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An Otaru guide made by Otaru Geihinkan, a seaside inn in Otaru
Otaru Travel Guide
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  1. Otaru Travel Guide
  2. Otaru Canal & Sakaimachi Area

Otaru Canal & Sakaimachi Area

Heading toward the sea from JR Otaru Station leads to the Otaru Canal, Ironai, and Sakaimachi Street. It is a central area where the canal scenery, historic buildings, glass and music boxes, and sushi and sweets are easy to combine on foot.

Where the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Area Is

For a walking route, the clearest is to go down Chuo-dori toward the sea from JR Otaru Station and head for the Otaru Canal. The Otaru Canal is about a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.

The Otaru Canal was completed in 1923. In 1986 part of it was filled in, and a promenade and a small park were developed. Its total length is 1,140 m. Along the Rinkosen road it is 20 m wide, and the North Canal is 40 m wide. There are 63 gas lamps along the promenade.

Around where Chuo-dori meets the canal is the Canal Plaza Tourist Information Center. Going from the canal toward Ironai, you can connect to the Former JNR Temiya Line Site, Otaru Art Base, the Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch, and more. The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum is a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.

Continuing along Sakaimachi Street leads to Marchen Intersection. The Sakaimachi Street shopping district is a stretch of about 900 m from Marchen Intersection toward the Otaru Canal. The Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building at Marchen Intersection is about a 5-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station.

Articles in This Area

The Canal and the Streetscape

The former JNR Temiya Line has been developed as open space for about 510 m from Chuo-dori to Otaru Sushi Street (Otaru Sushiya Dori). Combining the track remains and stone buildings, not just the canal, makes it easier to trace the port town’s history.

Sakaimachi Street

Sakaimachi Street is lined with shops selling glass, music boxes, confections, and more. For each shop’s hours and other details, see its own article.

Eat

Otaru Sankaku Market is about a 1-minute walk from JR Otaru Station. Otaru Sushi Street (Otaru Sushiya Dori) runs about 200 m from the national highway toward the Otaru Canal. You can change your route depending on whether you stop at the market on the station side or fit in a meal on the canal or Sakaimachi side.

Getting Around

Here is one example route, in geographical order:

JR Otaru Station (Otaru Sankaku Market) → Chuo-dori → Otaru Canal → Ironai (Otaru Art Base, Former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch) → Sakaimachi Street → Marchen Intersection (Otaru Music Box Museum) → JR Minami-Otaru Station.

Conversely, you can also enter from JR Minami-Otaru Station at Marchen Intersection, then go through Sakaimachi Street, Ironai, and the Otaru Canal to reach JR Otaru Station. Choosing your starting point based on where the places you want to see are located makes the route easier to plan.

On rainy days, please also see Otaru on a Rainy Day. How to put together your whole stay is covered in How to Stay in and Get Around Otaru.

Getting there

From Sapporo to JR Otaru Station, the Rapid Airport takes as little as 32 minutes. From JR Otaru Station to the Otaru Canal is about a 10-minute walk.

Travel from outside the city, including by rail and bus, is covered in Getting to Otaru. If you drive into the center, please also check Parking in Otaru.

Getting around the city is covered in One-Day Bus Pass in Otaru. Tourist information centers are covered in Otaru Tourist Information Centers.

Winter Precautions

The City of Otaru notes that many pedestrians fall on icy roads in winter. It lists painted crosswalk lines, sidewalks where cars enter and exit, boarding areas, and slopes as slippery places.

The recommended way to walk is with short steps and the whole sole of your shoe on the surface. Also watch out for snow and ice falling from roofs. For winter clothing and seasonal highlights, see Otaru in Winter.

FAQ

Can I walk from JR Otaru Station to the canal?

The Otaru Canal is about a 10-minute walk from JR Otaru Station. From the station, head toward the sea along Chuo-dori to reach the canal.

Should I start from JR Otaru Station or JR Minami-Otaru Station?

If you are starting from the canal or Sankaku Market, the JR Otaru Station side is easier. If you are starting from Marchen Intersection or the Otaru Music Box Museum, it is about a 5-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station to the Main Building.

Can I walk around in winter too?

In winter, take care not to fall on icy roads. Avoid planning too much walking, and choose how to get around based on road conditions.