Hokkaido Otaru Optional Scenic Spots Private Walking Guide Day Tour (Depart from Sapporo)
- The tour guide will take you around, saving you the trouble of making a guide and making your trip more worry-free
- Experienced tour guides will take you on an in-depth tour to understand Otaru from a local's perspective
- You can discuss with your guide which 4-5 spots you want to visit among the 10 designated spots in Otaru City
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
- On the day, the tour guide will select 4 to 5 attractions from the designated attractions based on your preferences.
- Time: 11:00 (meeting time in Sapporo) - 19:00 (return time in Sapporo)
- Meeting point: Sapporo subway station, Sapporo JR station, or Sapporo hotel, such as Odori subway station
- Designated attractions: Otaru Canal / Temiya Line Railway / Kitaichi Glass Museum / Otaru Music Box Museum / Otaru Candle Museum / Sakaimachi Street / Funamizaka / Sanka Market / Tenguyama / Tanaka Sake Brewery
[Otaru Canal] The Otaru Canal was completed in 1923. It is an important waterway for the sea transportation of the port city "Otaru" that supports the history of Hokkaido's development. There are old warehouses preserved along the waterway, making it a place with a historical atmosphere. Since the canal itself had ceased to be useful, part of the canal was buried in 1986 and renovated into the tourist route and streetscape we see today.
[Temiya Line] This railway was built between Temiya and Sapporo and between Sapporo and Horonai (now Mikasa) in order to ship coal produced in Hokkaido from Otaru Port. The line was abandoned with the decline of the coal industry. The coal industry was once an important industry in Hokkaido, and large amounts of coal were mined and transported to ports by rail. Otaru Port played an important role as a coal transportation port, and the Temiya Line can be said to be a symbol of that era.
[Kitaichi Glass] Kitaichi Glass (glass means glass) is one of the famous tourist attractions representing Otaru. There are about 20 stores in Otaru, each with its own unique style and characteristics. Among them, Kitaichi Glass No. 3 is the representative store of Kitaichi Glass and the largest glass craft center in Otaru, which also makes Otaru famous for its glass.
【Otaru Music Box Museum】 The world's largest music box specialty store, featuring a red brick building designated as a historic building in Otaru City. This is a fantasy world with more than 25,000 kinds of music boxes, including glass music boxes that are worthy of Otaru, which create a fantasy time that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
[Otaru Candle Studio] is a candle specialty store built using the stone warehouse near the Otaru Canal. In this candlelit shop, we have a wide variety of candles and candle stands from home and abroad, in addition to original candles. Please make sure to keep the wonderful memories of Otaru in your heart through the popular candle making experience that is easy for anyone to make.
[Sakaimachi Street] Located in Otaru City in western Hokkaido, it is a street that stretches 900 meters northward from the Fairy Tale Crossroads. This street supported Otaru's prosperity from the Meiji era to the Showa era. There are many old shops and ancient buildings such as Western-style buildings on the street. There are also many specialty shops, glass shops, Western-style pastry shops, etc. that have been reused from classical buildings. Not only walking along the streets, but shopping is also a great pleasure.
[Funami-zaka] Take National Highway 5 toward Yoichi, and immediately turn left after passing Otaru Station to see Funami-zaka. As one of the steepest slopes in Otaru City, Funami-zaka is famous for its steep slope and is also a filming location for movies and TV series. As its name suggests, this high point overlooks the ships moored at Otaru Port.
[Triangle Market] Otaru Triangle Market gets its name from the triangular shape of its land and roof. Around 1957, 7 to 8 open-air shops opened in front of Otaru Station. Subsequently, the number of people coming out of the shops gradually increased, and people from nearby areas such as the Ishikari, Goshi, Kamikawa, and Hidaka areas came to shop, making the market bustling and gradually developing into a morning market.
[Tanaka Sake Brewery] Founded in 1899, Tanaka Sake Brewery is a representative brewery in Hokkaido. The high-quality sake rice produced in Hokkaido is carefully selected, so the production volume is small, and the sake brewed here is Japanese sake that is difficult to buy outside of Otaru. Tanaka Sake Brewery's "Kamekura" can brew sake all year round, making it a rare brewery in Japan.
【Tenguyama】 About 15 minutes by car from the city center is the symbol of Otaru - "Tenguyama". There is a cable car from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain that can accommodate 30 people and the running time is about 4 minutes. From the mountain you can overlook the city, which is like a city built in a box. You can see Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay. On a clear day, you can also see the Shukanbetsu Mountains and the Shakotan Peninsula in the distance. It is an excellent viewing point. In addition, the night view of Tenguyama is known as one of the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido". It is as beautiful as scattered gems and can add more profound memories to your trip to Otaru. In winter, Tenguyama turns into a ski resort facing the sea. Tenguyama Ski Resort is very popular among local residents. Every child in Otaru will come here to ski once during the school's skiing course.
Purchase Notice
【Travel conditions】
Travel origin and destination: Sapporo and Otaru
Travel days: Round trip
Transportation: Walking + public transportation
Meals: Breakfast 0 times Lunch 0 times Dinner 0 times
Accommodation facilities: None
Team leader: 0
Tour guide: 1
【Travel planning/implementation】
Operating company name: J&R Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: 20th Floor, Namba 5-chome, 1-60, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
License number: Osaka Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Business No. 2-2181
Travel industry association name: Japan Travel Industry Association (Osaka branch) Full member
Regular member of Zentravel (Osaka Prefecture Travel Agents Association) and cooperating member of JATA
Reminders
Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure.
The tour guide will select 4-5 attractions from the 10 designated attractions as part of the 8-hour itinerary based on your preferences.
If the guests are all male, a male guide will be provided.
Please negotiate with your tour guide on the day to visit the attractions and the time of the visit within the specified time frame.
Please note that some facilities may be closed or have limited visiting hours so you may not be able to visit.
We apologize for any delays in public transportation due to traffic jams or bad weather.
Sometimes the tour may have to be cancelled due to natural disasters or abnormal weather conditions. In this case, please contact us to confirm the situation.
If the trip exceeds the specified time, or the guest does not return at the specified time, an additional fee of 3,000 yen per hour will be charged on site.
This tour will use public transportation. Guests are responsible for the entrance fees of each facility (for both the guest and the guide), transportation fees (for both the guest and the guide), and personal expenses.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 4 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–3 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
An Otaru walking tour typically highlights famous spots such as the historic Otaru Canal, where you can admire gas lamps and Victorian-style buildings. Visitors often explore Sakaimachi Street, known for its charming glassworks, music box museums, and confectionery shops. Other popular attractions may include the Otaru Music Box Museum and Kitaichi Glassware, offering unique local crafts and experiences. A private guide helps tailor the selection from designated key attractions.
With a private walking tour, you have the flexibility to discuss your preferences directly with your guide. They will suggest 4 to 5 attractions from a designated list of Otaru's key spots, such as the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, or specific museums. You can mix and match these options to create a personalized 8-hour itinerary that aligns with your interests, ensuring a unique and tailored experience.
Otaru is exceptionally well-suited for a full-day guided tour from Sapporo. Its proximity to Sapporo makes it an easy and convenient journey, typically by train. An 8-hour private walking tour allows ample time to thoroughly explore Otaru's famous landmarks, unique cultural sites, and culinary delights, all while benefiting from local insights and hassle-free navigation provided by a guide.
An Otaru private walking guide itinerary often includes visits to artisan workshops, such as glass blowing or music box making, on Sakaimachi Street. You can delve into the city's herring fishing history at sites like Nishin Goten, or explore its rich culinary culture through local seafood markets and sushi restaurants. The guide provides in-depth context, allowing a deeper appreciation of Otaru's distinctive heritage.
The most convenient way to reach Otaru from Sapporo for a guided tour is typically by train. Direct rapid trains from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station take approximately 30-45 minutes, offering scenic views of the coastline. This efficient travel option ensures a smooth start to your 8-hour private walking tour, allowing you to maximize your exploration time in Otaru.
A private walking guide significantly enhances the Otaru experience by offering local insights, historical context, and efficient navigation. The guide handles planning and logistics, selecting attractions based on your interests, saving you the trouble of self-guiding. This personalized approach allows for a deeper understanding of Otaru's charm and culture, making your trip more enriching and worry-free.
During an in-depth tour, a local guide can share fascinating historical anecdotes about Otaru's canal and port development, explain the significance of its unique architecture, and introduce hidden gems beyond typical tourist paths. They can provide recommendations for authentic local cuisine, interpret cultural nuances, and offer a perspective on daily life in Otaru, enriching your understanding from a local's viewpoint.
During an Otaru walking tour, participants primarily navigate on foot, as many of Otaru's key attractions, such as the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street, are within comfortable walking distance. Your private guide will lead the way, efficiently guiding you between chosen spots and providing seamless transitions, ensuring you experience the city's charm at a comfortable pace without needing public transportation planning.
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