Otraru was not just an important port, but also the financial centre of Hokkaido at the beginning of 20th Century. Someone called Otaru was ”Wall Street of North Japan¨.
The canal was completed in 1923. Originally, the purpose of this canal was for connecting the port and warehouses. In the past days, there were many boats on the canal.
They carried goods from the port to the warehouse along the canal. However, the recession of manufacturing industry was occurred after World War II, the function of canal was lost.
In the recent decades, the canal and warehouse was redeveloped as shops and restaurants.

This use of this warehouse was reformed. It is a seafood and sushi restaurant.