Travel in Hokkaido
Otaru Canal
Otaru Canal · 小樽運河
Walk beside the water and take photos with Otaru Canal's old warehouses. In the evening, gas lamps and warehouse lights reflect in the canal.
For a day trip from Sapporo, decide whether to return in the afternoon or stay into the evening. If you want to see the lights, plan dinner alongside your return train.
Visitor information
Admission
The canal walking route is free. Cruises and nearby facilities may have separate charges.
Opening hours
The walking route is accessible year-round. Gas lamps are lit from sunset to midnight; warehouse lights run from sunset to 10:30 p.m. Nearby shops and cruises follow their own hours.
What to see at Otaru Canal
See old warehouses by day and lights by night
Photograph the warehouses and canal during the day, then see gas lamps and reflected lights in the evening. To enjoy both, you could plan a meal between daytime and evening walks.
How to get to Otaru Canal
Take a JR train from Sapporo Station to Otaru Station, then walk about 10 minutes to the canal. Return from Otaru Station on a JR train toward Sapporo.
Visit tips
Check dinner and cruise hours separately
The walking route, shops, and cruises have different hours. If you stay into the evening, check your restaurant's opening day and your return train.
Questions about Otaru Canal
Do I have to take a cruise to see Otaru Canal?
No. You can enjoy the scenery while walking beside the canal. Choose a separate paid cruise if you want to see it from a boat.
Sources
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