Enjoy an Autumn of Art at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU: Free Exhibition ‘Consideration of Light’ by Yokoi Haru
Enjoy an autumn of art inside a magical hotel space defined by Art Deco architecture. UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU is proud to present the 17th edition of UNWIND GALLERY, featuring Hokkaido-based artist Yokoi Haru’s exhibition, “Consideration of Light,” running from September 1 (Tue) to November 29 (Sun), 2026. Alongside the exhibition, an exclusive “art pairing cocktail” will be available at our in-hotel bar.
Enjoy Classical Architectural Beauty & Contemporary Art at UNWIND GALLERY
Launched in November 2022 as an initiative to share Hokkaido culture with the world through art, UNWIND GALLERY transforms our 1F Lobby and Bar Ignis Otaru into a rotating gallery space. We welcome Hokkaido-linked artists to showcase works that reflect shifting seasons and perspectives.
Inside our hotel, guests can appreciate contemporary art framed by the Art Deco architecture popular in Europe and America from the mid-1910s through the 1930s. Beyond viewing the artwork, visitors can experience the world of the exhibition through aroma and taste via our custom “art pairing cocktails,” purchase displayed pieces, or engage with artists during special events.
To encourage local neighbors and passing travelers to casually drop in and enjoy both the art and our hotel architecture, admission is completely free. Step inside to immerse yourself in art during a stroll through Otaru, after work, or on a relaxing weekend getaway.
Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition: Yokoi Haru — “Consideration of Light”
- Location: UNWIND GALLERY (1F Lobby & Bar Ignis Otaru, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU)
- Dates: September 1 (Tue) – November 29 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight)
- Artist in Residence: September 25, 2026 (Fri), 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM
- Admission: Free
Yokoi Haru Exhibition: “Consideration of Light”
For our 17th installation, UNWIND GALLERY presents “Consideration of Light” by Hokkaido-based artist Yokoi Haru. A total of 15 Zentangle art pieces—including 14 brand-new works created specifically for this exhibition—will be displayed across the 1F lobby and Bar Ignis Otaru.
Zentangle art is a creative technique where simple, intricate patterns are repeatedly drawn and layered to complete a single artwork. When Yokoi Haru moved to Hokkaido and saw the sea of Shakotan for the first time, he was moved by the shimmering reflections across the water’s surface, reaching the core concept that “all beautiful things depend on light.” Based on this realization, his works layer delicate curves, straight lines, and dots onto plain white canvases to express “light” and “beauty.”
Autumn in Otaru brings pleasant temperatures and vibrant autumn foliage, making it a wonderful season for city walks. Experience how the artwork changes throughout the day as natural sunlight streams in during afternoon hours, transitioning into indirect lighting as night falls.
Experience Art Through Taste & Aroma: Art Pairing Cocktail
A signature feature of UNWIND GALLERY is that Bar Ignis Otaru serves as an extension of the exhibition itself. To allow guests to experience the art through taste and scent, the bar serves an exclusive, limited-edition art pairing cocktail inspired by the exhibition’s theme.
Expressing the shimmering light dancing across the waves of the Shakotan sea—the inspiration behind “Consideration of Light”—this cocktail blends two distinct Hokkaido gins: “HONOHO KIBOU” from Shakotan Distillery, packed with local Shakotan botanicals, and “9148 #0101” from Benizakura Distillery, which offers a classic gin freshness paired with natural botanical sweetness.
The blend creates a complex harmony of botanical aromas, sweetness, and bitterness, ending in a clean finish with a lingering herbal note. Blue curaçao from Maoi Distillery in Yubari is added to capture the translucent “Shakotan Blue” color. Enjoy a multi-sensory art experience with a drink in hand.
Bar Ignis OTARU
- Venue: Bar Ignis Otaru (1F Lobby Bar, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU)
- Hours: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM (L.O. 11:00 PM)
- *Open to non-staying guests.
About Yokoi Haru
Born in Miyoshi City, Aichi Prefecture. Yokoi Haru has focused on Zentangle art—monochrome line drawings composed of repeating ballpoint pen patterns—since his student days. In 2023, he relocated to Sapporo, Hokkaido. His work explores the dialogue between senses and perception that arise throughout life. Recently, he has expanded his creative endeavors into concrete poetry and Ambient DJing, crossing different media to visualize human sensation and perception. Instagram
About UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
Originally built in 1931 as the “Former Etchuya 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.
<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.