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Otaru is a small city near Sapporo that was a major port in the late 1800s. It has a beautiful canal area, old warehouses, herring mansions, a whisky distillery and a snow light festival.
Otaru is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. It has a rich history as a trade center, a tourist destination, and a commuter town, and is known for its historical buildings, canals, and snowy winters.
- Try The Ice Cream
- Walk Along Otaru Canal
- Check Out The Glass Ware
- Explore Otaru Museum
- Walk Through Nichigin-Dori
- Try The Local Beer
- Visit The Otaru Music Box Museum
- Tour The Herring Mansion
- Go on A Cruise
- Check Out The Steam Clock
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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. This ice cream parlor is known for its amazing ice cream, particularly its unique flavors which many visitors may ...
Otaru Canal is the main attraction in Otaru and was built in 1923. The canal is bordered by a walkway so that you can stroll along the banks of the waterway and if you can make sure to come here in the evening as this is when the promenade is illuminated with ancient oil lamps giving it an old world feel. You can also take a tour along the canal or...
Otaru is one of the main glass producing parts of Japan and it was particularly famous for its oil lamps and glass balls that would have been used in the fishing industry. The glass industry now however also produces a range of decorative items and there are glass workshops dotted around the town which make great places to shop for souvenirs. You c...
There are several sections to Otaru Museum but the main part is called Ungakan and it is here that you will find some interesting dioramas relating to the city’s history. The museum is located in a warehouse which would have been built in 1893 and sits close to the famous Otaru Canal and you can find out how the city would have got its start as a r...
Nichigin-dori translates as the ‘Wall Street of the North’ in English. As you can perhaps guess from the name, this would have been the financial district of the city in the days of old and many of the buildings here still look much as they would have done in previous years. For that reason this makes a great place to come in the afternoon and go f...
If you are looking for a drink in Otaru then look no further than Otaru Beer which is a famous beer hall in the city. Not only can you get the local brew here, but the entire hall is decorated in a Bavarian theme. To that end you will find staff in Bavarian garb and they also play polka music in the evenings. They make their own beer here so you wi...
Otaru is widely known as a holiday destination on the domestic scene although far less visited by international tourists. With that in mind, many people may not know that Otaru is home to one of the main music box industries in Japan and one of the best places to learn more about this is at the Otaru Music Box Museum. Here you can see a range of di...
Otaru is known as one of the main fishing ports in Japan and throughout the ages the fishing industry has flourished here. The main item that is fished in the waters around Otaru is herring and with that in mind this is how the city rose to prominence in the days of old. Many of the elegant mansions that dot Otaru were built as a result of the rich...
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 t...
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, peo...
Otaru is a small town in Hokkaido famous for its arts, seafood, and glassware. Discover its history, culture, and attractions, from the canal and the ice cream to the music box museum and the herring mansion.
- Otaru Canal. Easily one of the best things to do in Otaru is strolling along the Otaru Canal. Back in the days when the herring industry was thriving and the city was a major financial centre, Otaru Canal was the artery that kept the city functioning.
- Herring Mansion. In the early days of Otaru the fishing industry, particularly herring, was at the centre of the city’s growth. Funnily enough, many of the fish caught were processed into fertiliser as opposed to being served for dinner.
- Aoyama Villa. If you’re wondering what to see in Otaru, Japan then head to the city’s west, a kilometre from the Herring Mansion. There you will find the gorgeous villa built by the Aoyama family.
- Nichigin-dori. Another one of Otaru, Japan’s points of interest is the Nichigin-dori. Translating as ‘Wall Street of the North’ this street in Central Otaru is well worth a wander to get a feel for Otaru’s past as a financial centre.
The little port town of Otaru had its heyday as one of Japan’s chief financial centers during the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868-1926), and was called the Wall Street of the North. Although no longer a financial powerhouse, it has evolved into a city with a lot of old-world charm.
- Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
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THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Otaru, Japan. Places to Visit in Otaru. Check out must-see sights and activities: Otaru Canal, Sankaku Market, Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product. Build your trip. Powered by AI. BETA. Explore popular experiences.
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