Otaru: Where to Eat, What to Do and Where to Stay

Otaru works as a day trip from Sapporo: the JR Rapid Airport train takes from 32 minutes. The canal, Sakaimachi-dori, the Music Box Museum, Kitaichi Glass and the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum sit in one area, with the canal about 8 minutes on foot from JR Otaru Station.

Meals fall into three areas: around JR Otaru Station, along Sushi-ya-dori uphill from the canal, and along the canal and Sakaimachi-dori. Most kitchens stop early; the restaurants at Sankaku Market run 7:00 to 17:00. For a stay there are four places to choose from: beside JR Otaru Station, on the canal, at Otaru-Chikko, or in Asarigawa Onsen, about 20 minutes from the station by car.