Neighborhood Discoveries
5 (52)

Day trip to Otaru

6 hours English
5 (52)
100% Personalized

Historic warehouses, a canal lined with glass workshops and famous Otaru music boxes.

Toru
Toru
Zarina
Zarina

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

Promo image 1
Promo image 2

100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

6 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

In front of the Hokkaido-Sapporo Tourist Information Centre located in JR Sapporo Station

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring:

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

What’s Included:

Private and personalized experience
6 hours with a host (including travel time)
Return train tickets from Sapporo to Otaru
Hotel meet-up (if within reasonable distance)
Walking experience once in Otaru (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
1 glass of sake, beer or soft drink, carefully selected for you by your host

What’s Excluded:

Additional food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Additional transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Key Highlights:

  • Hop on a train and take a day trip from Sapporo to the beautiful port city of Otaru, which you’ll explore with a local Sapporo host by your side
  • Wander the historic canal, browsing shops and cafes housed in old warehouses along the way
  • Meander through one of the town's markets, getting a feel for local life
  • Grab a quick bite to eat from one of the eateries lining the canal, and sample unique ice-cream flavors
  • See the city’s incredible glass blowing industry, or visit the Otaru Music Box Museum
  • End things off with a trip to the Tanaka Sake Brewery, conveniently located right by the station!

What travelers think of our Sapporo experiences

J
Juan Manuel 1 December 2025

Incredible activity, we got the village of Otaru totally snowed in, it was beautiful to see it from the viewpoint. The cable car ride was a great experience, 10 out of 10. Emilio's guide was perfect. Don't hesitate to book.

Show more
A
Alex 1 November 2025

Toru was the perfect guide! Extremely friendly and engaging, he provided a fully immersive experience on a tailor-made itinerary through an off-the-beaten-path Otaru. It was the authentic Japanese immersion I was looking for. Thank you so much, Alex!

Show more
A
Alex 1 November 2025

What I enjoyed most was the visit to the shrine and lunch at the local restaurant Unforgettable

Show more
W
William 1 October 2025

Zarina was well informed and gave us a lot of interesting information and history regarding otaru. She was very adaptable given the bad weather and has a great sense of humor as well. She gave useful recommendations for Sapporo dining as well.

Show more
K
Kenneth 1 September 2025

Toru was a great host. He was knowledgeable and friendly and made everything very easy. He also gave me great recommendations for local restaurants in Sapporo

Show more
A
Alice 1 May 2025

Zarina was a great guide. She contacted me before we arrived to check if there were specific things we wanted or if we had any restrictions. She was so knowledgeable not only about Otaru but all of Hokkaido. We learned a lot and really enjoyed all the spots she took us to.

Show more

What you’ll do

You’ll hop on a train to Otaru with your host, where you’ll see a side to Japanese history vastly different from the temples and shrines you’d expect – one of colonial architecture, old port markets, and steam clocks. You’ll stroll along the canal, an old-world promenade illuminated by the golden glow of oil lamps in the early evening and lined with old warehouses converted into antique stores and cafes, or hop on a canal cruise for a different vantage point. You’ll discover the city’s famous glass-blowing industry and shop for intricate souvenirs, see the Otaru Music Box Museum’s collection of 25,000 music boxes (or customize your own brand-new one), and sample sake at the Tanaka Sake Brewery before heading back to Sapporo.

Real Stories, Real Connections

Emilio_Lopez_Sapporo_CU-113681

Emilio_Lopez_Sapporo_CU-113681

Winter Smiles: Friends United in Snowy Wonderland

Winter Smiles: Friends United in Snowy Wonderland

Snowy Smiles at the Red Brick Mansion

Snowy Smiles at the Red Brick Mansion

Embracing Winter Wonders Beneath the Tower

Embracing Winter Wonders Beneath the Tower