In Hokkaido, Otaru is known for its canal, retro streets, seafood, and sweets.
I can't say I went to Otaru ignoring these four things.

But it can be quite difficult to figure out what the actual highlights are and how to get around if it's your first time.

Otaru is a tourist destination with many sights and attractions scattered throughout the city, making it a great place to explore on foot!

This time, we'll introduce a model itinerary that's especially recommended for those visiting Otaru for the first time, covering Otaru's must-see sights, gourmet food, and sweets!

<Table of Contents>
1. What are the classic tourist attractions in Otaru?
1-1. Map of Otaru
1-2. Classic Otaru Tourist Spots
2. A walk through Sakai-machi filled with glass music boxes and sweets!
3. Enjoy a retro atmosphere! The "Wall Street of the North" area
4. The highlight of Otaru sightseeing: the Otaru Canal
5. Recommended sightseeing spots in Otaru: "The Sea"
6. Recommended sightseeing spots in Otaru: "Mountain Edition"
7. Access to Otaru

1. What is "Otaru Tourism"?

1-1. Map of Otaru

As I mentioned at the beginning, if you're going to Otaru, be sure to check out these four things: the canal, the retro townscape, the seafood, and the sweets.

The heart of the Otaru Canal is the dark green area on the map.
The retro streetscape is painted in light yellow, while the pink area is a sweets district with many confectionery shops, making it a popular tourist spot.
The area marked in blue is known as Sushi Street.
The fish shops located throughout the area are places where you can buy seafood. The main shopping and entertainment district is the area around JR Otaru Station.

It's about a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station to the Otaru Canal. You can see how compact the city of Otaru is.

1-2. Classic Otaru Tourist Spots

Let's make the map more detailed. This time, I'll convey the atmosphere of each spot with images.

Otaru Canal

Otaru is one of Hokkaido's most representative tourist spots. From the Meiji to Taisho periods, it flourished as the gateway to the north. The canal, which symbolizes the port's prosperity, is lined with old warehouses, creating a landscape that evokes memories of the past.
You can enjoy its beautiful appearance in both daytime and nighttime, in the cool and pleasant summer and in the snow-covered winter.

Wall Street in the North

(The photo shows the "Former Hokkaido Bank Head Office," built in 45.)
In the past, Otaru was a thriving commercial city, prospering from finance, shipping, and warehousing. Luxurious buildings constructed during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods still remain today.
This area, lined with retro Western-style buildings, resembles a streetscape from overseas. Some of these buildings are used as museums, hotels, and restaurants, offering a pleasant experience.

Otaru sweets

In addition to the flagship store of "LeTAO," famous for its cheesecakes, you'll find a lineup of Hokkaido's leading sweets shops, including Rokkatei and Kitakaro!

Otaru Market

Otaru Port is a hub for Hokkaido's seafood. The Otaru market is a beloved local spot, popular with both tourists and residents alike. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to get their hands on Hokkaido's specialty products at bargain prices.
If the market is lively, then the food in Otaru is also a treat. Seafood is highly recommended. Sushi, in particular, is a must-try and a representative Otaru delicacy.

Otaru night view

The night view that beautifully showcases the port town of Otaru. The night view from Tenguyama in Otaru is considered one of the three greatest night views in Hokkaido, alongside the night view from Hakodate and the night view from Moiwa Mountain in Sapporo!

So, that's a brief overview of sightseeing in Otaru. Now, let's move on to a list of popular and must-visit spots in Otaru.

2. [First Otaru Spots You Must Visit] A walk through "Sakaimachi" filled with glass art, music boxes, and sweets!

The first place you should go when you arrive in Otaru is "Sakaimachi Street"!

This area is home to numerous popular sweets shops, including Kitaichi Glass, a glass craft shop in Otaru that's featured in tourist guidebooks, and LeTAO, famous for its Double Fromage, a staple at Hokkaido product fairs.

First, regarding directions, if you're taking the JR train from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo to Otaru, get off at Minami-Otaru Station, one stop before Otaru Station. From there, it's a 5-6 minute walk to the "Marchen Intersection," the entrance to Sakaimachi Street.

And standing at that fairytale-like intersection is the Otaru Music Box Museum, a music box shop housed in a bank building constructed during the Taisho era. With one of the world's largest selections of music boxes, including numerous vintage pieces, it's like a museum dedicated to music boxes.

In front of the building is the "Steam Clock." It's a mechanical clock that emits steam every hour.

The most famous sweets shop, "LeTAO"

Next, if you continue down Sakaimachi Street, you'll come across the LeTAO flagship store.

LeTAO's signature "Double Fromage" cheesecake, along with plenty of other Western-style sweets, is a must-visit spot for dessert lovers!

Incidentally, on Sakaimachi Street, in addition to the main store, there are three LeTAO shops, including a LeTAO chocolate specialty store that is only available in Otaru. Since you're there, I recommend buying the limited-edition items sold at each store.

The limited-edition cheesecake, available only in Otaru, can be enjoyed at the eat-in area of ​​"LeTAO Cheesecake Lab," located across from the main store.

The shop is filled with a wide variety of cakes and sweets!

A limited-time menu item available at the LeTAO cafe on the second floor: "The Miracle Melt-in-Your-Mouth Set"

In addition to this LeTAO flagship store, Sakai-machi Street is lined with a variety of other popular sweets shops.

LeTAO stores other than the main LeTAO store

・LeTAO Cheesecake Lab: Limited edition product, Deux Fromage Roll
LeTAO Le Chocolat: Over 20 varieties of limited-edition chocolates
・LeTAO Plus: Be sure to try the "Crème Glacée" soft serve ice cream!
LeTAO Pathos: LeTAO's largest store. Features Pathos-exclusive sweets at its cafe.

Other famous sweets shops on Sakaimachi Street

- Kitakaro Otaru Main Store, famous for its "Kaitaku Okaki" rice crackers.
- Rokkatei Otaru Canal Store, known for its "Marusei Butter Sandwiches" - Snow Brand Parlor, popular for its milk-based products

When you're tired of sweets, try this famous kamaboko (fish cake).

And for those who are tired of sweets (?), you can't miss Kamaei's kamaboko (fish cake).

Continue straight down Sakaimachi Street for about 10 minutes. You'll find a wide variety of kamaboko (fish cakes), mainly fried ones.

One must-try item here is the famous "Pan Roll." This dish, made by wrapping minced fish in bread and deep-frying it, is best enjoyed fresh on the spot (if you take it home as a souvenir, it will become soggy with oil...).

You can also purchase freshly fried items at the shop in the basement of the Daimaru department store adjacent to Sapporo Station, as well as at the shop in New Chitose Airport.

And speaking of representative shops in this area, it has to be Kitaichi Glass. This shop also uses a warehouse that has been there since the pioneering days of Hokkaido, and is divided into a glass hall, a glass outlet hall, a crystal hall, and more. It is a beautiful space that sparkles and shines in the somewhat dimly lit atmosphere of the warehouse.

In addition, Sakai-machi Street has a variety of interesting shops, including general stores and cafes housed in historical buildings. If you like general goods or sweets, I recommend spending about three hours exploring this area.

This is a general store housed in an old building. There are many nostalgic buildings from the Taisho and early Showa periods♪

★Travel with JAL! Classic Sapporo & Otaru Tour★

Next 3. [Let's walk through the streets of Otaru] Enjoy a retro atmosphere! The "Wall Street of the North" area

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