A charming Japanese port with canal-side appeal.
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Overview
Otaru is a captivating port city on the western coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. Once a major trading and financial hub, the city's history is beautifully preserved in its distinctive architecture and urban landscape. The historic Otaru Canal, lined with beautifully restored stone warehouses and illuminated by gas lamps, gives the city a unique, nostalgic atmosphere that transports visitors to a bygone era.
A cruise stop in Otaru offers a delightful blend of scenic charm, cultural discovery, and gastronomic excellence. The city has reinvented itself as a major tourist destination, famous for its intricate glassware, whimsical music boxes, and an abundance of the freshest seafood in all of Japan. Its proximity to the metropolis of Sapporo also makes it a perfect gateway for exploring more of the stunning Hokkaido region.
The Otaru Canal is the city's most iconic landmark. Built in 1923, it was once a bustling waterway for cargo. Today, the restored canal, with its historic warehouses now converted into shops and restaurants, is a picturesque promenade. Take a leisurely walk along the paved path and admire the old-fashioned gas lamps that line the waterway.
Tip: For a different perspective, consider a short canal cruise on a small boat to hear stories about the canal's history from a local guide.
Just a short walk from the canal is Sakaimachi Street, a beautifully preserved merchant street that was once the commercial heart of Otaru. The street is now a bustling shopping and dining hub, famous for its glassware, music box shops, and numerous cafes and sweet shops, including the famous LeTAO cheesecake store.
Tip: Be sure to sample some of the delicious melon-flavored desserts and freshly baked goods available at the many shops along the street.
The Otaru Music Box Museum is a magical and must-see attraction located at the southern end of Sakaimachi Street. The main building, a grand brick structure, houses thousands of music boxes of every shape and size. Outside, the museum's historic steam clock serenades passersby with its chimes every 15 minutes.
Tip: Take some time to listen to the different melodies and find a perfect, unique souvenir to take home.
Located a minute's walk from Otaru Station, Sankaku Market is a down-to-earth marketplace where local fishmongers sell the freshest catches from the Sea of Japan. Visitors can enjoy a lively atmosphere and, more importantly, sit down at one of the small restaurants to savor incredibly fresh sushi and seafood donburi (rice bowls).
Tip: Look for a bowl topped with uni (sea urchin) or ikura (salmon roe), which are regional specialties.
For a spectacular bird's-eye view of Otaru, take a scenic ropeway ride up Mount Tengu. The summit observation deck offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of the entire city, the harbor, and the expansive Sea of Japan. On a clear day, you can even see the distant Shakotan Peninsula.
Tip: The ropeway is a short bus or taxi ride from the city center, and the views are particularly stunning during sunset.
Otaru is renowned for its glass art, and you can see this beautiful craft firsthand at numerous studios and shops. Kitaichi Glass is one of the most famous, with multiple locations on Sakaimachi Street. You can watch artisans at work and browse exquisite lamps, vases, and other glass souvenirs.
Tip: Don't miss the Kitaichi Glass No. 3 Building, a converted warehouse with a stunning café lit entirely by oil lamps.
Aboard
Silver Cloud
From
Otaru, Japan
1 Sailing
May 28, 2027
Published prices from
per person*
taxes & fees included
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