Otaru Sakaimachi Street
Otaru Sakaimachi Street
4
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
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 Sakaimachi Street
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
842 within 3 miles
Attractions
213 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
244 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
123
Average
41
Poor
2
Terrible
3
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Woo
8 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This is my favourite area in Otaru, my family can easily spend 2 whole days there sampling snacks from the various shops that offer samples for trying before buying.
We are also never sick of getting our favourite extra thick green tea ice cream from the specialty green tea sweets shop Sawawa.
We love looking at the various music boxes, there are 2 places- one is more of a music box shop specializing in selling music boxes, we prefer the other one in a building across from it that is more of a museum, they not only have various music boxes on display, they also explain (in Japanese) and play some of the antique pieces during their mini tour (its free, happens after their music box concert, also free). Then there is another much smaller shop that offers music box making. My kids really enjoyed choosing the onarments to glue on and decorate their chosen type of music box.
Glass blowing experience is also fun and interesting for my 10 year old. For smaller kids they can try dragon ball glass bead making instead. This is where you get to use a very small flame to melt and shape the glass into an animal or any design of your choice. Actually the staff mostly just lift the kid's hand and do all the work but still my 6 year old kid enjoyed the experience alot.
Last but not least, Saichaimachi street has so many restaurants we are always spoilt for choice. There was never a worry about where or what to eat but if we still have space in our stomach to take in more food. We love Seafood Bowl En for its reasonable price and generous seafood in a bowl.
We are also never sick of getting our favourite extra thick green tea ice cream from the specialty green tea sweets shop Sawawa.
We love looking at the various music boxes, there are 2 places- one is more of a music box shop specializing in selling music boxes, we prefer the other one in a building across from it that is more of a museum, they not only have various music boxes on display, they also explain (in Japanese) and play some of the antique pieces during their mini tour (its free, happens after their music box concert, also free). Then there is another much smaller shop that offers music box making. My kids really enjoyed choosing the onarments to glue on and decorate their chosen type of music box.
Glass blowing experience is also fun and interesting for my 10 year old. For smaller kids they can try dragon ball glass bead making instead. This is where you get to use a very small flame to melt and shape the glass into an animal or any design of your choice. Actually the staff mostly just lift the kid's hand and do all the work but still my 6 year old kid enjoyed the experience alot.
Last but not least, Saichaimachi street has so many restaurants we are always spoilt for choice. There was never a worry about where or what to eat but if we still have space in our stomach to take in more food. We love Seafood Bowl En for its reasonable price and generous seafood in a bowl.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celine A
Metro Manila, Philippines160 contributions
Oct 2019
Visited with family. Best to visit right after breakfast.
Pros:
1) The streets of Otaru are quiant, clean, and interesting lined with mouth blown glass shops, musical boxes, Japanese matcha shops, local restaurants, traditional desserts, museum, arts and crafts.
2) With a wide variety of shops and restaurants, one will not leave empty handed nor hungry.
3) Walk leisurely, you will find the shops interesting.
4) A famous ice cream shop called Kita No is in Otaru. It has peculiar flavours such as seaweed and squid ink.
5) Easy to navigate
Cons:
1) Allot at least 1 full day to get a good experience of the place. Though the streets are quiant, the train station is quite a walk.
Highly recommended!
Pros:
1) The streets of Otaru are quiant, clean, and interesting lined with mouth blown glass shops, musical boxes, Japanese matcha shops, local restaurants, traditional desserts, museum, arts and crafts.
2) With a wide variety of shops and restaurants, one will not leave empty handed nor hungry.
3) Walk leisurely, you will find the shops interesting.
4) A famous ice cream shop called Kita No is in Otaru. It has peculiar flavours such as seaweed and squid ink.
5) Easy to navigate
Cons:
1) Allot at least 1 full day to get a good experience of the place. Though the streets are quiant, the train station is quite a walk.
Highly recommended!
Written April 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelightz
Singapore, Singapore108 contributions
Dec 2019
There isn't much shopping to be done in Otaru except for the Sakaimachi shopping street where you can find lots of quaint shops selling unique and handmade Japanese crafts and snacks. This is where the famous Music Box Museum and Kitaichi Glass Museum are located, as well as other quaint cottages selling exquisitely handmade music boxes, glass crafts, accessories and other specialty souvenirs. Prices are a bit high but it's worth to bring back a memory of Otaru. There are also no lack of eateries along these streets. But walking in the winter cold in this seemingly endless street is quite a physical challenge. Do drop by the famous Letao shop, their signature cheese cookies are worth every mouthful!
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony
Hong Kong, China21 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We took the early morning train from Sapporo to Otaru Minami Station then walked to the Otaru JR Station where trains for Yoichi depart for our late afternoon Nikka Whisky tour. It was noon when we were at the canal. It was nice but not the “wow” as that in snowy wintery night photos. The best part of the walk was Sakaimachi Street. It is touristy but fun. You really want to spend time there, not to souvenir hunt, but to leisurely enjoy the local treats and crafts. We love LeTao and Kitaichi Glass. If you were to bring some home, it would be for their merits more so than as souvenirs.
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ひろ44
Niigata, Japan3,212 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
You can walk there from both Otaru Station and Minami-Otaru Station.
This is the busiest street in Otaru, with glass craft stores, sushi restaurants, Rishiri kelp stores, souvenir shops, and more.
There were many school trip students and inbound Chinese tourists here.
There are also many stores that have been converted from old warehouses.
There were signs posted here and there saying that free Wi-Fi was available outdoors, but I was unable to connect at all.
This is the busiest street in Otaru, with glass craft stores, sushi restaurants, Rishiri kelp stores, souvenir shops, and more.
There were many school trip students and inbound Chinese tourists here.
There are also many stores that have been converted from old warehouses.
There were signs posted here and there saying that free Wi-Fi was available outdoors, but I was unable to connect at all.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amirul Afiq
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia46 contributions
Dec 2019 • Business
Donburi Chaiya is muslim friendly restaurant. Here we can get souveniors. Visit steam clock and music box museum. All in one street! Comboooo. And not so far from Otaru Station and along the way to Otaru Canal Cruise.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennyng86
Singapore, Singapore3 contributions
May 2020 • Family
Been here twice during our self drive trip in last nov...shops here sellling special items like classic DIY musicial box... perfect scenery with good japaness food. A MUSt go place in otaru...
Written May 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phi Somchai
Bangkok, Thailand3,719 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
This is most lively area in Otaru. Lots of shops selling souvenirs and sweets. There also different dining outlets and dessert shops here.
You can easily spend half a day here to eat and shop.
You can easily spend half a day here to eat and shop.
Written August 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xin Ru T
Singapore, Singapore1,340 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
There are glass shops and eateries on both sides of the street. I spent more than 3 hours here as I entered almost every shop. I initially enjoyed myself thoroughly, with the detailed glass products as well as the gentle sounds of the wind chimes. However, after some time, the glass products seemed to become repetitive. Moreover, the glass products were too expensive for me. Nonetheless, it was interesting to look at the whimsical glass products.
My suggested path for a walking day tour around Otaru is as follows. JR Otaru Station > Otaru Canal > Asakusa Bridge and Tourist Information Centre > Otaru Denuki-koji (food plaza) > Otaru Canal Terminal > Sakaimachidori Shopping Street (glass shops and eateries) > Marchen Crossroads (music box shops) > Sushiyadori Street (sushi eateries) > Former Temiya Railway (old railway track) > JR Otaru Station
My suggested path for a walking day tour around Otaru is as follows. JR Otaru Station > Otaru Canal > Asakusa Bridge and Tourist Information Centre > Otaru Denuki-koji (food plaza) > Otaru Canal Terminal > Sakaimachidori Shopping Street (glass shops and eateries) > Marchen Crossroads (music box shops) > Sushiyadori Street (sushi eateries) > Former Temiya Railway (old railway track) > JR Otaru Station
Written June 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroltay2018
Singapore, Singapore399 contributions
Sep 2019
This a place you should not missed while in Otaru... Easily able to spend couple of hours browsing the shops and enjoy some good snacks and food..
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We plan to visit in December. What time do the shops close in December?
Written December 5, 2024
We are on a cruise ship in Oct. Is this a port best enjoyed on your own? Do you know of any walking tours we might sign up for or a tour company we could hire for a walking tour?
Written January 23, 2018
Otaru is not a big port town. We took the JR train into the town, and essentially walked it. The Tourist Offices in Japan (there's one at JR Train Stn) are helpful resource, and they have loads of brochures, maps, and other literature that'll be useful to you requirements. The Sakaimachi Street is a fun walkabout, with a variety of shops to attract varied interests, and the F+B outlets to help make for fun/restful pit-stops enroute (must try the ice cream...yummylicious). I cant offer you name(s) of tour company/walking tours...but you can always just google "walking tours Otaru" and i'm sure something'll pop up there to be of some guidance. Incidentally, the sushi/sashimi is absolutely the freshest (daily catch, since Otaru is entry port) & i'd highly recommend the King crab dishes. Where? Sankaku Market. How to get there? using the JR Stn as landmark, as you exit the Stn, its ~100m to your left in the 10 0clock position. If using the Canal as yur reference, then head staright up Chuo-dori for the JR stn, and ~150m before the main door, it'll be on your right.
Written January 23, 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing