Postcard JP-1977834

Otaru, a port city on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido, is located northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The city is known for its glassblowing, music boxes and sake distilleries. In the Nishin Goten (“Herring House”), a former fish factory from 1897, the industry’s important role in the city’s history is highlighted. Completed in 1923, the Otaru Canal is lined with old warehouses that are now home to cafes and shops.