Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshin, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 7, 2026
Just about 40 minutes by train from Sapporo, Otaru offers a chance to experience the charms of Hokkaido all in one place: the romantic Otaru Canal, crystal-clear glass art, and fresh sushi.
Otaru is a popular tourist destination near Hokkaido, especially among travelers from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The landscape, with its clusters of stone warehouses, gas lamps, and canals, offers a unique and special charm.
This time, we'll introduce a complete guide that lets you enjoy Otaru's popular tourist spots and gourmet food, including the Otaru Canal, all in one place.
table of contents
If you take the JR Hakodate Main Line Rapid Airport train from Sapporo Station, you will arrive at Otaru Station in about 40 minutes.
This is a popular route where you can travel while enjoying views of the coastline.
JR Hokkaido Official Website
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/
You can also take the Rapid Airport train from New Chitose Airport to Otaru without changing trains.
This is also recommended for those who want to sightsee in Otaru on their first day of their Hokkaido trip.
The main attractions in Otaru are concentrated around the canal and on Sakaimachi Street.
Let's start by visiting some of the classic spots.
The Otaru Canal is a symbol that represents Otaru.
Completed in 1923, it was once an important waterway for transporting goods to the port. Today, stone warehouses, promenades, and gas lamps remain, creating a magical port town atmosphere at dusk.
Warehouses along the canal have been transformed into restaurants and galleries, making it a popular spot for taking photos both day and night.
https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020100900367/
Sakaimachi Street is Otaru's busiest shopping area. At the long-established Kitaichi Glass shop, you'll find a wide variety of beautiful glass products, making it the perfect place to choose souvenirs such as glasses, tableware, and accessories.
The surrounding area is lined with glass workshops, music box museums, seafood restaurants, and sweets shops, making it a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
https://kitaichiglass.co.jp/
The Otaru Music Box Museum, located at the entrance to Sakaimachi Street, displays and sells tens of thousands of music boxes.
The steam clock installed at the entrance emits steam and plays music every 15 minutes, making it a popular photo spot representative of Otaru.
You can also experience making your own original music box inside the museum.
https://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/
You can access the mountain from the city center by bus or car, and then take a ropeway up to Mount Tengu.
This observation spot, recommended by the Otaru Tourism Association, offers panoramic views of Otaru city and Ishikari Bay.
It is also famous as one of Hokkaido's three best night views.
Otaru Art Village is a group of art museums housed in historical buildings.
The area boasts a stained glass museum, a Western art museum, and former bank buildings, making it a great place to visit in conjunction with the Otaru Canal and the old bank district.
https://www.nitorihd.co.jp/otaru-art-base/
When sightseeing in Otaru, enjoying the local cuisine is a must.
Enjoy Hokkaido's unique flavors, such as sushi, seafood bowls, and Western-style sweets.
Otaru is one of the leading sushi destinations in Japan.
Sushi Street is lined with numerous famous restaurants where you can enjoy fresh sea urchin, salmon roe, spot prawns, and other ingredients unique to Hokkaido.
For lunch, be sure to try some authentic sushi.
Otaru Beer is a craft beer that was born in 1995 along the canal.
Brewed using German brewing techniques that have been passed down for over 500 years and based on the "Beer Purity Law" of 1516, this beer offers an authentic German experience.
https://www.otarubeer.com/jp/
※This image is for illustrative purposes only.
LeTAO's Double Fromage, located on Sakaimachi Street, is a popular dessert that represents Otaru.
Rokkatei's butter sandwiches are also a popular souvenir from Hokkaido.
Many people purchase this along with Otaru black tea.
LeTAO
https://www.letao-brand.jp/shop/letao/
If you head west from Otaru, you will find the Nikka Whisky Distillery in Yoichi.
You can enjoy factory tours and tastings, and in the summer, it's also recommended to extend your trip to the Shakotan Peninsula, famous for its Shakotan Blue waters.
There are many workshops along Sakaimachi Street where you can experience glassblowing and music box making.
Creating a one-of-a-kind souvenir is a popular activity for family trips.
This theme park allows visitors to observe the manufacturing process of "Shiroi Koibito," a famous confectionary representing Hokkaido.
In addition to a confectionery-making experience, you can also enjoy displays of teacups from around the world and exhibits on the history of chocolate.
A popular mechanical puppet show is also held every hour on the hour.
This luxury glamping facility is located about a 15-minute drive from the center of Otaru City.
You can use the Asarigawa Onsen hot springs across from the facility at a discounted price and enjoy a sauna amidst nature.
For meals, you can enjoy BBQ featuring fresh seafood from Hokkaido and carefully selected ingredients.
Yes, you can definitely enjoy it.
Major attractions such as the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, and Sushi Street are all within walking distance, so you can enjoy sightseeing at a leisurely pace in two days.
It's appealing throughout the year.
In winter, the "Otaru Snow Light Path" and the snow-covered canal create a magical atmosphere, while the cool weather from summer to autumn makes it perfect for strolling around town.
It's especially recommended from evening to night when the gas lamps along the canal are lit.
とてもおすすめです。
We offer a variety of activities that children can enjoy, such as glassblowing and music box making.
In Otaru, you can enjoy the romantic Otaru Canal, beautiful glass art, and fresh sushi all at once.
With easy access, it's one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist destinations, enjoyable for people of all ages, from children to adults.
We encourage you to use this Otaru travel guide as a reference and add a luxurious overnight stay at "Onsen Glamping Otaru Hanaemi" to experience a special time unique to Otaru, Hokkaido.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
