Day 1
Asarigawaonsen
Opening Hours: Open all day
Ticket Price: 320 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Days
Location: Asarigawa Onsen, Otaru, Hokkaido
Asari River Hot Spring is a hot spring town located along the Asari River at the northern foot of the Asari River. Otaru City successfully developed hot springs here in 1954. Since then, the hot spring town has gradually formed. There are now about 10 hot spring hotels and 2 hot spring facilities that can be commuted on the same day. There are ski slopes and golf courses nearby, and it is popular as "Otaru's backyard".
Day 1 | Evening
For convenient access to more popular attractions, Kuramure is the best places.
Kuramure
Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Asarigawa, Kuramure Ryokan promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Take advantage of the hotel's car park, bar, shuttle service. Comfortable guestrooms ensure a good night's sleep with some rooms featuring facilities such as air conditioning, heating, desk, mini bar, telephone. Access to the hotel's hot spring bath will further enhance your satisfying stay. Kuramure Ryokan combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Otaru unforgettable.
Day 2 | Morning
Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch
Opening Hours: Closed from 1/1-1/3;Open from 1/4-12/28,Mon,Wed-Sun,9:30am-5:00pm;Closed from 12/29-12/31;Closed on Tue
Ticket Price: 300 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours
Location: 3-7-8 Ironai, Otaru 047-0031, Hokkaido
The former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch was built in 1906 as a two-story stone building in the modern European Renaissance style. From the mid-Meiji era to the Taisho era, Otaru was the center of Hokkaido's economy, and this branch was one of many companies that built branches using the best technology at the time. The building is centered on the front gate, and the left and right are contrasted, and the outer walls are made of soft stone and wood from Hokkaido. The interior has a business room, a branch manager's room, a reception room, and a luxurious VIP room. Currently, materials related to Otaru's maritime history and restoration works are displayed. The heavy building is reminiscent of the prosperity of Otaru in the past, and it has been designated as an important cultural property.
Day 2 | Afternoon
Otaru Aquarium nearby is the top choice before you leave Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch and hit the road.
Otaru Aquarium
Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-2/29,10:00am-4:00pm;Open from 3/20-10/15,9:00am-5:00pm;Open from 10/16-11/23,9:00am-4:00pm;Open from 12/12-12/31,10:00am-4:00pm
Ticket Price: 1500 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 3-4 Hours
Location: 3 Chome- 303 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido
The Otaru Aquarium is located on the north side of Otaru City. There are more than 70 large and small tanks, displaying a variety of fish and marine life from cold waters to temperate waters, especially the touch area where you can touch the giant octopus is very popular. . There are also special exhibitions with a long cycle every year, which are very popular with tourists. In addition to hundreds of thousands of fish species such as herring, Far Eastern polyline, and plaice in Ishikari Bay, the aquarium also has porpoises, which are rare in the world. In addition, the more attractive feature of the aquarium is the animal show. From the joyful dolphin show, to the lovely penguin and seal show, and the haughty sea lion show, they are all worth watching, and the walrus eating show weighing more than 1 ton is full of humor and should not be missed.
Day 2 | Evening
For convenient access to more popular attractions, OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts is the best places.
OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts
Opened in 2022, the OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts is a great accommodation choice in Otaru.
Boasting a convenient location, the hotel is just 800m from JR Otaru Station and 38km from Sapporo Okadama Airport. Keeping busy is easy, with Kazariya, Otaru Denuki Koji and 旧通信電設浜ビル all nearby.
After a long day of sightseeing, guests can retire to the comfort of the hotel. For those driving themselves, parking is provided on site.
There's never a dull moment at this hotel, our guests indicate that the facilities are excellent.
Day 3 | Morning
Otaru Museum of History and Nature
Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-5:00pm
Ticket Price: 300 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours
Location: 2 Chome-1-20 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031
This is a branch of the Otaru City General Museum next to the Otaru Canal. It was rebuilt from an old warehouse in the Meiji period. You can experience the past customs of Otaru and learn about the local history, culture and natural environment of Otaru. The Canal Pavilion is divided into two exhibition halls. One is to introduce the history of Otaru, restore the street scene of Otaru's prosperous period from the end of the Meiji era to the Taisho era, you can experience the prosperity of that time, and also display the screens and fishing gear used for catching herring. Another exhibition hall displays biological specimens from Otaru, as well as a large number of clay products from the late Jomon period (that is, more than 3,500 years ago) unearthed in various sizes. In addition, the Canal Pavilion often hosts some interactive activities themed on technology.
Day 3 | Afternoon
After finishing the tour at Otaru Museum of History and Nature, you can head to Otaru Kihinkan, the most worth visiting place around the corner.
Otaru Kihinkan
Ticket Price: 1000 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours
Location: 3-63 Shukutsu, Otaru 047-0047, Hokkaido
In the Meiji and Taisho eras, the Aoyama family, the owner of the big boat, was very prosperous for herring fishing. The building is extremely luxurious, with first-class materials and first-class craftsmen from all over Japan, and it took 6 years to build. There are 6-15 tatami-sized rooms of different sizes in the museum, as well as toilets, bathrooms, corridors, etc., with unique ingenuity everywhere. The corridors and columns are beautiful Chunqing Tu (a type of lacquerware), the stairs are made of natural wood grain, and the bathroom is an Arita-yaki (a type of porcelain) toilet with an openworked patio, incorporating a very rare Western fashion at that time. Works by famous painters and calligraphers are preserved on the partitions of many inner halls. The garden is an exquisite Japanese garden composed of pine trees and round sand grains, showing the glory of the time. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on site.
Day 3 | Evening
Don’t forget to book Ryo-An in advance, because all the tourists head to Otaru Kihinkan love staying at it.
Ryo-An
Property Location Located in Otaru, RYO-AN is minutes from Otaru City Art Museum and Sakaimachi Street. This apartment is within close proximity of Tomioka Catholic Church and Suitengu. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 4 guestrooms, featuring kitchenettes with refrigerators and stovetops. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and flat-screen televisions are provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include microwaves and electric kettles.
Day 4 | Morning
Natural Hot Spring Of Spring Flower
Ticket Price: 650 JPY
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours
Location: Hokkaido, Otaru, Teshi 1-chome 5-20
Let the warmth from the ground wrap around your body and mind, and let the cold purity from the sky caress your face. In the winter of Hokkaido, soaking in such an open-air hot spring and watching the feather-like snowflakes falling from the sky will make you confused between reality and fantasy. Otaru's natural hot spring "Yunohana" hopes that more people can experience the gift of the warmth of the earth gushing out of the ground. Alkaline springs are very gentle to the body and skin, improve health, and are suitable for all ages.
Day 4 | Afternoon
Otaru Canal nearby is the top choice before you leave Natural Hot Spring Of Spring Flower and hit the road.
Otaru Canal
Opening Hours: Open from 9:30am-6:30pm
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Hours
Location: 047-0007 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido
The Otaru Canal is a major landmark in Otaru and even Hokkaido. A row of masonry warehouses along the coast has been transformed into specialty shops such as glass handicraft stores. On the other side are kerosene street lamps, which are very retro and look particularly beautiful on winter nights. . The canal opened in 1923 and was used to load and unload goods, witnessing the prosperity of the "Northern Wall Street" in this area. Half of the current Otaru Canal is filled in for road use. Walking along the Otaru Canal during the day is a very pleasant thing to do. On one side of the river is a long pedestrian path. There is a Victorian-style kerosene street lamp standing at intervals on the road. It is very nostalgic, and many artists can often be seen painting here. On the other side of the river is a row of warehouses with brick and stone exterior walls, which is somewhat exotic. Against the background of blue sky and white clouds and reflections in the water, it is very delicious to take pictures. Brick Warehouses and Food These small shops such as grocery stores and restaurants converted from warehouses will be the best choice for you to buy Otaru souvenirs or eat local delicacies. The restaurant mainly serves beer and seafood. Among them, the Otaru Canal Canteen is a very popular one. The interior is decorated in the style of the Otaru street during the Showa period in Japan. It is very retro. Genghis Khan barbecue, crab, conveyor belt sushi and other delicacies, you need to wait for a table during the peak dining period. A popular photography spot is the Asakusa Bridge at the southern end of the canal, which is a good location for taking classic pictures of the Otaru Canal. Looking from the bridge, the section extending to the central bridge in the distance is the unmissable view of the Otaru Canal. There is a visitor center on Asakusabashi where you can pick up some maps and brochures with tourist information, and there are rest seats outside. Experience the rickshaw Next to the Asakusabashi Bridge, you will see rickshaw drivers in traditional costumes. If you are interested, you can get on a nostalgic rickshaw and experience the retro Otaru scenery. The fare for a 10-minute ride along the canal is generally 2,000 yen/person, 3,000 yen/2 persons, and the driver will warmly introduce the scenery to you in Japanese. Cruise Sightseeing You can also take a cruise to visit the Otaru Canal. The central bridge is the ticket office and the boating point. The river cruise takes about 40 minutes. The price is 1,500 yen during the day (500 yen for children) and 1,800 yen at night (500 days for children). Yuan). Check the specific schedule: http://otaru.cc/zh/timetable. Charming night At night, the kerosene street lamps are lit, and the old warehouses by the canal and the reflections in the water interweave a romantic and beautiful scenery, which is intoxicating. If it is snowing in winter, the quiet night will be particularly beautiful and charming. In addition, there are Taisho Glass Museum, Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum and other attractions near the Otaru Canal, which can be visited together.
Reviews from Real Guests:
Trip.com User: You can take pictures during the day and night. If there is snow in the winter, the two sides of the river are craft gift shop commercial street and warehouse group (restaurant, snack stall, bar, gift shop). Many gift shops can try, white lovers, Liuhuatang, Royce, etc. You can take a boat and go down the river, and there are many people waiting in line. The gift shop and restaurant are basically closed at 6 o'clock, pay attention to the meal time. You can take the bus to Tiangou Mountain to see the night scene at night if you are not happy at night.
Trip.com User: Nice view with traditional Japanese atmosphere. I went there in April 2019, the weather was warm (upto 26-28C during day time) Stayed in Otaru for 2 nights, so I can see the different views during daytime and night time. Like Otaru Canal very much, the canal, fresh air and the view seems liked bring you back to 100 years ago. Wanted to go again in Winter time, must be a very different scenes.
Day 4 | Evening
Don’t forget to book Ginrinsou in advance, because all the tourists head to Otaru Canal love staying at it.
Ginrinsou
Offering Japanese-style rooms with a private hot spring bath and overlooking Otaru Port, Ginrinsou features an outdoor and indoor public hot spring bath and free WiFi in all area. Massages can be arranged, and a free shuttle is available from Otaru Chikko Station(need reservation)
Rooms feature a seating area with chairs and a salon table, at floor-to-ceiling windows. They have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding, while the private bathroom boasts a hot spring bath and sea views.
Ginrinsou has a 24-hour front desk, which offers luggage storage and safety deposit of valuables. The hotel has a shop that offers local products, and free parking is available.
Ginrinsou is a 20-minute walk from JR Otaru Chikko Train Station, from which it’s a 7-minute train to JR Otaru Station, and an added 10-minute walk to the Otaru City Art Museum. Otaru Canal is a 10-minute drive, and the Old Aoyama Villa can be visited a 25-minute drive away.
A Japanese breakfast is available from 07:30 to 08:30, while for dinner guests can choose between Japanese or French cuisine. Breakfast are served at the Ishikari dining room. Dinner is served between 17:30 and 19:00, andit only offer Japanese dinner on Wednesdays.All meals must be booked in advance and can not be booked on that day.
Day 5 | Morning
Otaru Music Box Museum
Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-6:00pm
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours
Location: 4-1, Sumiyoshicho, Otaru-shi
Otaru Music Box Hall is not only a popular souvenir shop in Hokkaido, but also a music box museum with several branches. Music boxes are one of Otaru's famous products. Here you can not only enjoy precious antique music boxes, but you can also buy one as a souvenir if you like. There are many styles and different prices. The retro appearance of the main hall From the outside, the main hall of the Music Box Hall itself is very distinctive. It is a rare European-style brick building in Otaru, and the inside is a wooden frame structure. There is a 5.5-meter-high steam clock in front of the main building, which uses steam to play a melody every 15 minutes, which is a very popular photo spot. There are more than 3,000 kinds of music boxes from all over the world, including doll music boxes with high collection value and automatic playing music boxes, etc. There are many music boxes that are almost invisible on the market. Traditional music box, very ornamental. Music boxes of various styles enter the Music Box Hall. Various music boxes are placed in the spacious and elegant space. They are made of Otaru specialty glass, as well as wooden, ceramic, metal, etc. The shapes are also very diverse, such as tricks Caimao, HelloKitty, sushi, Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, etc. are really attractive. Wander around casually to the melodious sound of music boxes, intoxicating. Featured branch recommendations In addition to the main hall, Otaru Music Box Hall also has branch halls and derivative stores such as Hall 2 (Antique Museum), Sakaimachi Store, Yugongfang, etc., all of which are very close and can be visited for free. It is recommended to visit Hall 2, which collects and displays antique music boxes such as the Aeolian pipe organ with a history of more than 100 years, which is very precious. This pipe organ can be played automatically, 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00 every hour for 15 minutes. Music box DIY experience If you don’t think it’s fun enough to watch, you can go to the game studio not far away to experience a music box DIY, and combine different parts into a unique music box by yourself. There are different price points for buying music boxes sold by Otaru Music Box Hall or your own DIY music boxes, you can choose the one that suits you. When the tax-included price of the purchased product exceeds 10,800 yen, tax-free (currently 8% consumption tax in Japan) is available. For details, please contact the store staff.
Day 5 | Afternoon
After finishing the tour at Otaru Music Box Museum, you can head to Tenguyama, the most worth visiting place around the corner.
Tenguyama
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Recommended Length of Stay: 3-5 Hours
Location: 2 Chome Tenguyama, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0012, Japan
Tengu Mountain is 532.5 meters high and is the commanding height of Otaru. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the panorama of Otaru City. Especially at night when the lights are dim, Otaru along the coastline looks like a jewel inlaid. It is also known as the three major Hokkaido night views of Hakodate Mountain and Sapporo Night View of Mount Moiwa. night view. When the film "Love Letter" was filmed in winter, the entire Tiangu Mountain was covered with snow, and the romantic atmosphere was particularly attractive, and the snow scene in the film "Love Letter" was taken from here. Climbing overlooking Otaru Take the aerial cable car that can accommodate 30 people, and it only takes 4 minutes to reach the mountain from the foot of the mountain. After getting off the cable car, there is a rooftop observation deck, which can overlook the scenery of the city of Otaru. Otaru Bay and Ishikari Bay are all in sight. On a sunny day, you can also see the mountains and the Shakotan Peninsula in the distance. There are also Tengukan and Otaru Ski Museum, both of which are free to visit. There are 3 other observation decks around the cable car station, overlooking Otaru from different angles. Among them, the first observation deck has a good angle of view that can take pictures of the city of Otaru and the cable car at the same time. Long-nosed tengu There is a statue of a long-nosed tengu at the back of the cable car station. It is said that touching its long nose will make your wish come true. You may wish to try it. Next to the Tengu statue is a Tenguyama Shrine. The natural beauty of the mountain continues to turn around on Mount Tengu. There is a cherry tree named "Tengu Sakura" facing Otaru and the sea in the distance. It is a good place to take pictures. There are also tulips, German swallow flowers, chamomile and other flowers on the mountain, which decorate the four seasons of Tengu Mountain. There is also a free chipmunk park nearby where you can buy some bait to feed these adorable chipmunks. Walk towards the top of the mountain and come to the "Mountain Bathing on the Peak" nature trail, where you can get closer to nature and have the opportunity to see wild birds. It takes about 20 minutes to walk a week. Other entertainment activities There is also an exciting entertainment experience project "Tengu Mountain Slide" at the top of the mountain. You can take children to slide on the grass together, and the cost is 310 yen. If you go to Tengu Mountain in winter, the beautiful snow-capped mountain landscape will definitely leave a deep impression on you. At that time, the foot of the mountain will become a ski resort. If you don't know how to ski, there are also simple and interesting experiences such as snowshoe hiking.
Reviews from Real Guests:
Trip.com User: The night view is very beautiful, 3 watch points, 2 cliffs and watch towers, the wind on the mountain is big, the warm measures are done, the last shuttle bus is around 21 o'clock, pay attention to the return time. There is a Tengo Shrine next to it to play together.
Trip.com User: First-class hiccup, convenient for cars!
Day 5 | Evening
After visiting the glorious Tenguyama, Otaru Furukawa nearby is the best place to stay.
Otaru Furukawa
General Description Accessible to many local attractions Great combination for business and pleasure Ideal accommodations for a vacation getaway A unique culture experience 3 star accommodations Location Conveniently located in Hokkaido Accommodations Comfortable rooms
* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.