The port town of Otaru is less than an hour from Sapporo, making it a convenient stop for a day trip away from the city. My itinerary is a relaxed one, with a lot of time for soaking in Otaru’s gorgeous views and rich history. You’ll also come across various handicraft shops where you might find something truly unique to take home.
Sample Itinerary
| Time | Expenses | Agenda |
| 9:00am | ¥1,800 | Depart JR Sapporo Station (Rapid Airport Line) for Minami Otaru Station, then walk to the Otaru Music Box Museum. |
| 9:45am | Free! (Unless you take home a music box or two.) | Wait for the Otaru Steam Clock to chime (It goes off every 15 minutes) then walk around the Otaru Music Box Museum. |
| 10:45am | Explore the shops and cafes along Sakaimachi Street. | |
| 12:00pm | ¥1,200-2,500 | Stop for lunch at Donburi Chaya. |
| 1:45pm | ¥1,800 | Take the Otaru Canal Cruise. |
| 2:40pm | ¥420-1,370 | Head to the Otaru Beer Hall and enjoy a pint with a view of the canal. |
| 3:40pm | Walk back down Sakaimachi Street to Minami-Otaru Station. Optional: Get a box of biscuits to take home from LeTAO. (¥1,296) | |
| 4:10pm | ¥1,800 | Arrive at Minami-Otaru Station and take the Rapid Airport Line back to JR Sapporo Station. |
| 4:40pm | Arrive at JR Sapporo Station. | |
| ~8 hours | ¥5,400 + souvenirs, food, and drinks |
NOTE: Prices may change; conversion rates will certainly change. As of writing, JPY5,400 is approximately PHP2,153.
The Otaru Steam Clock
At the top of the hour, the bottom of the hour, and every 15th and 45th minute, the Otaru Steam Clock whistles an eight-note melody. This vintage icon is a replica of the Gastown Steam Clock in Vancouver, Canada. We got a particularly whimsical welcome hearing it sound off on a chilly mid-morning with a light drizzle.
The Otaru Music Box Museum
The steam clock sits right outside the Otaru Music Box Museum, which offers just a taste of renowned Otaru craftsmanship. Their music boxes come in a wealth of sizes and designs, and the songs range from classical pieces to Disney tunes to Studio Ghibli movie scores to pop songs. Don’t forget to head up to the second and third floor for even more music boxes, as well as cute souvenirs and Ghibli merchandise.
The Otaru Steam Clock and Otaru Music Box Museum are located at 4-1 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru. The museum is open every day from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Find more information on their website.
Donburi Chaya
Read more about the seafood bowls at Donburi Chaya on the Objects of My Ingestion: Hokkaido Region Edition blog. You’ll also find a snippet about the Otaru-grown LeTAO Bakery.
Otaru Canal Cruise
This was the highlight of our Otaru trip. The cruise goes down the canal and back, with an audio guide pointing out historical buildings and talking you through Otaru’s history. There was once a plan to fill in the then-defunct canal and widen the roads and sidewalks, but locals protested that the canal was an integral part of the town’s history. Fast forward to today, it’s been well-preserved and serves as a tourist attraction that people come from near and far to see.
It’s important to note that evening cruises are a bit more expensive and will set you back JPY2,000 per person.
The Otaru Canal Cruise deck is located at 5-4 Minatomachi, Otaru. They operate from 9:30am to 6:30pm. See their timetable and more information on their website. While they welcome walk-ins, you can book your ticket ahead online as well.
Otaru Beer Hall
While a handful of structures still stand exactly as they were left on their last day of operation, some were renovated and repurposed. The Otaru Beer Hall, for example, is a former warehouse that looks more or less the same on the outside. The inside was cleaned up and renovated and now houses a large copper mash kettle where beer is brewed right in the middle of the dining area.
Otaru Beer Hall is located at 5-4 Minatomachi, Otaru. They are open daily from 11:00am to 10:00pm.
Even More Places to Go in Sapporo
Check out the post on going up Mount Moiwa — another destination less than an hour from Sapporo Station.
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