Go to Otaru, Hokkaido with your kids! 6 recommended tourist spots

Otaru is a popular tourist destination known for its rich history in Hokkaido. From the most famous Otaru Canal to numerous historical buildings in the area known as the "Wall Street of the North," visitors can enjoy the retro cityscape. Since many tourist spots are concentrated in the city, it's easy to explore on foot. Located about 40 km from Sapporo, Otaru is accessible by train in approximately 30 minutes, making it a great option for a day trip from Sapporo. The Otaru Canal also offers night cruises, making it a wonderful place to stay overnight and take your time exploring. Here, we introduce six tourist spots in Otaru that you can enjoy with kids!

1. Hotarun Park

A unique summer experience awaits in Otaru—watching fireflies! For children who grow up in urban areas, seeing fireflies is a rare experience, and for adults, it creates wonderful memories as well. Hotarun Park is located on the grounds of "Asari Classe Hotel." The park is open to the public free of charge, so even non-hotel guests can visit.

The viewing season lasts from mid-July to early August, with around 5,000 Heike fireflies dancing through the air. During the last two weekends of July, the "Hotarun Festival" takes place, featuring special events. Visitors can enjoy exhibitions of beetles from around the world and even interact with them in the "Beetle & Stag Beetle Experience Corner," making it a family-friendly attraction. If you're planning a family trip to Otaru during summer vacation, this could be a great opportunity for children to work on their summer research projects!

2. Otaru Aquarium

Otaru Aquarium consists of the main building, which has two floors—one showcasing fish and another housing the dolphin stadium—as well as the Marine Animal Park, which faces the sea. Inside the main building, there is a pool where porpoises swim. Their small size is the reason they are called "harbor porpoises." In Japan, only two places keep harbor porpoises: Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba and Otaru Aquarium, with Otaru being notable for displaying multiple porpoises.

The aquarium features popular dolphin shows as well as performances by sea lions, Steller sea lions, seals, and penguins. One particularly charming event is the "Penguin Walk to the Sea," where penguins leave their enclosure and waddle all the way to the sea, passing close to visitors. Seeing them walk right in front of you is a heartwarming experience. Some shows may not be available depending on the season, so it is recommended to check the official website for the schedule before visiting.

3. Otaru City Museum

The Otaru City General Museum is home to historic railway vehicles, including the steam locomotive "Shizuka-go," which once ran through Hokkaido. Many other railcars with ties to Hokkaido are also preserved and displayed, making it a must-visit spot for train enthusiasts. During the summer, the American-made steam locomotive "Iron Horse" operates within the museum grounds, and visitors can ride it for free—a rare and valuable experience! In addition, the museum features a planetarium, providing attractions beyond just trains.

Within the museum grounds, there is an Italian restaurant called "Ristorante Treno," which is housed inside an actual old railway car. After exploring the museum and getting tired from walking, why not take a break and enjoy a meal inside the train? Dining in a train car adds to the excitement, making fatigue disappear. The restaurant even offers a children's menu, so families with young kids can dine with ease.

4. Former Temiya Railway Site

Another great spot for children who love trains is the "Former Temiya Railway Site." This location was part of the first railway line established in Hokkaido, originally used to transport coal and seafood. Although the entire line was discontinued in 1985, most of the old tracks remain preserved. Impressively, even the railway crossings are still intact! Visitors are free to explore the area, making it an ideal location for a leisurely family stroll. Since it's rare to have the opportunity to walk directly on railway tracks, children will find this to be a fun and unique experience.

There are benches along the walking path, allowing for rest breaks. The nostalgic scenery of old tracks and railway crossings is sure to bring a sense of warmth to both children and adults. Taking plenty of photos to capture these precious family moments would be a great idea.

5. Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway

Tenguyama, a symbolic mountain of Otaru, is another recommended spot for children. Visitors can take a 30-person ropeway that ascends to the summit in about four minutes, offering panoramic views of Otaru. On clear days, the distant Shokanbetsu Mountain Range and the Shakotan Peninsula can also be seen. The ropeway operates at night as well, making it a great place to view Otaru’s illuminated nightscape—recognized as one of the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido."

At the summit, there is an observation restaurant where guests can enjoy a meal while taking in the scenery. Dining with a view of the city lights will create wonderful family memories. Additionally, the mountain features the "Tenguyama Slider," a grass bobsled ride that reaches speeds of up to 40 km/h. Since it allows for two riders at a time, parents and children can enjoy the thrilling experience together. Get ready for an adrenaline rush with your kids!

Tenguyama is also home to a spiritual site known as "Hanade Tengu-san" at the Tenguyama Shrine. Legend has it that touching the Tengu's nose grants protection from misfortune and makes wishes come true. Why not make a wish together with your children while rubbing the nose of the Tengu statue?

6. Taisho Glass Museum

Located near the Otaru Canal, Taisho Glass Museum is a shop specializing in traditional Japanese-style glassware inspired by the Taisho era, as well as a wide variety of glass products. In addition to the main store, several branch locations nearby offer glass-making experiences. Some workshops, such as "warm work" techniques using electric kilns instead of open flames, are available, making them safe for young children to participate in.

Visitors can create unique glass crafts, such as "Millefiori" (meaning "a thousand flowers") glass chopstick rests and accessories, "tonbo-dama" glass beads, or miniature glass sculptures of animals like pigs and dolphins. With so many options, choosing what to make may be the hardest part! Some activities require advance reservations, so it is recommended to check the official Taisho Glass Museum website for details. For children, a handmade glass creation will become a cherished and personalized souvenir of their trip.

◎ Summary

Otaru is well known for its historic streets and beautiful night views, but it also offers many attractions that children can enjoy. Strolling through the city while browsing glassware shops, souvenir stores, and delicious sweets shops around the Otaru Canal can be a relaxing family experience. If any of the spots mentioned match your child’s interests, consider allowing ample time to explore and enjoy them at a leisurely pace.

Search

Customer Support

Go to Otaru, Hokkaido with your kids! 6 recommended tourist spots