time, this canal was used as a traffic channel. cargo traffic, but because of the destruction of the second world war, the Otaru canal has lost some of its important traffic position of the archipelago. The original shape has ceased to exist, instead half the width of the channel has been leveled to create walkways with shimmering lights around. However, the fishing shore on the Otaru Canal still retains most of the old red-brick warehouses that were built in the past, now it is being slightly remodeled to be used for the restaurant business. .

According to the interpretation of the indigenous people, Otaru is pronounced in an ancient language, meaning "river alluvium" and this name has been used to this day. In addition, there are many classic restaurants here, so choose a cruise on the canal, walk or wear a Kimono to ride a rickshaw along the banks of the canal, you will see the surrounding scenery is beautiful.

Once here, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful atmosphere, especially suitable for couples. This is what makes the canal special. When sunset falls, the surrounding gas lamps emit a soft golden light, creating a rare romantic and nostalgic scene. Besides, every year on the occasion of February, this place is also the site of the candle-dropping festival on the river, which is the most welcome by Hokkaido people of the year. Every year, this event attracts a large number of tourists and locals to visit and see the magical street illuminated by the shimmering, fanciful beauty of the candles.