< Previous130 HOKKAIDO Text by Natasha P Once a busy port in Hokkaido, Otaru today is a popular destination for travellers with its many historical buildings, such as those along Otaru Canal with its Victorian-style street lamps and lined with old warehouses converted into cafés and stores, including the famous LeTao. The city is famous for glasswork, music boxes, sake, beer and, of course, fresh seafood! Spending even half a day here in the relaxing ambience will lift your soul and spirits. Here is a list of places that are worth a visit. • SAKAIMACHI – The main shopping street, located a short walk from the canal area where cafés and souvenir shops line up one after another. Many of the buildings along this street were constructed in a western style during the late 1800s and early 1900s. • OTARU MUSIC BOX MUSEUM – There are many buildings at the southern end of Sakaimachi Street, and one of these houses a small museum about music boxes. In the most prominent building, however, is a large shop offering a wide variety of music boxes for sale. • OTARU BEER OTARU WAREHOUSE NO.1 – Enjoy quite an authentic atmosphere of a German pub serving beer here. German Blau engineer Johannes Braun will guide you through the steps of beer production from the sourcing of malt and hops to brewing, and the chef here offers signature dishes made with local ingredients. Brewery tours are available at any time. • SANKAKU MARKET – Also known as “Otaru Triangle Market” but mostly referred to by the locals as “Otaru’s Kitchen”. Here, OTARU, JAPAN NEXT DESTINATION visitors can browse around the many vendors to get a glimpse of Hakodate’s famous crab, sea urchin and squid. It has an energetic vibe that rises when seafood buyers and sellers start trading during auction time. • KITAICHI GLASS OTARU – A long- established company that started operations in 1901 producing oil lamps. Since then it has been developing many types of original glass products, each with their own distinct features, and using technology to refine them over the years. The 18 shops in Otaru are indicative of its immense popularity. • OTARU TAISHO GLASS MUSEUM – Once a historical building, today it houses the exclusive glass museum and store exhibiting and selling handmade Otaru glassware, mainly in Japanese styles. • OTARU CITY GENERAL MUSEUM CANAL MUSEUM – Introduces the history and natural environment of Otaru through approximately 20,000 exhibits from the museum's collection. The building was once known as Otaru Warehouse, built in 1896. This is where you can reflect on the history of Otaru and how it flourished as a commercial capital. RECOMMENDED EATERIES • SUSHI KO – Housed in a renovated stone storehouse used for sugar, this restaurant evokes a nostalgic era. The sushi is made with premium fish naturally, and rice cooked with selected water. Prices are affordable and clearly indicated. • DAIREN OTARU – Specialises in grilled gyoza, made from scratch by a chef trained in China. Other favourite dishes include Otaru scallop ramen, hemp sauce noodles, steamed pork noodles, grilled eel, Sangenton pork cutlet and various rice dishes. • SNOOPY CHA-YA – Definitely the place for fans of Snoopy, the café is decorated in a cartoon theme and offers a cute dessert and drink menu. There’s also a shop where visitors can find just about everything related to Snoopy! • POPURA FARM FURANO MELON ICE – Indulge in a Hokkaido soft serve ice cream on top of a juicy melon half, over which you may add options such as red bean paste. A serving is enough to share! Next >