Otaru, Hokkaido – A stroll through a port town shrouded in retro and romantic charm

#JapanTravelGuide Otaru, Hokkaido – Strolling Through a Port Town Shrouded in Retro and Romantic Charm 📍Basic Information • Location: Otaru, Hokkaido (approx. 40 minutes by train from Sapporo) • Access: Get off at JR Otaru Station and walk to the tourist area. • Recommended Stay: Half a day to a full day ⸻ 🏙️ Highlights • Otaru Canal: A retro canal-side promenade lined with gas lamps. Bustling with tourists during the day, the illuminated streets create a magical atmosphere at night. • Sakaimachi Street: A street lined with glass art, music box museums, and sweets shops. We recommend strolling around and sampling the products. • Otaru Music Box Museum: A popular spot where you can choose your own music box in the antique-inspired museum. • Otaru Glass Workshop: Observe the artisans' skills up close and even try your hand at glass making. Perfect for creating memorable travel memories. ⸻ 🍣 Gourmet • Sushi Street: A hotbed of Otaru sushi, offering a wide variety of fresh ingredients, from high-end establishments to casual eateries. • LeTAO Main Store: A famous sweets brand from Otaru. The rich cheesecake is a must-try. • Seafood Bowl: The seafood bowls served at the market are truly impressive. The "Sankaku Market" in particular is extremely popular with tourists and locals. ⸻ 🚉 Transportation & Tips • Access from Sapporo: Approximately 40 minutes on the JR "Airport" Rapid Line. A day trip is easy. • Walking Tips: The standard route is to walk from Otaru Station to the canal to Sakaimachi Street. • Winter Note: Heavy snowfall can make the roads slippery, so comfortable shoes and warm clothing are essential. ⸻ 🎉 Seasonal Events • Winter: "Otaru Snow Light Path"—The canal and the city are illuminated with candles, creating a magical sight. • Summer: Otaru Ushio Festival—A major event that, along with the fireworks display, livens up the summer in this port town. ⸻ 🌸 Comments from visitors Otaru is a romantic town, and just walking around it feels like you've been transported to a movie set. Walking along the canal and seeing the gas lamps come on at dusk makes it seem like time has stopped... Easily accessible from Sapporo, this is a city you should definitely include in your Hokkaido travel plans. ⸻ 👉 This is a balanced guide to Otaru's sightseeing, gourmet food, seasonal atmosphere, and access.