First-time Otaru sightseeing | A comprehensive guide to tourist spots and gourmet food! - Part 2 Hokkaido Lab ~A comprehensive Hokkaido travel guide to enjoy gourmet food, nature, and culture~

Efficient sightseeing in Otaru! A guaranteed great walking tour itinerary.

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: Last updated: September 11, 2018

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

4. The highlight of Otaru sightseeing: the Otaru Canal

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

Now, if you walk straight from Sakaimachi Street for 10 to 15 minutes, you will arrive at an area lined with retro buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods.

It's known as the "Wall Street of the North," with former banks like the Bank of Japan, Mitsui Bank, and the now-defunct Takushoku Bank scattered throughout the area.

Former Hokkaido Bank Otaru Branch (The photo shows the "Former Hokkaido Bank Head Office," built in 45.)

Among them, a prime example of a building that you can "enter and enjoy" is the "Financial Museum," which uses the former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch building as is.

The museum offers fascinating exhibits for both children and adults, including a look inside an actual safe, shredded 100 million yen in cash, and a corner where you can experience the weight of 100 million yen. It's a tourist spot that can be enjoyed even by solo visitors.

Left: Exterior view of the former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch
Top right: The modern interior of the building. Bottom center: Shredded paper worth 100 million yen.
Bottom right: Inside the safe. Stacks of banknotes (replicas) are visible.

Otaru Railway Temiya Line Located near the former Bank of Japan, this is the site of the former Temiya Line of the Japanese National Railways. It was the third railway line laid in Japan and the first railway line built in Hokkaido.

4. The highlight of Otaru sightseeing: the Otaru Canal

Now that we've enjoyed Otaru's old townscape and buildings, it's finally time to visit the Otaru Canal, which is practically a symbol of Otaru.

From Minami-Otaru Station, the starting point of Sakaimachi Street, it takes about 20-30 minutes to walk to Chuo Bridge, the heart of the Otaru Canal, or about 10 minutes on foot from Otaru Station.

Otaru Canal as seen from Chuo Bridge

The heart of the Otaru Canal is the approximately 500-meter stretch from "Chuo Bridge" to "Asakusa Bridge." Take a leisurely stroll along the canal's pedestrian walkway, enjoy taking photos, and take in the unique scenery of Otaru!

For more information,[Perfect Guide to Otaru Canal - Perfect for First-Timers!]We've introduced it there, so please take a look!

Next 5. [Buy and eat seafood!] Recommended sightseeing spots in Otaru: "The Sea"