Otaru Canal (小樽運河, Otaru Unga) was a central part of the city's busy port in the first half of the 20th century. Large vessels were unloaded by smaller ships, which then transported the goods to warehouses along the canal.
The canal became obsolete when modern dock facilities allowed for direct unloading of larger vessels. Thanks to a citizens' movement, a part of the canal was beautifully restored in the 1980s instead of being landfilled, while the warehouses were transformed into museums, shops and restaurants.
The canal makes for a pleasant stroll during the day, when artists present their works to passing tourists, and during the evenings when old fashioned gas lamps provide a romantic atmosphere. The canal also serves as the main site of the town's Snow Light Path Festival.
Getting there and around
The canal is a ten minute walk or a two minute bus ride down the main road from Otaru Station.
How to get to and around Otaru
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Hotels around Otaru
Top rated in Otaru
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LifeHouse IPPOFeaturing 3-star accommodation, LifeHouse IPPO is set in Otaru, 500 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Boasting luggage storage space, this property also provides guests with a family-friendly restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units come with air conditioning, an oven, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hair dryer and a desk. The aparthotel offers some units that feature a safety deposit box, and the units have a private bathroom and a wardrobe. At the aparthotel, units come with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 36 km from the aparthotel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 38 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Stay`sOTARUStay`sOTARU is located in Otaru, within 1.6 km of Otaru Station and 16 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Featuring 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. Okadama Airport is 37 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Ryo AnRyo 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.View on Booking.com -
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Tabist Kaihorow OtaruSituated within 1.3 km of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Tabist Kaihorow Otaru features rooms in Otaru. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk and a TV. At Tabist Kaihorow Otaru the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Tabist Kaihorow Otaru, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Little BarrelSet 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. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
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UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARUSituated 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. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Otaru Tap Room & HostelOtaru Tap Room & Hostel is situated in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. With a bar, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation features a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. All rooms in the hostel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms have bed linen. Popular points of interest near Otaru Tap Room & Hostel include Otaru Station, Otaru Canal Park and Otaru Museum. Okadama Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only)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. Okadama Airport is 18 km away.View on Booking.com -
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GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARULocated within 700 metres of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU provides rooms in Otaru. 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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU features a spa and wellness centre with a sauna. 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. Okadama Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Winkel VillageSet 9.4 km from Otaru Station, Winkel Village offers a terrace, ski-to-door access and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The accommodation comes with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, shower and a hairdryer, while the kitchen features a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and bed linen for an extra charge. A ski pass sales point is available on site and both hiking and skiing can be enjoyed within close proximity of the lodge. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 15 km from Winkel Village, while Sapporo Station is 33 km away. Okadama Airport is 35 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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