Neighborhood
Otaru
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Otaru is a charming port city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, famous for its beautifully preserved canal district lined with 19th-century warehouses. Visitors stroll along the canal, especially enchanting when gas lamps glow at dusk, explore numerous glassworks and music box shops, and sample incredibly fresh sushi and seafood at the bustling morning market. The neighborhood's blend of Western and Japanese architecture reflects its prosperous shipping past, making it a distinctive cultural destination.
Don't miss
- Walk the Otaru Canal at sunset when the gas lamps illuminate the historic warehouses.
- Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum to see thousands of antique and modern music boxes.
- Feast on fresh uni, ikura, and crab at the Otaru Sankaku Market.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Otaru
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inOtaru Rickshaw Tour5★ · 84 travelers1–2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$38 per personSee dates →
Best full dayHokkaido: Lake Toya, Bear Ranch and Sapporo Otaru Full Day Tour4.3★ · 66 travelers~10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$74 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleOtaru Canal Private Sightseeing Tour from Sapporo Station5★ · 21 travelers5–6 hoursFrom$202 per personSee dates →More attractions in Otaru