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Otaru 小樽

Grand buildings & canal

Otaru

The harbour city of Otaru was originally developed as Hokkaidō and Sapporo’s Sea of Japan (western coast) port city.

It’s a pleasant place with a historic canal area lined with old warehouses that have been transformed into museums, shops and restaurants.

The preserved merchant area of Sakaimachi features impressive Western-style buildings, some of which are now a renowned Music Box Museum, a Museum of Venetian Art and glass workshops. Otaru is home to well known Kitaichi Glass.

One of Japan's top whisky makers, Nikka Whisky, has its main distillery in the neighboring town of Yoichi.

Visit Otaru on a daytrip from Sapporo by train (30mins by fastest train), or come and stay the night.

Historic Areas

Hokkaidō 北海道

Hokkaidō In-18-Days

The wilds of northern Japan - for adventurers with a rental car

Text © Craig McLachlan

Image by Peter Cartledge