Location: Otaru
Top Things to do in Otaru
What to do and see in Otaru, Hokkaido: The Best Things to do
Top right: The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum
Middle right 1: - Glass Works in Otaru
Middle right 2: - Temiya old railway line
Restaurants in Otaru
1. Otaru Art Base
2. Otaru Snow Light Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This festival of snow and candles is held every February in Otaru, known as the City of Canals. The historic buildings and townscape are lit here and there by warm candelight, conjuring a magical vision of Japan in the good old days. Since it began in 1999, it has become one of Hokkaido's leading festivals, boasting around 500,000 visitors in recent years. The name of the event is derived from the poetry collection "Yuki Akari no Michi" (meaning "snow light path") written by Sei Ito, a literary figure of the early Showa era closely associated with Otaru.
Reviewed By Krubee - Singapore, Singapore
Just right after Sapporo Snow Festival kicks then comes this romantic, magical and whimsical displays of Lighted Street Lamps, Snow Statues and Lanterns in the city of Otaru named Otaru Snow Light Path which runs in the middle of February every year. For tourists and locals alike they can enjoy both festivals and for those arriving later in February can enjoy this romantic light and snow festival. Getting to Otaru Station via JR Hakodate line from Sapporo. The travel time is around 30 mins for the rapid service. Otaru like Sapporo is very snowy especially during winter. The festival is free and just 10 mins walk from Otaru station. It has 2 area the one nearer Otaru is the Temiyasen Kaijo which is a 0.5 KM pathway from an old rail station with many Snow Statues and Lanterns. The more famous area Unga Kaijo is where the Otaru Canal located as well as the romantic Gas Lamps combined with Snow Lit Statues and Lanterns. This is the more romantic area as you stroll along the canal. There are also lighted buoys floating in the canal. We mainly stayed in Temiyasen Kaijo since we arrived later and there was heavy snowfall nevertheless it was a memorable, magical and whimsical experience. Different kinds of Snow Statues some are very cute manga characters, symbolic, dramatic, cultural and even religious. Some locals also provide heated charcoals and provide free treats along the path. You could also buy drinks and food along the way. We took a lot of beautiful and magical photos here for us to cherish and remember for life but we will surely be back here it's too easy to forget.
3. Otaru Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By ambamb8 - Hong Kong, China
Given Otaru is a very small city in Hokkaido, it's unrealistic to expect a very cool aquarium. Frankly, having its own aquarium is already amazing. The closest encounter one can get:- - winter in snow, penguins walking next to you. - dolphin show with dolphin only 3m away. - touching the octopus and "sucks" by it. Great fun day for kids and parents.
4. Otaru Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 140 reviews
5. Otaru Canal
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,097 reviews
Reviewed By macariosakay - Manila, Philippines
it is best to take the train from Sapporo. as soon as you go out of the facade of the train station cross the street and go straight until you see otaru canal. best to see it during winter. drop by otaru beer garden.
6. Otaru Kihinkan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By 814derynh - Waterlooville, United Kingdom
We visited this site as part of our tour of Hokkaido. It was an entrepreneurial fisherman’s house called Aoyama Villa, built in the early 20th century, 1917, by a family who made their fortune from the annual herring run. The herring ran every year. They would catch enormous amounts, boil it, then squeeze it for the oil and the remainder was used to fertilise the soil. It has now been turned into a lovely museum. The house was massive with beautiful traditional gardens and lots of rooms. We were given a guided tour of the house, via our audio devices, which was very interesting, seeing the different rooms in the house and especially the toilets and the beautiful calligraphy screens.
7. Mt.Tengu
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By Beetrootears - Balmoral Ridge, Australia
ski resort had hardly anybody on the slopes. Basic cafe at top. Interesting history of skiing museum and display of mountain goblin masks
8. Shin Nihonkai Ferry from/to Otaru Port
9. Taishougarasu Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 194 reviews
Reviewed By dynamic14 - Singapore, Singapore
Located in The Former Takasabuto Natori Store, the building is one of the designated historic landmarks of Otaru City. Now occupied by the Otaru Taisho Glass Palace, this place is filled with lovely pieces of glass works. Very creative and beautiful. Great for memories and souvenirs.
10. JR Otaru Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 560 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
JR Otaru Station is old, but it is well looked after, You can get some useful information there about the surrounding area. The Otaru Aquarium is well known in the Sapporo area -- it's about 30 minutes from the Sapporo main station on the express train. You also change trains here for Yoichi, which also takes about another half an hour. Yoichi has good seafood, but it's mainly famous for being the home of the Nikka whisky distillery, which produces some of Japan's best whisky. The Nikka whiskys are smooth, with a subtle peaty taste in the mouth. By the way, I think that it is quite charming in this of this era of austerity that these country railway lines are kept open. They appear to be well supported by passengers.
