Day 01
Otaru Canal, Historic District and Music Box Museum
- Meet your tour guide at Otaru railway station or your hotel in Otaru, then begin at the Otaru Museum by the Otaru Canal. Otaru City lies on the west coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. It is a popular tourist destination for domestic and international travellers, and its quaint atmosphere attracts people who love history, architecture, and fun.
- Learn about the humble beginnings of the city as a small fishing village. Herring fishing brought wealth to the area, and with the construction of railways and a port, Otaru was transformed into the transportation hub and centre of commerce and finance of Hokkaido. Remnants of the city's prosperity can still be seen in its historic buildings, stone warehouses, stately bank buildings, and old merchant shops.
- Enjoy a walk along the promenade beside the popular Otaru Canal, which is also a great spot for photographs.
- Proceed to the historic building area, where former bank buildings have been repurposed as art galleries, restaurants, shops, and even a gentlemen's suit factory.
- Continue along Sakaimachi shopping street, a downtown area that once flourished through wholesale business. Historic merchant shops here have also been renovated into cafes, sushi restaurants, glassware shops, souvenir shops, and food vendors. As you browse around the area, you will also have a chance to interact with some cheerful locals.
- Finally, arrive at the famous Otaru Music Box Museum, where you can admire tens of thousands of music boxes on display and enjoy their soothing melodies.
- Finish the tour in front of the museum while listening to the steam clock whistle, a gift from the city of Vancouver, Canada, before heading back to Otaru station or your hotel.
