“Otaru? You can do that in a day, right?”
If that’s what you were thinking while planning your Hokkaido trip — hold on a second.
In April 2026 I spent two full days in Otaru and visited more than 30 spots, and I still left thinking “that wasn’t enough.” Otaru is a small port town, but it’s packed with things to see, eat, and photograph.
I’m a traveler based in Japan, so this isn’t a rewrite of other guides — it’s what I actually walked, ate, and paid for, written for visitors coming from overseas. Below is a detailed 2-day itinerary, split into food, walking spots, glass workshops, and museums.
- What you’ll get from this guide
- Otaru basics (for overseas visitors)
- Day 1: Sakaimachi Street food walk & glass hunting (great even in the rain)
- 9:00 — Sapporo Station → Otaru Station (~40 min by JR)
- 10:00 — Walk the old Temiya Railway line
- 11:00 — Otaru Masazushi (best sushi of the whole trip)
- 12:30 — Start the Sakaimachi street food walk
- 13:00 — Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura (Otaru’s only sake brewery)
- 14:00 — Otaru, the town of glass
- 15:30 — Otaru Music Box Museum (the biggest I’ve seen)
- 16:00 — Sweets & craft detours
- 17:00 — Miffy Port Town (a must for Miffy fans)
- 18:00 — Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch (free exhibit)
- 19:00 — Naruto (Otaru’s soul food)
- 20:00 — Otaru Canal (cruise was cancelled — rain)
- 21:00 — Otaru Beer Warehouse No. 1
- 22:00 — Cozy Inn Otaru (our hotel)
- Day 2: Museums & standout sweets (sunny-day course)
- 8:00 — Rutao Pathos (morning-only sweets)
- 9:30 — Otaru Museum of Western Art (¥2,400)
- 11:30 — Otaru Masazushi again (two days in a row!)
- 13:00 — Otaru Stained Glass Museum (¥2,400)
- 14:30 — Denuki-koji Fire Tower (redemption!)
- 15:00 — Revisiting the Taisho Glass shops
- 16:00 — Miffy Port Town (again)
- 17:00 — Rokkatei Otaru Canal Store
- 17:30 — Choco cornet at Saint-Germain Otaru
- 18:00 — Back to Sapporo
- Best 5 street foods
- Best 5 walking spots
- Indoor spots for rainy days
- Where to stay in Otaru
- What to pack for an Otaru walk
- Conclusion: Otaru is a town where “two days isn’t enough”
What you’ll get from this guide
- A full 2-day Otaru itinerary (30+ stops)
- Honest food reviews (Masazushi, Naruto fried chicken, Rutao sweets)
- Indoor spots that work even on a rainy day
- How to navigate the glass workshops (Kitaichi vs. Taisho Glass)
- Where to stay, with booking links that work for overseas visitors
- Steps walked in one day: over 50,000
Otaru basics (for overseas visitors)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Getting there | ~40 min by JR train from Sapporo Station (¥750 / approx. US$5) |
| From the airport | New Chitose Airport → Otaru: ~75 min on the Rapid Airport train (direct) |
| Recommended stay | 2 days (street food + glass + museums) |
| Getting around | On foot — the whole Sakaimachi area is walkable |
| Best season | May–October (snow-free months are easiest for walking) |
| Budget guide | ~¥30,000 (approx. US$200) per person for 2 days, incl. meals & souvenirs |
| Payment tip | Carry cash — some smaller shops don’t take cards or IC cards |
Otaru is close enough to Sapporo that many travelers base themselves in Sapporo and visit Otaru as two day trips. If you have a Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass, the train ride is covered.
Day 1: Sakaimachi Street food walk & glass hunting (great even in the rain)
The day I visited, it rained the whole time — but Sakaimachi Street is full of indoor spots you can duck into, so I was never bored.
9:00 — Sapporo Station → Otaru Station (~40 min by JR)
Take the JR Rapid Airport train straight to Otaru. If you have a Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass, it’s free.
10:00 — Walk the old Temiya Railway line
A rare walking spot where you can stroll along a disused railway track. Standing on the rails for a photo looks almost unreal — a favorite of photographers.
Studio Ghibli vibes. Walking on the tracks is just fun.
11:00 — Otaru Masazushi (best sushi of the whole trip)
This is the one place I most want you to try.
We arrived right at the 11:00 opening and were shown to a private table. We splurged on the “Masazushi Set” and the “Takumi” course:
- Ikura (salmon roe): sweet, melts in your mouth
- Uni (sea urchin): zero bitterness, milky sweetness
- Shellfish: wonderfully crisp texture
- Ika somen (sliced squid): almost transparent, beautiful
- Rock-seaweed miso soup: rich with the smell of the sea
It came to ¥14,575 for two (approx. US$95) — not cheap, but so good that we came back the next day.
Tip: For lunch, arrive right at opening to beat the queue.
Reservations are handled through Japanese-language services, so if you don’t read Japanese, going early and walking in is the easiest option.
12:30 — Start the Sakaimachi street food walk
Sakaimachi Street is Otaru’s main drag — about 1 km lined with sweets shops, glass stores, and craft boutiques.
Street snacks (afternoon)
| Shop | Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otaru Niikuraya | Matcha-bean dango | ¥150 | Zunda-style, wonderfully chewy |
| Otaru Ishikura Baum | Brûlée custard baumkuchen | ¥350 | Chilled brûlée, crisp crackle |
| Deni-Rutao | Fromage danish | ¥400 | Rich, cheesy |
| Kamaei factory shop | Fish-cake “pan roll” | ¥269 | Crisp outside, springy inside |
Tip: The trick to a food walk is to buy small and share. Fill up at one shop and you’ll regret it later.
13:00 — Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura (Otaru’s only sake brewery)
Free entry, with a look at the brewing process and a tasting of four sakes. The freshly pressed sake that day had a rare, slightly fizzy, juice-like character. I wanted to buy a bottle as a souvenir, but with a long trip still ahead I had to pass.
14:00 — Otaru, the town of glass
Glasswork is what Otaru is famous for. Two big names to visit:
Kitaichi Glass (5+ locations)
- Crystal Hall: hand-made wind chimes, each with a slightly different tone
- Hall No. 3: huge; the Otaru Kiriko cut glass (¥20,000–30,000) is stunning
- Also known for the “non-drip soy sauce pourer”
Taisho Glass (also multiple shops)
- Creators Market Sou: adorable mini bonsai made of beads
- Main store: more pop, playful designs than Kitaichi
- Tombodama Hall: you can try making your own glass beads
Comparison: Kitaichi is traditional and upscale; Taisho Glass is casual and pop. Pick by your taste.
15:30 — Otaru Music Box Museum (the biggest I’ve seen)
Free entry, and the largest music-box museum I’ve ever visited. The newest music boxes even have digital panels. I wanted a teddy-bear music box but talked myself out of it (a classic travel dilemma).
Nearby, the Music Box Hall No. 2 Antique Museum is also worth a look — high design pieces like a wooden table with carved bear legs.
16:00 — Sweets & craft detours
| Shop | Why stop |
|---|---|
| Kitakaro Otaru | Famous for cream puffs |
| Ryugetsu Otarute | The baumkuchen bench is a great photo spot |
| San BONSAI | A dried-bonsai specialist (only 2 in Japan) |
| Fine Craft | Cute wooden goods |
| Denuki-koji Fire Tower | View the canal from up high |
The Ryugetsu baumkuchen bench is a must-photograph spot.
17:00 — Miffy Port Town (a must for Miffy fans)
A Miffy shop in Otaru — with what felt like the largest selection I’ve ever seen. There’s a second floor too; I picked up a cute shop bag and handkerchief. Unmissable if you collect Miffy goods.
18:00 — Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch (free exhibit)
A grand stone former bank building turned exhibition space:
- How anti-counterfeiting features on banknotes work
- The history of money and banking
- A “lift 100 million yen” (10 kg) experience
A fun, free way to physically feel “the weight of money” — good for adults and kids alike.
19:00 — Naruto (Otaru’s soul food)
The classic Otaru pairing is “Masazushi for lunch, Naruto for dinner.”
The half-chicken deep fry (¥2,440) has crackling skin and juicy meat, served piping hot. My partner ordered the zangi-don (fried chicken bowl) and loved it too.
A local institution beloved by residents and tourists. Lots of seats, so it turns over quickly — but it gets busy in the evening, so come early.
20:00 — Otaru Canal (cruise was cancelled — rain)
The canal cruise was cancelled due to rain, so we walked it instead. With few lights, it didn’t match the dreamy photos I’d seen. Next time I want to visit during the Snow Light Path Festival (February).
21:00 — Otaru Beer Warehouse No. 1
We ended the day with local craft beer and sausages:
- Three-sausage platter
- Seasonal “Helles” beer
A relaxed space (I got sleepy), capped by a look at the brewery from the second floor. ¥2,370 well spent.
22:00 — Cozy Inn Otaru (our hotel)
¥7,358 per night (approx. US$50, plus lodging tax).
- Room was spacious and clean
- The entryway design made taking shoes on and off a little awkward
Overall a satisfying stay, within walking distance of Otaru Station.
🏨 Book your stay in Otaru: Find & compare Otaru hotels on Agoda →
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Day 2: Museums & standout sweets (sunny-day course)
Day 2 was clear! I redid the spots I’d given up on in the rain and switched to a museum-focused route.
8:00 — Rutao Pathos (morning-only sweets)
The single best sweet of the whole trip.
I came first thing to catch the morning-only Dolce Mille-feuille (¥3,720):
- Warm, just made
- An unbeatable crisp, flaky exterior
- My partner’s Double Fromage cheesecake was rich yet light
Rutao’s flagship is here in Otaru. Aim for the freshly made morning batch — seriously worth it.
9:30 — Otaru Museum of Western Art (¥2,400)
Mostly early-1900s Western crafts and furniture. The Rococo-style room is gorgeous. If you love antiques, don’t miss it.
11:30 — Otaru Masazushi again (two days in a row!)
It was so good we went back.
This time we ordered the premium seafood bowl, seafood chirashi, and a beer (¥8,360). Occasionally a hit of real wasabi stings the nose — the real deal. So filling I wasn’t hungry again until night.
Even two days running, it doesn’t get old. That’s Masazushi.
13:00 — Otaru Stained Glass Museum (¥2,400)
Each workshop’s stained glass has a different character. The delicate designs and clear explanations of the motifs make it enjoyable even for first-timers. Pair it with the Western Art Museum for a half-day of museums.
14:30 — Denuki-koji Fire Tower (redemption!)
Underwhelming in the rain the day before, but on a clear day you get a sweeping view of the Otaru Canal from above. Free to climb — a must on a sunny day.
15:00 — Revisiting the Taisho Glass shops
On a sunny day the glass simply sparkled differently.
| Shop | Character |
|---|---|
| Taisho Glass Utsuwaya | Cute Kutani-ware × glass combos |
| Taisho Glass Hokkoriya | Miniature glasswork everywhere |
| Taisho Glass Shukigura | A wide range of wine glasses |
| Glass Gallery | Lovely wind chimes |
16:00 — Miffy Port Town (again)
I’d missed the second floor the day before, so I went back for the shop bag and handkerchief. Confirmed: Miffy fans can’t finish this place in one day.
17:00 — Rokkatei Otaru Canal Store
We picked up:
- Yukikon Cheese
- Marusei Ice Sandwich
(¥620). I preferred the ice sandwich — like the richness of the famous Marusei butter sandwich sealed into an ice cream.
17:30 — Choco cornet at Saint-Germain Otaru
Found the choco cornet (¥216) I’d been after — saved for the next morning’s breakfast.
18:00 — Back to Sapporo
Steps that day: over 50,000. My partner complained that “the soles of my feet hurt everywhere!” That’s how much of a walking town Otaru is.
Best 5 street foods
Ranked by how satisfying they actually were:
#1 Otaru Masazushi
- Genre: Sushi
- Price: lunch from ¥6,000
- Good enough to visit two days in a row
- Freshness, skill, and atmosphere — all perfect
#2 Rutao Pathos (morning only)
- Genre: Sweets
- Price: from ¥1,500
- Morning-only Dolce Mille-feuille, warm and fresh
- Aim to be first in line
#3 Naruto
- Genre: Chicken
- Price: from ¥1,500
- Otaru’s soul-food half-chicken fry
- Best served piping hot
#4 Otaru Beer Brewery
- Genre: Beer & sausage
- Price: from ¥2,000
- Crisp, refreshing Helles beer
- Brewery tour included
#5 Rokkatei Otaru Canal Store
- Genre: Sweets
- Price: from ¥500
- Great-value Marusei Ice Sandwich
- Makes a good souvenir
Best 5 walking spots
#1 Sakaimachi Street
The whole main street is the attraction — just walking it is fun.
#2 Old Temiya Railway line
A rare path where you walk along disused rails. Very photogenic.
#3 Denuki-koji Fire Tower
A free viewpoint over the Otaru Canal.
#4 Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch
A free exhibit with the “lift 100 million yen” experience.
#5 Otaru Canal
Otaru’s icon. Aim for the cruise or the winter light-up.
Indoor spots for rainy days
On a rainy day, build the route around indoor spots:
| Spot | Admission | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Otaru Music Box Museum | Free | 1 hr |
| Kitaichi Glass Hall No. 3 | Free | 30 min |
| Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch | Free | 1 hr |
| Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkogura | Free | 30 min |
| Museum of Western Art | ¥2,400 | 1.5 hr |
| Stained Glass Museum | ¥2,400 | 1 hr |
| Miffy Port Town | Free | 30 min |
| Otaru Beer Brewery | Food/drink only | 1 hr |
Total: about 7 hours indoors, even in the rain.
Where to stay in Otaru
Stay in Sapporo or in Otaru?
| Stay in Sapporo | Stay in Otaru |
|---|---|
| More hotel choices | Quiet, calm atmosphere |
| Wide price range | Sightsee from early morning |
| Two easy day trips | Enjoy the canal at dawn & dusk |
Bottom line: If you want the winter light-up or the canal at dawn, stay in Otaru. If value matters most, base in Sapporo and do two day trips.
Where I stayed: Cozy Inn Otaru
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Per night | ¥7,358 + lodging tax (approx. US$50) |
| Location | Walking distance from Otaru Station |
| Room | Spacious and clean |
| Note | Unusual entryway design |
| Rating | ★★★★☆ |
🏨 Book your stay: Find Otaru hotels on Agoda → · Find Sapporo hotels on Agoda →
What to pack for an Otaru walk
Assuming you’ll walk 50,000 steps, these are worth bringing:
- Comfortable walking shoes (no heels)
- A folding umbrella (sea winds make Otaru rain intense)
- An insulated bag (for carrying sweets home)
- A power bank (you’ll take a lot of photos)
- A reusable bag (souvenirs pile up)
- Cash (some shops don’t accept cards)
Conclusion: Otaru is a town where “two days isn’t enough”
In two days I covered 30+ spots and over 50,000 steps — and I still have a list left:
- The Otaru Canal light-up
- The Snow Light Path Festival (February)
- The morning canal cruise
Otaru rewards repeat visits. Whether it’s a day trip from Sapporo or a slow overnight stay, go at your own pace.
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