3 recommended eateries perfect for your girls’ trip and dating. Have a little luxurious time while feeling a very Otaru’s atmosphere!

Located about 30 minutes by train from Sapporo Station, Otaru city is a place where you can enjoy strolling around here. Otaru Canal, which symbolizes this area, was born in 1923 as a waterway to carry goods by ships anchoring in Otaru Port. Its length is 1,300 meters and width is 40 meters. Many stone warehouses were built for storing goods along this canal. They feature keeping the inside cool in summer and warm in winter, and excellent in fire protection. People constructed lots of the buildings until the early 1900s because stones used for the outer walls could be got in the areas surrounding Otaru. Today, they’re reused as shops or cafes and become popular as sightseeing spots. Thus, it can be said that the classical atmosphere produced by Otaru Canal and stone warehouses is strongly related to the development of the port city. This time, we’re going to introduce 3 recommended cafes and confectionery shops where you can have an elegant time while feeling the very Otaru atmosphere.

The inside is illuminated by only 167 oil lamps. “Kitaichi Hall” allowing you to savor dishes made from Hokkaido’s ingredients while being draped in heart-warming light

First of all, what you should pay attention to is the “Kitaichi Sangokan,” a building that renewed a traditional stone warehouse. Stepping into the inside, you will be draped in the unique ambiance created by orange light given off by oil lamps. Among such the building, a cafe “Kitaichi Hall” on the 1st floor us the best place to visit. 167 oil lamps illuminate the inside without using electricity. Shimmering lamplight makes us feel nostalgic and calm our minds. To our surprise, the staff light these lamps by themselves one by one at the same time when the cafe opens. There are also performances by classic piano several times a day, so you’re sure to spend an elegant time. Besides, their food menu has a full lineup, including seafood rice bowl using fish from Hokkaido, Nishin Soba and their original white tea made by boiling tea leaves with Hokkaido’s milk.

Opening Hours	Weekdays 10:00AM – 5:00PM／Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Address	7-26 Sakai-machi, Otaru City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Minami Otaru Station which is one station away from Otaru Station on the Hakodate Main line
URL	http://www.kitaichiglass.co.jp/kitaichihall.html

The observation overlooking sightseeing spots in Otaru is must-visit! The famous western confectionery shop “LeTAO Main Shop”

Located at Meruhen intersection which is the central part of the tourist area, the western confectionery shop “LeTAO Main Shop” features the western-style tower. It’s famous for ‘Double Fromage’ with a melting texture. At this main shop, let’s savor exquisite sweets unique to this shop in addition to freshly baked sweets and cakes! The most popular sweets in all ones, offered at the antique-style cafe space based on white, is ‘Cake Set’: freshly cooked Double Fromage and Crème Brulee limited to the main store. Moreover, from the observatory tower on the top floor, you can see a panoramic view of Otaru’s cityscape and Otaru Port.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 6:00PM *They take last orders until 5:30PM at Cafe on the 2nd floor.
Address	7-16 Sakai-machi, Otaru City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access	A 5-minute walk from Minami Otaru Station which is one station away from Otaru Station on the Hakodate Main line
URL	https://www.letao.jp/global/en/

The stone warehouse whose blue roof and doors stand out. “Otaru Times Garden” consisting of 3 shops with the theme of Hokkaido’s food

Reference from Fleemy “OTARU TIMES GARTEN at the warehouse street in Otaru“

“Otaru Times Garden” whose blue roof and doors catch your eyes. It is a building reusing stone warehouse and consists of 3 shops with the theme of food. Inside it, spacious space with about 150 seats spreads out. Based on walls made of stones, wooden furniture and plants produce a relaxing atmosphere. From breakfast to dinner, you can enjoy dishes using local ingredients while viewing the Otaru Canal at these 3 shops: ‘Pantime’ (パンたいむ) offering buns made from Hokkaido’s flour and like sweets, ‘Ochabiyori’ (おちゃびより) where you can drink authentic latte with art while sitting on a hammock and ‘Onikunohitotoki’ (お・に・くのひととき) serving Genghis Khan from Hokkaido.

Opening Hours	Monday to Thursday, Sunday, Holidays 10:00AM – 9:00PM／Friday, Saturday, Day Before Holidays 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Address	5-4 Minato-machi, Otaru City, Hokkaido Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Otaru Station
URL	http://otaru-times-garten.com/