• * Hop on a train and take a day trip from Sapporo to the beautiful port city of Otaru, which you’ll explore with a local Sapporo host by your side
• * Wander the historic canal, browsing shops and cafes housed in old warehouses along the way
• Meander through one of the town's markets, getting a feel for local life
• * Grab a quick bite to eat from one of the eateries lining the canal, and sample unique ice-cream flavors
• * See the city’s incredible glass blowing industry, or visit the Otaru Music Box Museum
• * End things off with a trip to the Tanaka Sake Brewery, conveniently located right by the station!

You’ll hop on a train to Otaru with your host, where you’ll see a side to Japanese history vastly different from the temples and shrines you’d expect – one of colonial architecture, old port markets, and steam clocks. You’ll stroll along the canal, an old-world promenade illuminated by the golden glow of oil lamps in the early evening and lined with old warehouses converted into antique stores and cafes, or hop on a canal cruise for a different vantage point. You’ll discover the city’s famous glass-blowing industry and shop for intricate souvenirs, see the Otaru Music Box Museum’s collection of 25,000 music boxes (or customize your own brand-new one), and sample sake at the Tanaka Sake Brewery before heading back to Sapporo.