Otaru Canal: Address, Otaru Canal Reviews: 4/5
Otaru Canal
Otaru Canal
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Otaru Canal
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
870 within 3 miles

Kamaei Factory Direct Sales Store
429
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese

Sawasakisuisan Kaisenshokudo
203
274 ft$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Seafood

Kantaro, Otaru
179
82 ft$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi

Waraku, Otaru
215
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi

Uomasa
120
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi

Yabuhan
156
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly

Le Tao Pathos
197
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe

Otaru Masazushi Main Branch
258
0.3 mi$$$$ • Japanese • Seafood • Sushi

Otaru Soko No.1
133
413 ft$$ - $$$ • German • Brew Pub • Bar

Nouvelle Berg Letao Chocolatier Otaru Honten
198
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe
Attractions
194 within 3 miles

Sakai Bridge
1
50 ftBridges

Asakusabashi Tourist Information Center
12
73 ftVisitor Centers

Asakusa Bridge
41
96 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
Sakaihama Bridge
6
98 ftBridges

Otaru Snow Light Path
55
339 ftCultural Events

Otaru Denuki Koji
190
226 ftAmusement & Theme Parks

Otaru Art Base
43
357 ftArt Museums

Former Mitsui Sumitomo Bank Otaru Branch
62
505 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Otaru Art Base, Stained Glass Museum
31
277 ftArt Museums

Taishougarasu Museum
194
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.0
3,099 reviews
Excellent
836
Very good
1,378
Average
753
Poor
88
Terrible
44
Kent P
Batavia, OH100 contributions
good location
Oct 2020
The canal is nothing great but it goes through the historic section of town where the museums are so you might as well take a walk along it while visiting the area
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
coco h
122 contributions
Peaceful & good shopping
Aug 2019 • Family
Canal itself is ordinary but the main retails street was lovely & peaceful
We had fresh seafood lunch & afternoon tea in cafe
We had fresh seafood lunch & afternoon tea in cafe
Written July 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Finds_posts
Jakarta, Indonesia228 contributions
beauty
Jul 2019
Like Netherlands in Japan. This is the perfect romantic gateway for old couples. Very charming. the Landmark of Otaru.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cristina M
Philippines25 contributions
Worth a visit!
Feb 2020
My husband and I specifically went to visit the Otaru canal for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival last February 2020. We took the JR Train from Sapporo station to Otaru Station. It took us almost an hour one way and the train was full both ways.
The long trip was worth it when we saw the lanterns light up and the snow sculptures.
And of course, we had the famous LeTao sweets on our way back to the station.
The long trip was worth it when we saw the lanterns light up and the snow sculptures.
And of course, we had the famous LeTao sweets on our way back to the station.
Written May 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Suyo Wong
Jakarta, Indonesia658 contributions
Romantic canal walk
Feb 2020 • Family
I visit Otaru Canal in February 2020 means lots of snow, cold, -6°, windy and snow festival all along the street and park.
I stop at Otaru Canal, this is the most romantic winter view, lots of candle from the winter festival volunteer. The view was dramatic and lots of people as well.
But I take some picture for you.
Please check the winter festival around the Otaru Canal before you visit here
But in others seasons, Otaru will be fine and beautiful as well. Hope I can visit here again and again.
I stop at Otaru Canal, this is the most romantic winter view, lots of candle from the winter festival volunteer. The view was dramatic and lots of people as well.
But I take some picture for you.
Please check the winter festival around the Otaru Canal before you visit here
But in others seasons, Otaru will be fine and beautiful as well. Hope I can visit here again and again.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mmaarraaa
137 contributions
Picturesque
Feb 2020 • Friends
We did a day trip to Otaru from Sapporo. The canal is Sooo beautiful. Luckily it wasn't too crowded, we went in February. I wonder if the Coronavirus had something to do with that. Regardless the lack of crowds made the experience that much more enjoyable.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marco Grava
Rome, Italy834 contributions
Lovely
Feb 2020
Have you ever thought of hitting the Canal street in the winter time, maybe when the snow festival is ongoing? Try it!
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
hweitze
Singapore, Singapore80 contributions
Otaru canal during winter
Dec 2019 • Friends
Love the view so much. Spent around 1hour here before going nearby cafe.
Is a must visit list for Otaru, hence is crowded during peak period of the day.
Is a must visit list for Otaru, hence is crowded during peak period of the day.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TwinkleStar1818
Singapore, Singapore65 contributions
Scenic place
Dec 2019
We spent a morning at Otaru Canal, found some nice shops and cafe nearby, A place that one can spend hours wondering around and explore the nice neighbourhood at Otaru Canal
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
macariosakay
Manila, Philippines128 contributions
very romantic place for pre-nuptial photoshoot
Feb 2020
it is best to take the train from Sapporo. as soon as you go out of the facade of the train station cross the street and go straight until you see otaru canal. best to see it during winter. drop by otaru beer garden.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
For those who visited the snow festival this year is the Otaru canal lighted up with candles?
Low C
Jurong East, Singapore878 contributions
Got light up very year for the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, this year from 9 -18 Feb.
Cat-in-City
Singapore, Singapore377 contributions
is there any halal food or purely seafood Restaurant in Otaru?
Sharzilah T
18 contributions
No halal food here but there are a lot of seafood reataurants along the main road.
fallcanusa
Sydney, Australia36 contributions
Is there enough time on a one day visit to go from Otaru to Sapporo via train and have time to see attractions and also time to view canal in Otaru ?
Or is it better to stay in Otaru as only one day visit while cruising Japan ?
Look forward to replies
SlaveToTheBoys
Singapore, Singapore65 contributions
If the rapid trains are running, the JR train from Sapporo to Otaru is only about 30minutes, hence plenty of time for day trip. However, if traveling during the winter season, please check train schedules as there were bad delays during heavy snow (took us over 2 hours one day).
The walk from the train station to Otaru Canal would be about 10-15mins at adults pace.
My view would be a day trip with Sapporo as base would be more than sufficient. Have fun!
Ron P
Delta, British Columbia, Canada3 contributions
the canal would be O.K. but how do I get to see the rest of interesting areas of Otaru, is there a decent tour that will show us the wonderful side of this area city.
we are off a cruise ship, the Celebrity Millennium, September 14 2016.
Would like to go atop of the local mountain for a view of the city.
Meet people, shop eat, check out the distillery and Canal area.
Thierry b
5 contributions
Hi,
Mostly everything around is at walking distance,
Except the mountain for view point (TENGU YAMA),
you may need to take a Taxi,
Most of the people dont speak english...but if you use the below location, everyone will be pleased to help you,
my advice would be to have a map with you, or to write on a paper the place you want to go, to avoid accent misleading...
3 Things you MUST see :
*SAKAIMACHIHONDORI street (with all shops and KITAICHI glass museum)
*OTARU CANAL
*TENGU YAMA (Mount Tengu) for the view point
with this 3 things your day would be full^^
Carmen Y
China21 contributions
I'll be travelling to Hokkaido with my family in Sept and Otaru is 1 of the town that we're planning to visit. I'm wondering is that necessarily to take the canal tour or would it be better if I'll just be walking around the canal path?
bugzz_travel
Singapore, Singapore178 contributions
Hi Carmen, I think it depends whether you have older family members. If they can't walk much and might need to rest in between, then it might be good to stay 1 night. I only went for 1 day and it was sufficient for me but of course there is a limitation to how much you can do / eat in one day :)
If you are going there for a day, then I will recommend you to buy the one day pass (if you are taking the train). You can get the pass from JR Travel Service Centre at Sapporo Station. It comes with the return JR ticket to Otaru and a subway pass for Sapporo city which you can use any day in the city.
MikeA-hawaii
Honolulu, HI11 contributions
We are traveling to Otaru soon as part of a ski Hokkaido vacation. We recently decided to use the JR Rapid from Chitose Airport to get to Otaru. From Otaru, we plan to shuttle to Kiroro Ski REsort and maybe spend some time after skiing @ the Jozankei Onsen but return to Otaru nightly. Any suggestions on places to eat in Otaru? After Otaru, we plan to venture to Sapporo for some nightlife & maybe a day @ the Sapporo Teine Ski area. Any suggestions for fun in the Susukino District of town?
MunichEricJ
Munich5,848 contributions
I agree with the other comments that Otaru sushi is especially good. I tried several and they were all good. One stood out: Sawasakisuisan Kaisenshokudo. The Otaru Soko No. 1 is a brew pub with very good beer (the Braumeister is German) and decent food to go with it. Even if its just for a beer, try it.
In Sapporo Susukino, a must- try is the "Ramen Alley." As usual, the best advice is to pick the place with the longest wait...
46Arlene
Ottawa, Canada3 contributions
Is it easy to get to Chuo sightseeing bus from the international cruise terminal?
AlohaSue808
Honolulu, HI
Hello, does "spa access" mean that we can go to the spa for free? Is the spa an onsen? Are our children allowed? Thank you!
Chinheong P
George Town, Malaysia51 contributions
Would it be better and more leisure to travel by Otaru Welcome Pass to Otaru for a day trip. Will I have ample time to hop over to Yoichi to visit Nikka Whisky Distillation Plant and Yamamoto Fruit farm ? Which destination should I head for first , Yoichi or Otaru as transport from Otarau is frequent and till late in the evening. Thanks. How about by Chuo sight seeing bus?
Frequently Asked Questions about Otaru Canal
- We recommend booking Otaru Canal tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 8 Otaru Canal tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Otaru Canal:
- Explore Otaru & Yoichi (From $107.87)
- Otaru Private Tour with Licensed Guide (From $123.78)
- Otaru Rickshaw Tour (From $48.44)
- Sapporo and Otaru Private Sightseeing Tour with Licensed Guide (From $132.39)
- Otaru Walking & Street Food Tour in Hokkaido (From $83.95)
- Hotels near Otaru Canal:
- (0.05 mi) Otaru Furukawa
- (0.11 mi) Unwind Hotel & Bar Otaru
- (0.13 mi) Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
- (0.12 mi) Hotel Sonia Otaru
- (0.14 mi) Hotel Nord Otaru
- Restaurants near Otaru Canal:
- (0.02 mi) Kantaro, Otaru
- (0.03 mi) Bar & Cafe Nikka Bar Rita
- (0.05 mi) Sawasakisuisan Kaisenshokudo
- (0.08 mi) Otaru Soko No.1
- (0.06 mi) Otaru Masazushi Zenan
- Attractions near Otaru Canal:
- (0.01 mi) Sakai Bridge
- (0.01 mi) Asakusabashi Tourist Information Center
- (0.02 mi) Asakusa Bridge
- (0.02 mi) Sakaihama Bridge
- (0.04 mi) Otaru Denuki Koji














































