In December 2019, a wonderful store opened in Otaru, and is now taking root in the local area as a popular spot. That store is "Otaru Hyakka UNGA↑"! "Otaru Hyakka UNGA↑" is pronounced "Otaru Hyakka Unga Plus" (hereafter referred to as Unga Plus). Let's take a look at what kind of store it is. From JR Otaru Station, walk along Chuo-dori towards the sea for about 8 minutes, and you will find Unga Plus on the left just before the intersection where you cross over to the Otaru Canal. The historic building is a renovated version of the "Old Otaru Warehouse" built in 1893.

Photo courtesy of Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

All the products sold in the store are related to Otaru. They change every season, but there are always more than 100 items on display. Ungaplus aims to be a select shop for Otaru brands.

And when it comes to understanding Ungaplus products, the existence of the Kitamae-bune is essential. The Kitamae-bune, which traveled from the Kansai region around the Seto Inland Sea and then headed north up the Sea of Japan to Otaru, carried a great deal of culture along with goods. Ungaplus also has a section that displays fine products from the various places where the Kitamae ships called on the Nishiki-kairo route. It's wonderful to search for your favorite item while thinking about history.

Ungaplus also produces many original items. Here are some of the attractive products that give a sense of Otaru's history and culture! First up is the "Otaru Tile-Wattled Baumkuchen" (5 pieces/1,080 yen including tax, single item/194 yen including tax).

The Kitamae ships carried tiles as weights on their journeys, and this cute sweet comes in a retro package inspired by those tiles.

Baumkuchen is made into a rusk and topped with caramel. The crispy caramel coating and the crunchy texture of the rusk create a slightly sweet, adult flavor. It would also make a great gift.

Another recommended gift is the "Otaru Warehouse Fondant au Chocolat" (1,350 yen including tax). The package is modeled after the former Otaru warehouse, which is also the location of the Ungaplus store, and contains 10 pieces of moist and rich fondant au chocolat.

Photo courtesy of Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

For those who love alcohol, the "Hokkaido Umaisen HOKKAI CAN" (from 390 yen including tax) is irresistible. It uses a very time-consuming method called "chrysanthemum packing," in which the fish meat is packed like petals. The meat does not fall apart easily, and more than anything, the appearance when you open the can is exciting.

Photo courtesy of Otaru Department Store UNGA↑

Fresh seafood landed in Hokkaido, and the canned goods that contain the delicious flavor are "Sardines Boiled in Olives with Lemon" and "Pacific Cod Boiled in Soy Sauce", all of which look delicious and make you want to buy them all. They are great for drinking in the evening, and are also good for adding to salads and other dishes.

It's not just food. Among Ungaplus's original items, there is also this colorful bag. It's called the "ICHIBA TOTE" (12,650 yen including tax, mini size / 6,930 yen including tax). The idea behind this tote bag is to bring it to one of the six markets in Otaru. It is a fun shopping bag with solid sewing techniques, created in collaboration with Sasaki Co., Ltd., a tent factory with a history of 75 years.

The "Clay Pot Nawame" (13,200 yen including tax), a clay pot with beautiful rope marks as its name suggests, is also a collaborative product with the ceramic artist Toshihisa Oishi. You may be wondering, "Why a clay pot?" In fact, the area from Otaru to Yoichi is densely packed with ancient ruins from the Jomon period. The clay pot was invented with that history in mind. Now that you mention it, it does have a somewhat earthenware-like texture.

In addition to these, a variety of other items, such as Japanese-style miscellaneous goods, local alcohol, and stylish fashion accessories, will catch the eye of visitors. Food and daily necessities, each one of which is made with the maker's heart and soul. All of these items are filled with the atmosphere of Otaru and are sure to enrich your life. If you visit Otaru, why not drop by?

＜Otaru Department Store UNGA↑＞ Address: 2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido Phone: 0134-65-8150 Official website: https://unga-plus.com (Thumbnail photo provided by Otaru Department Store UNGA↑)