Charming Otaru is best described as a quaint port city located on the picturesque island of Hokkaido. Otaru sits close to the city of Sapporo, and although it is not well known or well visited by international travelers, it is loved by locals and domestic tourists flock to the region. They have good reason to visit Otaru, and the city is said to have a European ambiance thanks to its romantic canal system which is even more beautiful in the winter months when it is blanketed in snow.

There are a wealth of attractions to visit in Otaru, but one of the reasons that this city is so famous among Japanese tourists is for the amazing local handicrafts on offer. Gorgeous glassworks, ornate music boxes, and delicious sake distilleries are all part of what makes Otaru such a hidden gem. If you do make the trip here, then these are absolutely not to be missed.

The Glassworks:


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In the days of old, Otaru was famous for its glass products that were used in daily life, and in particular for its production of oil lamps. Electricity in Hokkaido was not as widespread as other areas, and so oil lamps were used well into the 19th century and Otaru was at the forefront of making these beautiful glass structures. As this port city was also known for its herring fishing, other glass objects like ‘floating balls’ (similar to modern day buoys) were used. From these two humble objects, glass blowing in Otaru became famous over the years.

Nowadays you will find all kinds of gorgeous glass objects for sale in Otaru, but if you come here then one opportunity not to miss is the chance to blow your own glass. There are glass galleries and working glass blowing workshops dotted all over the city and the craftsmen here, many of whom have been in the business for generations, will teach you how to handle the glass and when and how to blow in order to get the best results. At the end of the workshop, you will have your own piece of authentic Otaru glass, such as a bowl, glass, vase, or coffee cup, to take home as a souvenir.

The Music Boxes:


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Otaru is primarily a port and with that in mind it began to trade in earnest with the United Kingdom and the United States in days gone by. As a result, a variety of Western musical instruments started to be introduced to the city. With the growth of this trade, the manufacturing of music boxes in Otaru became big business, and one that still prevails to this day.

As such, Otaru is considered to be the best place in all of Japan to buy these beautiful little works of art, and as well as purchasing one as a souvenir, you can also visit the wonderful Music Box Museum if you are in town. The museum is one of the largest showcases of music boxes in Japan and is made up of different galleries that will walk you through the history of the music box in Otaru. It will also fill you in on how these amazing objects are crafted in the city and the building itself is also a historical monument having been built in 1912. You can also buy a variety of music boxes in the onsite shop at the museum.


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The Sake Distilleries:

Hokkaido is known for its waters, which are said to be some of the cleanest and purest in Japan, and as such the sake in this part of the country is famous for its aromatic taste. The rice used to make this delicious local rice wine is also meant to be some of the best in the country, so anyone coming to Otaru shouldn’t miss the chance to try some of its most famous beverage.

One of the best ways to learn about the history of sake here is to visit a local brewery such as Tanaka Shuzou which has a long and illustrious history, having been founded all the way back in 1899. The property dates from 1905, and is now known as one of the most significance historical landmarks across the city of Otaru. On a trip to the distillery, you will get to learn how sake is made, from the washing and steaming process, right until the fermentation at the end. As part of a tour you will also be able to see how the sake distillery operates to this day, and this will end in the delicious tasting room where you will get to sample up to ten different blends of sake that are made here. If you want to take your own bottle home as a souvenir, then there is an onsite shop where you can stock up on this amazing local tipple.


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Otaru may not yet be firmly established on the map for foreign tourists to Japan, but if you are travelling to Hokkaido then it is definitely a city that is steeped in local history and culture. Aside from the gorgeous sea port views and the picturesque canals, the chance to see the unique handicrafts of Otaru is reason enough to visit.