Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Kitakaro is a renowned sweets shop and café chain in Hokkaido. In Sapporo’s Omotesando, the main store sits on the second floor of a repurposed library which was originally built in 1926, giving it a charming old-world atmosphere. Many parts of the building, like the grand entrance hall, have been left intact providing history-buffs with great spots for some snaps. The café serves parfaits, cake combo meals, and European-Japanese savory dishes like omurice (a thin omelet served on seasoned rice). A magnificent bookcase in the café extends to the ceiling, maintaining the building’s traditional literary aesthetic. You can also make reservations for branded Baumkuchen cakes (donut-shaped Dutch sweetbreads adopted by Japanese confectionary practitioners). The pastry chefs will use a branding iron to print a message of your request – birthday wishes, for example – on a Baumkuchen in time for your arrival. (Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance and branding may be in Japanese only).

In the heart of Hokkaido’s picturesque port town of Otaru, Otaru Art Base offers visitors the rare chance to experience art inside four beautifully preserved historic buildings from the early 20th century. Each structure, once a proud symbol of Otaru’s prosperity, has been carefully renovated to showcase works that reflect the elegance and creativity of the era.

One highlight is the Stained Glass Museum (formerly Arata Trading Company and the Takahashi Warehouse), where light streams through 19th and early 20th century stained glass windows originally crafted in England to grace church interiors. The result is a luminous, colorful space that feels almost sacred.

The Nitori Museum of Art (formerly the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch) features an extensive collection ranging from Japanese paintings and Western art to wood carvings. Its basement houses an Art Nouveau and Art Deco Glass Gallery, while the former banking hall impresses with a soaring atrium supported by six classic columns.

Another gem is the Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, a Renaissance-style masterpiece that reflects Otaru’s status in the late Meiji to early Showa period as “the leading economic city of northern Japan.” Its exterior, open atrium with gallery walkways, and ornate plaster ceilings embody refined elegance.

Otaru Art Base is more than just a museum—it is a journey into the city’s golden age, where art, culture, and architecture merge into a single unforgettable experience. Step inside and let the charm of historic Otaru inspire your imagination.

Otaru Canal, with its gentle curve stretching 1,140 meters, is lined with stone warehouses and historic buildings, making it a picturesque tourist spot in Otaru. Completed in 1923, the canal was originally used for small boats to transport cargo from larger ships. After its role ended in 1986, part of the canal was filled in to create walkways and parks. The northern side (known as North Canal) still retains its original 40-meter width.

A leisurely walk along the canal from end to end takes about 20 minutes. There are many cafes and restaurants housed in stone warehouses and old buildings along the way, making it a great place to stop and explore. At dusk, 63 gas lamps light up, and the warehouses are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere different from the daytime.

The "Otaru Canal Cruise," a popular activity, takes about 40 minutes and offers a relaxing tour of the canal with commentary from the captain. The changing scenery of the canal throughout the seasons and times of day is a delight to experience, and the views of Otaru from the boat are exceptional.

Held in early Feb.

During Otaru’s “Snow Light Path” event, candlelight warms the city’s nostalgic avenues with its inviting glow. These dancing lights cast glimmering patterns across the old brick buildings in the area, making for a romantic stroll around this historic northern town. There are three main venues that visitors can check out during the event: the Otaru Canal, the Former Temiya Railway Line, and the Asarigawa Onsen Village. At the Otaru Canal, hundreds of candle-filled glass spheres float across the frozen surface of the water, lighting up the ice and snow sculptures along the path. The Former Temiya Railway Line is rimmed with endless candlelight, lit in a way that reminds visitors of a well-known children’s story, “A Night on the Galactic Express.” Finally, at the Asarigawa Onsen Village, snow-covered stones along the river are festooned with candles, creating a calming atmosphere for a hot spring bath.