Otaru (小樽), a beautiful and romantic port city filled with evocative history. It was once a bustling economy centre of Hokkaido back in early 20th century. The buildings that were constructed in fusion of old Western-style of stones and bricks made the town’s centre canal a popular attraction for domestic as well as international tourists.
It took only about 30 minutes from Sapporo to Otaru via JR Train. We stopped at Minami-Otaru Station. There were plenty of shops and things to see along Sakaimachidori Street until we reached the famous Otaru Canal. And from the canal we walked further on for about 10 minutes to Otaru Station to take return train back to Sapporo.
Sakaimachi Street (境町通り, Sakaimachi Dōri)
Sakaimachi Street is a famous preserved merchant street in central Otaru. It was a port city of Hokkaido in early 1900s, there were many trading and shipping companies built in old Western style architecture along the street. Today, most buildings have been converted into restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, boutiques and museums.
Some of the highlights along the Sakaimachi Street are:
Otaru Music Box Museum
The most prominent building along Sakaimachidori Street is the Music Box Museum. Once you step inside the building, it is like you enter into a different world where music from the heaven fills the room, injecting joy in all living souls of the world through every notes of the melody in a nostalgic atmosphere.
It was such an enjoyment just marvel at the shining adorable ornaments and the intricately designed music boxes of varied designs.
Second floor showcases more of antique phonographs and old collection of delicate music boxes.
- The antique music box of table-size that plays Harry Porter’s song
Yume no Oto or Studio Ghibli
If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, don’t miss this! It is just next to the Music Box Museum.
LeTAO shop
There are endless shops selling delicious cakes, cookies, chips, pastries and etc where you can take them home as food souvenirs to your friends and family. One of them is LeTAO and it is one shop that you must check it out! It has 2 stores opposite each other in Otaru. LeTAO offers chocolates, cookies and cakes that are baked with a variety of cheese. Who can resist LeTAO’s signature Double Fromage Cheesecake–a cheese cake that contains both baked cheese cake and mousse cheese cake in one???
Rokkatei(六花亭)
Well known for its desserts with the signature Marusei Butter Sandwich, a creamy biscuit with butter, raisin and white chocolate fillings! We regretted not buying this more. There is also cream puff and a wide selection of cakes and mochi, samples are available for you to try out.
As you wander further down the street, there are more things to shop and grab as snacks along the street..
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take selfie of myself with the busy Street of Sakaimachidori.
Grilled scallop!
Warning!! This is a MUST-TRY!!! Rainbow Tower Ice-Cream from Venetian Cafetaria. It consists of 7 layers of happiness–each layer has a different fruit flavor that tastes like a real fruit!
Otaru Canal
At the furthest end, we finally came to Otaru Canal, the symbol of Otaru city! It was undoubtedly beautiful and charming with a lovely nostalgic air to it!
Otaru Canal Cruise is available from spring to autumn, if you like to enjoy the charm of the canal on a boat. It is charged at 1200¥ for adult and 500¥ for children on day time. Night time is 1500¥ for adult and 500¥ for children. The cruise duration takes about 40 minutes.
Former Temiya Railway Line
As dinner time was approaching, we made our way to JR Otaru Station to head back to Sapporo. From the canal, it was about 10 minutes walk to JR Otaru Station. One of the unexpected discoveries that we came across along the way was the Former Temiya Railway Line. We took this opportunity to make some candid photos like the one below.
Sapporo Kani Honke (かに本家)
Crab-lovers, this is your heaven! No trip to Hokkaido is complete without a meal at Kani Honke! Kani Honke serves a wide varieties of crab-based dishes.
The restaurant has multiple stories, with many small dining rooms separated by shōji doors. This way the guests can enjoy a pretty private dining experience.
The waiting area once we entered into the restaurant:
We chose a set dish with porridge and king crab legs for 4, and a la carte dish of Hokkaido Hairy Crab since we have yet to tried this on our 6th day in Hokkaido. We were served by a cheerful and polite kimono-clad waitress who spoke just fluent enough in English to explain the menu and to brief us the food as they were being served.
It started off with small delicate dishes of ‘zensai’ and cold Japanese silky tofu. 
As part of the set, these are the stuffed glutinous rice ball lathered in some special savoury soup gravy.
The main dishes.
After we finished everything in the hot pot, the waitress came back and poured the rice into the hot pot and let it cook. She stirred in eggs too and voila, crab porridge below the finale! Man, it was delicious!
The price was pretty value-for-money, considering the highlight of the meal was Hokkaido Hairy Crab.
**Tips: Reservation a few days in advance is STRONGLY recommended! You may ask your hotel concierge to call in for a booking.
Sapporo Ekimae Branch (in front of Sapporo Station)
Address: Post code 060-0003. 1-18 2-chome Kitasanjyo-Nishi, Chuouku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Phone: +81-11-222-0018
Business hour: 11:30 – 22:00
Direction: 5 minutes walk from the south exit of JR “Sapporo Station” and from the #13 exit “Sapporo” subway station.
Stay tune for A day tour to Shiroi Koibito Park – Part 7 (Last)!
♥♥♥♥♥
Noelle the Wanderer 
dear, how much for the crab set for 4?
u ordered side dish? or all come with set?
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Yo babe! The crab set we ordered included side dishes such as appetizer, crab tofu, snow crab & tuna sashimi, king crab legs, porridge, crab sushi and fruit yogurt. Costs about ~ 6000-7000 yen for 2 (but we requested for 4 so they just doubled the portion and price). The whole hairy crab was ordered as a la carte, same as the sake. 🙂
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