JP · Hokkaido · 43.18°N 141.00°E

otaru

Canal-side gas lamps, glass workshops, music boxes and sushi straight off the boat.

Best time
December to February for snow, with the Snow Light Path festival lighting up the canal in February. Summer is mild and pleasant.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to New Chitose Airport near Sapporo (about 7.5 hours direct, or via Tokyo). Trains run from the airport to Otaru in about 75 minutes, or about 35 minutes from Sapporo.
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JP · Hokkaidootaru43.18°N 141.00°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Canal-side gas lamps, glass workshops, music boxes and sushi straight off the boat.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingOtaruJP, Hokkaido
KLotaru
≈ 5,901 km from KL, as the crow flies
The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

An old port town on the coast northwest of Sapporo, with stone warehouses along a canal and streets of glass and music box shops. It's an easy day trip, and even prettier under winter snow.

Makan

  1. SushiOtaru's sushi street is lined with counters serving seafood from the port.Map ↗
  2. Seafood bowls at Sankaku MarketA small market by the station for rice bowls piled with crab, uni and salmon roe.Map ↗
  3. LeTAO cheesecakeThe double fromage cheesecake that started in Otaru.Map ↗
  4. Soft serveRich Hokkaido milk soft serve, sold all along Sakaimachi.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Otaru CanalWalk past the old stone warehouses, best at dusk when the gas lamps come on.Map ↗
  2. Sakaimachi StreetA long street of glass shops, sweet shops and restored merchant buildings.Map ↗
  3. Otaru Music Box MuseumAn old building packed with music boxes, with a steam clock outside.Map ↗
  4. Glassblowing workshopsMake your own glass piece at one of the town's studios.Map ↗
  5. Mount TenguA ropeway up for views over the town and the bay.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Pavements get icy in winter. Wear shoes with good grip, or buy slip-on spikes.
  • Glass shops will pack your purchases for the flight home. Ask for extra wrapping.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.