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Things to Do in Otaru
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Otaru Canal, Sankaku Market, City Tours, Flea & Street Markets. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Otaru Canal, Sankaku Market, City Tours, Flea & Street Markets. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Private and Luxuryfromper group (up to 2)AU$1,552- fromper adultAU$104
- fromper adultAU$328
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)AU$64- fromper adult (price varies by group size)AU$159
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)AU$233
Private and Luxuryfromper group (up to 3)AU$745- fromper adult (price varies by group size)AU$127
Private and Luxuryfromper adultAU$150
Likely To Sell Outfromper adult (price varies by group size)AU$150
Bodies of Water
Historic canal lined with cobblestone paths and gas lamps, ideal for a scenic stroll. Area includes shops, dining, and cultural activities like glassmaking.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Mountains
Aquariums
Gardens
Caverns & Caves
Other Top Attractions around Otaru
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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What travellers are saying
- Dan LBunbury, Australia8,891 contributionsToo cold for a cruise so enjoyed ourselves with a short stroll along the pedestrian path adjacent the canal. Lovely to see the canal and the old buildings preserved on either side thanks to the efforts of local inhabitants in salvaging the section from landfill and allowing the old warehouses to be repurposed. Having read a preview of the canal before our ship visited, we rather expected the area to be abuzz with stallholders showcasing local products and artisan works. Wish our ship had not departed at 5.00pm to allow time to view the lighting at dusk.Written 1 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dingo_6152Fremantle, Australia3,383 contributionsAlso known as the Otaru Triangle Market, is located near the Otaru railway station/bus terminal, to your left when you leave the station. The market is essentially a narrow indoor passageway with about a dozen seafood stalls on either side. It is a very clean wet market with lots of live fresh seafood on display – it can get relatively congested with tourists and customers trying to access the shops. It’s a great place to select your seafood from one of the stalls and get it cooked at one of the cafes. You just need to put your name down on a list and wait to be called once your meal has been done.Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David NBoston, MA192 contributionsQuick and frequent direct buses to and from Otaru station can take you to this really gorgeous view - be sure to view it by day and by night. Options for ziplining and hot air ballooning as well. Cool Tengu shrine and display (if you're into Tengu)...kind of lame ski museum and overpriced restaurant. Still, a must-see in Otaru on a clear day/night.Written 3 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- prisana2016Bangkok, Thailand81 contributionsIndoor & outdoor aquarium with many sea animals! We love Penguins picnic and Penguin parade these are two different shows. All the penguin, seal, and sea lion shows are in outdoor area so spare your time to find them as its a bit of a walk and if you come during cold weather be prepared coz outside is very windy which makes a lot colder. Here there is a biggest walrus that we have ever seen. My son (17 years old) enjoyed feeding seal very much. Although it is a little bit old but definitely worth a visit especially if you have kids.Written 18 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sheri O2 contributionsA fascinating tour of the Herring Mansion. Our tour group was also served a Kaiseki dinner at this site, which included multiple small dishes of beautifully presented seafood and vegetables.Written 7 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dan LBunbury, Australia8,891 contributionsThis is a great museum facility for railway enthusiasts. We entered through the building that houses the permanent exhibition featuring the history of the Hokkaidō Railway. This includes locomotives, carriages, pictorial features, etc. and is very well curated, great interpretative signage. The outdoor exhibition area is a large expanse with locomotives, carriages, railway sections, machinery, and much more, housed in both historic buildings and the open air. Interesting to view the former Temiya Railway Facility Locomotive Depot No. 1, No. 3, Turntable.Written 1 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dingo_6152Fremantle, Australia3,383 contributionsOtaru is renowned for its handblown glassware and whilst this is not a museum, it does however sell and display a wide range of glass items – ranging from glass beads, through to ornate and intricate glass sculptures. Open seven days a week between 9am and 7pm. We found some perfect gifts and mementos here.Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Morten MarthinCopenhagen, Denmark244 contributionsQuite a long ferry ride +20 hours but with plenty of time to relax. I recommend booking a cabin with a balcony. The cabins are of a good size and very nice and the ferry offers a sento bath with an ocean view.Written 3 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PaulSingapore, Singapore239 contributionsIf you like Art and interesting object, this Stained Glass Museum is just the right place to visit. It opened at 9:30am onwards. Go in the morning and not too many people around. Definitely you won’t regret it if you like ART.Written 14 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Masa SSan Jose, Costa Rica6 contributionsI tried kayaking tour with my 9yo son. Our guide Kayo-san is knowledgeable and well organized. It was manageable with not-so-fit mom and 9yo son for two hours. We enjoyed beautiful scenery only from the ocean. I tried kayaking in Monterey CA and Hawaii. This is one of the best!Written 26 June 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- J&S_SingaporeSingapore, Singapore6,148 contributionsFrom Sapporo we took the JR Hakodate Line Rapid service and it took just 32 mins to reach this lovely City/Town JR station
The single-level well architecture classic building (station) serves the scenic port city of Otaru. Otaru has many beautiful historic buildings which are variously used to house art galleries, museums, craft and antique shops, and sea food restaurants.
As per other stations it was sparking clean, and not very big. There’s a Otaru Tourists Information center at a side where tourists can get a host of Information for their traveling needs.
and some commercial establishment within too (fusion café, St Gernaine bakery, Kobushiya Otaru souvrnir shop, イオン小樽店 and even a mini mart store).
We picked up a map and asked some general questions and start our way to our first destinations of . 水天宮 + 小樽聖公会,
From the JR station front one can see ahead the straight road where the canal is directly a few blocks down. The Bus terminal is on the right and there are direct buses to Mt Tengu + other Interest area
And most of Otaru's attractions are located less than a 30 minute walk from Otaru Station, making the city convenient to explore by foot at a leisurely pace.Written 3 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tomizuta1953Funabashi, Japan1,373 contributionsNumerous banks opened branches in Otaru during its heydays, so much so that the area was called the Wall Street of the north. Most of the buildings have been retained. We went to the former Otaru Branch of the Bank of Japan. The architect of the grand building opened in 1912 was Kingo Tatsuno famous for his work of Tokyo Station. The branch was open until 2002 after which it became a financial museum open to the public. Unfortunately the museum was closed on Wednesdays.Written 8 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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