Best Things to do in Otaru, an easy day trip from Sapporo

Last Updated on 26th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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The beautiful and charming fishing port city of Otaru is filled with quirky museums, famed for its crafted stained glass and sweet-sounding music boxes, an abundance of historic stone buildings and a steam clock gifted by Vancouver. Today, Otaru is one of the top tourist attractions in Hokkaido, and after reading this travel guide on the best things to do, you’ll soon discover why!

Where is Otaru?

Otaru (小樽市) is a fishing port on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. Situated along Ishikari Bay, it faces the Sea of Japan and is around a half-hour drive from Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo.

What is Otaru known for?

Once upon a time, Otaru made its money in the herring trade. Playing a major role in the early days of the town’s development, large fortunes were made by leading fishing enterprises. Not just for eating, a large majority of the fish processed was turned into fertilisers too! However, by the 1950s there was a dramatic decline in herring stocks and the industry collapsed.

The town is also famous for its beautiful glass-making production. What started as making daily necessities grew into creating colourful stained-glass designs, meaning the art of glass-making has become somewhat part of Otaru’s culture.

Famed for its music boxes! There were also several historic stone buildings, which aren’t as commonly seen in much of Japan.

How long do you need in Otaru?

To be honest, one full day in Otaru is sufficient as the town is pretty tiny and can be completely explored on foot. It makes for the perfect day trip from Sapporo!

Best things to do in Otaru

Otaru Steam Clock, 時計 

One of the most popular tourist sights of the sleepy fishing village is The Otaru Steam Clock, which was a gift to the city from Vancouver, Canada (the origin place of steam clocks).

British-style in design, the bronze clock stands at a height of 5.5 meters and is partially powered by a steam engine. At its time of installation in 1994, it was the second-largest steam clock in the world.

Sakaimachi Street, 境町通り

This attractive preserved merchant street runs through the heart of the town and is the perfect spot to go shopping for local souvenirs (I even picked up a glass Sakura necklace along here to remember my time in Otaru).

Along the street, there are also several shops dedicated to characters including Miffy and Snoopy, as well as a few historic museums, restaurants, cafés and boutiques.

Kitaichi Hall 

Set within a former herring warehouse is an atmospheric timber-framed café which is completely lit by over 150 gas oil lamps. Beautiful and unique, this is a magical spot to enjoy coffee and cake. Although it has to be said, the smell can be quite strong.

Visit a unique museum 

Otaru is abundant with museums, a lot of them making for quirky and interesting visits. Here are some of our top picks:

• Antique Museum – A hidden gem, this particular museum was much less visited than some of the other ones and found within was a selection of beautiful antique music boxes.
• Music Box Museum – Described as a fairytale-like world, the museum houses a vast collection of over 80,000 music boxes, of 5,000 different kinds! It also doubles as a shop, so you can purchase the intricate objects and take the sound home with you.
• Kitaichi Venezia Museum – Celebrating all things Venetian! This museum showcases Murano glass and furnishings from Venice, exploring the city’s similarities with the pocket of Italy.
• Stained-glass Window Museum – Displayed under soft lighting, this is the perfect place to indulge in the city’s culture and heritage of glass-making. Some of the most beautifully crafted glass you’ll ever lay eyes on!

Otaru Canal, 小樽運河

This romantic waterway is one of the most picturesque spots in the city and a stroll along here feels like walking along a canal in Europe! Lined with charming former warehouses, the canal itself was completed in 1923 and served as an important maritime transportation route.

If time allows, opt to take a canal cruise along the water to fully experience the serene atmosphere!

Sample Sake at Tanaka Sake Brewery

Tanaka Sake Brewery was founded in 1905 and has technology which allows them to brew sake all year round! Here, visitors can learn the history and production behind Japan’s famous alcoholic rice wine, set within one of the historic stone warehouses along the canal.

Otaru Denuki Koji

This narrow alleyway is home to a collection of over twenty establishments, mostly serving food, tucked away along the street side. It’s an idyllic spot to taste local cuisine and stop for a bite to eat! Sapporo or Hakodate ramen are popular dishes in the region.

Former Temiya Line, 手宮線

The Temiya railway was a local freight way in operation between 1880 and 1985. It has since been closed down and the track has been transformed into a green oasis in the heart of town.

Otaru Park

To soak up some nature in another of Otaru’s green spaces, head to the park area. Located in the west of the city, the park is full of cherry trees and is one of the most popular places to view blossoms during the Sakura season in Japan.

“Herring Mansions” (Nishin Goten), 鰊御殿

If you have time to spare, located just 5 kilometres outside of Otaru are the former mansions of a wealthy fisherman. These grand 19th-century mansions were built to house both the fishermen and their employees, as well as to process the fish.

Today, some are open to the public, where you can visit and uncover a display of Fishermen’s tools and the way they lived when residing here. We visited Old Aoyama Villa which was constructed and kept from the wealth of the Aoyama family.

Hiyoriyama Lighthouse

Situated on the hillside by the water is the second oldest lighthouse in Hokkaido. With a history dating back to 1883, the original structure was wooden and replaced by stone in the 20th century.

Boasting beautiful views overlooking the sparkling water of the Sea of Japan, on a clear day it’s possible to view sea lions bobbing in the water!

Where to eat in Otaru

Otaru is a haven for food lovers. Particularly for those who love seafood, known for its fresh-from-the-sea delights! Here are a few top suggestions on where to eat:

• すし処 みよ福 – this sushi restaurant has just a handful of covers and two options on the menu; 8 pieces of sushi or 10 pieces of sushi. All the food served is chef’s choice and is an authentic Japanese experience if you want to sample some fresh fish!

How to visit Otaru as a day trip from Sapporo

You can reach Otaru via public transportation but we personally opted to rent a car as it gave us greater flexibility to explore the wider area. Check car rental comparison prices here.

Public transport: from Sapporo Station take the Hakodate Line Local towards Shikaribetsu to Otaru Station. The journey time takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes and typically costs 750 yen.

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