Written by Alexander Kopp, Sandra Frank, Sophie King
19/08/2025
Chelsea TEY, Pexels
Otaru is a charming port city that invites visitors to step back in time, offering a blend of historical architecture, particularly along its iconic canal, and a vibrant artisan scene. The city provides a delightful experience for those appreciating cultural heritage and local craftsmanship.
Tourists find opportunities for social interaction within the bustling areas of Otaru. The restored warehouses lining the Otaru Canal now house various shops, cafes, and museums, drawing people together. Sakaimachi Street, with its array of unique artisan shops, including glassware and music box stores, and sweet shops, is consistently crowded with visitors. Additionally, the Triangle Market, near Otaru Station, offers lively dining areas where guests can enjoy fresh seafood alongside both locals and other travelers.
Top 5 Things to do in Otaru
Otaru presents a variety of experiences, from exploring its historic canal and artisan streets to creating unique crafts and enjoying panoramic views.
1. Stroll and Cruise Otaru Canal
Walking along the Otaru Canal allows one to step back in time, observing the beautifully preserved stone warehouses that once served as the city's commercial hub, now transformed into shops, cafes, and museums. The canal is particularly enchanting in the evening when gas lamps illuminate the waterways and historic buildings, creating a romantic atmosphere. A canal cruise offers a different perspective, gliding past these structures and providing insights into the canal's 1923 history.
Cost: Walking along the canal is free. A 40-minute canal cruise costs approximately ¥1,800 for adults for a day cruise and ¥1,800 for a night cruise, and ¥500 for children.
Transport: The Otaru Canal is a short 10-minute walk directly from JR Otaru Station. . Public buses are also available from Otaru Station, costing ¥140-¥200 for a 7-13 minute ride.
2. Explore Sakaimachi Street
Sakaimachi Street is a charming, preserved merchant street featuring impressive Western-style buildings from Otaru's prosperous past. Today, these buildings house a diverse range of shops, including renowned glassware stores, sweet shops like LeTAO, and various cafes and restaurants. This area is ideal for souvenir shopping and experiencing the city's artisanal heritage.
Cost: Free to explore. Shopping and dining costs vary.
Transport: Sakaimachi Street is located a short walk from the Otaru Canal area and approximately a 10-18 minute walk from Otaru Station.
3. Visit Otaru Music Box Museum
The Otaru Music Box Museum invites visitors into a whimsical world of melodies. Housed in a historic red-brick building, it showcases an extensive collection of music boxes, from antique pieces to modern designs. Outside, a distinctive steam clock plays a melody every 15 minutes, adding to the fairytale ambiance. Visitors can browse a wide array of music boxes for sale or even participate in a workshop to customize their own.
Cost: Admission to the museum is free. The cost for a DIY music box experience is not explicitly stated in recent sources, but glass workshops, which are similar hands-on experiences, range from ¥2,000 to ¥3,000.
Transport: The main building of the Otaru Music Box Museum is at the southern end of Sakaimachi Street, a 5-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station. It is also accessible by walking through Sakaimachi Street from the Otaru Canal area.
4. Experience Glass Blowing
Otaru is renowned for its glasswork, a craft that evolved from the city's herring fishing industry. Visitors can engage in a hands-on glass blowing experience at one of the local workshops. This allows for the creation of a personalized glass item, such as a cup or vase, providing a tangible souvenir of Otaru's artistic tradition. The process typically takes about 15 minutes to an hour, though the finished product often requires a day to cool before pick-up or shipping.
Cost: Glass blowing experiences typically cost between ¥2,000 and ¥4,400, depending on the item and workshop. Reservations are often recommended.
Transport: Many glass workshops are conveniently located near Sakaimachi Street and the Otaru Canal, generally within a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.
5. Ascend Mount Tengu for Panoramic Views
For sweeping vistas of Otaru City, Ishikari Bay, and the Sea of Japan, a trip up Mount Tengu is recommended. The 4-minute ropeway ride to the summit offers spectacular aerial views. The observation platform has been recognized with a star in the Michelin Green Guide Japon, and the night view from Mount Tengu is considered one of Hokkaido's three best. Beyond the views, visitors can explore Tenguyama Shrine or enjoy activities like the 400m Tenguyama Slider in warmer months.
Cost: A roundtrip ropeway ticket for adults costs approximately ¥1,800, and for children, it is ¥900.
Transport: From JR Otaru Station, take a Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for Tenguyama Ropeway (Bus Stop 4). The bus ride takes about 17-20 minutes and costs between ¥190-¥260. A taxi from Otaru Station to the ropeway base costs approximately ¥1,400-¥1,800 and takes around 3 minutes.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
