Otaru… there are a few destinations farther north in Japan, but not many. Visiting Otaru in the winter, to have fresh-caught seafood and feel the cold sea air, is really special. It is a nice day trip from Sapporo, or consider turning your day trip into a convenient stopover on the way to a ski vacation in Niseko.
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Sites to See
After arriving at Otaru Station, a three-second walk will bring you to the entrance of Sankaku Market, home of the legendary kaisendon (fish and rice bowl– scroll a little farther for a photo). Like many fish markets in Japan, you can peer into tanks of freshly caught fish and still-alive crustaceans. Here, tourists and locals alike gather for some of the freshest fish in the world.
Otaru Canal is the most famous area in the town. Walk along its paths and take photos of the historic stone warehouses and view the beautiful scenery in all directions. You can even take a canal boat, but make sure to ask if there is a tour in your language available. This area is particularly beautiful at night, lit by historic gas lanterns.
Sakaimachihondori Street is the star of town (second only to the canal). This street has many interesting shops and cafes to check out. Hokkaido is famous for its dairy, so make sure to get some rich and creamy ice cream or cheesecake. I had a lot of fun checking out a vintage shop, which had a large selection of glass and ceramics.
Adjacent to Sakaimachihondori Street is Otaru Denuki Koji, a restaurant complex with a watchtower providing beautiful views of the Otaru Canal. If you didn’t dine at Sankaku market, consider getting your lunch or dinner here.
Tanaka Sake Brewing Kikkogura is an active sake production brewery dating back to 1899 with a self-guided tour. They have large windows with informative signs at each step of the brewing process, and tastings plus exclusive bottles at the end. It is a short walk from Minami-Otaru station, but kind of a long, cold slog from Sakaimaichihondori Street in the snow (ask me how I know). Consider getting a taxi back to the center of town if you’re there in the winter.
Sapporo is notable among Japanese cities for some of its Western influences, and Otaru has even more European flavor. Since it was a major port in the late 1800s as Japan began opening to the West, many of these international shipping companies established warehouses in their customary European building design, specifically with brick exteriors.
Do not miss the charming collection of antique music boxes with live demonstrations at Antique Museum 1. “Music Box” hardly seems like the right word for the large cabinets that are more similar to player pianos or calliopes. Many of them are around 100 years old. Then, spend some time shopping (or window shopping) at Music Box Museum, which is less of a museum and more of a store. Both of these are located at the south end of Sakaimachi Street, adjacent to the Steam Clock (a gift from Vancouver, Canada), another interesting item of Western influence.
Otaru is also famous for glassware, including stained glass, another craft relatively uncommon in Japan. Make sure to visit the stained glass museum and Nitori Art Museum at Otaru Art Base.
For something totally different, have lunch or dinner at Otaru Beer Hall, conveniently located on the canal. You will step out of a Japanese street, and feel like you’ve been transported to Germany.
A little outside of town, the Tenguyama Ropeway brings visitors up to the peak of Mount Tengu. This area offers a beautiful view of Otaru, the bay, and the surrounding areas from multiple observation decks. There is also a ski hill for some snowy fun, good for beginners, and an especially great option if your trip does not include a full-on ski excursion elsewhere in Hokkaido.
Getting There
For your Otaru day trip, you can take the train very easily. From Sapporo, it is a breeze. You can hop on the JR Hokkaido Railway from Sapporo Station, and the trip to Otaru takes between 35 minutes to an hour. Taking the Rapid Airport train is fastest. Once you arrive in Otaru, the city center and main attractions, including Sankaku Market and Sakaimachihondori Street, are within a very short walking distance of Otaru Station.
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Did I miss anything? Did you visit in the summer instead of the winter? Please leave a comment! And as always, thank you so much for stopping by!
Photos by Doug and Staci Jackson for The Voyageer.
