We can enjoy watching many historic buildings constructed during the Meiji and Taisho periods. As the economic and marine transportation center of Hokkaido, Otaru was home to the Otaru branches of major corporations and government offices. Many of the buildings are made of volcanic, easily workable tuff, such as Otaru softstone or Sapporo softstone.

Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch

Completed in 1906, the Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch, among Otaru’s many historic buildings, was designed by Shichijiro Satachi, who studied under Josiah Conder at the Department of Architecture at the Imperial College of Engineering (the predecessor to the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering), a school that produced many Meiji-era architects. The design faithfully inherited the teachings of his mentor, J. Conder, and features an exterior in the “Early Modern European Revival” style. The entire building is designed with both aesthetic and practicality in mind, and visitors can tour the interior.

At the time of its completion, the building featured a dedicated boat entrance and import/export warehouse in front, and a railroad track (the former Temiya Line) behind it, making it a symbol of Otaru’s booming economy. The abandoned site of the Temiya Line has been turned into a walking path, and visitors are free to stroll around.

In addition to the Otaru Branch of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Otaru is home to many other historic buildings, including the former Otaru Branch of the Bank of Japan. Otaru also boasted a thriving glass industry, producing fishing floats and kerosene lamps. These glass products are now sold as popular tourist souvenirs in souvenir shop using abandoned warehouses and other locations.

In the port town of Otaru, you can sample fresh seafood at the market. While prices may have risen slightly compared to the past to cater to tourists, you can still casually sample dishes like seafood bowls and sushi.