Hokkaido: Otaru
1:25 AM
OTARU
Just
a short train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is a great day trip. If you have more
time though, you can enjoy Otaru’s old-fashioned charm for a day or two. This
small harbor city was a major fishing and trade port in the 1800s and remnants
of its history is still evident today.
Its
iconic Otaru Canal is a 1440 m long reclamation type canal with stone built
warehouses and gas lamps. The Sakaimichi Street (Sakaimichi Dori) is a must see
here you can eat Otaru specialties and shop its amazing products.
Otaru
is known for its glassworks and music box. The famous Kitaichi Glass is located
here. There are several buildings where you can view their goods. Every morning
at 8:45 you can watch them individually light each of the original 167 oil
lamps in Kitachi Hall. Enjoy the café in this rustic hall.
Hours of Operation: 8:45 AM – 6:00 PM (last
order 5:30PM)
Website:
http://www.kitaichiglass.co.jp/shop/kitaichihall.html
You
can also try your hand at glass sculpture or have a tour of their glass
workshop and the Kitaichi Venice Museum.
You’ll need 1-2 hours for sandblasting, which is when you blow sand on the
surface of the glass (Y2250). If you have limited time, you can try your hand
at dragon fly bead arrangement which should take you about 15 mins (Y1000) or
take the Kitaichi Glass tour is free from 9:30AM -4:30 PM
Website:
http://www.kitaichiglass.co.jp/experience.html
Among
the must-see is the Otaru Canal. It is lined with restored warehouses and
buildings. In the winter, this is one of the sites of the Otaru Snow Lighting
Path.
You
can see antique items and many music boxes in the Music Box Museum and in its
the other buildings. You can also customize your music box at their You-kobo
location where you can pick what music and decoration to your preference. Make
sure to book your seat at least 4 days before. You can book at http://www.otaru-orgel.co.jp/web_reserve/22topping_reserve_en.html .
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Enjoy
Otaru also by eating their many specialties. As a fishing port, you can enjoy
many Hokkaido seafood at usually a lesser price than Sapporo. They also have
many sweet goodies.
One must try is the 7 layer rainbow tower. This soft ice
cream can be enjoyed in several stores in Otaru. The rainbow tower (Y550) of Kitaichi Cafeteria feature 7 flavors: grape, melon, matcha green tea, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, lavender. The also have single flavored cones and a 5 flavor tower which is the rainbow tower without matcha green tea and chocolate (Y480).
Hokkaido
is widely known as having great dairy thus their ice cream and other dairy
products like cheese and butter are a must try. The Double Fromage cheesecake
of Otaru original Le Tao is a must.
Le Tao, which is named from the first
letters of “La Tour Amitie Otaru” or the amiable tower of Otaru. Their head
store stands tall in the Marchen Intersection.
This milky and creamy baked cheesecake should be savored with each bite.
You have the options of the Double Fromage and Chocolat Double. You can enjoy
their freshly made DOUBLE FROMAGE and coffee or tea at their head store while
watching the popular Marchen Intersection. They have a cake buffet once a month
but a reservation is required.
The Le
Tao Chocolat features 50 kinds of chocolates where some are only available at
this store. The stores usually close at 6PM. They have 6 stores in Otaru but
you can also buy from their Chitose and Chitose Airport stores. They have
frozen cakes, which you can bring home.
Website: https://www.letao.jp/global/en/
Hours of Operation: 9:00AM -6:00 PM (Other
Stores may vary)
Stores though usually close at 6pm.
For
some fun in the snow, you can visit the many neighboring ski resorts. One with
a good range of activities for beginners is Winkel Village. It’s just a 30 minute
bus ride from Otaru Station. It has access to Asari Ski area and features an
Onsen.
ACTIVITIES AT
WINKEL VILLAGE:
SNOW
SHOE TOUR 10:00 AM-2PM Y4600 (Tax excluded but includes guide fee, snow
shoe and poles, and insurance. Meeting Location is Winkel Village, 2-5 persons
to participate. Bring water and candy.)
SKI
SHOE TOUR 10:00 AM-2PM Y5300 (Tax excluded but includes guide fee, ski
shoe and poles, and insurance. Meeting Location is Winkel Village, 2-5 persons
to participate. Bring water and candy.)
SNOW
BOARD & SKI in nearby Asari Ski area.
It is about 10 m-15 minute walk from bus stop.
Ski Packs:
Rental Pack: Y5500 (rental + 1 day pass)
Enjoy Pack : Y9300 (rental +lunch + 1 day pass)
Lunch Pack: Y3700 (lunch + 1 day pass)
Ski
Lift:
Lift ticket 1 day Y2900
Morning until 1PM Y2400
Afternoon from 1PM
Y2400
1 lift ride Y300
night ride Y1500
GLASS
BLOWING 11AM -7pm
Workshops: 11 AM-5 PM
Glass bead making Y1500 (tax excluded)/ you can have your
bead after an hour
Glass Fusing Experience Y1500 (tax excluded)/ you get your
bead after 24 hours.
Access: Bus # 13 at bus stop #3 to
Asarigawa Onsen. Get off at Asari Hotel Classe. Winkel Village is across the
road.
WINKEL VILLAGE: http://www.winkel.co.jp/english/enjoy
Other
interesting places to visit are the Otaru Tengayuma Ropeway, Winkel Village, Asarigawa
Onsen, Nikka Whisky Factory, and the many ski resorts in greater Otaru Area.
Getting Around: Otaru is a small town you
can basically walk around but you can take the Otaru Stroller Tourist Bus that
runs every 30 minutes. The blue line of the bus takes you to majority of your
must see stops like the Otaru Station, Kitaichi Museum, Otaru Canal, and
Sakaimachi Street. It’s Y220 per ride or Y750 for a day pass. Pay exact amount
or you can also use your IC card.
Other Useful Websites:
NIKKA
WHISKY FACTORY: http://www.nikka.com/eng/
ASARIGAWA ONSEN WINTER RESORT: http://asari-ski.com / https://snow.gurunavi.com/guide/htm/r0249ens.html
Tourism Website of Otaru: http://otaru.gr.jp.e.go.hp.transer.com/
Access: Otaru Station
*Sales of Message Candles Y100 Message Candle
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