Experience an Artistic Autumn in Otaru: Whodunit’s “Landing of the Fruit” at UNWIND GALLERY
UNWIND GALLERY: A Fantastical Hotel Gallery Where Classic Architecture Meets Contemporary Art
Nestled in Otaru, Hokkaido, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU is a boutique hotel that seamlessly blends history with modern design. Originally built in 1931 as the first hotel in Hokkaido exclusively for foreign visitors—the former Ecchūya Hotel—the property still retains its historic charm and architectural beauty. Thoughtful renovations have infused it with a bold, contemporary sensibility, creating a space where the past and present coexist in harmony.
As part of its mission to share the unique culture of Hokkaido with the world, the hotel established UNWIND GALLERY in November 2022. Located within the hotel, this in-house gallery hosts seasonal exhibitions by artists connected to Hokkaido. Each exhibition offers a new perspective on the region’s artistry, making the gallery a cultural hub for both local residents and international travelers.
The gallery is set within a fantastical Art Deco space, preserving the style popular in the West from the 1910s to 1930s, where visitors can enjoy contemporary artworks in a unique historic setting. To make the experience even more immersive, the gallery offers “Art Pairing Cocktails” inspired by each exhibition, allowing guests to explore art not only with their eyes, but also through taste and scent. Select works are also available for purchase, making it possible to take a piece of the experience home.
In addition, the gallery regularly hosts artist events, offering opportunities to meet creators in person and deepen the connection between guests and the artworks.
True to its mission of making art accessible and enjoyable for everyone—whether you’re a hotel guest, a local resident, or simply passing through—admission is always free and open to all.
Whodunit Exhibition “Landing of the Fruit”
The 13th exhibition will feature works by Whodunit, an art poster shop that keeps its artists’ identities hidden to create an air of mystery and playfulness.
This exhibition will present 17 surrealist-style oil paintings in poster form, including new works inspired by autumn harvests of fruits and vegetables, and pieces that blend the surrounding Otaru scenery with a sense of strangeness. Visitors can experience the unique and mysterious world of Whodunit throughout the hotel space.
This marks Whodunit’s second exhibition at UNWIND GALLERY, following the 2023 show “Geometric Interlude,” which introduced many guests to affordable poster works that could be enjoyed at home. For this exhibition, artworks will be available in a wide range of sizes, from postcards to full-size posters, allowing visitors to bring their favorite pieces of art into their daily lives.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: Whodunit Solo Exhibition “Landing of the Fruit”
- Venue: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, 1st Floor, UNWIND GALLERY
- Exhibition Period: September 1, 2025 (Mon) – November 29, 2025 (Sat)
- Admission: Free
- In the spirit of making art easily accessible, the gallery is open free of charge to local residents and travelers alike. (Open daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM)
Art Cocktails Inspired by the Exhibition
One feature of UNWIND GALLERY is that the hotel bar, BAR IGNIS OTARU, also functions as part of the gallery. For this exhibition, a cocktail inspired by the artwork “Mimic” will be available for a limited time. The drink combines the tartness of pomegranate with Hokkaido herbs, spices, and cold brew coffee, creating a dessert-like cocktail with layers of fruitiness and spice. Guests can enjoy this special pairing while experiencing art through sight, taste, and aroma.
Bar Ignis Otaru Hours: 19:30 – 23:30 (Last Order 23:00)
Open to both hotel guests and non-staying visitors.
About Whodunit
Whodunit is an online shop offering art posters designed to add a touch of mystery and playfulness to any room. True to its name, a mystery term meaning “who is the culprit,” the shop emphasizes visual intrigue and does not reveal the real names or identities of its artists.
Artist Comment
“There are many reasons to stay in an unfamiliar place—travel, business, meeting people. Along the way, we encounter many ‘in-between’ spaces: train stations, waiting rooms, terminals, borders. I feel that these spaces, between everyday life and the extraordinary, are filled with their own stories. I hope visitors find something in my works that colors their journey, like a spice along the way.”
Whodunit Artist Profile
Studied at Chelsea College of Arts (UAL), London. Works primarily in painting and contemporary art, influenced by surrealism. Creates oil paintings featuring unusual landscapes and surreal juxtapositions.
Graduated from Tama Art University and its Graduate School, Painting major
Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts
MA in Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts
Now based in Sapporo, working as a contemporary artist under another name.
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Originally built in 1931 as the Ecchūya Hotel, the first hotel in Hokkaido designed for international guests, this historic landmark has witnessed nearly a century of change. It once served as an officers’ club during the war, was later requisitioned by the U.S. military, and today is recognized as both an Otaru City Historical Landmark and part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Modern Industrial Heritage Sites.
After years of closure, the building has been reborn as UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU—a boutique hotel that preserves its timeless architectural charm while embracing bold, modern design. More than just a place to stay, it aims to foster genuine connections between travelers and the local community, offering guests a stay that blends classic elegance with contemporary creativity.
Hotel Information
- Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
- Address: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
- Access: Approximately 35 minutes from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station via JR Hakodate Line, followed by a 10-minute walk to the hotel