Enjoy Romantic Hokkaido Winter in Otaru

Otaru has a low temperature during the winter, but yet the city is still alive and runs normally in the cold winter weather. Regardless of that, there are a number of activities that can be enjoyed even in such environment. Not to forget, Otaru have one of the best cheesecakes Hokkaido ever has.

What To Do In Otaru During Winter

Otaru during winter is cold. With average at 0°C or lower, covered with thick snow, one might think what else can be done in such a cold weather anyway. But equip yourself with winter wear and proper shoes to avoid your body to fall in health and literally fall down due to slippery road, winter is one of the best times to see they beauty of Otaru. People of Otaru are used to the climate, and business runs as per normal regardless of the low temperature.

Here are some tips on what you can do if you drop by Otaru:

Visit Otaru Canal

One of the famous landmarks of Otaru. Otaru Canal used to be one of the city’s busiest ports. But it grew obsolete in the latter half of the 20th century. The canal was beautifully restored, and now became a pleasant place for visitors to stroll around, with former warehouses now transformed into tourist attractions, such as museums, shops and restaurants.

  • Spot Name: Otaru Canal
  • Street address: 5 Minatomachi, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0007, 
  • Access: 10minute walk from JR Otaru Station

Buying Souvenirs at Sakaimachi Dori (Sakaimachi Street)

Walk just a little further from Otaru Canal, about 100 meters south of the right end of the canal, you can reach Sakaimachi Dori. In the past, this place is the place where merchants, shipping and trading companies, they build up their offices and do their business here. Now, these western style building is preserved, and converted into cafes, museums, souvenir shops and many more.

  • Spot Name: Sakaimachi
  • Street address: Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0027
  • Access: 12minutes walk from JR Otaru Station
  • Access: 8minutes walk from Minami-Otaru Station

Snowman Hunting

Sometimes, some of the shops in the area like to be creative and have fun with the thick snow during the winter, in hoping to lure in more potential customers. They build a snowman. But sometimes, they build a “snowcat”. Yes. A Snow-“Cat”. They build it to resemble the “Maneki-Neko” (inviting cat). And they are definitely cute. Meanwhile some might do different ideas of snow sculptures, but they are still interesting. So go catch them all!

Explore Museums And Exhibitions

In the surrounding area of Sakaimachi and Otaru Canal, there are a number of museums. If you love to view exhibitions, these museums are just walking distance from the said area, and also near to each other. Some of which, allows you a chance to make your own glassware by yourself. Here are some of the museums that you can go to:

  • Spot Name: Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building
  • Street address: 4-1 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0015
  • Access: 5 minutes walk from Minami-Otaru Station
  • Spot Name: Kitaichi Glass Otaru
  • Street address: 6-14-6 Sakaimachi, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0027
  • Access: 7minutes walk from Minami-Otaru Station
  • Spot Name: The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum
  • Street address: 1-1-11-16 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaid 047-0031
  • Access: 9minutes walk from Otaru Station

Stuff Your Face with Hokkaido’s Cheesecake

Tired of exploring? Then have a break in one of Hokkaido’s especially delicious cheesecake. Otaru have one famous confectionary shop, and the name is LeTAO. LeTaO have few branch in Otaru itself, and some branches in Sapporo and Chitose. Do drop by and have a taste of Otaru’s specialty confectionaries.

  • Spot Name: LeTAO Main Store
  • Street address: 7-16 Sakaimachi, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0027
  • Access: 6minutes walk from Minami-Otaru Station

Otaru’s Winter Festival: Otaru Yukiakari no Michi (Otaru Snow Light Path Festival)

If Sapporo has Sapporo Winter Festival, Otaru has Otaru Snow Ligh Path Festival. The Snow Light Path Festival is basically an illumination and lighting decorating the city at night, from 5pm to 9pm, with some small snow statue and sculpture for about 10 days, usually around the same time as Sapporo Winter Festival. Due to this time arrangement you can enjoy both winter festival in Otaru and Sapporo without missing either one.

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is separated into 2 areas:

Unga Kaijo

Unga Kaijo is the path area just beside and parallel to the Otaru Canal. This is basically the more famous than Temiyasen Kaijo due to the fact that is sits at the same spot as Otaru’s famous landmark, the Otaru Canal.

  • Street address: 1-2 Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0031
  • Access: 8minutes walk from JR Otaru Station

Temiyasen (Temiya Line) Kaijo

Temiyasen Kaijo is the path area in between the Otaru Canal and Otaru Station, also parallel to the the Otaru Canal. Eventhough Unga Kaijo is more famous, but that doesn’t mean that this area is pale in comparison. This place is also beautifully lined with lantern and snow statues, as well as some food stands.

  • Street address: 1-7-1 Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido 047-0031
  • Access: 7minutes walk from JR Otaru Station

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