1
Sasaki Sewing Works "Canvas goods

The charm of canvas revived in the modern age

Canvas used to be used everywhere, including truck covers and tents. Although it has been replaced by inexpensive chemical products, the charm of canvas, with its durability and warmth, has not faded. Sasaki Seisakusho" is a canvas specialty store established in 2015 by a sewing company founded in 1945 to convey the quality of canvas. The products, which are handcrafted one by one by artisans, are carefully sewn and durable, and shine for their ease of use, with even the width of the front opening, the size of the gussets, and the number of pockets thoughtfully designed.
In addition to colorful and easy-to-use items such as tote bags, key cases, and accessory cases, unique items such as a whiskey bag for carrying whiskey and glasses, and a wine bag with a showy storage style are also eye-catching.

Product name and price
Key case: 4,730 yen, mini tote: 17,600 yen, shoulder bag: 23,100 yen, etc.
Otaru Canal Plaza, Otaru Hiroakuen, etc.

Sasaki Sewing Factory

• 2-10-15 Shikinai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
• Approximately 8 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station
• Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays 11:00-18:00 (open until 15:00 from December to March)
• Monday-Friday
• 0134-22-5336
• No parking (use nearby toll parking)
• Store will be closed in FY2022 and reopened in the following fiscal year

2
Asahara Glass Works "Floating Ball Candles

Retro interior with flickering memories of Otaru

Founded in 1903 in Otaru. It developed through the manufacture of glass floats to float herring fishing nets, and even today, when plastic floats have become the mainstream, Otaru is the only company in Japan that continues to produce glass floats. Until 2006, Asahara Glass Mfg.
The floating ball candles, which hold the history of herring fishing and memories of winter, are a perfect way to bring back memories of Otaru, and the simple texture of the 100% recycled glass gives the candles a retro and tasteful atmosphere, making the flickering light of the candles feel even warmer. While there is no direct sales corner at the factory, there is a glassblowing experience program, during which visitors can purchase the products on site.

Product name and price
Floating ball candle
Otodama (No. 4, approx. 12 cm): 3,135 yen
Nagisa dama (No. 5, approx. 15 cm) 5,005 yen
Tsubadama (No. 6, approx. 18 cm): 6,380 yen

Otaru Unga Plaza, Otaru Taisho Glass Museum, Otaru Asari Classe Hotel, etc.

Asahara Glass Factory

• 1-13-20 Tenjin, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
• Approx. 9 min. by car from JR Otaru Stn.
• 10:00-18:00
• Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays
• 0134-25-1415
• Free of charge
• As a general rule, the shop does not sell glass products. Reservations required for glass blowing experience.

3
Nouvelle Vague Lutao Chocolatier Otaru "Saint Terrien

Chocolate bar that stands out for the strangeness and glamour of its ingredients

Nouvelle Vague Lutao Chocolatier is a chocolate specialty store operated by the popular Otaru sweets store Otaru Confectioner Lutao. As the name means "new wave" in French, the concept is "new charm of chocolate created with free ideas.
The "Saint-Elian," available only at the Otaru flagship store, is a gorgeous-looking chocolate bar that combines chocolate with freeze-dried fruits, nuts, cheese, and other ingredients. The smooth texture of the chocolate and the flavors and textures of the ingredients create a complex harmony in the mouth. There are six variations: No Ad Coco, Phrase, Gorgonzola, Pistache, Camembert, and Amand. They are perfect as an accompaniment to wine or champagne.

Product name and price
Santerian: 594 yen and up per piece
Shelf life: Approximately 2 months after manufacture.

Nouvelle Vague Lutao Chocolatier Otaru Honten

• 4-19 Sakai-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
• Approx. 9 min. walk from JR Minami-Otaru Stn.
• 9:00-18:00 *Varies according to season.
• No holidays
• 0134-31-4511
• Special parking available (Momijien Otaru Irifune No.1 Parking (1-1-30 Irifune, Otaru-shi, Otaru))

4
Miura Suisan "King's Sea Urchin

A delicacy using fresh sea urchin from Otaru

Miura Suisan was founded in 1910 in Shukutsu, Otaru, and has been manufacturing fish roe such as cod roe and herring roe for over 100 years.
The fourth generation president of Miura Suisan, the current president, invented this sea urchin tsukudani (sea urchin boiled down in soy sauce) based on the taste of his mother's sea urchin. The sea urchin is made from 100% northern sea urchin from Otaru, and is slowly simmered in soy sauce, sake, and coarse soybean flour for three hours. The tsukudani is not sweet, but rather the umami and seashore flavor of the sea urchins, about seven of which are contained in one jar, is concentrated in the tsukudani. It is available at "Eki-naka Mart Taruche" in JR Otaru Station.

Product name and price
King's Sea Urchin (60g) 2,880 yen
Expiration date: 60 days from the date of manufacture.
Stores】 Eki-naka Mart Tartuffe and others.

Miura Suisan

• 2-237, Shukuzu, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
• 0134-25-7535
• No sales due to manufacturer

5
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ "Otaru KAWARAYAKI Baum".

Sweets with a new texture that hold the history of the Kitamae Ship

Otaru was visited by merchant ships called Kitamae Senpaku during the Edo and Meiji periods. The Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ offers original products based on the concept of the history and culture of Otaru, as well as specialty products from the ports of call of the Kitamae-Ships.
The Otaru Tile Yaki Baum is a sweet inspired by the history of the Kitamae-Ships that carried tiles from Osaka to Otaru. The baumkuchen is baked using traditional techniques, then cut and baked slowly into rusk-like baumkuchen, which is then sprinkled generously with caramel powder and put back into the kiln. The combination of the crispy texture of the caramel and the crunchy texture of the rusk makes for a fresh dish.
The store has a retro-modern atmosphere in a renovated historical building. You will find original Japanese sweets, processed marine products, craft works by artists associated with Otaru, and other unique products. Please visit the shop to look for souvenirs.

Product name and price
Otaru KAWARAYAKI Baum (5 pieces) 1,080 yen
Shelf life: Approximately one month from the date of sale.

Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ (Unga Plus)

• 2-1-20 Shikinai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
• 10 min. walk from JR Otaru Station
• 11:00-18:00
• Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays and irregular holidays
• 0134-65-8150
• No parking (use nearby toll parking)

6
Otaru Wine Gallery "Otaru Wine

Hokkaido-born wine made from grapes grown in-house

Hokkaido Wine is a brewery that has established its own grape cultivation method through trial and error since the 1970s, when it was said that it was impossible to make wine in Hokkaido. The Otaru Wine Gallery, a direct sales shop attached to the winery, offers more than 100 varieties of wine, including limited editions that can only be purchased here.
Among them, we recommend "Solaris 2020". This white wine is made from grapes grown on the company's own Tsurunuma farm, the largest of its kind in Japan, and has a gorgeous aromatic aroma reminiscent of citrus fruits and a refreshing taste that reflects the cool climate. Aged for 11 months in old American oak barrels, the Wooden Barrel Aged Rouge 2019 has a firm acidity and smooth tannins. Both are available only at the winery in completely limited quantities and are a must-have for wine lovers on site.

[Product name and price
Left photo: Winery's limited edition "Solaris 2020" white/dry 750ml, ALC 11%, 2,420 yen
Right: "Wooden Barrel Aged Rouge 2019" Red/Medium 750ml ALC12% 3,300 yen

Hokkaido Wine Otaru Brewery

• 1-130 Asarigawa hot spring, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
• 13 min. drive from JR Otaru Chikko Station
• 9:00-17:00
• Year-end and New Year's holidays
• Factory tour premium tour: 1,500 yen per person (max. 15 people)
  Time required: approx. 90 minutes (varies depending on the number of participants)
• 0134-34-2187
• Free of charge
• Paid factory tour premium tour
  Explanation and tour of the factory, tasting of four premium wines (with Hokkaido snacks), wine lecture
  1,500 yen per person (max. 15 people)
  Time required: approx. 90 minutes (including wine tasting and shopping. Time required: approx. 90 minutes (including wine tasting and shopping, subject to change depending on the number of participants)
  
  

7
Daihachi Kurihara Kamaboko-ten "Restored Kakunoyaki

High-grade fish cake using locally caught Sohachi flounder

Otaru, blessed with abundant seafood and good water, has long been a town where fish cake production has flourished, and Daihachi Kurihara Kamaboko-ten, established in 1914, is a long-established business known for its "no starch kamaboko," which does not use starch as an additive. This starch-free process, which brings out the natural taste and flavor of the fish, is said to be a requirement for high quality kamaboko, but few manufacturers in Hokkaido practice this method.
The "Restored Kakunyaki" is a kamaboko that recreates the flavor of the old days, using 50% sohachi flounder, which used to be a common ingredient in Otaru. The rich flavor of Sohachi flounder, which stands out because it is made without starch, and the strong elasticity of the flavor are the hallmarks of this product, which won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, the highest award at the National Kamaboko Fair. In addition to the restored kakuyaki and ita-kamaboko, the store also sells a variety of fried kamaboko sold by the gram or by the piece. It is a fun way to enjoy your trip to the area, buying one or two while picking out souvenirs and enjoying them on the spot.

Product name and price
Restored Kakunyaki (200g) 800 yen
Shelf life: 12 days from the date of manufacture.
Main store, Minami-Taru Ichiba store, Eki-Naka-Mart, TARCHE, etc.

Daihachi Kurihara Kamaboko Shop

• 1-11-19 Irifune, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
• Approx. 9 min. walk from JR Minami-Otaru Stn.
• Monday-Saturday 9:30-19:00, Sunday and holidays 10:00-18:00
• No holidays
• 0134-22-2566
• No parking (use nearby toll parking)