The paths, bridges and old buildings are lit up providing a spectacular view. Most people visit Otaru as a day trip from nearby Sapporo, which in itself is well worth checking out! April usually brings the sakura season and autumn brings another gorgeous change of colour. At this time it was the financial centre of Since the 1950’s the coal and herring industries began to decline so the economic centre of Hokkaido moved from Otaru to Sapporo.


In the early days of Otaru the herring industry was at the centre of the city’s growth. At the northern end of the canal check out this fantastic old building. Don't worry, we do not use your personal data, and will never sell it. Success! If you get the chance make sure you try frozen salmon; a Hokkaido specialty. If you’re stuck for what to do in Otaru then maybe think about a day trip out the coast.

Simply put eating is one of the best things to do in Otaru.Located on Sakiamachi this restaurant specialises in a huge variety of seafood dishes including some Hokkaido classics. One of these that is not to be missed is Otaru which is not well known outside of Japan but which is famous on the domestic circuit as it is the home of a fantastic arts scene which also features a glass blowing industry.This town is also located on the harbor so seafood is a staple here and this means that you can feast on some of the most delicious sushi in the region.You can also check out how the fishing industry would have helped to build the town in the days of old by visiting spots such as former merchants’ homes and as the town is located on a series of canals this is also one of the best places to go for a walking tour in Hokkaido.Otaru, and wider Hokkaido for that matter, is known for its delicious ice cream.If you are in Otaru then one of the best places to find some is at Kita-no Aisukurimu-ya-san which is located inside a warehouse which dates back to 1892.
And as international tourism to Japan grows it is likely to become increasingly popular among travellers.Otaru is chock full of things to see and do and plenty of places to gorge on some of Hokkaido’s finest food. It takes an interesting look at Hokkaido’s history focusing on the island’s original Ainu inhabitants through to the present day with informative exhibits and English displays. Even if souvenir shopping isn’t your thing this an excellent Otaru attraction.

If you are visiting other spots on the island of Hokkaido such as Sapporo then you may as well also swing by some of the smaller towns in the area. The building would have been built in the 19th century and now you can come for a visit and check out some galleries with items such as fishing antiques as well as dioramas that explain the history of the herring industry in this part of Hokkaido.Otaru is located next to the water and this means that some of the main activities that you can enjoy here take place on the water.One thing that many visitors sign up for is a cruise along the canal, but if you want to get out onto the open water then you can opt for a cruise around Otaru Harbor.There are a number of cruise companies that will take you out on a cruise boat and you can listen to an English commentary that will fill you in on all the points of interest along the way.Most cruises also include a stop off so that you can feed the myriad water birds that live in the harbor.One of the signature attractions in Otaru is the Steam Clock which has pride of place in the city and is also one of its most iconic sights that you absolutely shouldn’t miss.The clock actually came to Otaru by way of Canada when it was offered to the city as a gift from Vancouver and it is unusual as it is still powered by steam.As a result, people gather in front of the clock on the hour to watch as a steam whistle is activated and it also chimes ever 15 minutes.Otaru is famous in Japan for its antique shops and you can find a range of fascinating emporiums all over the city.Many of these are located in the center of town and you can spend hours browsing here and searching for items such as period kimonos, hair pins and other ornaments and antiques.One of the most famous antique shops in Otaru is called Shichifuku which is known for selling period sake cups, some of which are said to be up to 100 years old.One thing to note in these shops is that it is standard practice to negotiate so don’t be shy about haggling!One of the great charms of Otaru is that it is relatively small and this means that many of the most important historical buildings here as well as shops and eateries are located conveniently close to each other.To take in all the sights you can go on a self-guided walking tour which will take you from Otaru Music Box Museum and then down Sakaimachihondori Street.From there you can then walk along the banks of one of Otaru’s canals and then end your tour at the Museum of Money.This is one of the best ways to see Otaru and get in a bit of exercise at the same time.The Former Nihon Yusen Building would have been one of the most important buildings in Otaru in the days of old as it would have been the place where trade orders were completed.The building dates from 1906 and you can see how architecture has changed in Otaru over the years here.Some of the signature features to look out for include the wallpaper which is actually made out of rice paper and is covered in gold etchings.Otaru is widely said to have one of the best sushi scenes in all of Hokkaido and you can sample this at places such as Otaru Sushi-ko which is known for using only the freshest local ingredients.As Otaru is on the water this means that the menu features a range of sushi topped with seafood such as salmon, sea urchin and delicious crab.Otaru is also known for its kaisen-don which are bowls of rice when are then served with toothsome sashimi on the top.The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum would once have been the Bank of Japan offices in Otaru.The building dates from 1912 and it was also designed by the same firm that also designed the Tokyo Station.Some of the signature features to look out for here include the keystones which are in the shape of owls on the front of the building and which are actually a nod to a famous Ainu deity.The owls are now said to guard the building and you can also learn more about all things money related in Otaru here.

If you are lucky enough to be here at sunset then you are likely to be treated to some spectacular views. The whiskey distillery was built in 1934 and the location was chosen for its clear water and air as well as the rich peat.


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