Otaru Guide (2026): Best Things to Do, Food & Travel Tips

Otaru, a popular nearby destination for Sapporo trips ☃️

Having visited in summer, I decided to go back for winter

and experienced a 2-day, 1-night trip again!

Otaru, which truly made me understand why winter is said to be the best time to visit 💛

I'm excited to share tips and recommended spots from my personal Otaru adventures -!

📍 How to Get to Otaru

🚞 Train (Rapid: 34-41 minutes)

🌊 The popular ocean view from the train window on the Otaru line

When traveling to Otaru, opt for a reserved seat on the right side; when returning, choose the left.

Reserved seats are essential to book in advance, and note that the ocean view isn't visible at night!

🚎 Bus (approx. 1 hour)

While it takes longer than the train, the advantage is that there are stops within Sapporo city,

so you don't have to go all the way to the station.

(Based on my visit) it was relatively uncrowded, allowing me to sit comfortably throughout the ride.

🏷️ Recommended Day Trip Destinations

✔️ Sankaku Market (expect long waits, so a morning visit is essential!)

✔️ Minami-Otaru Railway Track (feel free to skip if you're not planning to take photos)

✔️ Sakaimachi Street (Marchen Intersection)

This is a major tourist street featuring the Music Box Museum, dessert shops, Kitaichi Hall, and more.

✔️ Otaru Canal ☃️❄️

Personally, if you're not planning to visit Sankaku Market,

I recommend getting off at Minami-Otaru Station and exploring towards Otaru Station!

Sakaimachi Street, in particular,

is packed with countless eateries, attractions, and unique shops!

The Music Box Museum and the Kerosene Cafe

offer such a unique space and atmosphere that you don't often encounter,

so I highly recommend visiting them at least once!🎶🎵

Do note that when I visited the Kerosene Cafe, there was a waiting line,

and the kerosene smell might make it challenging to stay for extended periods!

🏷️ Visiting for 2 Days, 1 Night?

✔️ Otaru Aquarium (where you can spot penguins!)

✔️ Tenguyama Observatory (I went for the night view, and it was absolutely freezing! 🧣)

✔️ Sumiyoshi Shrine (Discovered it while traveling from Otaru to Minami-Otaru!)

✔️ Former Temiya Line Railway Track & Iironai Station Ruins (a great spot for photos)

✔️ For those who want to enjoy hot springs,

✔️ want to stay near the canal,

✔️ and find overly expensive ryokans a bit daunting,

this is the perfect accommodation I'd recommend 🖤

🏩 Otaru Furukawa ♨️

The moment I enjoyed the open-air onsen as snow fell heavily is still vivid in my memory..💙

Agoda November International Hotel 8% Discount Code

MOMENT08AGD

(This is a partner-exclusive code, usable by accessing it via the QR code above)

✨ The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in February is also incredibly beautiful!

If it overlaps with your travel itinerary,

consider staying a night and enjoying the luminous evenings

- (Yuki Akari no Michi) February 6-13, 2027

🏷️ Wondering what to eat in Otaru?

🍜 While sushi and Kaisendon at Sankaku Market are famous,

the recommendations from the true locals I met during my trip are:

✔️ Ankakake Yakisoba, 🍗 Chicken (Naruto)

✔️ Renga Yokocho, a small alley of street stalls, also comes highly recommended for a late-night snack.

🍞 Otaru's Top 3 Popular Desserts

(These brands have their main stores throughout Hokkaido, so you don't *have* to buy them only in Otaru)

🍰 LeTAO: Cheesecake

🥐 Kitakaro: Baumkuchen

🧈 Rokkatei: Butter Sand Cookies

✔️ LeTAO has its main store right in Otaru,

and it even has a mini observation deck, so I highly recommend visiting the LeTAO main store!

🏷️ Good to know: Tip 1

☀ The Otaru Canal night view is famous, so

I thought everything would be open even at night, but...

around 5-6 PM, many shops actually close?!?

I recommend focusing on morning itineraries rather than afternoon ones.

(Plus, daylight hours are really short!)

🏷️ Good to know: Tip 2

🎿 Unlike Sapporo city, snow removal isn't always perfect in Otaru?!

Many people slip, so I highly recommend wearing ice cleats!

Someone who fell badly even had to be carried away...

Please be careful when walking around 🤧

🏷️ Good to know: Tip 3

🚊 During peak hours, the unreserved seats on trains are incredibly crowded?!

Even I had to stand when I caught the train back in the evening from Otaru Station,

and some people couldn't even get on at Minami-Otaru Station.

Keep this in mind: if you absolutely want a seat,

use Otaru Station, get in line early, or opt for a reserved seat!

🏷️ Good to know: Tip 4

🚕 Otaru doesn't have as many taxis as Sapporo

and it's incredibly difficult to catch an Uber...?

Some of you might be planning to use Uber with promotions in Otaru,

but it's safe to assume that using Uber in Otaru will be challenging!!

📌 Finally, here are some useful discount codes for your trip!

Trip.com Discount Codes

(First-come, first-served / Some exclusions apply)

Japan Admission Tickets Discount Code JPTK15

Japan Transportation Discount Code JPTP15

November Flight Discount Code 3HAFLT3

(Partner-exclusive codes, usable via the QR code above)