Otaru Canal Half Day Stroll Course

The charms of the port town of Otaru are packed into a compact area. The cobbled canalside, glassware shops, the sound of music boxes, and fresh sushi can all be savored in half a day. With short walking distances, this course suits people who love wandering a town, couples, and first time visitors. Allow about five hours.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Otaru Station Begin the walk from the retro looking Otaru Station. From Sapporo Station it is about 32 to 36 minutes by JR rapid train, with a one way fare of around 800 yen, an easy distance for a day trip. Heading down the gentle slope from the front of the station, the townscape of a port town opens up before you.

10:20 Walk the former Temiya Line The traces of a railway that once carried freight remain as a walking path. Stroll along the rails and reflect on the railway history of Otaru. Only a few minutes on foot from Otaru Station, it makes a fine start to the walk.

10:50 Photos at the Otaru Canal Lined with stone warehouses, the canal is the symbol of Otaru. Walk slowly and take in the atmosphere, gazing at the warehouses and gas lamps reflected on the water. The canal is about a ten minute walk from Otaru Station.

12:00 Lunch on Sushiya Street Otaru is known as a town of sushi, and a street of long established sushi shops gathers near the canal. To enjoy fresh toppings, an early reservation is safest to avoid the crowded hours.

13:30 Stroll Sakaimachi Street A few minutes on foot from the canal, Sakaimachi Street is lined with sweets and souvenir shops. Take your time, snacking and browsing as you go. As the main street of Otaru sightseeing, it stays lively all year round.

14:00 Glasswork at Kitaichi Glass At this long established glass shop, which began by making oil lamps, browse colorful vessels and lamps. Building No. 3 keeps hours of about 9:00 to 18:00, and some halls offer a cafe or a glass making experience.

15:00 Finish at the Otaru Music Box Hall Head to this huge music box shop at the Merhen crossing. It keeps hours of about 9:00 to 18:00, with tens of thousands of music boxes on display. Wrapped in gentle melodies, you might choose one as a memory of the trip.

Highlights

• The retro scenery of the Otaru Canal with its stone warehouses and gas lamps
• Fresh sushi on Sushiya Street, the pride of Otaru
• Colorful glasswork lining the shelves of Kitaichi Glass
• The gentle sound of music boxes at the Merhen crossing

Access and Tips

• It is an easy day trip from Sapporo by train
• The sights cluster within walking distance of the station, so you can explore without a car
• There are slopes, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• Gas lamps light up the canal after sunset, so stay into the evening for a magical scene

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time of day: The canal changes greatly between its daytime bustle and its gas lamp lit dusk. To enjoy both, start walking in the morning and stay into the evening. In snowy winter the canalside grows even more dreamlike.
• Avoiding crowds: Sakaimachi Street and the canal are busiest during the day. For canal photos, the early morning with fewer people is the sweet spot. Sushi lunches are easier to get into if you go early, around eleven.
• Time estimates: Sapporo Station to Otaru Station is about 32 to 36 minutes by JR. From Otaru Station to the canal is about a ten minute walk, and the canal, Sakaimachi Street, Kitaichi Glass, and the Music Box Hall are all within walking distance of one another.
• Budget sense: Browsing the glass shops and the Music Box Hall is free, and costs vary with how you enjoy them, such as a glass making experience or choosing a music box. The main expenses are the round trip JR fare and the sushi lunch.
• Nearby stops: The area around Sakaimachi Street is dotted with famous sweets shops and glass museums. With time to spare, a canal cruise or the view from Mount Tengu makes a good addition.

A Quick Tip

Start in the morning and stay until evening to enjoy two faces of the town, the daytime bustle and the gas lamp lit canal at dusk. Sushi shops are popular, so book lunch in advance to skip the wait. In winter the pavement can freeze, so non slip shoes are reassuring.