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[2025 Edition] 10 Recommended Driving Spots in Otaru! Enjoy the Nostalgic Town
Otaru, where traces of the Meiji era can be found throughout the city, is full of great spots for couples and families to drive to, including scenic spots and facilities where you can experience glassblowing. Here are 10 driving spots where you can enjoy the various charms of Otaru.
- Otaru Aquarium: Popular for its animal performances
- Tenguyama Ropeway: A spectacular panoramic view of Otaru cityscape
- Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building: A fantastic space woven with approximately 38,000 music boxes
- Otaru Art Base: an art museum in a historic building
- The gorgeous and luxurious "Nishin Goten Otaru Guest House" is one of Hokkaido's most impressive art mansions.
- Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum: A reproduction of a medieval palace in the water city of Venice
- Otaru City Museum Main Building: A row of steam locomotives and other railway vehicles
- Introducing Otaru's sightseeing spots and choosing fun souvenirs "Otaru International Information Center Port Marche Otarue"
- The Otaru Literary Museum conveys literary works related to Otaru to future generations
- Experience glassblowing at Japan's only glass float manufacturer, "Asahara Glass Factory"
1. Otaru Aquarium: Popular for its animal performances
Surrounded by the rich nature of an area separated by the Sea of Japan, this aquarium allows you to get up close and personal with the ecology of over 250 species of animals and fish. You can enjoy performances by dolphins and sea lions, as well as seals and sea lions in the marine mammal park where the refreshing sea breeze blows. It is also known for its humorous initiatives, such as the "Touch Ezone" where you can touch creatures that live in the seas of Hokkaido, and the penguin event where the penguins don't listen to the zookeepers. There is also an amusement park and restaurant on-site, making it a perfect spot for outings with your family or partner.
■ Business hours ・Normal business hours: March 15th (Saturday) to October 15th (Wednesday) 9:00-17:00 ・Night extension: July 19th (Saturday) - July 21st (Monday), September 13th (Saturday) - September 15th (Monday), September 20th (Saturday) - September 21st (Sunday) 9:00 - 20:00 ・Winter hours: December 13th (Saturday) to February 23rd (Monday), 2026 10:00-16:00 *Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. ・Amusement park: April 24th (Thursday) - October 13th (Monday) 10:00 - 17:00 Closed: February 25th (Tuesday) - March 14th (Friday) / November 25th (Monday) - December 12th (Friday) *The Marine Mammal Park is closed during the winter season. ■Price ・Normal period: 16 years old and over 1,800 yen / 6 to 15 years old 700 yen / 3 years old and over 350 yen ・Winter: 16 years and over 1,300 yen / 6 to 15 years old 500 yen / 3 years old and over 300 yen ■Location: 3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru City Click here for details and maps of "Otaru Aquarium"
2. Tenguyama Ropeway: A spectacular panoramic view of Otaru city
Looking down from the ropeway windows, you can see the cityscape that spreads out like a miniature garden, Otaru Port, Ishikari Bay, and on a clear day, the Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula in the distance. At night, a romantic night view that twinkles like jewels unfolds, and has been selected as one of the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido." We also recommend trying activities such as zip lines, hot air balloons, and slides at the top of the mountain.
■ Business hours: April 13th (Saturday) to November 4th (Monday) 9:00-21:00 *The last bus to the summit is at 20:48 ■Closed on: *Operating periods and times are subject to change, so please check the official website. ■Price ・Round trip: Junior high school students and above 1,800 yen / Elementary school students and below 900 yen / Pets 500 yen ・One-way: Junior high school students and above 1,080 yen / Elementary school students and below 540 yen / Pets 300 yen *One preschool child per adult is free. *Please check the official website for activity dates and fee details. ■Address: 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru City Click here for details and maps for "Tenguyama Ropeway"
3. Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building: A fantastic space woven with over 38,000 music boxes
This is one of the world's largest music box specialty stores, with a distinctive red brick building designated as a historical landmark by the city of Otaru. It has the largest number of music boxes in Japan, with about 3,200 types and 38,000 music boxes. The beautiful melodies of the music boxes playing in the nostalgic space will create a fantastical moment that you can't experience anywhere else. It is a popular item both as a memento and as a gift for a special person.
■ Business hours: 9:00-18:00 ■Closed days: None ■ Admission: Free ■Address: 4-1 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru City Click here for details and maps of "Otaru Music Box Museum Main Building"
4. Otaru Art Base: An art museum in a historic building
Otaru Art Base consists of four buildings built in the first half of the 20th century, when Otaru was at its peak. Each facility, such as the art museum with its many stained glass windows and the old plaster bank, displays excellent works of art and crafts from Japan and around the world that have graced the era. You can experience the splendor of Japanese and international culture and art.
■Opening hours: May to October 9:30 to 17:00 / November to April 10:00 to 17:00 *Last admission 30 minutes before closing ■Closed: May to October, 4th Wednesday of every month / November to April, every Wednesday, New Year's holiday *If Wednesday is a public holiday, the following day will be closed. *There is a possibility of temporary closures due to changing exhibits, etc. ■Admission fee 4-museum combined ticket (National Museum of Western Art, Nitori Museum of Art, Stained Glass Museum, Former Mitsui Bank Otaru Branch) Adults 2,900 yen / University students 2,000 yen / High school students 1,500 yen / Junior high school students 1,000 yen / Elementary school students 500 yen * Individual admission tickets for each facility are also available. ■Location: 1-3-1 Ironai, Otaru City Click here for details and maps of "Otaru Art Base"
5. The gorgeous and luxurious Otaru Guest House: One of Hokkaido's leading art mansions
The Otaru Guest House (formerly the Aoyama Villa), known as the northern art mansion, is a registered tangible cultural property of the country. It took six and a half years to build this villa, and the total construction cost, converted into today's value, is said to be a whopping 3 billion yen. You can enjoy delicious Japanese and herring dishes at the restaurant inside the building.
■ Business hours ・ Former Aoyama Villa: April to October 9:00 to 17:00 / November to March 9:00 to 16:00 * December 29th to December 31st: 9:00-15:00 *Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time ・ Restaurant (meals and coffee): April to October 10:00 to 17:00 / November to March 10:00 to 16:00 *Meals are served from 11:00 to 14:30 *Café orders stop 30 minutes before closing time ■Closed days ・Former Aoyama Villa: January 1st to January 7th ・Restaurant: December 26th to January 7th ■Price: Kyu-Aoyama Bettei: Junior high school students and above: 1,300 yen / Elementary school students: 650 yen ■Location: 3-63 Shukutsu, Otaru City Click here for details and maps of "Nishin Goten Otaru Guest House"
6. Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum: A replica of a medieval palace from the water city of Venice
The museum introduces the glamorous lifestyle of Italian aristocrats throughout the four seasons, along with 3,000 pieces of Venetian glass with a thousand-year history. The gondola used by Princess Diana for state visits in Venice is also on display. The commemorative photo corner where you can enjoy the feeling of being an aristocrat in a gorgeous Italian dress, and the cafe are also popular.
■ Business hours: 9:00-17:30 (last entrance 17:00) *The museum will close at 16:00 on Monday, August 25th due to changing of the special exhibition (last entrance 15:30) *The museum shop is open until 18:00 ■Closed days: None ■Price: (Special price *as of May 2025) Adults 500 yen / University students 350 yen / High school students 300 yen / Junior high and elementary school students 100 yen / Persons 65 and over 350 yen ■Location: 5-27 Sakaimachi, Otaru City For details and maps of "Kitaichi Venetian Art Museum", please click here.
7. Otaru City Museum Main Building: See a row of steam locomotives and other railway vehicles
In the main building of the Otaru City Museum, the steam locomotive "Shizuka" and 50 other railcars representing Hokkaido are preserved and exhibited. The oldest working steam locomotive in Hokkaido, the SL Iron Horse, operates for a limited time, and you can ride on a Meiji-era mixed freight and passenger train pulled by it. There is also a planetarium, an experiential science exhibition room, and a challenge lab where you can carry out simple experiments and crafts only on weekends and holidays.
■ Business hours: 9:30-17:00 ・The Iron Horse steam locomotive will run from April 29th (Tuesday) to October 13th (Monday) *Please check the official website for details on operating days and times. ■Closed: Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday) / December 29th to January 3rd *May be closed on special days ■Admission fee: 400 yen for adults (300 yen in winter) / 200 yen for high school students and city residents aged 70 and over (150 yen in winter) / Free for junior high school students and younger *Winter rates apply from early November to late April. ■Location: 1-3-6 Temiya, Otaru City Click here for details and map information for "Otaru City Museum Main Building"
8. Introduction to Otaru's sightseeing spots and fun souvenir selection "Otaru International Information Center Port Marche Otaru"
This international information center and souvenir shop opened in March 2024. As a tourist hub, digital signage introduces Otaru's tourist attractions and has a wide selection of brochures about Otaru and the surrounding area. The attached souvenir shop, Port Marche Otarue, is lined with Otaru and other Shiribeshi region specialties and Hokkaido's famous sweets, making it the perfect place to purchase souvenirs.
■ Business hours: 9:00-20:00 ■Closed days: None ■Address: 5-3 Minatomachi, Otaru City For details and maps of "Otaru International Information Center Port Marche Otaru", please click here.
9. Otaru Literature Museum: Preserving Otaru-related literary works for the future
The Otaru City Literary Museum is a facility that stores and exhibits books and materials by novelists, poets, and tanka poets with ties to Otaru, including Takiji Kobayashi and Sei Ito. In the past, the facility has held many interesting special exhibitions, such as the "Sakanaction Yamaguchi Ichiro's Bookcase Exhibition" and the "Board Games and Literature Exhibition." There is also a cafe space inside the museum, where you can spend some relaxing time.
■ Business hours: 9:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30) ■Closed on Mondays, the day after public holidays (however, if the Monday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the day will be a substitute holiday), December 29th to January 3rd *May be closed on special days ■Admission fee: Adults 300 yen / High school students 150 yen / Junior high school students and younger free ■Location: 1-9-5 Ironai, Otaru City Click here for details and maps for the "Otaru City Literature Museum"
10. Asahara Glass Factory: Experience glassblowing at Japan's only glass float factory
There used to be factories manufacturing glass floats all over the country, but now Asahara Glass Factory is the only one in Japan. In addition to selling glass floats and glass float candles, you can also enjoy making your own original glass floats and glasses in the "Glass Blowing Experience," where you can actually try your hand at glass crafts, a traditional industry in Otaru.
■ Business hours: 10:00-18:00 ■Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays ■Price: Experience making a ball float 2,500 yen / Ball float candle 3,800 yen / Glass making 3,000 yen and up *Reservation required ■Location: 1-13-20 Tenjin, Otaru City For details and maps of "Asahara Glass Factory", please click here.
*All information listed is current as of May 2025. *All published information may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.
