Beautiful Kitaichi Glass Art and a Chic Café in Otaru

Otaru is full of historical architecture and time-old traditions; the Kitaichi Glass Sangokan Kitaichi Hall, a repurposed stone warehouse, is one of the best examples. Now used to house spectacular Hokkaido-made glassware, the warm glow of lamps fills the interior with an ethereal, almost cinematic, atmosphere. You can admire the many marvelous glass artworks on show, from kitchenware to lamps to writing utensils. And if you want to take a souvenir home, there’s a museum shop on site too. Before you leave, you can spend a dreamy afternoon sipping on tea and nibbling on tasty snacks. The lighting in the café consists entirely of 167 oil lamps, the symbol of Kitaichi Glass which are reminiscent of a time 100 years ago when oil lamps were the only source of light.