Otaru is a popular city for visitors to Hokkaido, and this 3 hour and 30-minute guided walking tour will show you the best of it.

Otaru, an old, prosperous town in Hokkaido founded on trade, is now a popular tourist destination for many tourists both from Japan and abroad, and pairs well with a visit to nearby Sapporo. This tour starts at Otaru Station, and covers the main attractions of the city center as you stroll along with a local guide. Even better, the guide will recommend spots that only a local would know!

The tour follows the landscape of Ishikari Bay, upon which Otaru port faces outward, and also introduces you to the nostalgic atmosphere of Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street and the “triangular market,” with its freshly caught fresh seafood, fruits, and delicious sweets on display.

Next, we visit Suitengu (loosely translated as “water shrine”) .

This is a recommended scenic spot by local people, in a calm and quiet hillside part of the city, commanding a panoramic view over the Port of Otaru. Since the road up to Suitengu from Sakaimachi Street (known as “Foreigner Slope” due to its history) has 123 steps, visitors that are confident stair climbers should by all means take the challenge!

At the end of tour, we go to Tanakasyuzou, only sake brewery in Otaru. It proudly makes the Japanese sake brand, Takaragawa, Otaru Bijin liqueur, and Maho-no-Itteki hon-mirin, a sweet rice wine for cooking. Its stone masonry warehouse, built around 1905 is designated as one of Otaru's historic building. At the store, you can enjoy free sake-tastings of sake shipped direct from the brewery, Shiboritate fresh bottled sake without pasteurization, and approximately 10 other varieties of seasonal sakes. In the Brewery tours, you can observe the production process and know what's the secret to making it so delicious!