Otaru Canal
Otaru Canal
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Top ways to experience Otaru Canal and nearby attractions
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Restaurants
865 within 5 kms
Attractions
213 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Thiha SSingapore, Singapore176 contributionsMust visit if in OtaruThe canal is normal but the history is rich. Worth to visit the place and walk along the canal. Recommend to take the canal cruise which will explain the history of the canal and other interesting fun facts.Visited December 2022Travelled with familyWritten December 7, 2022
- DominicSewSingapore, Singapore98 contributionsOTARU CANAL SNAP SHOTIt is splendid river view during winter time. Tourist is able to take nice photo with snow cover Mt. Teguyama as back ground. However, sky bright moment hard to predict during winter period.Visited December 2022Travelled with familyWritten December 16, 2022
- LFChoSingapore, Singapore285 contributionsLovely walk along canalIf you are in Otaru, I think this would be a must see. Short walk from the JR station and most attractions are nearby. We arrived quite early hence was not too crowded for photos. Lovely canal to take photos.Visited February 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten February 7, 2023
- Yan CHong Kong, China855 contributionsA landmark of the pastProbably the most visited place of the city Otaru. It was freezing cold on my day of visit. Yet, the place was crowded with visitors. Everyone wanted a picture of oneself in front of the canal. There is however nothing special. It is just a landmark of the past and should interest locals more than foreigners. You lose nothing if you cannot find time to visit.Visited February 2023Travelled with familyWritten February 28, 2023
- minnieShellharbour148 contributionsQuaint village feelSuch a beautiful quaint place to go and visit. Lots of gift syle stores and they really specialized in glass making. Lots of different rrstaurant to eat at as well. We caught the train up from Sapporo and it was a really pretty train tripVisited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten June 29, 2023
- taffandhubbyCardiff, United Kingdom282 contributionsA very pleasant walk ……..…….. that is popular with tourists to this historic port. It is pleasant and flat, so an easy walk. In the surrounding area there are many good places to eat, buy snacks or gifts, explore several museums, and it is an easy walk uphill to the train station. The steam clock at on end of the tourist street is a popular sight, with an equally interesting clock over the road.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten October 14, 2023
- GrethaLas Vegas, Nevada9 contributionsCute City of Hokkaido is OtaruOtaru is a very cute city for me. It is more laid-back than Tokyo and Osaka. The Food is Great. The Ramen here is delicious. Otaru Canal is the Gem of this city, it is similar to the Amsterdam vibe but with an Asian twist. 😄 The City is very clean. We’ve noticed that there are only a few restaurants that are open at Day time and some open in the late afternoon for example at 17:00. However, we managed to find a good restaurant before that.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten November 8, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
3,126 reviews
Excellent
852
Very good
1,387
Average
753
Poor
89
Terrible
45
Gretha
Las Vegas, NV9 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Otaru is a very cute city for me. It is more laid-back than Tokyo and Osaka. The Food is Great. The Ramen here is delicious. Otaru Canal is the Gem of this city, it is similar to the Amsterdam vibe but with an Asian twist. 😄
The City is very clean. We’ve noticed that there are only a few restaurants that are open at Day time and some open in the late afternoon for example at 17:00. However, we managed to find a good restaurant before that.
The City is very clean. We’ve noticed that there are only a few restaurants that are open at Day time and some open in the late afternoon for example at 17:00. However, we managed to find a good restaurant before that.
Written November 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
taffandhubby
Cardiff, UK282 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
…….. that is popular with tourists to this historic port. It is pleasant and flat, so an easy walk. In the surrounding area there are many good places to eat, buy snacks or gifts, explore several museums, and it is an easy walk uphill to the train station. The steam clock at on end of the tourist street is a popular sight, with an equally interesting clock over the road.
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msquared
Kaneohe, HI543 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
I thought this attraction was just average and didn’t see why it was rated so highly. As an attraction, it did not have that much appeal but as a part of Otaro, it has significant history.
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
myle tan
Romblon Island, Philippines252 contributions
Jul. 2023
awesome place to visit and take picture but i think night time and winter season is the best time to visit
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2001NH
632 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
Beautiful weather for a walk along the canal. Be aware that there is a man in a bush costume that will scare you if you have not noticed him.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minnieShellharbour
shellharbour148 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Such a beautiful quaint place to go and visit.
Lots of gift syle stores and they really specialized in glass making.
Lots of different rrstaurant to eat at as well.
We caught the train up from Sapporo and it was a really pretty train trip
Lots of gift syle stores and they really specialized in glass making.
Lots of different rrstaurant to eat at as well.
We caught the train up from Sapporo and it was a really pretty train trip
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChunChunMaru
Oslo, Norway440 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
You see the pictures and think this must be a nice place to see. Then you go there and all you get is a short canal with a few buildings and bridges. Nothing special and something you probably have seen plenty of times before elsewhere. Its ok to stop by if you visit Otaru but do not go to Otaru because of the canal. You wont spend more than 5 mintues here unless you sit down for a break.
My advice is for people to do Otaru as an evening trip. Come after 3 -4 pm and stroll the city inlcuding the canal and shopping streets. Then have dinner and go up mt Tengu after dark. No need to spend an entire day here as all sights is similar to the canal. Small and not that spectacular. However the sum of them all may warrant the trip.
My advice is for people to do Otaru as an evening trip. Come after 3 -4 pm and stroll the city inlcuding the canal and shopping streets. Then have dinner and go up mt Tengu after dark. No need to spend an entire day here as all sights is similar to the canal. Small and not that spectacular. However the sum of them all may warrant the trip.
Written May 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Daphne
Hong Kong, China56 contributions
Mar. 2023 • Couples
Otaru canals used to be unloading cargo ships, but gradually Otaru Port promenade and gas lamps , become a leisure place for tourists.
There are many music box shops and glasses products shops around there. It is quite famous here. Each shop has own characteristics.
There are many music box shops and glasses products shops around there. It is quite famous here. Each shop has own characteristics.
Written May 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crofton M
Airlie Beach, Australia2,051 contributions
Mar. 2023
We were there on a cold rainy day and the experience was of snow piles and drab surroundings. We took a train from Sapporo with a guide
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yan C
Hong Kong, China855 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Family
Probably the most visited place of the city Otaru. It was freezing cold on my day of visit. Yet, the place was crowded with visitors. Everyone wanted a picture of oneself in front of the canal. There is however nothing special. It is just a landmark of the past and should interest locals more than foreigners. You lose nothing if you cannot find time to visit.
Written February 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For those who visited the snow festival this year is the Otaru canal lighted up with candles?
Low C
Singapore, Singapore878 contributions
Got light up very year for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, this year from 9 -18 Feb.
Cat-in-City
Singapore, Singapore463 contributions
is there any halal food or purely seafood Restaurant in Otaru?
Sharzilah T
18 contributions
No halal food here but there are a lot of seafood reataurants along the main road.
fallcanusa
Sydney, Australia38 contributions
Is there enough time on a one day visit to go from Otaru to Sapporo via train and have time to see attractions and also time to view canal in Otaru ?
Or is it better to stay in Otaru as only one day visit while cruising Japan ?
Look forward to replies
SlaveToTheBoys
Singapore, Singapore65 contributions
If the rapid trains are running, the JR train from Sapporo to Otaru is only about 30minutes, hence plenty of time for day trip. However, if traveling during the winter season, please check train schedules as there were bad delays during heavy snow (took us over 2 hours one day).
The walk from the train station to Otaru Canal would be about 10-15mins at adults pace.
My view would be a day trip with Sapporo as base would be more than sufficient. Have fun!
Ron P
Delta, British Columbia, Canada3 contributions
the canal would be O.K. but how do I get to see the rest of interesting areas of Otaru, is there a decent tour that will show us the wonderful side of this area city.
we are off a cruise ship, the Celebrity Millennium, September 14 2016.
Would like to go atop of the local mountain for a view of the city.
Meet people, shop eat, check out the distillery and Canal area.
Thierry b
5 contributions
Hi,
Mostly everything around is at walking distance,
Except the mountain for view point (TENGU YAMA),
you may need to take a Taxi,
Most of the people dont speak english...but if you use the below location, everyone will be pleased to help you,
my advice would be to have a map with you, or to write on a paper the place you want to go, to avoid accent misleading...
3 Things you MUST see :
*SAKAIMACHIHONDORI street (with all shops and KITAICHI glass museum)
*OTARU CANAL
*TENGU YAMA (Mount Tengu) for the view point
with this 3 things your day would be full^^
Carmen Y
Sunnyvale, CA22 contributions
I'll be travelling to Hokkaido with my family in Sept and Otaru is 1 of the town that we're planning to visit. I'm wondering is that necessarily to take the canal tour or would it be better if I'll just be walking around the canal path?
bugzz_travel
Singapore, Singapore179 contributions
Hi Carmen, I think it depends whether you have older family members. If they can't walk much and might need to rest in between, then it might be good to stay 1 night. I only went for 1 day and it was sufficient for me but of course there is a limitation to how much you can do / eat in one day :)
If you are going there for a day, then I will recommend you to buy the one day pass (if you are taking the train). You can get the pass from JR Travel Service Centre at Sapporo Station. It comes with the return JR ticket to Otaru and a subway pass for Sapporo city which you can use any day in the city.
MikeA-hawaii
Honolulu, HI11 contributions
We are traveling to Otaru soon as part of a ski Hokkaido vacation. We recently decided to use the JR Rapid from Chitose Airport to get to Otaru. From Otaru, we plan to shuttle to Kiroro Ski REsort and maybe spend some time after skiing @ the Jozankei Onsen but return to Otaru nightly. Any suggestions on places to eat in Otaru? After Otaru, we plan to venture to Sapporo for some nightlife & maybe a day @ the Sapporo Teine Ski area. Any suggestions for fun in the Susukino District of town?
Eric J
Munich5,848 contributions
I agree with the other comments that Otaru sushi is especially good. I tried several and they were all good. One stood out: Sawasakisuisan Kaisenshokudo. The Otaru Soko No. 1 is a brew pub with very good beer (the Braumeister is German) and decent food to go with it. Even if its just for a beer, try it.
In Sapporo Susukino, a must- try is the "Ramen Alley." As usual, the best advice is to pick the place with the longest wait...
46Arlene
Ottawa, Canada3 contributions
Is it easy to get to Chuo sightseeing bus from the international cruise terminal?
AlohaSue808
Honolulu, HI
Hello, does "spa access" mean that we can go to the spa for free? Is the spa an onsen? Are our children allowed? Thank you!
Chinheong P
George Town, Malaysia51 contributions
Would it be better and more leisure to travel by Otaru Welcome Pass to Otaru for a day trip. Will I have ample time to hop over to Yoichi to visit Nikka Whisky Distillation Plant and Yamamoto Fruit farm ? Which destination should I head for first , Yoichi or Otaru as transport from Otarau is frequent and till late in the evening. Thanks. How about by Chuo sight seeing bus?
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Claim your listingOTARU CANAL - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Otaru Canal
- Hotels near Otaru Canal:
- (0.09 km) Otaru Furukawa
- (0.17 km) Unwind Hotel & Bar Otaru
- (0.20 km) Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
- (0.19 km) Hotel Sonia Otaru
- (0.23 km) Hotel Nord Otaru
- Restaurants near Otaru Canal:
- (0.02 km) Kantaro, Otaru
- (0.05 km) Bar & Cafe Nikka Bar Rita
- (0.06 km) Otaru Masazushi Zenan
- (0.08 km) Sawasakisuisan Kaisenshokudo
- (0.13 km) Otaru Soko No.1
- Attractions near Otaru Canal:
- (0.02 km) Sakai Bridge
- (0.02 km) Asakusabashi Tourist Information Center
- (0.03 km) Asakusa Bridge
- (0.03 km) Sakaihama Bridge
- (0.07 km) Otaru Denuki Koji