Otaru was once a prosperous commercial city, but after the World War II, as the era of coal gave way to the era of oil, the demand for ports shifted to the Pacific side, and the city's commercial power gradually weakened.
　

　Left behind by the changing times, Otaru became known as a “declining town”, and the “memory of the town” was preserved in the townscape. The people of Otaru, who realized that the townscape tells the story of Otaru by protecting the canals, have tried to preserve this scenery.

　The buildings that have watched over the rise and fall of Otaru. They have been carefully preserved while changing their uses to match the times, and are still being used to convey the history and culture of the past. And these townscapes still attract many people.
 

　The Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Building, which was renovated from a stone warehouse made of Otaru tuff, and the Otaru Art Village, which displays excellent art and craftwork from Japan and around the world in buildings from the time when Otaru was prosperous, are prime examples of this. In addition, the Former Hokkai Can Factory No. 3 Warehouse is lit up at night along the North Canal, which still retains the appearance of the time, creating a romantic and fantastic Otaru night.