Sakaimachi Street, located in central Otaru, is just a short walk from the scenic Otaru Canal area. Once a thriving port city, Otaru’s center is lined with impressive Western-style buildings originally constructed by trading and shipping companies for offices and shops. Today, many of these historic buildings have been transformed into restaurants, cafes, boutiques, souvenir shops, and museums.

Visitors can explore several notable museums, including the Kitaichi Glass Museum, Nitori Otaru Art Base, and more. Otaru is also famous for its glass workshops, where you can try your hand at creating authentic Otaru glass.

Don’t miss Otaru Denuki, a narrow street featuring around 20 small shops housed in historic buildings, perfect for a leisurely stroll and unique finds.

Take the Otaru Mt. Tengu Ropeway to the summit of Mt. Tengu, a 532m peak located south of Otaru city center. From the top, enjoy panoramic views of Ishikari Bay and the Shakotan Peninsula. The night scenery of Otaru is especially stunning from this vantage point.

At the summit, you’ll find the Tengu Museum, showcasing artifacts related to the mythical Tengu creature for which the mountain is named, as well as a ski museum, restaurants, and other attractions.

Otaru Aquarium is one of Hokkaido’s premier large-scale aquariums, home to 5,000 fish across 250 species from both cold and warm waters. In winter, you might even see penguins taking a stroll in the snow.

The aquarium offers a variety of attractions, including a lively dolphin show, feeding time for earless seals, and the pelican walk inside the facility, making it a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.