Otaru Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

5 Things You Must Know When Traveling to Otaru, Japan!

"How are you? I'm fine." The most unmissable place in Hokkaido is Otaru. As the filming location of "Love Letter", this place has the most niche and quiet beauty in Hokkaido. / The first thing: "About Otaru" Otaru is a seaside town on the west coast of Hokkaido, Japan, This small town is covered with snow, It became popular because of the movie "Love Letter", and has become a must-visit place for many people when they come to Hokkaido. / The second thing: "Main attractions" Otaru is not big, there are not many attractions, and you can finish it in a day trip. 1、Otaru Canal: Famous because of Love Letter, the canal bank has been transformed into various craft shops, The retro brick warehouse is full of literary atmosphere. It is especially recommended to come here at night, and the restaurants and bars along the river are not to be missed. 2、Funaizaka: The slope where the postman rides a bicycle to deliver letters in "Love Letter", standing on a high ground, you can also overlook the beautiful sea in the distance, it is very suitable for taking pictures, the sea view + snow scene at a glance, full of literary sense. 3、Kitichi Dori: The busiest and most prosperous commercial street in Otaru, all kinds of handmade and gourmet dining, can be found here. 4、Fairy Tale Crossroad: The end of Kitichi Dori is Fairy Tale Crossroad, surrounded by Music Box Museum, hello kitty cafe, etc., a must-visit place for taking pictures. 5、Music Box Museum: A European-style retro building with a history of more than 100 years, it has collected more than 3,000 music boxes from all over the world, and it feels like a fairy tale world when you walk in! You can buy all kinds of music boxes here, and you can even customize the music and shape yourself. 6、hello kitty cafe: Just opposite the Music Box Museum, the first floor is a merchandise shop, and the second floor is a cafe. The hello kitty theme style is a place that girls like to check in. 7、Tengu Mountain: The night view of Tengu Mountain, along with the night view of Hakodate and the night view of Sapporo Moiwa Mountain, is known as the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido", and it is also the place where the heroine of "Love Letter" ran wildly in the snow. It is recommended to go in the afternoon, you can see the city view during the day, and you can also see a very dreamy night view at night~ 8、Asari: A seaside fishing village near Otaru, here are the sea, snow, and small villages, very quiet and literary, very suitable for taking pictures and checking in. / The third thing: "Recommended travel route" (JR train to Asari Station) Asari—(JR train to Otaru Minami Station)—Fairy Tale Crossroad—(walk)—Music Box Museum—(walk)—hello kitty cafe—(walk)—Kitichi Dori—(walk)—Otaru Canal—(walk)—Funaizaka—(No. 9 bus)—Tengu Mountain / The fourth thing: "Recommended food" 1、Masazushi: Filming location of "Love Letter", a very romantic restaurant 2、Zezaki Fisheries: All kinds of Hokkaido seafood are available 3、LeTAO Main Store: Biscuits and chocolates are very famous! 4、Kitakaro: Fairy Forest Annual Ring Cake / The fifth thing: "Transportation Strategy" The most convenient and fast way from Sapporo to Otaru is to take the JR train, the fare is 750 one way, and the time is about 36 minutes. For city travel, except for going to Asari or Tengu Mountain, you need to take a car, and the rest can be reached on foot.

Romantic Stroll at Otaru Canal

A romantic stroll at Hokkaido, Otaru Canal during our honeymoon in Winter. There’s a small Jingisukan store nearby that is affordable and worth a visit. One set of Lamb Steak costs less than SGD20. Visit if you’re nearby! #japan #hokkaidotravel #hokkaido #otaru #honeymoon

Romantic Otaru

#winter2022 #otaru Otaru is a romantic town that is easily accessible from Sapporo. The Otaru Canal in the port and the surrounding stone warehouses have much to tell of the city’s proud form of long ago, which paved the way to prosperity beyond Sapporo and the cultivation of Hokkaido. There are many historical buildings that still stand around the Otaru Canal from 100 years ago, which provide a nostalgic atmosphere that you can enjoy as you walk around. Here are some of the best places to check out during your visit.

Magical Otaru!

Otaru is a magical place that everything you see is so beautiful and unforgettable! This place are full of things to see and do! You can also explore some of Hokkaido’s finest food and fresh seafood here! Many of the warehouses, factories & mills are still there today, at the famous Otaru Canal! It’s just like a painting, everyone can take perfect picture here! Nowadays, Otaru also famous for it’s music boxes and any kind of Kitaichi glass products! So many picturesque and rich of history buildings are standing here awaiting travellers to take picture with them! I want can go back there once again on 2023 or maybe every year?! #2023travelwish #tripblazers #awesomepic #wintergetaway

The night view is called one of the three night scenes of Hokkaido. It is also a small ski resort every winter. At the beginning of the movie "Love Letter", the place where Watanabe Bozi runs wildly in the snow is the scene taken at this ski resort. The observation deck on the top of the mountain overlooks the entire small raft, and the view of the small raft is unobstructed.

Tengu Mountain First Love Season

Hokkaido, Otaru City, Mogami 2-16-15 (Transportation) Travel Guide: The Otaru Bus Terminal is next to the JR Otaru Station, with a dedicated bus to Tengu Mountain, departing every 15 minutes. Wait for the bus at platform 4 of the Otaru Bus Terminal, and take the No. 9 line to Tengu Mountain. We took a taxi from the aquarium just in time for sunset to the cable car station. The automatic ticket machine can only purchase bus tickets to Tengu Mountain, 220 yen for a one-way trip. At the ticket window, you can buy a set ticket for 1750 yen, which includes the cable car ticket and a one-day Otaru bus pass. Operating Hours: The cable car operates from 9:30 to 21:00. It is recommended to go in the evening, as it gets dark in Otaru around four or five in the afternoon. The moment the lights are turned on, you can capture this unique blue tone.

A fleeting glimpse of the bustle in Otaru, Hokkaido

Otaru, a port city in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, Japan, serves as the outer port of Sapporo, facing the Ishikari Bay. It is located in the western part of Hokkaido, facing the Ishikari Bay, and developed about 100 years ago as the maritime gateway of Hokkaido. It flourished to the utmost, with numerous banks and businesses flocking here to develop, and it was even called the 'Wall Street of the North'. The night in Otaru is so quiet, strolling on the streets, looking for local delicacies. 🌈 Transportation Tips Take a train from JR Sapporo Station to JR Otaru Station or JR Minami-Otaru Station, with a one-way fare of 750 yen, and a travel time of 30 minutes (rapid train) to 45 minutes (local train) 🌈 Otaru Highlights 1⃣️ In the past, the canal was crowded with numerous sampans loading and unloading goods, and the banks were lined with brick and stone warehouses, a scene of bustling activity. Today, these warehouse buildings have been converted into glass craft shops, teahouses, restaurants, and large stores. 2⃣️ In front of Otaru Station, you can take a public bus and then transfer to the Tengu Mountain Ropeway to reach the summit. This boundless world of mountains and sea covered in snow is one of the three major night views of Hokkaido. 3⃣️ Hokkaido Glass Pavilion, the Romantic Pavilion, and Otaru Canal, to be honest, are just average. A group of people from our country squatting on the thickly snow-covered riverbank, holding cameras towards the canal, muttering to themselves not knowing what to shoot 4⃣️ The much-anticipated Triangle Seafood Market closes after evening, and I didn't get to eat there. The popular restaurants concentrated across the canal are the next stop to look forward to. The seafood rice from Zazeki Marine Products, the robatayaki seafood from Tsurukichi. They are all small restaurants, with seating for 10 people, hard to get a seat.

Classic one-day tour route to Tengu Mountain in Otaru, Hokkaido

9AM take the JR from Sapporo to Asari Station There are 'ordinary' and 'express' trains to Otaru, 'ordinary' 750 yen 💴 You must choose the 'ordinary' slow train! Only the slow train will stop at Kanhane and Asari, and you can start taking sea views from Kanhane If you want to see the sea, you must sit 👉 on the seat by the window on the right If you want to sit in a row of seats, you must choose the carriage with fewer people! This way you can take the same style as Spirited Away - Sapporo➡️Asari Station➡️Funamizaka➡️Triangle Market➡️Otaru Canal➡️Otaru Canal Cafeteria➡️Commercial Street➡️Tengu Mountain - 🚉Asari Station🌟🌟🌟🌟 Don't leave the station‼️You can take pictures of the sea and the station sign, walk across the overpass to the opposite station sign, the background is the sea🌊, I personally think it's very photogenic, after taking pictures, you can continue to Otaru by car About 15 minutes a car, don't worry, you can take your time to take pictures, when the car comes, just get on, no need to swipe your card again 🚉Otaru Station It's about a 10-minute walk from the station to Funamizaka 💙Funamizaka The filming location of 'Love Letter', a street leading straight to the sea, it will look very good when the weather is good 💙Triangle Market 💙Otaru Canal A very boring place, with some sense of age 💙Otaru Canal Cafeteria It's a converted warehouse, there's a lot of food inside 💙Commercial Street About 1 kilometer long, not very interested The melon ice cream is delicious😋 Avoid eating at Zeqi Aquatic Products❌❌ They treat Chinese people differently, the boss lady has a very stinky face, but if you can speak Japanese, she is very flattering, a bowl of seafood rice bowl 250+ still have to look at her stinky face, can't share! Suddenly feel like a fool, who is pushing this shop?! - 🚠Tengu Mountain🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 🎫Cable car round trip ticket: 1600 yen 💴 The filming location of 'Love Letter' and 'First Love', very photogenic! Especially like it here, you can overlook the whole city🌆, known as one of the three best night views in Hokkaido Go up around 3 pm, you can take a lot of pictures, there is a lot of snow, you can also watch the sunset! Play until the lights are on, took a night view and left, around six o'clock, don't dare to stay too long, afraid to wait for the cable car for a long time, because there are only two cable cars😂 - ⚠️The bus has operating hours, the interval is long, it's cold at night in winter, it's recommended to take a taxi after the cable car comes down, we two people found two people to share a car down the mountain, the cost is cheaper than taking a bus, the key is that you can leave immediately! Take a 🚕 taxi directly to Otaru Station and return to Sapporo ⚠️The Tengu Mountain cable car will be suspended in bad weather, so it is recommended to check the weather before you go This route is very leisurely, because we both like to take pictures, spend more time taking pictures, but not in a hurry at all, and very photogenic

[|Love Letter from Hokkaido] Summer has come quietly~ Sister Sister wants to recommend a destination that is very suitable for summer - Xiao Yan! The well-known Hokkaido Otaru may be the snowy look of the film "Love Letter" - but in fact the summer is also very beautiful ~ quiet and beautiful like the picture in the animation. [Recommended spots] Otaru Canal, Whistle Hall (wind chimes), Tengu Mountain night view, etc. are very suitable for summer check-ups - There are many summer flowers such as hydrangea and lavender on the roadside, full of summer atmosphere~ [Traffic] Sister recommended to buy a JR Welcome pass, one of the most cost-effective and practical travel vouchers. Attractions in the area of Otaru can be covered

At 5:30, the night bus arrived in Sapporo. When I left my luggage at the station, I bought a ticket and went to Otaru, a 40-minute drive. The time of arrival was too early, and the day was just bright, accompanied by the first wave of people coming from Sapporo to work in Otaru. The advantage is that you can see the sunrise of the Otaru Canal. So quiet. Otaru is very famous, so there are a lot of tourists. In the photos of many people, there are long guns and short guns on the banks of the Otaru Canal. Rarely quiet. The cold wind in the morning, the little snow flutters. The visitors have not yet got up, we have already turned around. The only downside is that it is too cold, it should be the coldest time of the day. The people who got up early and got to work, just opened the day. Outlet Road is a food street, especially like the Lego Street View series. Walked to the visitor center, the temperature was -4.7 degrees, only 8 o'clock. Its too early, the shops havent opened the door, the first to open the door is Xiao Xiaos romantic pavilion.

from dust to pure white Japan, Xiaoyan

The river in that beach had long since disappeared in the long river of time, but the name Xiao Xiao was passed down. Fading away from the once prosperous clothing, Otaru retains the aesthetics of the Japanese tradition, and retains the unique romantic opening of the port city. The beauty of Otaru lies in her bleakness, just like a shy woman, in the snow at night. In it, the beautiful flower buds are opened.

5 Things You Must Know When Traveling to Otaru, Japan!

"How are you? I'm fine." The most unmissable place in Hokkaido is Otaru. As the filming location of "Love Letter", this place has the most niche and quiet beauty in Hokkaido. / The first thing: "About Otaru" Otaru is a seaside town on the west coast of Hokkaido, Japan, This small town is covered with snow, It became popular because of the movie "Love Letter", and has become a must-visit place for many people when they come to Hokkaido. / The second thing: "Main attractions" Otaru is not big, there are not many attractions, and you can finish it in a day trip. 1、Otaru Canal: Famous because of Love Letter, the canal bank has been transformed into various craft shops, The retro brick warehouse is full of literary atmosphere. It is especially recommended to come here at night, and the restaurants and bars along the river are not to be missed. 2、Funaizaka: The slope where the postman rides a bicycle to deliver letters in "Love Letter", standing on a high ground, you can also overlook the beautiful sea in the distance, it is very suitable for taking pictures, the sea view + snow scene at a glance, full of literary sense. 3、Kitichi Dori: The busiest and most prosperous commercial street in Otaru, all kinds of handmade and gourmet dining, can be found here. 4、Fairy Tale Crossroad: The end of Kitichi Dori is Fairy Tale Crossroad, surrounded by Music Box Museum, hello kitty cafe, etc., a must-visit place for taking pictures. 5、Music Box Museum: A European-style retro building with a history of more than 100 years, it has collected more than 3,000 music boxes from all over the world, and it feels like a fairy tale world when you walk in! You can buy all kinds of music boxes here, and you can even customize the music and shape yourself. 6、hello kitty cafe: Just opposite the Music Box Museum, the first floor is a merchandise shop, and the second floor is a cafe. The hello kitty theme style is a place that girls like to check in. 7、Tengu Mountain: The night view of Tengu Mountain, along with the night view of Hakodate and the night view of Sapporo Moiwa Mountain, is known as the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido", and it is also the place where the heroine of "Love Letter" ran wildly in the snow. It is recommended to go in the afternoon, you can see the city view during the day, and you can also see a very dreamy night view at night~ 8、Asari: A seaside fishing village near Otaru, here are the sea, snow, and small villages, very quiet and literary, very suitable for taking pictures and checking in. / The third thing: "Recommended travel route" (JR train to Asari Station) Asari—(JR train to Otaru Minami Station)—Fairy Tale Crossroad—(walk)—Music Box Museum—(walk)—hello kitty cafe—(walk)—Kitichi Dori—(walk)—Otaru Canal—(walk)—Funaizaka—(No. 9 bus)—Tengu Mountain / The fourth thing: "Recommended food" 1、Masazushi: Filming location of "Love Letter", a very romantic restaurant 2、Zezaki Fisheries: All kinds of Hokkaido seafood are available 3、LeTAO Main Store: Biscuits and chocolates are very famous! 4、Kitakaro: Fairy Forest Annual Ring Cake / The fifth thing: "Transportation Strategy" The most convenient and fast way from Sapporo to Otaru is to take the JR train, the fare is 750 one way, and the time is about 36 minutes. For city travel, except for going to Asari or Tengu Mountain, you need to take a car, and the rest can be reached on foot.

Hokkaido 8 days plan during Winter - Part 1

Day 3 - T JR TRAIN to Noboribetsu (7:30am, 8:30am) 2.45 hours - Super Hakuto - We took a taxi to Date Jidaimura Noboribetsu 登別伊達時代村 0900-1600 (Adults - 2900, Child - 1500) from Noboribetsu train station - not much to play here, but a different experience for me - We then checked in hotel, and walk out again to the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) 登別地獄谷, Walk around Noboribetsu Onsen dori Yuzawa Shrine 湯澤神社, 閻魔堂, - We had dinner buffet and onsen back in the hotel. Very nice hotel to recommend indeed Day 4 - After breakfast in the hotel, took a taxi to the train station and headed to Sapporo Station (as early as possible) - in Sapporo station, we look for the luggage locker to put our luggage and then headed to Yoichi Station - Yoichi - short walking distance to the Yoichi Nikka Distrillery - ニッカウヰスキー 北海道工場 余市蒸溜所, Japan, 〒046-0003 Hokkaido, 余市郡余市町黒川町7−６(with FREE sampling) and we had our lunch here. - after lunch, we took JR Train To Otaru Minami Station (the train to otaru is an hour apart, plan your time well to catch the train, always crowded here during winter), Walk along two rows of shops to Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building 小樽オルゴール堂, Marchen Square, Le Tao Main store (cheese tart), 小樽 水天宮, Kitaichi Glass Otaru（北一硝子), Yukijirushi Parlor Otaru Shop 雪印パーラー 小樽店 (ice cream), Otaru Canal 小樽運河 (night view) - JR Train from Otaru Station to Sapporo (every 30 mins)

I loved this place, it has a few floors of all manors of music boxes, if you have a favorite song, chances are they will have a music box just for you. I did, couldn't find the box and the attendants were extremely helpful in finding it for me, I play this music box all of the time, and brings back wonderful memories. The old music boxes in the museum part are a must to take in and see the beautiful workmanship. #GiveThanks

[The longest museum in Japan, the largest museum] The longest-running museum in Japan, the largest museum in Otaru, is about 5 minutes walk from the South Otaru Station. Remember: It is not a small station, and the station is going further. There is a steam clock at the entrance of the museum, which will be called on time. But the most attractive thing is the store's dazzling music box. This is probably the most and most beautiful music box I have ever seen. There are angels, cats, crystal balls, and a music box with a glass shape, and the music is different. I really want to take them all home! Museum Address: 4-4-1 time: 9 in Sumiyoshi, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido

[The quiet town of the sea facing the sea "Asari"] ## JR from Sapporo to Otaru will pass a beautiful sea view, just like Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" Beautiful picture, this is the dynasty. Inward is a county under the city of Otaru, Hokkaido

Standing in the middle of the station, only two stops from JR, JR. Facing the sea, the wind is heavy and snowy. In Hokkaido in the winter, the wind in the direction is particularly piercing. This station is an unmanned station. Since the popularity of the network, there have been a lot of tourists, causing certain security risks, so there are administrators now. Really, as far as the station is concerned, I didnt think there was anything special, but the one-story color cottage that came out of the station liked it. In the heavy snow, it looks as clean as an illustration.

Hokkaido has met all my illusions about winter~ under heavy snow, trams along the coastline, waves on the beach, and a row of colorful Japanese houses. If you are also coming to Hokkaido, don't miss this station that can see the sea.

Hokkaido Otaru Asari Station | The romance at the seaside junction

| The romance at the seaside junction. If you want to take a set of photos at the seaside junction📷 You definitely can't miss Hokkaido Asari Station❗Every minute is like a Japanese anime heroine. Transportation🚇: Sapporo Station-Otaru (divided into ordinary and express trains) ⚠️The ordinary train stops more stations, and the express train stops fewer stations After getting off at Asari Station, 🉑you don't need to leave the station, you can directly check in a few photo spots📸. 1️⃣Platform🚉: Both platforms have a photo atmosphere, you can go to the exit to take a group photo with the station sign with the sea as the background, and the other side can go to the head of the platform to take a group photo when the train passes. 2️⃣The entrance of the exit lounge: The yellow house🏠 is very photogenic 3️⃣Walk out of the exit of the lounge (do not swipe the watermelon card to go out, you can come back to take the car after taking the photo) ➡️Junction: Be careful⚠️ Pay attention to safety when the car comes, and you can take pictures after the barrier is put up ➡️Walk into the road with houses, you can see a large open space, enjoy the sea view, sit and take a few atmospheric photos along the stone🪨 side. ❣️The train timetable is displayed on both platforms, you can reserve time for taking pictures, and you can continue to take the train to Otaru Station after the photo is over～