Sakaimachi Street (境町通り, Sakaimachi-dōri) is an attractive, preserved merchant street in central Otaru, a short walk from the city's canal area. During the development of Hokkaido in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Otaru thrived as a port city, and many trading companies constructed impressive Western-style buildings in the city to house their offices and shops.

Many of the buildings along Sakaimachi Street have since been converted into restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques and museums. There are also a few glass workshops for tourists to enjoy a hands-on experience in creating the local Otaru Glass.

  • Music Box Museum
    Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays in summer)
    Closed: No closing days
    Admission: Free
  • Glass Workshops
  • Museum of Venetian Art
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00)
    Closed: No closing days
    Admission: 500 yen
  • Bank of Japan Museum
    Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 (from 10:00 in December through March)
    Admission ends 30 minutes before closing
    Closed: Wednesdays (open if Wed is a national holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 5
    Admission: Free

Getting there and around

Sakaimachi Street is a ten minute walk from Otaru Station or a five minute walk from Minami-Otaru Station. Alternatively, two of the four Otaru Stroller's tourist bus lines pass along the street, providing frequent connections with Otaru Station.

How to get to and around Otaru

Hotels around Otaru

Top rated in Otaru
Budget:
    • Stay`sOTARU
      Budget-friendly
      Located within 1.6 km of Otaru Station and 16 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Stay`sOTARU offers rooms in Otaru. With a terrace, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel features a hot tub and luggage storage space. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. The hotel provides certain rooms with city views, and each room is equipped with a balcony. At Stay`sOTARU every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the accommodation, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from Stay`sOTARU.
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    • Ryo An
      Luxury
      Ryo An is located in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 400 metres from Otaru Station. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from Ryo An, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.
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    • UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU
      Mid-range
      Situated in Otaru, 800 metres from Otaru Station, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU features accommodation with a terrace, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Sapporo Station is 35 km from UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the hotel.
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    • Little Barrel
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 1.5 km of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Little Barrel provides rooms in Otaru. Featuring a garden, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. At the hostel the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Little Barrel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the accommodation.
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    • Otaru Tap Room & Hostel
      Budget-friendly
      Boasting a bar, Otaru Tap Room & Hostel is situated in Otaru in the Hokkaido region, 800 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With free WiFi, this 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 35 km from Sapporo Station. Rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and a hairdryer, while certain rooms come with a kitchen equipped with a fridge. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the hostel, while Otaru Canal Park is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from Otaru Tap Room & Hostel.
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    • Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Otaru, a few steps from Zenibako Beach, Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. This 2-star love hotel offers room service. Guests can enjoy sea views. All rooms are fitted with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, the rooms at the love hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms are equipped with a balcony. At Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Otaru, like skiing. Otaru Dream Beach is 1.3 km from Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only), while Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 1.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 18 km from the love hotel.
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    • GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU
      Luxury
      GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU is located in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Each room comes with a safety deposit box and certain rooms include city views. Guest rooms in GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna and a spa centre. With staff speaking English and Japanese, around the clock guidance is available at the reception. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the hotel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU.
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    • Dormy Inn Premium Otaru
      Mid-range
      Just a minute away from Otaru station on the JR Hakodate Line, Dormy Inn Premium offers air-conditioned rooms with free internet access, a flat-screen TV and refrigerator. Facilities at Dormy Inn Premium Otaru include natural hot spring baths and a sauna. Coin-operated washing machine, public computer with free internet access in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk are available. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast of Japanese and western dishes daily.
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    • Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
      Mid-range
      Featuring 3-star accommodation, Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal is situated in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal the rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the hotel.
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    • Plum House Otaru
      Mid-range
      Located within less than 1 km of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Plum House Otaru provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Otaru. The property features garden and inner courtyard views, and is 35 km from Sapporo Station. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bath in every unit, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, every unit has bed linen and towels. Breakfast is available daily, and includes buffet, American and Asian options. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy skiing nearby, or benefit from the sun terrace. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from Plum House Otaru, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.8 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.
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