Located on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, Otaru is a truly enchanting place to visit no matter the season and here are some of its top sites of interest.
Otaru Canal
The most famous attraction here is the Otaru Canal, just a seven-minute drive from Park Hotel Group‘s Grand Park Otaru hotel. Ideal to explore day or night, this area features a walkway beside the water and warehouses that have been converted into cafes, pubs and museums; you can even get on a boat rides which add to the overall experience.
Sakaimachi Street
Another key site is Sakaimachi Street, easily accessible from some of the best luxury hotels in Asia based in Otaru. This historical street features magnificent Western-style buildings dating to the early 1900s; it’s also a great place for shopping, dining and visiting glass workshops as well as attractions like the Music Box Museum and Museum of Venetian Art.
Otaru Art Base
Encompassing several preserved historical buildings, Otaru Art Base offers captivating insights into art and architecture. Highlights include the Nitori Museum of Art housed in what was once the Otaru branch of the Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, the now Stained-Glass Museum in the Former Takahashi Warehouse and the Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch.
Mount Tengu
Amongst the best things to do in Otaru is to take the ropeway to the summit of Mount Tengu; it’s the perfect spot to catch spellbinding sunsets and night-time panoramas of Ishikari Bay and the city. There are two museums here as well, one on skiing and the other on the Tengu, a mythical creature the mountain is named after.
