Discover Otaru: Town Tour, Seafood, Sake, & More (Hokkaido)
Explore Otaru, an old trading town in Hokkaido. This guided walking tour includes stops at Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Triangular Market (seafood & produce), a seafood bowl lunch, & sake tasting.
Highlights
Visit key sites: Otaru Canal, Triangular Market (fresh seafood & produce), Sakaimachi Street etc.
Take a commemorative photo on Hokkaido's oldest railway–the former Japan National Railways Temiya Line
Tackle a stair challenge: The 123 steps of “Foreigner Slope” leading to Suitengu Shrine
Enjoy picturesque views of Ishikari Bay from Suitengu Shrine
Food/drinks: Enjoy a sake tasting at Tanakashuzou brewery (includes tour), & savor a fresh seafood bowl for lunch
10 meals
Experience Details
Discover the charm of Otaru, a historic trading town in Hokkaido, which has become a beloved destination for local and international travelers. Tour must-see spots like Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, a fresh seafood and produce market, enjoy a tasty seafood bowl for lunch, and sip on sake at a brewery tour and tasting.
Embark on your journey at Otaru Station, where your local guide will lead you through the city's heart, introducing you to spots known only to the residents. The tour offers a view of Ishikari Bay, which Otaru Port gracefully gazes upon, and introduces you to the nostalgic ambiance of Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, and the “Triangular Market” brimming with freshly caught seafood, bountiful fruits, and delectable sweets. You’ll stop for lunch to enjoy a fresh seafood bowl using ingredients sourced from the surrounding waters.
The adventure continues as you ascend to Suitengu, aptly named the water shrine, cradled in a serene hillside enclave of the city. This spot, cherished by the townspeople, provides a tranquil setting to admire the panoramic vista of Otaru Port. Brace yourself for the 123-step ascent from Sakaimachi Street, also known as "Foreigner Slope," a challenge stair-climbing enthusiasts won't want to miss!
Your journey concludes at Tanakasyuzou, Otaru's exclusive sake brewery. This respected establishment proudly crafts Japanese sake under the esteemed brand Takaragawa, Otaru Bijin liqueur, and the delectable Maho-no-Itteki hon-mirin, a sweet rice wine cherished in Japanese cuisine. The historic stone masonry warehouse, dating back to 1905, is a designated heritage site in Otaru. Within its hallowed walls, you’ll enjoy complimentary sake tastings, featuring sake freshly bottled without pasteurization, Shiboritate (a bright seasonal sake), and roughly 10 other seasonal varieties.
Inclusions
Professional English-speaking guide
Food: Fresh seafood bowl
Drinks: Sake tasting
Exclusions
Food, drinks, & other purchases made outside those included in the experience
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host in front of the JR Otaru Station ticket gate.
Remarks
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Please wear warm clothing if attending the tour during winter
Wintertime: The ‘Foreigner Slope’ may be impassable due to snow cover. In this case, we will visit Suitengu Shrine using another route
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
The northern island prefecture of Hokkaido offers a beautiful natural landscape whose diverse environment produces high-quality local meat, vegetables, and seasonal seafood to create regional cuisine and famous dairy products.
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
10 meals
Join this tour in Minami Osaka, where gleaming lanterns light the path from restaurant to restaurant, and larger-than-life food signs indicate glorious gyoza and seafood within. Explore 4 food stops and a local restaurant with a knowledgable guide.
Learn the ropes of Japanese gin making from a distillery owner in Hokkaido’s second-biggest city, Asahikawa! Tour the Takasu Distillery and try different kinds of gin, including their original branded gin.
Sake lovers, this tour is made for you! Join a sake tasting & sake factory tour in Nagano. Try a range of sake, amazake, enjoy small dishes (like pickles & Nagano miso), & explore the streets of Nagano & the Zenkoji Temple area.
From delicate nigiri sushi to hefty gunkan maki, learn how to make several types of sushi during this cooking class in Tokyo. With a side of yakitori, miso soup, pickles, this is the perfect balanced Japanese meal to impress family and friends.