UNWIND HOTEL & BAR Otaru is celebrating its 7th anniversary with a special one-day event, "UNWIND MARCHE," on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Running from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on the hotel's first floor, the event is free to enter and open to everyone — hotel guests and the general public alike.
The hotel occupies a building constructed in 1931 as Hokkaido's first hotel exclusively for foreign visitors. After serving as an officers' club during the war and being requisitioned by U.S. forces afterward, the structure — now recognized as a historically significant building by Otaru City and designated part of the Ministry of Economy's "Modern Industrial Heritage Sites Group 33" — underwent extensive renovation and reopened as a boutique hotel. Its arched windows, vintage stained glass, and atmospheric interiors remain intact.
Sweets Marché (11:00 AM–4:00 PM, while supplies last)
Four popular local shops from within Otaru will set up stalls inside the hotel. Visitors can purchase sweets and breads, then enjoy them at leisure in the hotel's stained-glass restaurant "The Ball Otaru" or on the rooftop terrace — normally reserved exclusively for hotel guests. An original hotel-blend coffee roasted by RITARU COFFEE is available to complement the treats.
Participating shops:
- Yamanoue no Saka STAND&BAKE (baked goods)
- Ameiro (baked goods)
- Majono Bagel (bagels)
- RITARU COFFEE (coffee)
- The Ball Otaru (scones)
Event-Limited Food Menu at The Ball Otaru
Two special menus — a high tea-style lunch and a high tea-style dinner — will be available exclusively during UNWIND MARCHE at The Ball Otaru restaurant.
High Tea Style Lunch (¥3,000 per person, limited to 20 servings)
Hours: 11:30 AM–3:00 PM (last order 2:00 PM)
The lunch presents seasonal Hokkaido ingredients in a multi-tiered high tea format:
Sweets Plate
- Original plain scone with whipped cream and jam
- Fruit macedoine with Niagara jelly
- Strawberry mousse
Cold Plate
- Marinated herring topped with Otaru-coastal sea urchin
- Cold green asparagus soup (Hokkaido-grown)
- Bruschetta
Hot Plate
- Roasted Kitajima Wine Pork from Yoichi with apple ginger sauce
- Roasted Inca no Mezame potato, carrot, and broccoli
- Mini salad
One drink included (coffee or tea). Advance reservations are recommended; same-day walk-ins may be possible if capacity remains. (Reserve here)
High Tea Style Dinner (¥4,000 per person, limited to 10 servings)
Hours: 4:30 PM–8:00 PM (last order 7:30 PM)
Head Chef Igai has assembled a lineup of Hokkaido's seasonal highlights for the dinner, served in three high tea tiers:
Tier 1: 5-item hors d'oeuvres assortment
- White asparagus with hollandaise sauce
- House-smoked salmon
- Marinated herring
- Kitajima Wine Pork pâté de campagne from Yoichi
- Hokkaido cheese
Tier 2: Fish course
- Poêled seasonal Hokkaido fish with tomato basil sauce
Tier 3: Meat course
- Venison haunch steak from Yoichi with Madeira sauce
From late afternoon onward, the restaurant's lighting is dimmed, and the nearly 90-year-old stained glass takes on a more luminous quality. Pairing the dinner with Shiribeshi-region wines selected by the hotel's wine advisor is also an option. (Reserve here)
Art: UNWIND GALLERY and Live Painting
The hotel's UNWIND GALLERY — which displays rotating works by Hokkaido-connected artists in the lobby and Bar Ignis Otaru — is open free of charge to all visitors, regardless of whether they are staying at the hotel. Currently on display (June 1–August 30, 2026) is "Bloom for me" by Hokkaido-born artist SARU 1.
During UNWIND MARCHE, a live painting session will take place, and the completed work will be added to the gallery display for the remainder of the exhibition period.
Portrait Workshop with Flower Motif: ¥1,000 per person, 20-minute slots (11:00 AM–8:00 PM)
The artist will create a one-of-a-kind portrait with the flower motif at the heart of the current exhibition.
Live Jazz Performance
Local Otaru jazz band "OTARU NOMASARU TRIO" will perform two 30-minute live sets at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM in The Ball Otaru restaurant. The piano trio's music can be enjoyed alongside food, sweets, and wine in the hotel's distinctive atmospheric space.
Premium Free Wine Service (Hotel Guests Only)
Hours: 4:30 PM–7:00 PM (while supplies last)
For hotel guests, the regular complimentary wine service — normally offered from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM — will be extended by an hour and upgraded with a broader selection of Hokkaido wines to mark the anniversary. Labels from Otaru's OSA WINERY as well as Domaine Bless, Yamada-do, and Camel Farm will be poured. Non-hotel guests may purchase wines by the glass.
Event Overview
| Event Name | UNWIND MARCHE |
| Date | Saturday, June 27, 2026 |
| Hours | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM |
| Venue | UNWIND HOTEL & BAR Otaru, 1st Floor |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido |
| Access | Approx. 35 min from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station (JR Hakodate Main Line), then 10 min on foot |
