Otaru, Hokkaido: What to Do and See

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A day in Otaru, a charming port city on Hokkaido’s west coast, is all it takes to see why it draws visitors year-round, especially during winter (WHAT TO DO IN SAPPORO). Otaru’s roots date back to the late 19th century, when it thrived as a major trading and fishing hub. Today, it remains famous for its preserved architecture, scenic spots, and local delicacies.

 

We spent a full day in Otaru, quickly catching the highlights and popular attractions while also admiring from our coach (SRI LANKA SIGHTSEEING).

Otaru Canal

The heart of Otaru is the Otaru Canal, the city’s most iconic and photographed spot. Once used for shipping, this 200-meter-long canal is now lined with century-old warehouses turned into museums, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants.

 

In winter, a snow blanket covers the area, making it picture-perfect. We didn’t do much - just stood, admired, and took photos like everyone else. Still, that quiet moment was more than enough. Around the canal, you can also enjoy fresh seafood, visit glass workshops, music box shops, and even sake breweries, all showcasing Otaru’s cultural charm (WHAT TO DO IN KERALA, INDIA).

 

Otaru is sometimes called the "Wall Street of the North" because of its solid stone buildings - a reminder of its prosperous past.

Otaru Ice Cream
Just nearby, we found a humble ice cream stall. Otaru’s soft serve ice cream is famous for a reason - it’s rich, creamy, and made with Hokkaido’s premium milk. The stall offered vanilla, vanilla-and-chocolate swirl, and matcha. Later, I learned you can also find unusual flavors like lavender, melon, and even squid ink. My pick? The matcha mix. So smooth and luscious it just melted away on a crispy cone.

Otaru Music Box Museum
Across the road stood the Otaru Music Box Museum, marked by a steam clock gifted by Vancouver. Located at the end of Sakaimachi Street, the museum houses a magical collection of music boxes, spanning several floors. We spent at least an hour admiring all kinds - different shapes, sounds, and carefully crafted ornaments.

 

Before leaving, I picked up a copper wall clock to take home as a souvenir - my way of keeping Otaru with me.

Shiroi Koibito Park

Not far from Otaru, in Sapporo, is Shiroi Koibito Park, owned by Ishiya, the local brand behind the famous Shiroi Koibito biscuits. This chocolate-themed park combines outdoor and indoor attractions.

Highlights included the Chocolate Carnival, a doll parade every hour, the Shiroi Koibito Railway, and Gulliver House, great for children. Indoors, the main feature was the Ishiya Chocolate Factory, where we watched the biscuit-making process. You can also make your own giant heart-shaped Shiroi Koibito cookies.

 

The park includes an antique teacup collection, a sweets café, a toy exhibition, a souvenir store, and Candy Labo, where you’ll see candy art in the making.

Otaru Local Seafood Dining

We had lunch in a small, quiet Japanese eatery. Everything was pre-set - a complete meal featuring grilled soft crabs, fish, and a hearty seafood hotpot with the day's fresh Otaru catch. Japanese veggies and a unique starter - something close to sashimi - rounded out the meal. The taste was fresh, clean, and unforgettable.

Dinner was even better. It began with pickles, salad, potato mash, and chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), followed by premium sashimi, grilled pork skewers, and grilled abalone. Every dish reflected the depth of Japanese flavors, with that distinct Otaru touch.

Whether you’re in Otaru for a short visit or longer, this Hokkaido gem offers a perfect mix of history, scenery, local eats, and cultural attractions. From the quiet charm of the canal to the sweet smells of chocolate and the flavors of the sea, Otaru leaves a lasting impression - one day was just enough to know I’d want to return.

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