The LeTAO Honten in Otaru, has a fascination with making cheesecake. Their "Double Fromage," a signature product, was inspired by their love of Japanese sweets. The head office is nestled in between the sightseeing spot Marchen Intersection and the Otaru Canal. This multi-level building is like a tower with their shop on the first floor, a cafe on the second floor, and an observatory on the third floor.

The name of the store "LeTAO", is an acronym for the French phrase "La Tour Amitie Otaru" meaning "Beloved Otaru Tower." As its name suggests, LeTAO became the sweet shop loved by the people of Otaru, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018.

They have many flavors that can only be tasted at their main office, such as freshly made "Nama Double Fromage" (972 yen with a drink set) that can be enjoyed with seasonal teas. Be sure to try their ice cream (from 360 yen) like the LeTAO Fromage.

Hours: 9: 00a.m. ~ 6: 00p.m., cafe 9: 00a.m. ~ 5: 30p.m. (times may vary based on season)
Closed: Always open
Access: Five minutes on foot from JR Minami Otaru Station

A popular Japanese confectionary shop can be found in Kitakaro, a part of Sunagawa-shi, Hokkaido. Every day from Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, and Otaru, people flood to this shop to get their sugar fix with these products that are made with authentic Hokkaido materials.

One of the signature products of their store, the popular "Baumkuchen Fairy's Forest," (height 4 centimeters 1296 yen, 6 centimeters 1944 yen, 8 centimeters 2592 yen; photo is 6 centimeters) noted for its sweetness and moistness was first created at the commemoration of the opening of the Otaru Honkan.

The Baumkuchen is prepared by craftsmen that carefully bake each individual cake and has gained popularity as an Otaru souvenir as well as a gift for the seasons. Inside the cafe, you can enjoy the "Otaru Honkan Baumkuchen set" (515 yen) that includes Baumkuchen, ice cream, and a drink. This set is a seasonal treat available between May to October.

The "Jumbo Cream Northern Dream Dome" (180 yen) is a delight that allows you to enjoy the crisp texture of biscuit dough with the rich flavors of custard and cream. This treat goes well side by side with the "Jumbo Pie Cream Dream Wonder" (180 yen). This cream puff has a mix of creamy fillings and is baked until crisp. Along with these items, there are a large variety of cream puffs with different textures and fillings to be enjoyed. If you are considering ordering takeout, we recommend the soft serve ice cream (360 yen) with its thick flavors, made with raw cream and fresh milk.

"Rokkatei" is popular among many Japanese-style confectioneries sticking to high-quality ingredients made in Hokkaido. At the Otaru Canal store, their big seller, "Marseille Butter Sand" (125 yen per piece), is available alongside many other Rokkatei products.

Take a look at our choice, the "Marseille butter cake" (125 yen each, photo below). This treat is a favorite regardless of age or gender, and as you can see is a sandwiched chocolate ganache on a buttery sponge, that has exploded with popularity since its release in 2016.

The shop is located on the first floor with a cafe space on the second. Their Snow Cheese Cake Biscuits feature crispy cocoa biscuits and baked cheesecake (photo: left one piece 200 yen) that come with an expiration date of only two hours after purchase! This store uses no additives making this a pick for an eat-in experience. Another great pick for this store is their ice cream "Pure Snow and Powder" (photo, right 300 yen).

Established in 1929, the old-fashioned sweet shop "Otaru Amoto" set up its head office in a corner of the local shopping street known as the Otaru Shopping District. Here on the first floor you can purchase one of their signature items, the "Marron Colon" (1 piece 195 yen) as well as cakes and other goodies. The second floor is an aromatic coffee shop with a retro atmosphere.

"Cream Zenzai" (photo: Above S size 230 yen, M size 320 yen): This treat puts red beans and rice cake on top of ice cream and is a good choice for eating on the move as well as a good Otaru souvenir.

If you decide to spend time inside the coffee shop, why not taste the limited menu "Strawberry Cream Zenzai" (photo: Below S size 530 yen, M size 730 yen).

Kasyo Otaru Nikuraya was established in 1895, and is an old-fashioned Japanese confectionery store rooted in Otaru. The Hanazono head office is in the downtown area near the Otaru Sushi Street.

Their "Hanazono Dango" (one piece 90 yen, tax not included) is one of their items that can only be purchased in Otaru City. Another item, "Ishikura Kurumi Mochi," is made with the image of the stones piles found in Otaru city (one piece 140 yen, tax not included). They also have the popular winter item "Light Snow Road (Michi)" (one piece 120 yen, tax not included) named after the popular event in winter. These sweets make perfect Otaru souvenirs.

Whether you prefer to eat-in or take-out, we recommend their "Dorayaki Soft" (380 yen, tax included) topped with heavy cream made with Otaru water and Hokkaido milk with dorayaki peel and plenty of bean paste.

Here we can see "Kitaichi Glass," known as Otaru's representative glass crafts shop. Here we visited the main store in the city called "Kitaichi Glass Building No.3." This facility is a refurbished building which was previously used as a fishery warehouse more than 120 years ago. The building features the Kita Hall where there are167 oil lamps, themed areas such as Japanese, Western, and Country. There are lots of places to enjoy gourmet dishes as well as view glass products. In the hall you can enjoy delicious sweets, meals and drinks while listening to live piano performances from Monday to Friday with exceptions on holidays.

Price: Free admission
Hours: 8: 45a.m. ~ 6: 00p.m. (Kitaichi Hall last order 5: 30p.m.)
Closed: Always open
Access: Ten minutes on foot from JR Minami Otaru Station

The Otaru Orgel Doh Honkan is a familiar photo spot facing the "fairy tale intersection." Here they exhibit and sell a number of music boxes that echo rich tones collected from all over the world including the Otaru Orgel.

They have over 25,000 items, with their music boxes ranging anywhere in price from 1000 yen (tax included) to around 20,000 yen. Luxury music boxes with more than 20,000 yen are sold on the second-floor. The most expensive music box is sold for the unimaginable price of 20 million yen. On the other side of the spectrum, small and affordable items such as magnets are available from around 324 yen (tax included).

You can take a short one minute walk from the store to find the "Otaru Music Box Hall Handmade Experience Studio" where you can create your own unique music box (about 1500 yen). Why not commemorate your trip to Otaru with a music box of your own?

Price: Free admission
Hours: 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. (During July-September, on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before holidays, hours are 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m.)
Closed: Always open
Access: Seven minutes on foot from JR Minami Otaru Station