Otaru Day Trip in Hokkaido
Part of the Hokkaido travel guide — see every topic in All Hokkaido Guides.
Otaru is a small port town by the sea, 35–45 minutes from Sapporo by JR. Its canal, old stone warehouses and glass shops make an easy half-day or day trip, and it is lovely under snow.
The canal
Otaru Canal is about 10 minutes' walk downhill from Otaru Station. A path runs along the water, lined with gas lamps that light up at dusk, and the old stone warehouses now hold restaurants and shops. Canal cruises take about 40 minutes and cost about ¥1,800–2,000. Come back after dark for the best photos.
Sakaimachi street
Sakaimachi street runs for about 1 km near the canal, with glass shops such as Kitaichi Glass, the Otaru Music Box Museum and sweet shops like LeTAO, famous for its double cheesecake. Most shops open about 9:00–18:00. The street ends at the Marchen crossroads and its steam clock.
Seafood
Otaru is famous for sushi. Sushiya-dori (Sushi Street) has many counters, with set meals for about ¥2,500–6,000. For a cheaper seafood bowl, try the Sankaku Market next to the station, where kaisendon with crab, salmon roe or sea urchin costs about ¥2,000–4,500.
Views and the Snow Light Path
The Tenguyama Ropeway, a short bus ride from the station, climbs to a viewpoint over the town and the sea, popular at sunset. In February, the Otaru Snow Light Path fills the canal and an old railway line with candles in snow lanterns, usually in the same weeks as the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Otaru Day Trip at a glance
| From Sapporo | JR 35–45 min, about ¥750–900 |
|---|---|
| Canal | About 10 min walk from Otaru Station; lamps at dusk |
| Canal cruise | About 40 min, about ¥1,800–2,000 |
| Sakaimachi | About 1 km of glass, music-box and sweet shops |
| Seafood bowl | Sankaku Market, about ¥2,000–4,500 |
| Best time | Late afternoon into dark; February for the Snow Light Path |