6 Unforgettable Things to do in Otaru on a Day Trip

A lesser-known travel destination in Japan is Otaru. A port city on Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, this quaint city has plenty of activities to ensure you find something you’ll love! There are plenty of things to do in Otaru, but if you’re like me and have limited time, there’s definitely some attractions not to miss!

One of the main highlights is the Otaru Canal, completed in 1923. This now-redundant short stretch of water is lined with busy cafes and repurposed warehouses.

For everything to do in Otaru, including what stores you should visit and memorable experiences, where to eat and how to escape a cold, snowstorm – read on for the best things to do in Otaru!

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1. Stroll Otaru Canal

Walking along the banks of Otaru Canal is a great activity — Snowy Otaru Canal, Japan

Personally, my favorite activity in the city is to stroll around Otaru’s canal. Transport ships are now loaded and unloaded out at the shoreline port, making this man-made river redundant. Small ships used to carry goods to and from the shop fronts throughout the early 20th century.

These days you can enjoy a number of treats and coffees from the cafes lining Otaru’s Canal, but it is a lovely and quiet walk for the most part. I never saw a single boat driving down the Canal, but it is a memorable sight none the less.

This snowstorm came on very sudden — A sudden snow storm rolled in over the quiet Otaru Canal

There are a few pretty stone bridges that span the Otaru Canal in a few spots. Not only does the canal shoreline make for a great walk, but it’s also a great photo op!

Though I did see Italian-esque gondolas lining the canal edges awaiting tourists to hop on for a ride. I was unlucky enough to get caught in a snowstorm and found other fantastic things to do in Otaru for the day. I definitely didn’t want to be out on the canal exposed.

Whether you’re escaping a storm or not, there’s plenty more to see and do!

2. Visit Bank of Japan – Otaru’s Money Museum

Alright, I know what you’re thinking. “A money museum!? That sounds so dry…”. I thought the same thing and was super apprehensive about visiting initially.

Turns out, I really enjoyed my time and highly recommend it if you’re looking for a unique way to spend an hour or so in Otaru.

Learning about money isn’t always fun but Otaru’s money museum takes a different approach. Sure, there is some dry information, but when it’s presented by an overly enthusiastic animated note of Japanese Yen, complete with a mustache, it’s pretty hard not to learn!

Apart from being told all about the Bank of Japan and money regulations (that somehow were taught in a fun and interesting way), this museum has unique hands-on interactions.

Ever held 100 million Yen ($913,000 USD) before? Well, you can here.

English translation sometimes fell a bit short, leading to some well-intentioned giggles. For example, if you’ve visited Japan, you’ve likely noticed that you will rarely come by a Yen note that is slightly wrinkled or damaged in any way. If you are unlucky enough to possess one, you won’t be able to use it.

This is because as soon as a banknote is crumpled, it is deemed unfit for circulation, and they shred it! This helps to ensure “competence” (cue the giggle – they kept using competence instead of confidence) in their money. They do use the shredded notes as insulation for building materials apparently.

3. Listen to Otaru Music Box Museum Sakaimachi

A unique performance of a large "music box" in Otaru — Sakaimachi, Otaru Music Box Museum, Japan

Otaru is well known for its music boxes and there are many shops around the city that not only provide a unique gift or souvenir, but you can also catch a free performance of a large music box.

This large “music box” is similar to a pipe organ in a church. It’s pretty cool and sounds amazing. A reel of paper with a series of intricate holes is fed through the machine and these holes determine the tune that is played. It’s operated by a trained staff member of the museum.

Walking the snowy Otaru streets to Sakaimachi, Otaru Music Box Museum, Japan — Outside Sakaimachi, Otaru Music Box Museum, Japan

There is a whole introduction to the instrument and how it works, unfortunately, it’s all in Japanese. Still, it is very worth the experience of beautiful music that transcends the language barrier.

While there are plenty of music box stores, I suggest heading to Sakaimachi Otaru Music Box Museum. They have regular performances and a wide range of both European and Japanese inspired music boxes, and various sizes to choose from. It’s also in a really cool-looking red brick building.

4. Head for a pint at Otaru Brewery

If you’re after an alcoholic beverage or a snack, this is a great place with a fun and lively atmosphere. This brewery is a little pricey, one pint will set you back around 600 Yen each.

Heavily German-influenced, there are a number of brewhouse style eats and beers. There are takeaway beers available here for around the same cost. I highly recommend the pilsner, if you’re into that. It was a very crisp and refreshing drink.

As soon as you walk through the doors, you can smell the scent of malt in the air. There’s also a giant cauldron in the middle of the brewery that’s pretty cool to look at!

5. Walk Otaru’s Sakaimachidori shopping street

Walking the snowy Sakaimachidori shopping street in Otaru — Snowy Streets of Otaru in Japan

Apart from music boxes, Otaru is famous for its glass-blown figurines. There are many little shops offering small figures in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Even if you don’t intend to buy, these delicate works of art are fun to look at!

My favorite was the little pandas and foxes!

Other notable Otaru things to do is to take advantage of the free samples given out by various shops – I am a budget traveler, after all!

While a lot of shops take part in this enticing attraction to enter their store, I found one shop to be amazing at free samples. “Le Tao” is quite a large shop, that gave out so many tasters I became full from just a couple of laps!

They gave out everything from cracker samples of squid and dry octopus-flavor, to actually dried squid, to cakes and tea. It was a fun and free way to both get a free snack, and hunt for the best taster!

Of course, you can buy a full-sized version of the free samples on offer.

Try some tasty maccha sweets in Otaru — Japanese Maccha Sweets shop in Otaru

Keep an eye out for this bright green building. If you like green tea or matcha, this is the shop for you! These unique flavors are infused into many different types of food. There’s even a small amount of tasters here to try before you buy!

6. Explore Otaru’s Old Temiya Train tracks

Otaru is home to Hokkaido’s oldest train tracks, Old Temiya. Just off the busy street of Chua Dori, the former Temiya Line can be found. This walk is said to be picturesque and quiet. During my time in Otaru, preparations for Otaru’s Winter Light Festival was underway, and there were no tracks to be found.

While these now redundant tracks eluded me, I’ve been told they are a beautiful sight in the old port town of Otaru.

Extra Otaru sightseeing information

Otaru’s port is quite industrial looking. I did visit and enjoyed the view, but if you’re short on time, then it is one that can be skipped in my opinion.

Alternatively, you can book a wide range of tours in Otaru, from rickshaws (a tour with a guide pulling you in a cart) to popular admission tickets – see what tour you can take in Otaru.

How to get to Otaru, Japan

Otaru makes a great day trip from many places in Japan. I visited as a day trip from Niseko, but there is enough to warrant more time than I spent in Otaru.

From Niseko train station, Otaru is a short one and a half hour trip each way. The trip costs around 1100 Yen ($10 USD). Make sure you buy a ticket, as you’ll be expected to hand one over once arriving at Otaru train station.

From Niseko, I had to change trains in Kutchan, which seemed like a rather big transport hub.

You can pre-book many trains in Japan, as well as book JR Train Passes online beforehand.

Where to stay in Otaru

If you would rather see these sights in Otaru a little slower, staying overnight is possible with a huge range of hostels/hotels.

Check out the best hostels in Otaru here. You can also check out Otaru hotels here.

What to do in Otaru – Highlights

Walking along the banks of the Otaru Canal was beautiful!
Otaru’s music box museum and performance was well worthwhile
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed learning about the Japanese Yen at Otaru’s Money museum! (Never thought I’d say that…)

Have you visited Otaru? What was your favorite sight to see in this lovely Japanese city?

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