Otaru Canal 100th Anniversary Project to be held from September 16 to 100 (Otaru City, Hokkaido)

This is the twelfth installment of the "Communicating from the Local" series. This time, Mr. Akimura, who works for the Otaru Tourism Association, will navigate about the commemorative event of Otaru, Hokkaido, a tourist spot like everyone's idol. It seems that the Otaru Canal will celebrate its 100th anniversary in December this year, and various events will be held from September. Whether you haven't experienced Otaru or haven't seen it in a long time, is it time to travel to Otaru? The other day, I was worried about the flooding of the road due to heavy rain, but now I am back to my usual Otaru.

The Otaru Canal can be said to be a symbol of Otaru. The Otaru Canal was completed on December 27, 1923. This year, 2023, marks the 100th anniversary of its completion.

To commemorate this, for a total of 100 days from Saturday, September 16 to Wednesday, December 27, various commemorative events will be held in Otaru City under the name of the "Otaru Canal 100 Years Project."
Here are some commemorative events to connect the past 100 years of the Otaru Canal with the next 100 years.

The Otaru Canal celebrates 100 years since its completion

The completion of the Otaru Canal is deeply connected to the history of Otaru.

Otaru achieved rapid development during the Meiji era, and in the 12 years from 1886 ~ 1898, the population increased by about 3.6 times, from 15,882 to 56,961, making it the second largest population in Hokkaido after Hakodate.
With the development of the city, the number of ships entering the harbor also increased, and the canal system was adopted as a more modern port was required. Nowadays, the wharf type in which large ships are docked and loaded and unloaded is the mainstream, but at that time, the canal system was cutting-edge.

It took 20 years from the design of the Otaru Canal planned at the end of the Meiji era, and it was completed in Taisho 12!
At the time of its completion, Otaru was in the midst of a golden age as the most important base for trade in the Sea of Japan.

Due to the development of the wharf after the war, the Otaru Canal ended its role in the mid-Showa period, and around Showa 41, a city plan was raised to completely reclaim it.

After a long debate over the preservation of the canal, the Otaru Canal was developed, and in Showa 61, half the width of the canal on the south side was reborn as a walking path.

Citizens celebrate the birth of the Otaru Canal in the "Otaru Canal 100 Years Project"

Even now that its original role has ended, the area around the Otaru Canal still retains a wide range of remnants of the past. As a popular tourist spot where you can enjoy a nostalgic atmosphere, many tourists visit it every day.

We want to connect the next 100 years of the Otaru Canal, the symbol of Otaru, with our own hands! With this in mind, we launched the "Otaru Canal 100 Years Project" mainly by young people in Otaru City. During the period, in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Otaru Canal, various projects will be held at the historical buildings and ancient townscapes of Otaru City.

The event management team consists of about 150 Otaru citizens who transcend the boundaries of organizations and companies.
We have a series of meetings after work, etc., and we are working to make the event a success with the desire to liven up Otaru.

1- Otaru Autumn Fest 2023

 From the Meiji ~ early Showa period, as many as 25 banks supported Otaru's economic activities. Bank of Japan Street, where many bank buildings still remain, is a public place that is usually used as a public road. During the event, part of Bank of Japan Street will be closed to traffic and will be the venue! We plan to hold stage planning and food and beverage stalls. We will carry out a project that will be the start of the 100-day celebration countdown until the 100th anniversary of the Otaru Canal on December 27th.

■ Date and time

1. September 16 (Sat) 16:00~22:00
2. September 17 (Sat) 16:00~22:00
3. September 18 (Mon) 11:00~22:00

■ Location

1. Bank of Japan Street (stage, food and beverage stalls)
2. Otaru Art Village Courtyard (Children's Square)

2- North Canal Night Market ~ Yummy City

For 35 days from September 11 (Monday) to October 15 (Sunday), a large number of delicious restaurants will gather from all over Hokkaido. The central bridge of the Otaru Canal, which will be the venue ~ the walking path in front of the former Hokkai Seikan No. 3 warehouse, will be lit up to welcome everyone. You can spend a relaxing and delicious time on the North Canal at night.

■ Date and time

• September 11 (Mon) ~ October 15 (Sun) 17:00~22:00

■ Location

1. Otaru Canal Central Bridge ~ Ryugu Bridge Walking Path
2. Otaru Canal Ryugu Bridge ~ Old Hokkai Seikan No. 3 Warehouse Walking Path

3- OTARU Night Market

Otaru's shopping street is transformed into a grand night market! Tourists and locals alike are welcome. During the period, there will be a variety of shops such as delicious gourmets, flea markets, and handmade items.
The main stage will host exciting events such as professional wrestling matches, breakdancing competitions, and game battle competitions for 3.5 days. It is an event that you can definitely enjoy with the locals.

■ Date and time

• October 6 (Fri) ~ 8 (Sun), 9 (Mon) Children's Game Battle

■ Location

• Otaru Sun Mall Ichiban Street

4-OTARU PORT Club Important Cultural Property Party

A party event held at the former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, which was designated as an Important Cultural Property last year. It is usually open to the public as one of the buildings of the museum "Otaru Art Village", which was once a bank.

■ Re

1. November 3 (Fri) & 4 (Sat) Lunch 11:30~13:30
2. November 3 (Fri.), 4 (Sat.) Evening Session 17:30~19:30

■ Location

• Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch

5- Nazotoki! Secrets hidden in the Otaru Canal

With ideas and plans unique to local high school students, this is a heart-pounding project that allows students to learn, tour, and pass on to the next generation while enjoying the history and charm of Otaru. The theme is a tour project utilizing the Japan Heritage candidate area "Otaru, a town called the heart of Hokkaido".

■ Date and time

• Sunday, October 15, 2023 10:00~17:30 *Reception until 16:00

■ Location

1. Reception location (Canal Plaza front yard)
2. Venue (around Otaru Canal Trail)

Through the event, we rediscovered the charm of Otaru

Otaru is easily accessible from Sapporo, so transit sightseeing that ends with a walk only around the Otaru Canal without overnight stays has become the mainstream. As a result, many stores closed early, and night sightseeing was an issue.

In the Otaru Canal 100 Years Project, we hope that many citizens and tourists will rediscover the charm of Otaru at night by holding many events that are held until night.
On December 27, 2023, exactly 100 years after the completion of the Otaru Canal, fireworks are scheduled to be launched. Details will be introduced on the website as soon as they are decided.

All the project members are preparing to please many people. Please come to Otaru in the year of the 100th anniversary of the Otaru Canal.