Parking in Otaru

Otaru is one of Hokkaido’s leading tourist destinations.
Because it draws many visitors from Japan and abroad, parking lots can be full on weekends and during holidays.

Parking fees have also been criticized as too high, and this has made the news.

Check whether there is a maximum charge

Some parking lots in busy tourist areas around Otaru Canal and Otaru Sakaimachi Street charge high fees.
Lots with no maximum charge tend to get expensive.
Some lots have no maximum charge on weekends.

If you use a lot with no maximum charge at 500 yen per 20 minutes, parking for 2 hours costs 3,000 yen.
That is about double the price of nearby parking lots.

Is there a maximum charge?
Does it say that weekends and holidays are excluded?

Always check the posted rates.

There is no free parking

There are no free parking lots in the busy tourist areas around Otaru Canal and Otaru Sakaimachi Street.
Here are two options: a relatively inexpensive parking lot, and a place where you can park for free by shopping.

Otaru Sightseeing Parking Lot

Otaru Sightseeing Parking Lot costs 300 yen per hour, with a maximum of 1,000 yen per day.
Around Otaru Canal, Otaru Sightseeing Parking Lot has many spaces.

Kamaei Factory Direct Store

Regardless of how much you spend, shopping at Kamaei gives you 1 hour of free parking.
Kamaei is a famous long-established kamaboko (fish cake) shop, founded in 1905.
It is a 3-minute walk to Sakaimachi Street and a 13-minute walk to Otaru Canal.
Many people buy souvenirs there, so it is convenient if you are planning to visit Kamaei anyway.

Free parking when you shop

LeTAO

Get 1 hour of free parking by using service tickets (one for every 2,000 yen spent, tax included): 1 ticket on weekdays, 2 on weekends and holidays

• Momijien Otaru Irifune Parking Lot No. 1
  1-1-30 Irifune, Otaru, Hokkaido

Kitaichi Glass

Spend 2,000 yen or more and get 2 hours of free parking

• Kitaichi Glass Parking Lot No. 1
  Sakaimachi Street side, next to the Sangokan Country Floor
  First hour: 400 yen
  Every 30 minutes after that: 200 yen
• Kitaichi Glass Parking Lot No. 2
  Rinko Line side, next to the bus-only parking lot
  First hour: 400 yen
  Every 30 minutes after that: 200 yen

The Otaru Tourism Association’s parking information is useful

Because of news reports about Otaru’s high parking fees, the Otaru Tourism Association has published a parking map.
It also includes photos of the rates, so it may be worth a look.

On weekends and holidays, we also recommend reserving parking in advance.

• Bookable Parking near Otaru