Joanna James
Exploring Sapporo in Japan has many thrills. One is the fact that Otaru is its neighbour and an equally thrilling place to discover. The vintage financial district with well-preserved buildings and a collection of museums, plus, hot springs make Otaru a top spot to visit from Sapporo.
The largest city in Hokkaido, Sapporo is a popular tourist spot. It's the ideal base for exploring Japan's coldest island. Sapporo is loved for its attractions; skiing, snow festivals, and of course, beer! Otaru, a beautiful port city, is easily accessible via express train from Sapporo. And you certainly should plan to spend some time exploring the area popular for sake distilleries, glasswork, and the vintage canals, which are now lined with cafes. Otaru accommodation too is easy to find with places like Grand Park Otaru offering central and comfortable accommodation in Otaru.
An iconic attraction in Otaru, the canal tours are the best for enjoying a first-hand view of the port city's charm. The canal cruise is ideal for a leisurely float along the water. The tours last around 40 minutes and can be boarded at Chuo Bridge. Or you can choose to wander along the footpath running the length of the canal. Along the sides of the canal, old warehouses have been converted to house cafes, museums, pubs, and clubs where you can go for an evening's entertainment complete with live music.
Once, a former financial district, Nichigin-dori is a well-preserved neighbourhood in Otaru. It was at one time called the 'Wall Street of the north'. And the old buildings are testament to what they once were; banks and important financial institutes. The vintage architecture is fascinating, and you will want to snap up some pretty photos. So, do take along the cameras.
Head over to the Tanaka Sake Brewing Company and enjoy a glimpse of the entire process. The Tanaka company was established in 1899 and to date is the only brewery in Otaru. The sake is produced with rice grown by Hokkaido farmers while the water is melted snow from Mount Tengu. As you can guess, the taste is pretty fresh. Making maximum use of the extremely cold climate of Hokkaido, the Tanaka brewery engages in an all-year-round brewing process known as shiki jozo. Hence, you can visit the factory at any time for that lovely toasty tour of the factory's interior. Oh, and there's a sampling station for tasting various brews of sake.
Otaru is very popular for its seafood. And you must visit the Otaru Sankaku Ichiba; which translates to triangle market. This market, which is set up in 1957, is located close to the Otaru station and is a lovely busy precinct for a taste of local culture. There you can shop for a variety of seafood. Otaru is famous for salmon, mackerel, scallop, sea crab, and herring. Also sold at the market are local fruits and vegetables.
Enjoy your time in Otaru!
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