Location: Otaru
Top Things to do in Otaru
Top 10 Things to do in Otaru, Japan
Otaru in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Aquariums. Discover best things to do in Otaru with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Otaru
1. Otaru Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By Inka_Austin - Houston, Texas
The aquarium is small and compact but it's got lots to see. We went to aquarium because of our little daughter. Even though she's an infant she was interested in colorful fish and in dolphin, Penguin show.
The indoor and outdoor activities together took us about 2.5 hours to see.
The outdoor part of the aquarium is very scenic.
Overall the aquarium is a bit old and not the same as US style Aquariums. It is less of an entertainment center, more of an actual aquarium. The stuff was super helpful. Also there is a nice nursery and stroller rental.
2. Mt.Tengu
Overall Ratings
4 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By Don P - Dallas, Texas, United States
You take the cable car up to the observation platform and then can get a great view of the city from the observation deck. You can also get a snack and drink in the restaurant in the observation building with Seating up against windows looking out over the city, very nice. You can stop off and see the chipmunks jump into peoples hands to get seeds in an little enclosed area. There are several paths to follow if you like walking. Some of the paths go to other observation directions or to a shrine. The longest path is narrow path through the woods to the actual highest point on the mountain which was fun to walk, but definitely not for folks that are not good hikers. We took a city bus to and from the cable car access. This bus was very convenient.
3. Otaru Museum, Bank of Japan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By alanyeo76 - Singapore
This building was located just at the junction and the architecture of the building looked old. But it's interesting and good for photo taking. Didn't visit the inside though.
4. Otaru Canal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By rlahuddin - Jakarta, Indonesia
you can't missed otaru canal if you visit this city. otaru canal is the main attraction, especially in winter where everything is covered with snows. very beautiful scene of old building, a river, candle and ice. and very easy to access because if you came to otaru by train, it just 2 minute walk from the station.
5. Otaru Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Chuzaa - Vancouver, Canada
“Otaru-shi Sogo Hakubutukan” or Otaru City General Museum is its official name. However, its Temiya complex branch here is really a train museum based on the former Japanese National Railway’s long-abandoned short line called the Temiya Line Temiya Station.
We visited the museum just after 2:00 p.m. and were suggested to try a short ride by a steam locomotive outside the museum building. We learned it is a very short ride of a passenger train pulled by a steam locomotive called the “Iron Horse.” The Iron Horse turned out to be a small early-day steam locomotive built in Pittsburgh, USA in 1909.
The steam locomotive did work and upon completing the ride of two minutes, it was separated from the passenger cars and went to the railway turntable for a return ride. It was fun. They say this is done four times a day in the summer months.
Besides the “Iron Horse,” there are several poorly kept former JNR passenger trains within the complex. You cannot go onto these, but to just observe from the ground leve.
Inside the museum is another real steam locomotive called “Shizuka” that is also a US-built steam locomotive for the early 19th century Hokkaido.
6. Sankaku Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By Debbiehmw - Singapore, Singapore
In comparison to the wholesale market in Sapporo here is the best place to shop for dried scallops, fishes, cuttlefish and pickled stuffs. Also the best place to have crustaceans of all kinds be it crab, prawns, clams, oysters etc.
It is a short walk from JR station and about 600m from the canal.
7. Taishougarasu Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 121 reviews
8. JR Otaru Station
Overall Ratings
4 based on 329 reviews
Reviewed By RonnC - Jakarta, Indonesia
Visiting Otaru from Sapporo, you must take the JR line bound to Otaru Station. It's a direct line connecting Otaru, Sapporo, and New Chitose Airport. It take about 40 minutes by train from Sapporo Station to Otaru (and vice versa). I really love the Japanese punctuality! We'll never have to worry of missing the train. The schedules run smoothly and beatifully.
Otaru Station was small but compact. There were some cafes and kiosks. From the station you can take a tour bus in front of the station, or just make a short walk towards the canal about 1 KM.
And most importantly, like all Japanese public area, it was clean!! Love it!
9. Otaru Kihinkan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Chuzaa - Vancouver, Canada
What it's worth seeing is the former Aoyama Family Villa, not the Kihinkan Restaurant.
Unlike the Otaru City “Nishin Goten” or herring mansion which is a large work house, the former Aoyama Family Villa is a real luxury mansion completed in 1923 after six and a half years of construction period by the Aoyama family that amassed their fortune from herring fishing and processing. It is presently privately owned and run as a museum and the newly added restaurant building near the Otaru City “Nishin Goten.”
The front garden is filled with tree peonies, but we unfortunately missed its season (early June). The villa also has a fancy rock garden visible only from some of the fancy Japanese-style rooms inside.
If you carefully observe the building, you can appreciate the wood and other materials used for this villa. More visible are many Japanese style paintings and calligraphy on fusuma sliding doors all over the mansion. It also has a small but stylish western room.
The complex is privately run and the admission is relatively expensive at JPY1,080 per person. A JPY100 discount coupon was available at the Otaru City Nishin Goten. Eating at the ugly Kihinkan Restaurant doesn't require the admission, of course.
10. Otaru Orgel Museum 2nd Building Antique
Overall Ratings
4 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By Julia T
With variety choices of music box for self or gift. Reasonable price and do explore to 3rd floor for antique / luxury music box ranges. You will love it!
