Otaru City: Where Glassworks and Music Boxes Come to Life
If you could travel back in time, Doctor Who-style, where would you go?
Some might choose to visit the roaring 20s during the era of Charlie Chaplin, while others might prefer experiencing their Red Dead Redemption fantasies in the Wild West before the turn of the 20th century.
However, there are places in the world where you don’t need a time machine to feel transported to the past. One such place is the romantic, tiny port city of Otaru - a tranquil and historic gem just 30 minutes from Sapporo by train.
With the famous Otaru canal meandering through the heart of the city and its myriad collection of glassworks, time-honoured streets, and museums, there’s plenty to see and do on a day trip from Sapporo - from admiring historical buildings to savouring some of the freshest seafood in Japan.
Here’s everything you need to know for a perfect day trip from Sapporo:
Visiting Otaru: What You Need to Know
First Up, Where is Otaru?
Once a bustling trade hub during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868–1926), the charming city of Otaru is located on the coast and was a major port in its day.
Just northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay, it’s easy to reach Otaru with a scenic train ride along the coast.
And What is Otaru Famous For?
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this vibrant city is its iconic canal.
The Otaru Canal, stretching 1,140 metres long and 40 metres wide, was built in 1923 to transport goods to warehouses during the Taisho era. It gives off a whimsical, almost Ghibli-like fantasy vibe, especially when the street lamps gently illuminate the tranquil waters at night.
In winter, the Otaru Canal becomes even more magical, transforming into a fairytale scene straight out of a Disney movie, with thick, powdery snow blanketing its edges.
Besides the canal, this charming harbour city is known for its nostalgic old-school buildings, such as former warehouses and offices, its glass production industry dating back to 1901, and the Otaru Music Box Museum.
Oh, and beer lovers, rejoice. Otaru is also famous for its beer, with the popular medieval-themed Otaru Warehouse No. 1 located right next to the canal.
Getting to Otaru
Let's talk logistics - how you can travel easily from Sapporo to Otaru.
From Sapporo Station to Otaru Station
Train schedules and fares
Getting from Sapporo Station to Otaru JR Station is super simple. You’ll find plenty of trains running every hour between Sapporo and Otaru on the JR Hakodate Main Line.
A one-way ticket is just USD 5.25, and the trip takes around 30 minutes on a rapid train or 45 minutes on a local one. The JR Hokkaido Pass, which is highly recommended if you’ll be taking a lot of trains during your Hokkaido trip, also covers this route.
A 1-Day Otaru Itinerary for First-Timers
Thinking about what to do on an Otaru day trip? Here's a complete guide with everything you need to know, including the best places to visit.
Otaru Canal: A Must-Visit Attraction
If you're looking for the ultimate throwback, a visit to the Otaru Canal should naturally be the first thing on your Otaru itinerary.
Just a 13-minute walk from Otaru Station (or a two-minute bus ride, if you prefer), you can take a leisurely stroll along the old, moss-covered warehouses lining the canal, reflected prettily in the water, and imagine how busy the port was in its prime when goods were transported by small ships.
Adding to the romantic, idyllic feel are the retro gas lamps along the canal area, immersing you in a wistful, almost melancholic atmosphere when lit at night.
One of the best ways to experience the Otaru Canal is to join a private tour with a government-licensed guide. This way, you’ll add depth to your trip by learning about the canal’s history and what makes it special, plus visit spots that only locals know about.
Another fab option is to hop on an Otaru Canal cruise - always a scenic way to see this gem of a place.
Sakaimachi-dōri: Glassware and Museums
Another spot that makes Otaru special is the iconic Sakaimachi Street, just a short walk from the canal and easily recognisable thanks to its medley of Western-style buildings from Hokkaido's construction boom in the late 1800s.
This area is a true paradise for culture vultures and boho-chic types. There are several glass workshops where tourists can try their hand at a glass-blowing workshop and channel their inner Dale Chihuly, while cafes and boutique stores keep hipsters happy.
The area is also great for museum-hopping. You can explore the Otaru Music Box Museum, a collection of buildings along the southern end of Sakaimachi Street, with the museum’s most notable building being a large shop that sells various music boxes.
There, you'll find the Otaru Steam Clock proudly standing in front of the shop - a gift from the city of Vancouver that plays a short song every 15 minutes. Now, how cool is that?
Other museums to visit include the Museum of Venetian Art, a five-storey treasure trove of Venetian glassware, fashion, and furniture, and the Bank of Japan Museum, which, as you might guess, is all about Japanese money, including an old vault stocked with a 100 billion yen pile of notes (all replicas, of course).
Tanaka Sake Brewery
Another must-add to your Otaru itinerary is a visit to Tanaka Sake Brewery, a place steeped in tradition, just as it's typically done in Japan.
Housed in a historic building, this local brewery uses only 100% Hokkaido-produced rice and exclusively makes junmai (pure rice) sake. You can try different brands here, such as the Junmai Daiginjo Takaragawa, a sweet and fruity sake with an exquisite flavour profile.
Tenguyama
Towering over the city at 532 metres, Tenguyama (or Mount Tengu) offers gorgeous, panoramic vistas of Otaru and the Sea of Japan.
You can take a ropeway up the mountain, which was featured in the hit Netflix drama First Love, and combine it with an exhilarating zipline experience that’ll swoosh you down from the top of the observatory while you take in spectacular views of the city.
It’s after dark that Mount Tengu truly shines, with the night view being particularly outstanding as the scintillating cityscape glitters below.
We’re not going to give any spoilers, but once you’re done re-enacting your favourite First Love scenes, check out the Squirrel Park and Tengu Hall, which has plenty of intricate Tengu masks on display.
To get there, you can take a 20-minute bus from Otaru Station and alight at the Tenguyama Ropeway bus stop.
Sankaku Market
If you only have time to eat at one place when visiting Otaru from Sapporo, make it the Sankaku Market.
Here, you’ll get the freshest seafood in town, and being next to Otaru JR Station makes it super convenient to reach as well.
Go crazy with the ultra-delicious kaisendon (seafood rice bowl). Some of the best restaurants at Sankaku Market to try it include Kita no Donburiya and Takinami Shokudo (滝波食堂), where you can choose from different combinations of sashimi.
Otaru Art Base
For an all-in-one cultural experience in Otaru, culture buffs can head straight to the Otaru Art Base.
A complex comprising three museums - the Stained Glass Museum, the Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch, and the Nitori Museum of Art - it’s the perfect place to admire contemporary Japanese and Western paintings, artworks, sculptures, and stained glass.
Do note that each museum has a separate admission fee, so plan your visit accordingly.
Nishin Goten
How many folks can say they've been to a wealthy fisherman's home?
Well, you can with a visit to the Herring Mansions (鰊御殿, Nishin Goten) on your trip to Otaru, built by the more affluent fishermen of the thriving herring industry for themselves and their staff.
What makes the Herring Mansion even cooler is that it’s perched on a hill overlooking the sea.
After checking out the Herring Mansion, stop by the Old Aoyama Villa (Otaru Kihinkan), a mansion built by the prosperous Aoyama family during the industry’s heyday.
Here, you’ll get to admire what luxury looked like a century ago, designed by the finest craftsmen of the Meiji era - think elaborate bedrooms, corridors, and even toilets for some serious Rurouni Kenshin vibes.
Just remember to grab tickets to Aoyama Villa before your trip.
Events and Festivals to Check Out in Otaru
If you can't get enough of the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter, do yourself a favour and check out the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in mid-February if you're visiting the city on a day trip.
That’s when the streets are decorated with snow candles, creating a Disney-like fairytale scene, especially at the Otaru Canal and the former Japan National Railways Temiya Line, a discontinued train track that’s now an ultra-Instagrammable spot.
Late July brings the Otaru Tide Festival to Otaru Port No. 3 Dock. Catch the vibrant "Ushio Nerikomi" parade, a massive dancing festival with eye-popping costumes, fireworks, and nearly 10,000 revellers flooding the city centre on their way to the port.
You can also check out the Otaru Sakaimachi Yukata Wind Chime Festival at Sakaimachi Street in early August, and the Otaru Snow Story event, which takes place throughout the city, including the Otaru Canal, from November to mid-February.
Must-Try Food & Drink in Otaru
Try the famous LeTAO cakes
LeTAO is a gem hailing from Otaru, famous for its delicious Double Fromage cheesecake - a creamy, soft treat loaded with both rare and baked cheesecake layers.
For all you folks with a sweet tooth, make your way to the LeTAO Main Shop, an impressive Western-style tower that's a 7-minute walk from JR Minami Otaru Station.
Pamper yourself with freshly made cakes and limited-edition goodies that sell out quickly.
Besides the Double Fromage, you’ve got to try the Venezia Rendezvous - a cheese brûlée cake with mascarpone cheese and cream in a pie tart shell, and the LeTAO Deux Fromage Roll, which is only available at the main shop shop.
Visit Otaru Beer Otaru Warehouse No.1
If you’re a beer lover, you’re in for a real treat at Otaru Warehouse No. 1.
This historic warehouse along the Otaru Canal has been transformed into a microbrewery, renowned for its well-crafted German beers made using traditional techniques.
Don’t let the plain stone exterior fool you - the timber interior is spacious and warm, with massive brew kettles taking centre stage, making it a pleasant place to unwind after a day of exploration.
You can enjoy a brewery tour here and learn about the ingredients and brewing process behind Otaru Beer.
But the real highlight is, of course, enjoying the beer itself, whether you’re a fan of pilsner, dunkel, or weiss.
Wrapping Up: Your Otaru Day Trip from Sapporo
Wrapping up your day trip to Otaru from Sapporo feels like unwrapping a present you've been waiting for the longest time - there’s so much to enjoy in such a tiny space.
From the whimsical Otaru Music Box Museum to the lively atmosphere at Otaru Port, this charming spot has something for everyone, like strolling down Sakaimachi Street, where the mix of historic charm and trendy shops will surely enchant, or sampling the fresh seafood at the many restaurants scattered all over.
Whether you’re soaking in a snowy wonderland during the winter months at the Otaru Canal or enjoying the jaw-dropping night view from Tenguyama, Otaru’s unique blend of experiences makes it an understandably popular destination.
So, the next time you plan a getaway from Sapporo, make sure an Otaru day trip is right at the top of your list.