Otaru is located on Ishikari Bay about 40 km northwest of Sapporo. By train you can get there in just over 30 minutes, making Otaru the perfect location for a day trip or overnight trip from Sapporo.

Located on the northwestern coast of Hokkaido is Otaru, a bustling city filled with charm and authenticity. Otaru offers a delightful blend of old-world charm and modern attractions with its picturesque canals and stunning architecture.

Otaru played a significant role in Hokkaido's economy and trade as a major port in the late 19th century.

For a significant period of time, it was one of the richest cities in Japan thanks to its abundant herring fishing and status as an international trade port.

Many of the beautifully preserved stone buildings along the port and the canal were in fact herring warehouses. In turn, many of the beautiful old mansions between the canal and mountainside were built by families who were made wealthy by Otaru’s fish resources and the trade that passed through the city.

One example of this is the Old Aoyama Villa, a designated historical residence, which was built by the Aoyama family, who had gathered a fortune through herring.

Otaru also offers breathtaking views and a variety of experiences across different seasons. Moreover, it serves as an ideal base for traveling further afield to the Shakotan Peninsula and its magnificent views of the sea, or to Yoichi and its world-famous Nikka Whisky Distillery.

Otaru is rich in attractions and activities, offering a unique blend of history, nature, and culture. It's a relatively small city, so most of the major sightseeing spots are within a 30-minute walk of each other.

Alternatively, Otaru Stroller's Bus runs between all the major sightseeing spots. For adults it costs 220 yen and for children 120 yen per ride. A one-day bus pass is also available.

Referred to as Japan's Venice, the picturesque Otaru Canal is a must-visit. It is a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station and is the central sightseeing spot in this city. Many of the main tourist attractions are concentrated around the canal and Sakaimachi Street.

Completed in 1923, the canal was built to help facilitate transport for all the goods flowing into the port. Today, warehouses dating back to the Meiji Era have been repurposed as cafes and restaurants. With these historic buildings still lining the canal you almost feel like you have traveled back in time.

In the evening the canal is lit up by gas lamps, which really creates a romantic atmosphere. You can take a stroll over the bridge or along the promenade next to the canal, and you can also go on a boat ride along the canal.

Step into a world of enchantment at the Otaru Music Box Museum and be welcomed by the fairytale sight of thousands of beautifully designed music boxes. This museum showcases an extensive collection of music boxes ranging from traditional to modern designs, and even allows you to create your own music box as a unique souvenir.

The Otaru Music Box Museum is located in a building that was originally constructed in 1915 as the main office for a rice merchant. The museum opened its doors to tourists in 1989, and that same year it was designated as a historical building, so aspects of the building, such as the ceilings, are exactly as they were over a hundred years ago.

Sakaimachi Street is a historically preserved merchant street filled with shops selling local crafts, glassware, and delicious sweets.

A 15-minute walk from Otaru Station, this street was developed over a hundred years ago with office buildings for the city’s merchants. The street stretches out for around 800 m, and is lined with shops such as Taisho Glass, Otaru Candle Studio, Kitaichi Glass Sango-kan, Otaru Music Box Museum, and various cafes and restaurants. Many shops close up around 6-7 PM, so the best time for shopping is during the day.

However, among all of the cafes and restaurants, be sure not to miss the famous Otaru LeTAO cheesecake!

Otaru Aquarium houses a wide variety of marine life ideal for families and animal lovers. The aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums in Japan that has 5,000 animals from 250 different species and an amusement park with a ferris wheel. Enjoy entertaining shows featuring dolphins, penguins, and sea lions, and get a chance to interact with some of the creatures.

The first Otaru Aquarium originated at the 1958 Hokkaido Expo and moved to its current location in 1974. It is a 15-minute drive by car from Otaru's city center, or 25 minutes by public bus. However, from April to October it is possible to get to the aquarium via a sightseeing boat!

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, a hike up Mount Tengu is a must-do. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the sea, and the surrounding mountains from the summit. There's also a ropeway for a more leisurely ascent.

Mount Tengu is 532 m in height, and the ropeway goes all the way to the observation deck at the top of the mountain. At the top of the mountain there is a restaurant, a museum, and more.

If you go on the hiking path you can walk around the top and experience spectacular views of the landscape around Mount Tengu—though the view over Otaru and the Sea of Japan is particularly awe-inspiring. If you hang around until evening, you can watch as the sun sets over the beautiful city of Otaru. In winter, this area is a ski resort.

If you're a food lover, Otaru is a paradise waiting to be discovered. The city is renowned for its delectable cuisine, with a variety of traditional Hokkaido dishes and unique local specialties to try.

For seafood lovers, Otaru offers an array of fresh seafood and local delicacies such as uni (sea urchin), ika meshi (squid stuffed with rice), and shako (mantis shrimp).

Because the restaurants have easy access to freshly caught fish, their seafood dishes tend to be of a very high quality. Make sure to try a seafood-don at lunchtime (these can be found at many of the restaurants closer to the port).

Don't miss the local seafood markets and the city's famous sushi restaurants, such as Sushiya Daisaku and Otaru Masazushi.

In addition, Uomasa is a popular Otaru restaurant, serving excellent sushi and sashimi, as well as various cooked dishes.

Be sure to try 'Jingisukan', a grilled lamb dish served with vegetables that's a delicacy of Hokkaido. Check out Otaru Kita Tougarashi to get your own Jingisukan lamb dish!

Wakadori hanshin-age is the signature dish of a shop called Naruto, which first opened in 1965. A whole half chicken is deep fried, so the skin is crisp and crunchy, and the meat inside is juicy. Order this as single dish or as part of a set menu.

This dish first became popular in Otaru around 60 years ago, and has been on the menu in Chinese restaurants in the city ever since. Crispy fried noodles are topped with a thick sauce of seafood and vegetables, flavored with soy sauce. The actual ingredients and flavors of the dish vary depending on the restaurant.

You can enjoy ankake yakisoba at Otaru New Sanko, a well-known restaurant that is over 60 years old.

Otaru offers a fun shopping experience with several charming shopping streets worth exploring, such as Sakaimachi Street.

Temiyasen Kaijo Street, along the Otaru Canal, offers another great shopping experience with a beautiful backdrop.

On Sakaimachi Street you’ll find the LeTAO confectionery store, as well as other well-known Hokkaido confectionery and patisserie names, such as Kitakaro and Rokkatei. These stores have their own cafés, so they’re also a great place to stop for a break. Otherwise, there are plenty of options for food that you can take away and eat while you’re out and about.

For souvenirs, consider Otaru's famous glassware, hand-painted fans, wooden kokeshi dolls, and locally made snacks. There are also many traditional restaurants serving dishes like ramen—a must-eat during the winter!

This is LeTAO’s flagship product. Their Double Fromage Cheesecake features two layers with both cheese mousse and baked cheese. Made using fresh thick Hokkaido cream, this cake literally melts in your mouth.

The LeTAO main store is located at Marchen Square 10 minutes from the canal. On the ground floor you can buy sweets and cakes to take away, but on the second floor they have a café where you can sit down and enjoy some amazing cheesecake straightaway.

In Otaru there are actually another five LeTAO stores—each selling a distinctive twist on chocolates, pastries, and more.

Kamaei age kamaboko (deep-fried fish cake) is a well-known Japanese delicatessen brand located a short walk from Otaru Canal. Age kamaboko is made from processed fish paste and is a kind of surimi (minced fish) which is deep fried. Age kamaboko has various kinds of filling, such as cheese, vegetables, or seafood and comes in all sorts of flavors and shapes. The Otaru Kamaei Fish Cake Factory store is basically fish cake heaven for anyone who loves fish cake. Browse their various products and be sure to take some home to enjoy yourself or with friends and family.

There are many stores selling glassware in Otaru, but the long-established Kitaichi Glass, Sango-kan (Emporium No.3) is one of the most famous because of its handcrafted glassware. Kitaichi Glass has been creating beautiful glass oil lamps and other products since 1901 and was one of the reasons Otaru prospered during the Meiji period. The No. 3 building is a sight to see because the inside is softly lit by 167 oil lamps handcrafted by Kitaichi Glass craftsmen. The shop opens at 9 am, but visitors can enter 15 minutes early to watch the shopkeepers light all 167 lamps—even the ones in the chandelier. The shop is officially open when the electric lights around the shop are turned off.

The store interior is divided into three sections: Japanese, Western, and “rustic”. It also sells glass brooches and Japanese-style accessories.

Notwithstanding its nostalgic old-style buildings, Otaru has many new and recent shops. Otaru's best-known shopping spot is Sakaimachi Street, but there are many great places to shop all over the town.

In front of JR Otaru Station is Nagasakiya Shopping Center, which is home to a variety of fashion boutiques, a Daiso, several eateries, and a Don Quijote. Don Quijote is a popular discount chain store in Japan known for its wide range of products, from groceries to electronics, at low prices.

LIVE JAPAN is now offering a coupon for up to 10% Tax-Free and an added 5% off* your purchase at Don Quijote. To redeem it, tap the coupon below and present it to the cashier.

(*10% tax-free rate + 5% off on purchases of tax-free items of 10,000 yen (excluding tax) or more.)

Finally, in front of JR Otaruchikko Station is a massive 1.5 km long shopping mall called Wing Bay Otaru. Here, you'll find a sizable selection of over 90 shops, boutiques, restaurants and more selling unique Japanese items, plus a movie theatre, NAMCO game center, AEON Shopping Center, and more.

When visiting Otaru, choosing the right accommodation is essential. We recommend staying near popular attractions like the Otaru Station, Minami Otaru, and Asari. These areas offer convenience and easy access to the city's major sightseeing destinations, ensuring you make the most of your Otaru visit. In this city you can find hotels, hostels, and ryokans that suit a variety of budgets.

Otaru hosts vibrant events and festivals throughout the year, offering a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions. Attending these local celebrations will certainly enhance your visit!

When planning your Otaru trip, consider joining one of the following tours.

Discover the hidden gems surrounding Otaru with these highly recommended side trips, offering everything from breathtaking nature to unique cultural experiences.

With these tips in mind, you're all set to make the most of your Otaru visit. Enjoy exploring the city's unique attractions, relishing the local cuisine, and experiencing the warm hospitality!