Shikinai Odori near the Otaru Canal in Otaru

posted on November 5, 2019

Shikinai Street runs south from the Temiyasen district behind the Rin Yu Asaichi morning market to Sushiyadori Street, where the Okobachigawa River flows, crossing the Rinkosen Line, Ryumiyadori, Chuodori, and Nichigindori avenues (where the former Hyakusan Bank Otaru Branch is located).

During the Taisho and early Showa eras, this area was known as the “Wall Street of Northern Japan”. Otaru was more prosperous than Sapporo during that period, and you can still see buildings that reflect its former wealth.

Today, these buildings are used as shops, cafes, museums, and other tourist attractions.

left Goto Shoten. Sweets shop, Soba noodle shop and cafe inside

Hiroshi Mizukoshi painter / writer

See Full Bio