Arriving at the popular tourist destination of Otaru in Hokkaido, one's spirits are lifted. Due to its convenient transportation, it ranks as a popular attraction second only to Sapporo, witnessing a sharp increase in the number of foreign visitors.
Despite being a workday, the station is crowded with tourists, and foreign faces are seen everywhere on the streets.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were already large numbers of Chinese tourists, but recently, due to the popularity of the movie "Love Letter," which was set in Otaru and released in South Korea, the number of Korean tourists has rapidly increased.
Although the region's Asian scenery predominates, due to the current winter season, there are naturally also Australians and New Zealanders in Japan for snow sports. Locals also note an increase in the number of Russians. Otaru is indeed more international than ever!
The entire area is picturesque!
The best way to explore the old buildings in Otaru city is by strolling through the city. The main tourist attraction is the Otaru Canal, completed in 1923 (partially filled in 1986, with a promenade built, creating its current appearance).
The warehouses lining the waterway are a representative retro landscape of Otaru. At dusk, the canal and warehouse area illuminated by orange gas lamps resemble scenes from old movies.
Walking towards the city center from the canal, you can see Japan Bank Street, retaining traces of Otaru's former nickname, Northern Wall Street, and Sakaimachi Street with its charming stone buildings, each street presenting a different face, allowing you to truly feel the history of this city amidst the scenery.
Landmark buildings such as the "Former Otaru Branch of the Bank of Japan Financial Museum" on Japan Bank Street, the "Taisho Glass Art Museum" on Sakaimachi Street, the "Kitachi Glass Pavilion," and the "Otaru Music Box Hall Main Building" at the fairytale crossroads can be easily reached anytime through smartphones. Although this city is crowded with tourists, ancient buildings are scattered throughout the city, so it's best to forget about sightseeing maps and enjoy the pleasure of walking.
Here, I would like to introduce some shops similar to Otaru, found slightly away from the main city area frequented by inbound tourists.
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ (うんがぷらす)
Otaru Department Store UNGA↑ is a small department store located inside the old Otaru warehouse, overlooking the canal. The shachihoko on the roof is its iconic symbol, representing Otaru.
From daily necessities, clothing, interior decorations to food, we have carefully selected products full of Otaru stories. In terms of taste, it might be the best in Otaru!
- 小樽百货店 UNGA↑ (うんがぷらす)
- Address: 2-1-20 Ichiome, Shina, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Phone: 0134-65-8150
- Closed: Year-end and New Year holidays *Please confirm in advance
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Website: https://unga-plus.com/
澳洲葡萄酒专卖店“MYRAID” / オーストラリアワイン専門店「MYRAID」
MYRAID is a wine shop located inside the former 47 Bank building, specializing in Australian wines. Why choose Australian wines in Otaru? The reason is simple. Because the owner is Australian.
Today, you can buy wines from all over the world in Japan, but shops specializing in Australian wines are rare. The owner and manager, Tesa, speaks Japanese fluently and is very friendly. If you're a wine enthusiast, this shop is definitely worth a visit.
- 澳洲葡萄酒专卖店“MYRAID” / オーストラリアワイン専門店「MYRAID」
- Address: 1-6-25 Ichiome, Shina, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Phone: 0134‐65‐7205
- Closed: Mondays/Tuesdays
- Business Hours: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM / Winter (November - March) 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Website: https://myriad.wine/
OSA酒庄 / OSAワイナリー
OSA Winery is housed in a 100-year-old stone warehouse, located in the Otaru Canal area. It's a small winery dedicated to making wine more accessible and enjoyable.
This shop only opens on Saturdays, so if you pick the right time, you'll be lucky. In addition to selling wine and original goods, the bar also offers pairing, snacks, and drink sets.
- OSA Winery / OSAワイナリー
- Address: 2F, 1-6-4 Shina, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Phone: 0134-61-1955
- Closed: Saturdays
- Business Hours: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Website: https://osawinery.com/
Otaru Tap Room Craft Beer & Hostel
The Otaru Tap Room Craft Beer & Hostel is located behind Komeda Coffee on Canal Street. It's a craft beer bar and hostel housed in a renovated old private residence. The bar space behind the counter looks very cozy through the glass.
Enjoying chilled beer while gazing at the snow-covered Otaru cityscape in the warm space is a real treat. Natural conversations can easily occur between the staff behind the counter and the customers. The owner is a woman who loves Otaru, so she moved here from Kansai and opened this shop and hostel.
- Otaru Tap Room Craft Beer & Hostel
- Address: 2-4-8 Shina, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Phone: 080-9613-3285
- Website: https://otaru-taproom.com/
Otaru's Classic Seafood and Locals' Favorite Delicacies
Whether you're a foreign or Japanese tourist, the classic way to explore Otaru is by taking the Otaru Canal Cruise, enjoying the cityscape from the canal, and then strolling along the canal.
After visiting restaurants and specialty shops converted from warehouses, you can head to Sakaimachi Yakitori Street to taste delicious food.
At the shops along Ankaiwa Street in front of Sankaku Market, people waiting for seafood rice bowls and sushi form long queues. The menus posted at the entrance of the shops are mostly in English, with Chinese and Korean characters as well, giving it an international feel!
Recently, more and more restaurants are displaying "WAGYU" on their signs to attract foreign tourists who are tired of or don't like fish. Indeed, foreigners have long loved "WAGYU," so this is a wise strategy.
While high-quality seafood such as sea urchin, salmon roe, and crab attracts tourists, locals in Otaru must try the "Otaru Ankake Yakisoba (Otaru Soy Sauce Yakisoba)"! It's unanimously acknowledged.
"People say they come to Otaru to eat seafood and sushi, but actually, in other towns in Hokkaido, or even anywhere in Japan where there's a nearby fishing port, you can eat them too. What else can't you do!" (Local folklore).
"Otaru Soy Sauce Yakisoba" is a soul food of Otaru with a 70-year history. It's not only served in Chinese restaurants but also a standard menu item in izakayas, ski resorts, super public baths, and more.
While there's no clear definition, "Otaru Soy Sauce Yakisoba" refers to boiled firm noodles topped with assorted ingredients. So, if you're tired of seafood during your trip to Otaru, or have doubts about waiting in line and paying high prices for food, be sure to try the sauce-based stir-fried noodles at restaurants in town.
In addition, the people of Otaru, who have a culture of "Zangi" (Zangi = fried chicken seasoned with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, etc.), recommend the half-fried young chicken at "Naruto."
The shop is a 5-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, and there are takeout shops in the station, so it's recommended to buy some snacks to enjoy on the tram.
As a squid enthusiast, be sure to try the standard accompaniment of Otaru, "Ika Zangi (squid)." It's sold in the prefabricated food section of markets around town.
Enjoying Snow Sports Based in Otaru
Originally thought of as a place for sightseeing while strolling, Otaru has proven to be a destination for foreign tourists to stay for extended periods in winter for skiing and snowboarding. They typically stay for about a month.
Here's the translated version:
One month!? You might be a bit surprised, but the area also has six other ski resorts, including the nearby Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort (10 minutes by car), Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort (16 minutes by car), and Kiroro Resort (40 minutes by car). The allure lies in being able to choose slopes according to conditions and mood.
After skiing, you can soak in hot springs, eat and drink on the streets of Otaru, and even if you stay for a month, you won't get bored. In fact, there are more options besides staying in the mountains, and there's great potential. Who would have thought there would be such a way to enjoy Otaru!
Therefore, Otaru is also great for ski enthusiasts and snowboarders!
More to Explore! How to Enjoy Otaru
Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Otaru, with untouched natural scenery, don't miss the locally recommended Otaru Aquarium!
The aquarium is designed to coexist with nature as much as possible, located on the coastline where wild seals and sea lions reside, in the "Marine Mammal Park" area where you can see them up close, separated from the ocean only by a barrier.
Here, you can see 5,000 species of 250 mainly living in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, including familiar creatures like dolphins, walruses, and penguins.
- Otaru Aquarium
- Address: 3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido
- Phone: 0134-33-1400
- Access: 25 minutes by bus from Otaru Station
- Prices: Adults (high school students and above 16 years old) 1,800 yen / Children (elementary and junior high school students 6-15 years old) 700 yen / Toddlers (3-5 years old) 350 yen
- Website: https://otaru-aq.jp/
Additionally, the Otaru coast where the Otaru Aquarium is located is the only area in Hokkaido designated as a marine park in the new Snow Valley Shokanadotaru National Park.
On the Otaru Coast Nature Exploration Route that connects Oshatashin and Shukutsu, you can enjoy vibrant scenery. The beginner-friendly route is 1.5 kilometers long, so try it while sightseeing. On clear days, you can see the azure sea of Otaru.
For those who want to walk more seriously, the Shiroiwa Taihei Circumference Route, also known as Otaru's power spot, is recommended! The place where you can see the sea from the cave is very picturesque.
Many locals born and raised in Otaru have never left the town after becoming adults, living their whole lives in their hometown, which shows how beloved this small town is.
