Charming Otaru: Explore the Historic Canal and Music Box Museum

Otaru Travel Guide: Explore the Historic Canal and Timeless Charm

If you visit Otaru, Hokkaido’s largest tourist destination, you can’t miss the famous Otaru Canal.

The streets along the canal still retain the atmosphere of the Meiji era and warmly welcome tourists.

In this article, we will introduce all the charms of Otaru, starting with the canal.

Visiting each spot will surely make you fall in love with Otaru.

Otaru Canal: A tourist spot that retains the charm of the Meiji era

The Otaru Canal is a place that most people who visit Otaru stop by, and it can be said to be the symbol of Otaru.

This canal was constructed during the Meiji era and was extensively utilized as a port facility at the time.

Along the canal, rows of red brick warehouses evoke a sense of history, giving visitors the feeling of stepping back in time.

In addition to walking along the canal, you can also enjoy Otaru from a new perspective by taking a canal cruise.

The view from the boat is unique, and the cruise, accompanied by the sound of the wind and historical commentary, creates a romantic atmosphere.

Especially at sunset, the cruise offers a magical time where the beauty of nature and artificial light intertwine.

The Otaru Canal is one of the most scenic and romantic places in Japan, rich in history and romance.

Visiting here will allow you to feel the history of Otaru up close and spend a fulfilling time.

Otaru Sakaimachi Shopping Street: A shopping street overflowing with atmosphere

A short walk from the Otaru Canal is the Otaru Sakaimachi Shopping Street.

This shopping street is easily accessible, located about an 11-minute walk from Otaru Station, and stretches for about 1 km, preserving the traditional Japanese townscape.

You can stroll along the tree-lined street, visit glass workshops, and enjoy limited-edition sweets.

In recent years, art spots such as museums have also increased, offering cultural experiences.

For example, at Otaru Glass Studio, you can experience making glass products and create your own original glass artwork.

Additionally, within the shopping street, there is a market where you can find locally sourced fresh fish and specialty products, allowing you to appreciate the abundance of ingredients.

This shopping street, which offers a glimpse into Otaru as part of daily life rather than just tourism, is an integral part of Otaru’s tourist appeal.

This shopping district, where simply walking around heightens the travel mood, is a place where Otaru’s charm is condensed.

It is the perfect place to enjoy shopping and gourmet food at your own pace without worrying about the time.

Otaru Music Box Museum and Fairy Tale Intersection: A Romantic, Unusual Experience

The Music Box Museum is an indispensable part of Otaru tourism.

It is about a 25-minute walk from Otaru Station, and the building standing at the Fairy Tale Crossing is a historic structure equipped with a steam clock, which is its symbol.

Once you step inside the Music Box Museum, you will find yourself in a fantastical space that feels like another world.

With approximately 3,200 types and 38,000 music boxes on display, the beauty and sound of these instruments are sure to captivate everyone.

You can also purchase music boxes to take home as a memento of your trip.

The Music Box Museum also has an experience corner where you can create your own mini music box, allowing you to design and play your own music as a souvenir of your visit.

This experience can be enjoyed by both children and adults, and will leave a lasting impression on your trip.

While the Music Box Museum itself is worth visiting, the surrounding fairy tale intersection is also not to be missed.

Here, you can enjoy a movie-like atmosphere that blends in with the cityscape, making it an ideal spot for taking photos.

Why not spend some time in Otaru enjoying a moment of the extraordinary that you can’t experience in your everyday life?

Enjoy the flavors of Otaru: Fresh seafood and sweets

One of the pleasures of traveling to Otaru is enjoying delicious food and sweets.

Surrounded by the sea, Otaru is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood.

You can enjoy Otaru’s unique flavors, such as sushi and seafood bowls.

For example, at a long-established sushi restaurant loved by locals, you can enjoy nigiri sushi made with fresh ingredients.

Many tourists visit this restaurant in search of the special flavors that can only be enjoyed locally, where they can fully appreciate the quality of the ingredients.

Additionally, enjoying seafood while taking in Otaru’s unique scenery is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Otaru is not only known for its seafood dishes but also for its exquisite sweets.

Otaru’s sweets are renowned for their high quality, as they are made with fresh ingredients and crafted by skilled artisans.

In particular, cakes with plenty of cream and Japanese-style sweets are popular, and there are many spots that are irresistible for those with a sweet tooth.

Be sure to stop by during your trip and experience the culinary delights of Otaru.

Seasonal Charms of the Otaru Canal Area

Otaru is also a beautiful region where you can feel the unique seasonal changes of Japan.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, coloring the canal with pale pink flowers.

In summer, lush greenery flourishes, and the vibrant nature along the canal welcomes visitors.

In autumn, the leaves turn beautiful colors, and the canal is dyed in fiery reds and oranges.

This is also a very photogenic season, and many tourists visit with cameras in hand.

In winter, the scenery changes dramatically, with snow falling steadily and the canal banks enveloped in a pristine white beauty.

Especially in winter, the canal banks are illuminated, and at night, a romantic atmosphere permeates the area.

This illumination is a particularly popular event for couples.

Otaru Canal offers beauty in all four seasons, making it worth visiting throughout the year.

Come visit Otaru and experience the different charms of each season for yourself.

Cultural spots where you can learn about the history of Otaru

In addition to the canal and shopping streets, Otaru has several cultural spots where you can learn about its history.

The Otaru City Museum is one of the most representative spots.

Here, you can learn about the history of Otaru, especially the development of industry and culture since the pioneer era.

There are also various exhibitions and events, which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Furthermore, the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway is another way to enjoy Otaru’s culture and history.

From the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Otaru cityscape, and its beauty captivates visitors.

One of the annual events, the Tenguyama Ski Resort event, is also not to be missed.

It is an excellent place to enjoy the unique nature and history of Hokkaido.

By visiting such places, you can learn how Otaru has developed and what kind of history it has woven, while also enriching your own sensibilities.

Otaru is not just a tourist destination but a place brimming with learning and discovery.

Traveling to Otaru may offer a different kind of intellectual stimulation compared to major cities.

We hope you will visit Otaru and experience the charm we have introduced through this article.

We hope the time you spend in Otaru will become a special memory in your life.