When you visit to Otaru City, maybe, you are supposed to visit to the Otaru Canal(小樽運河) and some sights around there such as Kitaichi Glass(北一硝子) or LeTAO, aren’t you? It is just 10 minutes walking from Otaru station to the Otaru Canal. Getting off the train, go ahead behind the station to the cross of the widest-road. It’s the Otaru Canal. Then turning right and walking more 2 blocks, you will find the information center house on the Canal Bridge.
I’m going to show how to walk and where to go around there. First of all, there is some distance from the Otaru Canal to Kitaichi Glass area, so if you come to the canal area at the beginning of your tour, it is good for you to see the range of Otaru Canal warehouses. There are some restaurants such as Sushi and Marine foods.
Just right side of the canal, Kantaro is there. This Sushi restaurant is called as ‘Kaiten-Zushi’ styled sushi bar. You can pick up a sushi on a small dish that is circled on the belt through the all restaurant. Kantaro(函太郎) is a famous sushi restaurant originated in Hakodate. You enjoy Sushi at a reasonable price, of course they offer fresh and delicious one. I recommend Kantaro definitely if you like sushi.
The other side over the road, there is Otaru Unga Shokudo(小樽運河食堂). This is a restaurant mall like a shopping center. You can chose your favorite one from a lot of foods menu.
After lunch, you can stick around there to see some souvenir. but, if you don’t have enough time, you should go to Kitaichi Glass area. It takes about 5-10 minutes from here. Many restaurants, craft shop for souvenir such as glass or chop-sticks, of course Kitaichi glass, chocolates of LeTAO, music boxes of Otaru Orgel and so on. Just walking to look around, you will find something specials for you.
Kamaei(かま栄) is one of the famous foods company in Otaru. They are dealing with ‘kamaboko’, paste products mixed with fish or other marine products and vegetables, are deep fried. Free 1 hour parking for customer getting some kamaboko, there are some seats available to eat in the shop.
Many souvenir shops are there. If weather is fine, take your time to walk around for shopping.
Also Jinrikisha(人力車) drivers are there, not only around the Otaru Canal. They show you how Otaru looks like pulling jinrikisha. Two sheets are available on a car, which usually takes about 30-40minutes and your option will be acceptable. Ask them.
Kitaichi Glass has 6 shops in this area and LeTAO, chocolate shop has also 6 shops, too. Each shops are dealing their original items, so you can enjoy to see all of them.
Go LeTAO, if you like Chocolate!
Take a break at Kahisa-kan coffee shop(可否茶館). A nice and famous coffee shop from Sapporo.
A small side lane with a open cafe left side.
A famous shop for music boxes, Otaru Orugoru-Do(小樽オルゴール堂). Maybe, it takes between 1 and 2 hours. It depends on your dropping sites. This is not all of Otaru sight-seeing. It is just taking a look for short hours.
Access
JR train from Sapporo
- Take a Hakodate line via Otaru to Minami-Otaru station(28min) and walk 10min.
Bus from Sapporo
- Take a Bus via Otaru to Otaru station(55min) and walk 20 min.
By Car
- Take a high way to Otaru exit(25min) and 10min to Kitaichi Glass parking
