Otaru Walk, Hokkaido, Japan

Otaru is a charming port city in Hokkaido known for its scenic canal, glass crafts, music boxes, and fresh seafood.

I took a train from Sapporo to Otaru and got off near the Otaru Music Box Museum

The Otaru Music Box Museum

Another look at the town

The Otaru Music Box Museum, located in Otaru, Hokkaido, is Japan’s largest music box store, housing approximately 25,000 music boxes of 3,400 different types. Live Japan
Established in 1989, the museum is situated in a historic red-brick building constructed in 1912, which was originally used as a rice merchant’s office.

The first-floor area offers a vast selection of music boxes, ranging from traditional designs to unique creations like sushi-shaped music boxes.

To the second floor

The antique museum occupies a large part of the second floor. This area showcases historical music boxes and instruments.

Some history on the music box

The first floor again

Looked back at the museum

Quick lunch

I walked the long Sakaimachi street.

Sakaimachi Street is a charming historic shopping street in Otaru, Hokkaido, lined with beautifully preserved merchant buildings that now house boutiques, souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. It offers a nostalgic atmosphere with a mix of local crafts, glassware, music boxes, and sweets, including Hokkaido’s famous cream puffs and soft-serve ice cream. Popular attractions along the street include the Otaru Music Box Museum, glassblowing workshops, and sake breweries, making it a vibrant destination for culture, shopping, and dining.

Back side

A small fish market

Back side

Otaru, often referred to as the “City of Glass,” boasts a rich tradition of glassmaking, offering visitors a plethora of stores specializing in handcrafted glassware.

At the end of Sakaimachi Street is where Otaru Canal is located

I walked toward the Otaru Canal

The Otaru Canal is a picturesque landmark in Otaru, Hokkaido, famous for its romantic ambiance and historical charm. Originally built in the early 20th century for transporting goods, the canal is now a scenic walkway lined with vintage warehouses and gas lamps. By day, it offers beautiful views of the water and surrounding architecture, and by night, the lamps create a magical, illuminated atmosphere. The area is a popular spot for leisurely strolls, photography, and enjoying local shops, cafes, and restaurants.

The Warehouse District in Otaru, located along the canal, is a historic area that showcases beautifully preserved stone warehouses from the early 20th century. Once used to store goods transported via the canal, these warehouses have been transformed into restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and museums.

Back side

Back side

After the canal, I walked to the train station to go back to Sapporo

The train station