Otaru Day Trip: Itinerary and Tips
Last updated: September 30, 2025
Otaru is a small port city about 40 km from Sapporo. It is famous for its nostalgic streets, creamy desserts, and glass crafts. The city looks most beautiful in winter snow, while summer views are pleasant but less dramatic.
by KWON YOUN | Oh Beom KWON
Getting to Otaru
From Sapporo to Otaru:
- JR Train: 30 minutes to Minami-Otaru Station or 40 minutes to Otaru Station. Fare: ¥800. Direct service, no transfers needed.
- Express Bus: About 60 minutes, ¥730. Tickets can be bought on the spot or paid with IC cards like Suica. In peak season, JR trains may be crowded, and buses can be more comfortable.
Within Otaru
- From Otaru or Minami-Otaru Station you can walk to Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street.
- To visit Otaru Aquarium or Mt. Tenguyama, take a bus or taxi (details below).
Itinerary in Otaru
Half-Day Trip
Most visitors get off at Minami-Otaru Station and walk north through Sakaimachi Street and Otaru Canal. After about 2 hours of sightseeing, they return to Sapporo from Otaru Station.
One-Day Trip
Morning
① Get off at Otaru Station.
② To visit Mt. Tenguyama: take a bus from the station. The round trip takes about 2 hours (20 min one way, 30–60 min at the top, plus waiting time). Morning is better than evening as views are clearer and there are fewer crowds.
③ To see the Penguin Walk (usually only Dec–Feb): take a bus from the station to Otaru Aquarium. The visit takes 2–3 hours (25 min one way, plus time for dolphin shows and penguins). Nearby Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck has good sea views, often better than Mt. Tenguyama.
② Since Mt. Tenguyama and the Aquarium are in different directions, visiting both by bus is time-consuming. If you want to see both, consider taking taxis.
Afternoon
Walk south from Otaru Station to explore Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street. Return to Sapporo from Minami-Otaru Station.
Top Attractions in Otaru
Otaru Canal
Built in 1914, about 1 km long and 20 m wide at its narrowest. It was originally used to unload cargo from small boats to warehouses, but later became obsolete with modern transport. In 1986, the city restored the canal, added gas lamps, and converted warehouses into restaurants and shops. Today it is Otaru’s most iconic spot.
Recommended Visit Time: 15 minutes
Things to do:
① Walk along the canal and take photos.
② Take the Otaru Canal Cruise (40 minutes, ¥1800, with English audio guide). The cruise may feel underwhelming since the canal is short and the scenery is better from the shore. Be prepared for hot summers or cold winters.
Getting There: 10-minute walk from Otaru Station.
Watch: Aerial footage of a recent trip to Otaru Canal
Photo Highlights:
by KWON YOUN
Sakaimachi Street
An 800 m shopping street and the busiest area in Otaru.
Hours: Most shops open 10 am – 6 pm
Recommended Visit Time: 15 min to walk through, ~1 hr to shop and eat
Highlights:
- Otaru Music Box Museum: souvenirs, with a steam clock outside that plays music every 15 minutes.
- Otaru Cafe x Hello Kitty
- LeTAO: famous for cheesecake
- Kitaichi Glass: glassware and souvenirs
- Kitakaro: cream puffs
- Rokkatei: cookies and sweets
- Snoopy Cha-Ya: Snoopy-themed cafe and shop
- Miffy Oyatsu-do: Miffy-themed snacks and goods
- Taisho Glass Museum: glassware and crafts
Notes:
① Hokkaido’s dairy farming supports a strong sweets industry.
② Otaru’s glass craft industry developed from making glass floats for fishing nets. When plastic floats replaced glass, local companies shifted to handmade crafts for tourism.
Getting There:
15-min walk from Otaru Station (north end of street)
6-min walk from Minami-Otaru Station (south end of street)
Watch: Snow Walk in Otaru Sakaimachi Street
Otaru Aquarium
A small aquarium, worth visiting if you cannot go to Asahiyama Zoo and want to see penguins.
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (long winter closure, check website)
Admission: Adults ¥1800, ages 6–15 ¥700, ages 3–5 ¥350
Recommended Visit Time: 1–2 hours
Official Site: otaru-aq.jp
Things to do:
① Indoor exhibits take about 20 minutes.
② Watch dolphin/sea lion shows and the Penguin Walk (winter only). Show schedules are posted at the entrance and online.
③ From the aquarium, a 10-min uphill walk leads to Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck with good sea views. The slope can be slippery in winter.
Getting There:
① From Otaru Station, take Bus No. 10 (Otaru Aquarium Line) or Bus No. 11 (Shukutsu Line), 21–26 minutes, ¥240. 1–2 buses per hour.
② By taxi: about 6 km / 15 minutes, ¥2000–2500. More convenient if traveling in a group.
Watch: Otaru Aquarium | View Cafe | HOKKAIDO Japan
Watch: 小樽「祝津パノラマ展望台」とトド不在の「トド岩」
Mt. Tenguyama
The highest point in Otaru, it is promoted as one of Hokkaido’s top three night views, though the scenery is more modest than Mt. Hakodate or Mt. Moiwa (Sapporo).
Hours: 9 am – 9 pm (ropeway may close in winter, check website)
Admission: Ropeway round trip ¥1800 (adult), ¥900 (child)
Recommended Visit Time: 30–60 minutes
Official Site: tenguyama.ckk.chuo-bus.co.jp
Tips for Visiting:
① Several observation decks face east (not suitable for sunset).
② Night views are modest, and queues for the ropeway can be long (12 min interval, 30 people per car).
③ Morning visits are better for sea views and fewer crowds.
Getting There:
① From Otaru Station, take Bus No. 9 (Tenguyama Ropeway Line), 20 minutes, ¥240. About 2 buses per hour.
② By taxi: about 3.3 km / 8 minutes, ¥1200–1500.
Notes:
① Popular among Asian visitors because of the 1995 film Love Letter by Shunji Iwai, partly filmed here.
② The mountain’s name comes from Japanese folklore, where a tengu is a red-faced, long-nosed mountain spirit. It is sometimes seen as a forest guardian and martial arts teacher, but also as arrogant and mischievous.
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Thank you for reading. Hope you have a wonderful journey! ヽ(´▽`)/