[2025 Otaru Attraction] Travel Guide for Otaru Canal Boat LLC (Updated Mar)

When traveling to Hokkaido, the first choice for most travelers is undoubtedly Sapporo, the largest city in Hokkaido. Besides experiencing the bustling city of Sapporo, we highly recommend taking a day trip to nearby cities. Today, we introduce you to Otaru, a beautiful port city known for its canal and rich historical ambiance. Although Otaru is not far from Sapporo, the two cities have entirely different atmospheres. The landmark of Otaru is definitely the Canal! The Otaru Canal was excavated in 1914. Due to the prosperous port trade at the time, the government hoped to use the canal to transfer goods from large ships to small boats, which would then transport the goods along the canal to warehouses. The canal was completed in 1923 and became an important transportation facility for loading and unloading goods in Otaru. This led to the construction of numerous warehouses and factories along the canal, with a total of 88 warehouses at its peak. As Otaru's trade volume gradually decreased after World War II, the canal fell into disuse. It suffered from blockages and lack of maintenance, leading to siltation and foul odors. The government once proposed to fill in the canal, but this met with public opposition. After negotiations, a partial filling plan was implemented. The preserved section of the canal has now transformed into a famous tourist attraction in Otaru, with the surrounding warehouses converted into restaurants and shops. The Otaru Canal offers different aesthetics in each season. From late spring to summer, it has a refreshing green vibe; in autumn, the leaves on the warehouse walls turn red, creating a melancholic scene; in winter, the riverbanks and warehouses are covered in snow, creating a romantic atmosphere. Regardless of the season, the canal and warehouses are illuminated with orange lights at night, enhancing Otaru's romantic charm. Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk along the canal's pathways. Exploring the Taisho-era buildings and European-style architecture around the canal is also a unique experience. If time permits, you can join the Otaru Canal Cruise, which lasts about 40 minutes. On the cruise, you can listen to the crew narrate the history of the Otaru Canal and its surrounding buildings, offering a deeper exploration of the enchanting Otaru.

#getgoing2025 The Otaru Canal Cruise is a tour around the Otaru Canal, which can be said to be a symbol of Otaru, by boat. This cruise departs from near the Central Bridge and takes about 40 minutes for luck to circle the whole thing. From the boat, you can see the beautiful scenery of the Otaru Canal and the warehouses that you can't see while walking. In addition, there is a time when you leave the harbour from the canal in the middle of the cruise, and it is a magnificent view unique to Hokkaido. The townscape of Otaru changes its expression depending on the four seasons, so you can enjoy it whenever you visit. In addition, if you participate in a cruise at night, you will have a romantic dinner cruise with gas lights shining. It will be a special experience that will be a lifelong memory.

I went on the Otaru Canal Cruise 🚢 The boats depart every 30 minutes, and I took the 11:30am one The price was ¥1,800 (¥500 for elementary school students and under) (The price changes a little at night! 🌉) You can also buy tickets online! I bought mine on site, and I was able to board right away without having to wait! That doesn't mean there aren't many customers, and there are always a lot of people on board ⛴ The cruise is about 40 minutes long, but of course you can't use a parasol ︎ ︎🌂 When I got on, I was lent a fan 🪭 But it would have been better if I had a hat or a towel to protect myself from the sun! They drove leisurely in the shade under the bridge, giving us a moment of coolness! 🎐 During the cruise, I heard that it only gets above 30 degrees in Otaru about twice a year. The driver was trying his best, but he didn't seem to be feeling too well. Even though I'm used to the heat, it was hot, so I was a little worried about the people of Hokkaido. lol On the cruise, I was able to learn about the history of the Otaru Canal and the history of the surrounding business buildings, which was a very good experience. ´ʖ̫` Next time, I'd love to take a relaxing ride on a cool day! ! lol #HokkaidoTourism #HokkaidoTrip #OtaruTourism #OtaruCanal #777