Otaru Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Stroll along the historic Otaru Canal, one of Hokkaido's most iconic and photogenic spots. Lined with old stone warehouses and antique gas lamps, the canal is especially beautiful at dusk. Your guide shares the area's history as a former herring-fishing and trading hub.

Wander down Sakaimachi Street, Otaru's most charming historic shopping street. Beautifully preserved stone and wooden merchant buildings now house glassware shops, music box stores, sweets makers and cafes. A great place to browse, sample local treats and soak up the retro atmosphere.

Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum, housed in a beautiful Meiji-era brick building. Inside are thousands of music boxes of every kind, from antique to handmade. Out front stands the famous steam clock that chimes and puffs steam every quarter hour - a favorite photo spot.

Step into Kitaichi Glass, a beloved Otaru institution famous for its delicate handmade glassware and warm oil-lamp-lit hall. Browse beautifully crafted cups, vases and ornaments, and watch artisans at work. A perfect spot to find a special Hokkaido souvenir.

Ride the ropeway up Mount Tengu for one of the best panoramic views in Hokkaido. From the observation deck you can see all of Otaru city, the harbor and the deep blue Sea of Japan spread out below. A wonderful spot for photos, especially on a clear day.

Otaru is famous for incredibly fresh seafood. At the lively Sankaku Market and nearby sushi restaurants, savor melt-in-your-mouth sushi and seafood rice bowls (kaisendon) piled with sea urchin, salmon roe, crab and scallops. Your guide helps you order the local specialties.

Walk along the Former Temiya Line, the preserved tracks of Hokkaido's first railway. This atmospheric, photogenic spot runs through central Otaru and tells the story of the area's role in Hokkaido's development. A relaxed, scenic stroll between the canal and Sakaimachi.