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Not Just the Canal! Otaru Day Trip Secrets from a Sapporo Native

Day Trips & Beyond

Hey there! I’ve been living in Sapporo for 40 years, and today I want to introduce you, my friends visiting from overseas, to a really special day trip spot. Our destination is “Otaru,” a port town right next to Sapporo! It’s packed with a charm that’s quite different from Sapporo.

I’ll share how to enjoy Otaru from a local’s perspective, mixing in some honest thoughts, so I hope you find it helpful!

So, What Kind of Town is Otaru Anyway?

You know, Otaru is a port town you can reach in just over 30 minutes by rapid train from Sapporo on the JR line. JR Hokkaido (English Page)

A long time ago, it flourished immensely from herring fishing and trade, and many of the stone warehouses and bank buildings from that era still remain today.

Since it’s so close to Sapporo, it’s a standard place for us Sapporo folks to visit casually. It’s especially nice because there are many sloping streets with sea views, making it feel really atmospheric just to walk around. But honestly, there are a lot of hills, so trying to walk everywhere might be pretty tough (lol). When that happens, don’t push yourself – using taxis or buses smartly is the way to go.

More Than Just the Canal! Otaru’s Diverse Attractions

Fun to Stroll! Sakaimachi Street Shopping District

When you talk about Otaru’s main attractions, Sakaimachi Street is probably it. It’s lined with glassware shops, music box stores, confectioneries, seafood shops, and more – just looking around is fun! (You can check out info about the shopping street on the Otaru Tourism Association’s website – it’s in Japanese, but try using your browser’s translation feature).

Lately, new stylish shops have been popping up too, so the mix of old-fashioned atmosphere and new things is quite interesting. There are tons of places where you can grab food to go, so nibbling on things that catch your eye is the best!

A Sparkling World! Glass and Music Boxes

When you think of Otaru, glassware and music boxes definitely come to mind.

  • Kitaichi Glass: They have many shops, but the “Kitaichi Hall” in Building No. 3 is a must-see. It’s a magical cafe lit only by the glow of oil lamps, and depending on the time, you might catch a live piano performance. The atmosphere is incredible, so definitely stop by.
  • Otaru Music Box Museum: Look for the brick building at the Marchen Crossroads. Inside, there’s an overwhelming number of music boxes – just looking is impressive. It’s perfect for souvenir hunting, too. They seem to have an official English website as well.
  • Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum: If you want to feel a bit fancy, this is the place. It displays Venetian glass and furniture, and you can even get your picture taken wearing aristocratic costumes.

Unique Characters? Otaru Aquarium

The Otaru Aquarium is quite interesting too. (This link seems to be an English information site). Of course, they have displays of marine life, but the real star here is the penguin show! The penguins are famous for completely ignoring the keepers’ instructions – their hilarious freedom actually went viral online for a while (lol). That laid-back vibe is worth seeing at least once. The dolphin and Steller sea lion shows are powerful too!

Sweets Heaven! LeTAO and Friends

Otaru is a battlefield for sweets!

  • LeTAO: This shop became famous nationwide for its Double Fromage cheesecake. They have several stylish stores, including the main one at the Marchen Crossroads. Many have cafes attached, making them great spots for a break.
  • Kitakaro / Ryugetsu: Near LeTAO, you’ll also find Kitakaro and Ryugetsu, two representative confectionery makers from Hokkaido. Both have lots of delicious sweets, so you really won’t have trouble finding souvenirs.

Old-Fashioned Charm and Energy! Markets and Arcades

  • Markets: Being a port town, the markets offering fresh seafood are lively.
    • Sankaku Market: Located right next to Otaru Station, access is superb! Inside the market, there are eateries where you can have a seafood bowl (kaisendon) right from the morning. It’s popular with tourists too.
    • Nantaru Market: If you want a more local vibe, maybe head here. It’s a bit further from the station than Sankaku Market, but it’s a market locals use often. The interesting thing is that tucked between the fishmongers and vegetable sellers, there’s somehow an outlet store for coffee beans (lol). You might find a bargain.
  • Arcade Shopping Street: As you’d expect in snow country, there are covered shopping arcades. Areas like “Miyako-dori Shotengai” and “Sun Mall Ichibangai” have that classic Japanese shopping street feel, and it can be interesting just to walk through. “Amato,” a popular local Western-style confectionery, is also nearby.

Great Views! Overlooking Otaru City and the Sea

Otaru, the town of slopes, also has many spots with great views.

  • Temiya Park: A park famous for its cherry blossoms in spring. It’s on high ground and offers views of the port and townscape.
  • Asahi Observatory: An observatory near Otaru University of Commerce. The view from here is quite nice too.
  • Mt. Tengu: You can take a ropeway to the summit. The view from the observatory is fantastic, and I actually didn’t know this until recently, but apparently, it’s considered one of Hokkaido’s Three Great Night Views (along with Mt. Hakodate and Mt. Moiwa). It’s true, looking down at the Otaru cityscape from up there really gives you a beautiful sense of a northern port town. It becomes a ski resort in winter. Remember that times and fees can change, so it’s best to check the official website before you go.
  • Kenashiyama Observatory: It’s a bit out of town, but recommended if you have a car. The night view is especially beautiful, and quite a few people drive up from Sapporo just to see it.

Still More! Ways to Enjoy Otaru

Water Strolls and Food Adventures

  • Otaru Canal Cruise: Leisurely cruising down the canal by boat could be a nice experience. The atmosphere is different between day and night.
    • An Honest Note from a Local: But, to be frank, one time when I went, there happened to be a noisy group of Japanese tourists who were getting told off by the staff… I think it’s rare, but if you happen to encounter something like that, I’m really sorry. Whether Japanese or foreign, I wish everyone would be considerate so we can all have a pleasant time.
    • Otaru Canal Cruise Official Website (English Page)
  • Kamaei Kamaboko: The factory shop here is super popular, even among us Sapporo locals! They have many kinds of kamaboko (fish cake), and there’s a corner where you can eat freshly fried ones. I heard that fish paste products overseas are often just like “kani-kama” (crab-flavored sticks), but if that’s all you’ve tried, you’ll be amazed by the variety and deliciousness here. They have ones with cheese, ones wrapped in bread… really, so many types. It’s perfect for a snack when you’re a bit hungry, and surprisingly filling (lol). Just writing about it makes me want some!
  • Naruto’s Wakadori Hankyu-age (Young Chicken Half-Fry): One of Otaru’s specialties. Simply put, it’s half a young chicken deep-fried whole, and it’s juicy and delicious! The skin is crispy, the inside is moist. It’s a taste you sometimes just crave.
  • Sushi & Seafood Bowls: Since you’re in a port town, you’ll want to eat delicious sushi or kaisendon! Honestly, from a local’s perspective, the famous tourist-oriented places can feel a bit pricey sometimes. If you’re thinking about value, you might get more satisfaction from grazing on things that catch your eye along Sakaimachi Street. But, dining on seafood is also a quintessential Otaru experience! Going into a famous shop thinking “This is my chance!” will definitely make for a great memory too. Just choose whichever fits your mood at the time (lol).

Slightly Different Ways to Enjoy

  • Former JNR Temiya Line Site: An old railway line that’s now maintained as a walking path. Taking a stroll along here is quite pleasant. Isn’t it kind of exciting to walk on railway tracks? (lol) You’ll see lots of people taking photos. In winter, during the “Otaru Snow Light Path” event, countless snow candles are lit along this path, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
  • Wing Bay Otaru: A massive shopping mall directly connected to JR Otaru-Chikko Station. For locals, this place is a bit of a hidden gem. Maybe because it had a slightly run-down image for a while, it’s often not too crowded even now. Despite that, it has a good selection of shops, a cinema complex, a large food court, and an indoor kids’ park. That’s why I sometimes bring my relatives’ kids here to play. For little kids, being able to play and eat is apparently more fun than the Otaru Canal’s atmosphere (lol). It’s spacious, so moving around with a stroller should be easy too.
  • Hanazono Area: If you want to enjoy Otaru at night, this is the area. It’s a district with many retro-style izakayas (Japanese pubs). However, compared to Sapporo’s Susukino, some places might feel a bit more “deep” or have many regulars, so it might be a bit intimidating for first-timers. If you speak some Japanese or are used to Japan, giving it a try could be interesting.
  • Otaru Ushio Festival: If you visit in summer (usually late July), you might catch this festival! It’s Otaru’s biggest summer event, featuring parades with mikoshi (portable shrines) and taiko drums, and fireworks on the last day. The whole town gets incredibly lively. It gets extremely crowded, so getting around might be a bit tough, but it’s a great chance for anyone wanting to experience a Japanese festival! The dates and details change yearly, so please check the official info beforehand.
  • Blue Cave: Along Otaru’s coastline, there’s a beautiful spot called the “Blue Cave.” You can reach it via activities like cruise boats or SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding). On days when the sea is clear, the inside of the cave supposedly glows a truly vibrant blue. It’s a way to enjoy Otaru’s nature, beyond just the food and town walks. Various companies seem to run tours, so look into it if you’re interested. You might find information on the Otaru Tourism Association’s English website too.

Finally, a Request from a Local

Otaru is a truly wonderful town, and I hope many people come to visit. However, lately, I’ve been hearing stories about some tourists having slightly bad manners… Littering, being loud… It makes me sad to hear things like that.

So that everyone can enjoy sightseeing comfortably, I’d be really happy if we could all be mindful of manners and cherish the beautiful Otaru streetscape and atmosphere together.

Discover Your Own Otaru!

So, what do you think? Did I manage to convey some of Otaru’s charm?

What I’ve introduced here is just a fraction, and maybe I’m a bit biased (lol), but Otaru has so many more appealing shops and places. Even if you don’t follow the guidebook, just wandering around on foot and popping into shops that catch your interest can be fun.

Please, go find your own favorite Otaru! I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic day!

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