Otaru Canal is a trendy spot for tourists. When it “finished its role as a canal,” plans were made to fill the waterway. However, in the 1980s, after a long controversy, some of the land was reclaimed and roads, walking paths, and townscapes were constructed, creating the canal’s well-known present-day appearance.

At Asakusabashi Gaien, the park that’s one of Otaru’s main tourist sites, many people stop to take souvenir photos or ride rickshaws. If you want a quieter view of the canal, head north. The 40m section, commonly known as the “North Canal,” still feels like days past when the canal was still in use. Many of these warehouses now hold fashionable restaurants, creating a calm atmosphere. Otaru’s ski slopes are illuminated from December to March, adding to the fantastic night view. Be sure to stop by the “secret” North Canal.

The area around Otaru has a beautiful coastline, and some scenery can only be seen from the water. When the weather is nice, Otamoi Tours offers a scenic view of the seaside cliffs. There are four tour courses, ranging from the 90-minute “A Course” to the 40-minute “D Course,” offering flexibility according to your schedule and budget.

In addition to sightseeing boats, Hokkaido’s only “yakatabune” (dinner cruise boats) traverse the bay. Both types of cruises operate from late April to mid-October, but check the official websites when planning your trip for important information.

The Otaru Aquarium has a variety of shows, and animal exhibitions, including the aquatic stadium’s dolphin jumping and sea lion shows and the walrus aquarium, where 1-ton males splash water around. The penguin show is the highlight, with laughter-inducing birds “too free to follow the zookeeper’s instructions.”

The outdoor sea park utilizes a natural cove, and when the surf is strong, wild sea lions and harbor seals evacuate the coast, but the show animals are cared for within the aquarium.

Otaru has excellent fishing, and around 200m from the Otaru Canal is an area full of long-established restaurants called “Otaru Sushiya Dori” (Otaru Sushi Restaurant Street).

Some top recommendations include “shako” (mantis shrimp) and “hakkaku” (tokubire, or sailfin poacher), which are in season in winter. Shrimp, often boiled in Honshu, is served fresh in Otaru. There are always delicious seasonal menu items, so be sure to ask for recommendations when ordering.

If you want to enjoy seafood or roast chicken rice bowls at a reasonable price, try Otaru Poseidon. Popular with local customers, the shop prides itself on taste, price, and being unique to Otaru. With a kids’ room, it’s ideal for families.

The most popular Poseidon dish is a gorgeous bowl of various seafood, including tuna, sea urchin, shrimp, salmon, etc. (2,200 yen, excluding tax). Seasonal ingredients are carefully prepared in a secret sauce on the fireside grill. Poseidon also serves a limited number of “one-coin” rice bowls (500 yen, excluding tax), which make for an attractive budget meal.

Because the railway opened in 1882 and ran from Temiya (Otaru City) to Horonai (Mikasa City), Otaru is called “the birthplace of the Hokkaido Railway.” The Otaru Museum displays many steam locomotives imported from the United States during Hokkaido’s pioneer era.

The “Iron Horse” locomotive, manufactured in the US in 1909, travels back and forth across 400m of the museum grounds. Other vehicles that can be used will entertain railroad fans and casual visitors alike.

Otaru Beer is an additive-free organic beer that complies with German manufacturing methods, and bears the slogan “Like No Other” Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1, along the canal, houses a pub that serves the basic Pilsner, Dunkel, and Weiss varieties as well as limited edition seasonal beers. The pub is the perfect place to enjoy fresh beer and dishes made with local ingredients.

Tanaka Sake Brewery has a history spanning more than 120 years. In 1989, the factory, “Kikkogura,” was renovated so tourists could see the brewing process as well adding a tasting and purchasing area. The sake lineup is expansive, but you should definitely try “Kamuitonoto,” which is a reproduction of the sake Hokkaido’s indigenous Ainu people offered to their gods.

Kamuitonoto is made from domestic rice bran and Hokkaido rice malt. Saccharified rice malt is added to give it a unique acidity and natural sweetness, resulting in its distinct flavor. Samples are available at Tanaka Sake Brewery and you’ll be amazed by the taste.

If you want to try a shop off the beaten path, head to Kaizokusen (“Pirate Ship”). Located in front of Zenibako Station, between Otaru and Sapporo, it’s a popular local hangout.

The “Pirate Ramen” is a massive bowl of mixed seafood, including whelks, shrimp, salmon, scallops, mussels, and seaweed. A friendly couple runs the shop, and a casual conversation will make your trip even more memorable.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, why not head to the Otaru Music Box Museum? The gift shop is lined with unique music boxes, many of which are rare, limited edition pieces only available there. Music boxes that play hit Japanese songs are sold at a reasonable price and make delightful souvenirs. You can also make your own original music box in the “Handmade Experience, Youkobo.”

Otaru combines history and modernity with its renovated warehouses now the sites of state-of-the-art stores where you can try your hand at glass making. In addition to fresh fish, there are other local dishes to try like kamaboko, half-fried chicken, and ankake yakisoba. A day trip won’t be enough to see and do it all, so plan to stay for a few days and nights!