🇯🇵 Hokkaido Otaru Day Trip Guide from Sapporo

🗓️ Otaru Day Trip Itinerary from Sapporo 🚆 Getting There • Train: From Sapporo Station, take the JR Hakodate Main Line to Otaru Station. • Duration: Approximately 30 minutes on a rapid train; 45 minutes on a local train. • Fare: Around ¥1,830 one-way. • Frequency: Trains run frequently throughout the day.  • Bus: Highway buses are also available from Sapporo to Otaru, offering a scenic coastal route.  🕘 9:00 AM – Depart Sapporo • Catch a morning train or bus to make the most of your day in Otaru. 🕤 9:30 AM – Arrive at Otaru Station • Upon arrival, consider grabbing a Hokkaido melon bread from Otaru Saint Germain bakery inside the station—a local specialty that’s light and fluffy.  🏞️ 10:00 AM – Explore Otaru Canal • Walk straight down the road from the station to reach the iconic Otaru Canal. • Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the canal, known for its picturesque scenery and historic warehouses. • Optional: Take a canal boat tour for a unique perspective of the city.  🛍️ 11:00 AM – Sakaimachi Street • Head to Sakaimachi Hondori Street, a historic shopping area filled with glassware shops, cafes, and souvenir stores. • Consider visiting a glass-blowing workshop to create your own Otaru glass souvenir.  🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch at Wagyu Kurosawa • Restaurant: Wagyu Kurosawa Main Store (和牛黒澤 本店) • Address: 1-11-10 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan • Access: Approximately a 7-minute walk from JR Otaru Station. • Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last Order: 8:30 PM) • Highlights: Specializes in Japanese black beef dishes, including sukiyaki and tempura.      🏛️ 2:00 PM – Otaru Music Box Museum • Visit the Otaru Music Box Museum, housing over 25,000 music boxes in a charming historic building.  🍰 3:00 PM – LeTAO Dessert • Indulge in a sweet treat at LeTAO, famous for its Double Fromage cheesecake—a delightful combination of baked and no-bake layers.  🕓 4:00 PM – Return to Sapporo • Head back to Otaru Station and catch a train or bus back to Sapporo, concluding your day trip. #springitinerary #thingstodo #japan #travel #hokkaido