UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU Hosts Summer Wine Terrace Event with OSA WINERY on August 2
Summer in Otaru, where a comfortable evening sea breeze blows through the streets. Why not spend a special moment with a glass in hand, savoring Hokkaido wine and seasonal ingredients?
Hokkaido, where UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU is located, is drawing attention as an exciting wine-producing region. With a desire to share the charm of local Hokkaido wines—including those from Otaru, Yoichi, and Niki—with a wider audience, our hotel has regularly hosted “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine” since July 2021. This event connects guests directly with local winemakers to celebrate pairings of Hokkaido wine and local food.
Highly popular among local residents, travelers, pairing enthusiasts, and even those who simply want to learn a bit more about wine, the event offers a wonderful way to experience the depth of local winemaking.
For this upcoming edition, we are welcoming Otaru’s own urban winery, OSA WINERY, for our fifth collaboration. This summer special, titled “UNWIND SEASIDE WINE TERRACE,” takes place on our 4th-floor rooftop space, “UNWIND TERRACE”—an area usually open exclusively to overnight guests.
Savor summer in Otaru with all five senses, surrounded by the shifting colors of the twilight sky, the crisp sea breeze of the port town, and wines crafted around the core concept of “wines for happiness” designed to pair beautifully with everyday dining.
Advanced reservations are now open.
Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine Summer Special: “UNWIND SEASIDE WINE TERRACE”
Our guest for the Summer 2026 edition of “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine” is OSA WINERY. This urban winery is run by a dedicated husband-and-wife team who cleared Otaru’s only vineyard specifically for wine grapes, managing everything from cultivation and brewing to label design and sales.
Focusing on crisp white wines that complement Japanese home cooking and local Hokkaido ingredients, they also brew beautiful rosés and sparkling wines designed to enrich daily meals.
Their guiding concept is “Wines for Happiness.”
For this event, they have curated a perfect summer selection of white, sparkling, and rosé wines. Guests can also purchase glasses of other popular OSA WINERY selections on-site. To match these drinks, our in-hotel restaurant, The Ball Otaru, has prepared a custom creative culinary box designed by our head chef specifically for this evening. Packed with seasonal summer flavors from Hokkaido, the box features seafood caught near Otaru, local Hokkaido vegetables, and Yoichi Ezo venison, all meticulously combined to create ideal wine pairings.
Perfect Even for Absolute Beginners!
Wine events can sometimes feel like they are only meant for experts. However, you do not need any complex knowledge to enjoy this evening.
The true joy of food and wine pairing lies in that simple, moving moment when you take a sip alongside a bite of food and think, “Wow, this combination tastes incredible.” It is an easy way to experience a flavor that feels a bit more special than an everyday meal.
Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast, someone who rarely drinks wine, or simply curious to try local Hokkaido varieties, “Taste of Hokkaido Wine & Cuisine” offers a welcoming, approachable atmosphere for everyone.
Picture the crisp air blowing through the port town, the changing colors of the setting sun, and smooth bossa nova music floating across the rooftop. Glasses line the terrace, catching the golden light as the aroma of wine spreads gently on the sea breeze. Take a slow breath and enjoy the summer evening with a glass in hand, listening to live music and stories about wine craftsmanship shared directly by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Osa.
Event Overview
- Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Venue: UNWIND TERRACE (4F Rooftop, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU)
- Time: Doors open at 4:00 PM | Event starts at 4:30 PM (Scheduled to end at 6:30 PM)
- Capacity: 23 guests (Advanced reservations required)
- Price: 7,700 Yen (tax included)
- Includes 3 glasses of OSA WINERY wine and a custom creative culinary box.
UNWIND SEASIDE WINE TERRACE Wine List
OSA WINERY has curated three special varieties to bring a crisp, refreshing note to the Otaru summer evening.
Main Event Wine Selection:
- tabi sparkling 2024 (Sparkling Wine)
- OTATE WINE 2025 (White Wine)
- MATENI ROSE 2024 (Rosé Wine)
Available for Purchase by the Glass:
- Hitoriji Merlot 2024 (Red Wine)
- O
- Tabi
- Yoiyoiblanc
- Happy Juice, and more.
A major highlight of the additional selection is “Hitoriji Merlot,” the first red wine ever produced by OSA WINERY to mark their 10th anniversary. Originally intended to be processed as a rosé, the winemakers were so moved by the rich, dark, beautiful clusters of Merlot grapes that they decided to challenge themselves to craft a red wine instead. Featuring a beautiful, clear ruby hue, it offers a pure fruit profile and a wonderfully light, smooth tannin finish. We highly encourage you to try it!
UNWIND SEASIDE WINE TERRACE Food Menu
To elevate the flavors of OSA WINERY’s selections, The Ball Otaru has designed an exclusive creative culinary box. Blending elements of Japanese, Western, and Chinese cooking, the menu utilizes fresh ingredients harvested near Otaru to capture the peak of Hokkaido’s summer.
Featuring seafood from the local Otaru waters, rare Yoichi Ezo venison, and crisp local vegetables, the box presents the bounty of Hokkaido through diverse textures and flavors, opening up a wide variety of pairing possibilities.
You can enjoy the specific combinations recommended by our chef and wine advisor, or have fun discovering your own personal favorite matches. Indulge in the delicious harmony of food and wine to your heart’s content.
Special Creative Culinary Box Menu
Japanese Elements
- Sea Urchin Steamed-Style Sushi & Roasted Corn Western-Style Sushi
- Tender Simmered Octopus with Summer Vegetable Jelly
- Grilled Tokishirazu Salmon Salad
Chinese Elements
- Hokkaido Beef Roast Beef with House-Made XO Sauce
- Mantis Shrimp and Cream Cheese Fresh Spring Roll
- Kitajima Wine Pork Sweet and Sour Pork with a Hint of Haskap and Black Vinegar
Western Elements
- Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms (Farcis)
- Otaru Local Chicken Galantine with Black Rice
- Otaru Spear Squid Simmered in Tomato Sauce
Bread
- Boulangerie Coron Soft Bread Sandwich
A Special Evening Wrapped in Sea Breezes, Wine, and Bossa Nova
In addition to the food and wine pairings, the event features live musical performances. As the comfortable sea breeze blows across the terrace, sit back with your glass and listen to the relaxing rhythms of bossa nova—the perfect soundtrack for a summer twilight. Let the music bring a beautiful new layer to your evening.
Piano & Guitar Bossa Nova Duo
Guitarist: Ryoichi Tobisawa
Born in Sapporo. Studied under jazz guitarist Takaaki Miyanoue. In 1999, he relocated abroad, living and performing in New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil before returning to Sapporo in 2003. He focuses primarily on jazz and Brazilian music and serves as the leader of the Latin club jazz band COPABONITOS. His work spans beyond the traditional jazz scene, having shared the stage with diverse artists such as former NY Yankees player Bernie Williams, Taro Hakase, TEAM NACS, Bugiugi Senmu, and Hitomitoi.
Pianist: Naoki Osa
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, currently residing in Otaru. Representative of Otaru’s OSA WINERY. Started playing keyboard instruments at an early age and began performing jazz at hotels and live venues during his student years. Now based in Otaru, he performs widely, including appearances at SAPPORO CITY JAZZ. He dedicates his work to sharing “happy moments” through two creative expressions: winemaking and music.
A Dedicated Stay Plan to Keep the Evening Going
We have prepared a dedicated accommodation plan that allows you to transition straight to your room after the event concludes. Spend a peaceful night soaking in the lingering details of the evening inside our beautifully renovated historic building.
The following morning, enjoy UNWIND HOTEL & BAR Otaru’s signature High-Tea style breakfast served at our restaurant, The Ball Otaru. This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to continue their night with wines or cocktails at the hotel bar, or for couples looking to create a beautiful summer memory.
Accommodation Plan Overview
- Stay Dates: Sunday, August 2 – Monday, August 3, 2026
- Plan Name: [Official Website Exclusive] “UNWIND SEASIDE WINE TERRACE” with OSA WINERY — Includes Terrace Wine Event, Creative Culinary Box, and High-Tea Breakfast.
*Please set your check-in date to August 2, 2026, to view this specific plan.
About OSA WINERY
Owners Naoki and Mako Osa built their careers working with wine trading companies and manufacturers before deciding at age 35 to travel across Japan in search of the ideal land for winemaking. Captivated by Hokkaido’s natural landscape and rich food culture, they relocated to Otaru—a region with a long history of grape cultivation. They founded OSA WINERY in 2015 and now cultivate nine grape varieties across Otaru and Yoichi, producing roughly 10,000 bottles annually. Centered on the theme of “wines for happiness,” the couple handles everything from cultivation and brewing to sales, continuing to create wines that pair beautifully with Japanese home dining and Hokkaido food ingredients.
About UNWIND TERRACE
This 150-square-meter open-air rooftop terrace sits on the 4th floor of UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, a boutique hotel that modernly restores a 100-year-old historic landmark. Furnished with comfortable sofas and tables, it provides an open space where guests can sit back and relax while catching the sea breeze and viewing the Otaru landscape.
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Originally built in 1931 as the “Former Etchuyo Hotel,” Hokkaido’s very first hotel dedicated exclusively to international guests, this property carries a rich history. It served as a military officers’ club during World War II and was later requisitioned by the US military. Designated as a historic landmark by Otaru City and recognized among the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Modern Industrial Heritage Group 33,” the building underwent a meticulous, multi-year restoration to reopen as a modern boutique hotel. While honoring its architectural heritage, the property introduces bold interior designs to serve as an organic media hub connecting travelers and the local community. Experience a unique world that stands completely apart from standard classic hotels.
<Property Overview>
- Property Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
- Address: 1-8-25 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031
- Access: Approx. 35 minutes from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station via the JR Hakodate Main Line, followed by a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station.