Hokkaido

Otaru

An atmospheric port town with a romantic canal

Otaru is a quaint welcome to your visit in Japan, the canals of Otaru are still lit by original oil lamps and the old warehouses of yesteryear have been restored to house bars, eateries and local handcrafts of glassworks and musical boxes among others.
While in Otaru we cannot let you miss a visit to the Nikka Whiskey Distillery approximately a 30 min drive away. Masataka Taketsuru, a Sake Brewers son, travelled to Scotland in 1918 to study the art of Whiskey brewing, today Nikka Whiskey is a continuous worldwide winner for a Best Blended Pure Malt. The 60-minute tour will finish with 3 tastings of this award-winning whiskey straight from the barrels.

Otaru Canal a 1,140 meter-long canal has its own nostalgic atmosphere even during the daytime. When gas lamps light up the canal at dusk, you can enjoy a romantic view.

Main building of the Otaru Music Box Museum one of the largest museum shops in Japan with a collection of over 3,000 types of music boxes.

Nikka Yoichi Distillery the harsh and rich nature in the north satisfying everything needed for whisky making.

Sapporo Lavender farm Sapporo, 40 min drive from Otaru, is all about outdoor fun, great food and famous beer.