Sakaimachi Street

Attractive street in the city center of Otaru

3.6 (175)

#2 of 6 most visited in Otaru

Sakaimachi Street (��ʂ�, 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

The Music Box Museum consists of multiple buildings scattered around the southern end of Sakaimachi Street, one of which houses a small museum about music boxes. The most prominent building, however, is a large shop with a wide variety of music boxes on sale. In front of the building stands a steam clock, a present by the city of Vancouver.
Glass Workshops

When the herring fishing industry declined in the 1950s, the makers of glass buoys shifted to the production of refined glassware instead. Nowadays, Otaru benefits greatly from the reputation of its glassware, attracting many tourists to its glass shops. In addition to selling Otaru glassware, many shops allow customers to make their own cups, bowls or vases for typically 2000 to 3000 yen.
Museum of Venetian Art

Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00)
Closed: No closing days
Admission: 500 yen

The local glass producer Kitaichi opened this five story museum dedicated to the arts of Venice. Inside visitors will find displays of Venetian glassware, clothing and furniture, as well as a full sized gondola.
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

The Otaru branch of the Bank of Japan dates back to 1912. It was converted into a museum in 2003 and features a number of creative displays about Japanese money and the branch's local history, including an old vault where visitors can feel the weight of a hundred million yen.

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

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Music Box Museum

Official website.

Bank of Japan Museum

Official website.

- Stay`sOTARU
  Budget-friendly
  
  Stay`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.
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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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- Tabist Kaihorow Otaru
  Mid-range
  
  Situated 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.
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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. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.
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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. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.
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- Otaru Tap Room & Hostel
  Budget-friendly
  
  Otaru 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.
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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. Okadama Airport is 18 km away.
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- GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU
  Luxury
  
  Located 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.
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- Winkel Village
  Budget-friendly
  
  Set 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.
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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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