Otaru city is a city that had once flourished with a port and railway. It is also one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Hokkaido, even now you can still find the marks of its past glory. The construction of the Otaru Canal which is also the symbol of Otaru was started in the year 1914 and completed 9 years later in the year 1923. The total length of the canal is 1,140 m, the stone-made warehouse along the canal remains unchanged, and it is also reused as a restaurant and other establishments. In the evening, when the gas lamps are turned on, the stone warehouse is lit up changing the entire atmosphere of the surrounding area.
Discover the Charms of Otaru with a Cruise!
You can take this relaxing cruise at the “landfilled canal” which is very rare in Japan and enjoy a scenic view of the Otaru Canal, historic warehouses along the canal, and retro buildings. With a cruising time of 40 minutes, the captain will introduce the North Canal, South Canal, Otaru Port, and also the historic buildings which are the highlights of this sightseeing spot.
There are two types of cruises operated, day cruise before sunset and night cruise after sunset. With the day cruise, you can enjoy the historical buildings and warehouses clearly to feel the prosperity of the Otaru Canal and the retro landscape.
On the other hand, by taking the night cruise, you can enjoy the unique tranquility, with the wonderful gas lights and buildings reflected on the water surface creating a romantic atmosphere. You can also charter a place with a large group of members, but reservations must be made in advance.
Spot information
- Spot name：Otaru Canal Cruise
- Fees：
- Day cruise: adult (Secondary school student and above) 1,500 yen, Kids (Primary school student and below) 500 yen
- Night cruise: adult (Secondary school student and above) 1,800 yen, Kids (Primary school student and below) 500 yen
- Time：9:00-21:00 (Available throughout the year)
- Address：5-4 Minato-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
- Access：Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR "Otaru Station"
Illusionary Otaru Canal Winter Landscape
Since the year 2013, "Otaru Yuki Monogatari" is held in Otaru City annually from November to mid-February of the following year. As one of the events, Otaru Canal is decorated with fantastic blue illumination light to become a "blue canal", with the lighting time being from sunset until 22:30. During the period, the canal cruise is also decorated with blue lights.
Besides this, there is a wine glass tower of about 2,000 wine glasses is displayed at Canal Plaza which is the main venue of the event, as well as a float ball candle tree, "Symbol Tree" which is about 4 meters in height and made from about 150 float ball glasses.
Spot information
- Spot name：Otaru Yuki Monogatari
- Date：November to February of the following year
- Place：Otaru Canal (Asakusa bridge~Chuo Bridge), Canal Plaza (1-20, 2-chome, Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido)
- Access：Approximately 8-10 minutes on foot from JR "Otaru Station"
“Yuki Akari no Michi” - Candle's Light Illuminates the Old City Landscape
It is a winter festival named after the writer from Otaru Yukari, Ito Sei's poem "Yuki Akari no Michi", and Otaru Canal is also one of the main venues of the festival where you can enjoy spectacular scenery with historic buildings and lights. You can also enjoy a sparkling night view with the float ball candle, "Symbol Tree" during the “Otaru Yuki Monogatari” period.
Besides this, about 40 places in the city such as the canal plaza will be the venue of lighting, and the entire city of Otaru will be wrapped in the light of candles. Why not consider visiting and enjoying Otaru night scenery which you can only enjoy during wintertime?
Spot information
- Spot name：Yuki Akari no Michi
- Date：February every year
- Place：Otaru Canal, etc.
- Access：Approximately 8-10 minutes on foot from JR "Otaru Station"
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