Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Things to Do in Otaru
Popular things to do
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Otaru.
Top Attractions in Otaru
What travellers are saying
- Thiha SSingapore, Singapore176 contributionsThe canal is normal but the history is rich. Worth to visit the place and walk along the canal.
Recommend to take the canal cruise which will explain the history of the canal and other interesting fun facts.Written 8 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - EricJakarta, Indonesia433 contributionsOtaru Aquarium is small and bit outdated but has interesting attractions like pinguin parade, unique local fish, kids can touch octopus, walrus show and much more. Make sure to check the show timetable before you come!
Notes:
- During rainy day the walk to aquarium can be challenging because you need to climb lot of steps from the bus station to the aquarium
- People with disability will have a problem to walk thru mainy stairs. Please check with staff for better solution.
- Its pretty convenient to use public bus from the otaru main station to the aquarium
- If you come earlier and have a good weather you can explore surrounding area near the aquarium. There’s a replica of old fisherman village. The surrounding view is very nice!Written 28 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - David NBoston, MA175 contributionsQuick and frequent direct buses to and from Otaru station can take you to this really gorgeous view - be sure to view it by day and by night. Options for ziplining and hot air ballooning as well. Cool Tengu shrine and display (if you're into Tengu)...kind of lame ski museum and overpriced restaurant. Still, a must-see in Otaru on a clear day/night.Written 3 June 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kent PBatavia, OH100 contributionsThis museum is only about trains. The museum was just ok, very little English info. I did really enjoy the train cars on display outside. Especially the snow plow trains. It's worth a visit.Written 30 October 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dynamic14Singapore, Singapore9,837 contributionsWe arrived in Otaru by train and thus the JR Otaru station was our first stop. Not as huge as other JR stations, this station has the essential facilities and is clean.
We stayed at the Dormy Inn Premium, just a short distance away, making it convenient for us to move around.Written 10 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sheri O2 contributionsA fascinating tour of the Herring Mansion. Our tour group was also served a Kaiseki dinner at this site, which included multiple small dishes of beautifully presented seafood and vegetables.Written 7 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- 619noyb619Dunedin, New Zealand17 contributionsI read up on this before taking the ferry and was worried for various reasons... un-necessarily. People seem to have previously whinged that the food sucks. Wrong. Its much better than you standard University Cafeteria in Japan (although this is the first time I've had less-than-fresh sashimi in this country). There are also complaints that everything is in Japanese and if you only speak English you''re in trouble. ALso wrong. The info desk staff speak great English, and if you're travelling in Japan you should have already worked out the 'picture' feature of google translate. If you haven't... you should stick to travel in English speaking countries. That feature allows you to read the various signs that aren't in English - but most of them are already in English as well. My other advice is: make sure you go and soak in the outside bathouse tub. Awesome ;)Written 13 July 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tomizuta1953Funabashi, Japan1,189 contributionsNumerous banks opened branches in Otaru during its heydays, so much so that the area was called the Wall Street of the north. Most of the buildings have been retained. We went to the former Otaru Branch of the Bank of Japan. The architect of the grand building opened in 1912 was Kingo Tatsuno famous for his work of Tokyo Station. The branch was open until 2002 after which it became a financial museum open to the public. Unfortunately the museum was closed on Wednesdays.Written 8 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- M. San68 contributionsIt snowed so it was beautiful and not many tourists around so you can't see footsteps on the snow. You can have the whole place to yourself. Just need to spend 10 minutes to take in the whole scene.Written 30 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- iamwenzongSingapore, Singapore473 contributionsWe bought quite a bit of dried seafood to use for soups here. We tried the fruits here as well and they were absolutely amazing.
Please try!!Written 15 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - WaiMingLokeHong Kong, China356 contributionsMid way from Sapporo to Otaru, Haruka is a beautiful horse riding trail. As we enter the compound, we were greeted by two friendly dogs (yes, I am afraid of dogs, but they were so friendly)
The staff will provide extra warm clothing or the right riding shoes and helmets etc. Very professional. Thus you can come in any attire and no worries.
Importantly, the horse are well fed and healthy.
The trails in winter snow was amazing. 90 minutes (costs approx US$100). We passed a stream twice and also reached the mountain peak with a fabulous view of Sapporo and the ocean. Truly breathtaking.
There are 8 horses in the ranch
Truly an amazing experience which must be shared.Written 19 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - iamwenzongSingapore, Singapore473 contributionsWe stopped our car for a while here and the view was nice. It was however freezing cold during winter time so do wrap yourself up properly.Written 15 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- M. San68 contributionsIt was covered with snow. The night view was beautiful with snow on the background. Looked like in another world.Written 30 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Damien S6 contributionsNice and interesting, I would imagine swiss, where most of the big antiques actually came from, to be even betterWritten 20 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- margaret lElizabeth, Australia329 contributionsvery easy to get to from the port area, just a short walk. Interesting to look around and as mentioned there was a phone app that you could use to do the tour and get information. very friendly staff, free sake was available for tasting and the ones we tasted were very nice. did buy some sake to take home but did not feel obliged to buy anything. there were also samples of tasty little treats.Written 28 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Otaru
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Otaru Attractions Information
| Attractions | 318 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 12,379 |
| Attraction Photos | 18,579 |
| Local Time | Monday 2:56 PM |