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and Sakaimachi Historical District" now has been uploaded:
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and Sakaimachi Historical District" now has been uploaded:
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Otaru city is located to thirty kilometers west from Sapporo. The Otaru Port opened at the beginning of
the Meiji Age and the railroad line was constructed between Horonai, where was the coal-field, and
Temiya in Otaru to ship out. As a result, Otaru flourished and the population of Otaru increased up
to 200,000 at the best time in the
early 1960's.
the Meiji Age and the railroad line was constructed between Horonai, where was the coal-field, and
Temiya in Otaru to ship out. As a result, Otaru flourished and the population of Otaru increased up
to 200,000 at the best time in the
early 1960's.
Otaru Canal
If you walk east from Otaru Station, you will reach to Otaru Canal. You will see red brick and stone
warehouses along the canal.
warehouses along the canal.
After World-War-II, the coal production in Horonai has been reduced, and the canal and these historical
warehouses finished their historical roles and were abandoned. In 1966, a stupid plan raised up to
destroy the canal and all these warehouses, in order to make a wide motorway. People in Otaru were
against this plan, and the canal and warehouses remain as we see today.
warehouses finished their historical roles and were abandoned. In 1966, a stupid plan raised up to
destroy the canal and all these warehouses, in order to make a wide motorway. People in Otaru were
against this plan, and the canal and warehouses remain as we see today.
A walkaway instead of motorway was built along the canal in 1986 and many people now come to Otaru
to enjoy the scenery of Otaru Canal. Now, sightseeing is the main industry of Otaru City.
to enjoy the scenery of Otaru Canal. Now, sightseeing is the main industry of Otaru City.
Sakaimachi Historical District
Two blocks west from the canal, there is a historical district. When Otaru flourished before
World-War-II, there were many banks in Otaru. Many bank buildings still remain in this area.
These were built in the late 1890s or at the beginning of twentieth century.
World-War-II, there were many banks in Otaru. Many bank buildings still remain in this area.
These were built in the late 1890s or at the beginning of twentieth century.
The above picture shows the Otaru Branch of Bank of Japan, built in 1912. Otaru Branch of Bank of
Japan is now the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum. The architecture of these bank buildings are stone
buildings and well westernized.
Japan is now the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum. The architecture of these bank buildings are stone
buildings and well westernized.
The south of these bank buildings, historical district is located along Sakaimachi Street. This area
was a main street at the late 1890s and the beginning of the twentieth century, when Otaru was
prosperous. Many store buildings remain along the street.
was a main street at the late 1890s and the beginning of the twentieth century, when Otaru was
prosperous. Many store buildings remain along the street.
Many of these store buildings were made of timber framed stone construction. In Japan, buildings
with this type of western architecture are not common, so that this scenery gives Japanese very
exotic atmosphere. Many sightseers also visit this area.
with this type of western architecture are not common, so that this scenery gives Japanese very
exotic atmosphere. Many sightseers also visit this area.
It happened that a carriage passed through. If there were no automobiles behind of the carriage,
it would have been in the beginning of the twentieth century.
it would have been in the beginning of the twentieth century.
For more detail, please visit the page of "Your Destinations in Japan", "Your Destinations in Hokkaido"
小樽運河は1923年(大正12年)に完成した運河です。
海岸線の沖合いを埋め立てて築かれているそうです。
一時は悪臭も漂い、埋め立てる計画もあったそうですが
近年、小樽観光の中心スポットとして人気が出ているようです。
海岸線の沖合いを埋め立てて築かれているそうです。
一時は悪臭も漂い、埋め立てる計画もあったそうですが
近年、小樽観光の中心スポットとして人気が出ているようです。
そして堺町通りには明治から大正にかけての古い木骨石造の建物が並んでいました。
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