[2018.05] Jottings of Otaru Canal

Since Otaru canal was built and started to run in 1923, it has become an important landscape in Hokkaido. With a myriads of scenery every seasons, the most breath-taking moment belongs to the winter viewing. When snow falling smoothly, the rooftop of the warehouse will turn into a takingly white.

Because of the natural Otaru Harbor, Otaru became the economic center of Hokkaido before. Since the harbor increase the trade, warehouses and banks started to located in Otaru. Until now, those buildings still remain in the corner and the street in here.

In 1880, railway connected Otaru and Sapporo. As the first railway in Hokkaido, trading becomes more easier and making Otaru harbor much more important than ever. Since the railway was built along the coast, there a beautiful scenery with calm ocean when traveling by the train.

Otaru was so called "The Northern Wall Street" that you might think of the prosperity at that time.  Goods were sent and received by harbor and canal to everywhere. As a economic center, Otaru embraced the hayday before the WWII.

After WWII, though population was raised in Otaru, the economic center had turned to Sapporo. Moreover, the reduction of the routes makes the Otaru harbor less influential than ever so that make the Otaru started to decline.

The length of Otaru canal has decrease to an half than before while the riverside warehouse has stationed a lot of handcrafts stores. Walking along the street in Otaru, trying to feel the atmosphere  of the history. And trying to feel the old banks and warehouses that have been company with Otaru's prosperity.