Otaru, a small port city in Hokkaido Prefecture, charms in every season: spring brings cherry blossoms, summer invites breezy Otaru canal cruises, and autumn paints the hillsides gold. Through it all, Hotel Nord Otaru offers a front-row seat to the seasons, inviting you to savor Otaru’s beauty with comfort and style, especially its beautiful canal district.
Here’s how to enjoy Otaru in all its best seasons with Hotel Nord Otaru as your base.
Otaru in Spring: Blossoms and Canal Strolls
Spring transforms Otaru into a canvas of pink and white, with cherry blossoms adorning parks, riverbanks, and temple grounds. The Otaru Canal takes on a romantic charm as petals drift on the water, while the stone warehouses and softly glowing gas lamps create a nostalgic backdrop. A walk along the canal in spring feels like stepping into a painting, with the city’s blend of history and seasonal beauty unfolding at every turn.
For sightseeing, Temiya Park is one of the most beloved hanami (flower-viewing) spots, offering trails lined with cherry trees and panoramic views of the port city. The Mt. Tengu Ropeway is another must-see, lifting you above the blossoms for sweeping views of Otaru and the shimmering Sea of Japan. For those seeking quieter moments, small temples and shrines tucked into the hills also come alive with blossoms, perfect for slow, reflective walks.
Spring is also a season of flavors. Local cafes serve sakura-inspired sweets and drinks, while Otaru’s famous patisserie LeTAO offers seasonal versions of its beloved cheesecakes. Pair these treats with a stop at some of the city’s specialty shops and boutiques nearby, and you’ll find spring in Otaru to be as much about discovery as it is about beauty.
Summer in Otaru: Sea Breezes and Fresh Catches
In summer, Otaru brims with energy as its main area fills with tourists enjoying sightseeing Otaru canal cruises. From the water, you can see the historic stone warehouses and bridges from a new perspective, with the sea breeze adding a refreshing touch. The city streets are lively with performers and open-air stalls, making summer a vibrant season of activity.
For panoramic views, head to the Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck, where the sea stretches endlessly and sunsets paint the horizon in dramatic colors. Families will enjoy the Otaru Aquarium, where marine life from Hokkaido’s waters entertains children and adults alike. History lovers can step into the Nishin Goten (Herring Mansion), once home to wealthy herring fishery owners, and learn about Otaru’s deep connection to the sea. Art lovers, meanwhile, can retreat indoors at Otaru Art Village, where beautifully lit exhibits and grand architecture create a cool, relaxing space that’s perfect for a leisurely cultural escape.
Summer is also festival season, and the Otaru Ushio Festival is a highlight. Held in late July, it features parades, traditional dances, and spectacular fireworks over the harbor. Street stalls line the festival route, serving Japanese summer snacks like yakitori, grilled squid, and kakigori (shaved ice)—all perfect for enjoying alongside a chilled glass of draft beer. For seafood fans, Otaru’s markets are overflowing with uni (sea urchin), crab, and other seasonal catches that taste best in the warmth of summer.
Autumn in Otaru: Colors and Nostalgia
Autumn brings a quieter, reflective atmosphere to Otaru as the hillsides glow with fiery reds and golds. The Otaru Canal becomes even more picturesque, with autumn leaves reflected in the water beside softly lit gas lamps. The cooler air makes walking the city’s cobbled streets especially pleasant, and the nostalgic charm of Otaru feels heightened in this season.
A short trip from the city, the Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort is one of the best places to go in Otaru and enjoy hot springs while surrounded by autumn foliage. The crisp air and colorful leaves make an outdoor soak unforgettable. For those who love both culture and scenery, the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery offers tastings alongside guided tours of stunning autumn views.
Back in the city, Otaru’s Northern Wall Street, once the financial heart of Hokkaido, takes on an elegant glow in autumn light, with Western-style stone buildings framed by golden trees. Seasonal flavors also shine, with seafood markets brimming with local Otaru specialties such as scallops, mantis shrimp, and sea urchin. Add in seasonal chestnut- and pumpkin-inspired sweets, which you can find at specialty stores in Sakaimachi Street Shopping District, and autumn becomes a season of both visual and culinary delights.
A Two-Day Itinerary for Every Season
Whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn, or even winter, Otaru offers timeless charm with a different seasonal flavor each time. Here’s a two-day itinerary that lets you experience the best of Otaru and its surroundings, with highlights that shine in every season.
Day 1 – Explore Canal Charm and Otaru Art by Rental Bicycle (With Electric Assist)
Morning: Explore the Iconic Canal Area
Start your journey at the Otaru Canal, the city’s most famous landmark. Continue to Canal Park and the Former Nippon Yusen (Japan Mail Steamship Co.) Building, then wander the North Canal Area with its nostalgic warehouses. Depending on the season, admire drifting cherry blossoms (spring), sightseeing cruises (summer), or glowing autumn reflections (fall).
Lunch: Otaru’s Culinary Delights
Head to Sakaimachi Street Shopping District for food-hopping, or enjoy fresh Otaru seafood bowls and sushi at one of the city’s well-known markets or restaurants.
Afternoon: Craftsmanship and Local Traditions
Discover Otaru’s cultural side at places like Kitaichi Glass, where you can try hands-on glassmaking, the Otaru Art Village with its historic Western-style architecture, and Kamaei main store, renowned for traditional fishcakes. These spots are perfect indoor activities in the summer but equally enjoyable year-round.
Evening: Visit Otaru Suitengu and Sumiyoshi Shrine, then Enjoy Sunset Views and Canal by Night
Visit Otaru Suitengu Shrine or Sumiyoshi Shrine for sweeping harbor views—beautiful with spring blossoms, summer skies, and autumn colors. Then end the day with a stroll along the illuminated canal and enjoy dinner at a cozy local izakaya or seafood restaurant.
Day 2 – Breathtaking Scenery: Shakotan Peninsula and Otaru's Surroundings
Set out on the Blue Cave Cruise for an unforgettable journey along the rugged coastline of the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park. From the sea, you’ll feel the salty breeze and rolling waves, and witness wild, untouched scenery that you could never imagine from the city streets of Otaru. Towering cliffs and dramatic rock formations, shaped by wind and waves over countless years, line the shore. Seen from below, they rise with overwhelming power and beauty.
The cruise route begins at Shukutsu Fishing Port and passes the Otaru Aquarium before reaching Mt. Akaiwa, a hidden gem famous nationwide among rock climbers. Its dramatic geological formations are said to date back 15 million years, adding both history and wonder to the view. Continue past the misty Namida Waterfall and along the Yamanaka Coast, where you’ll encounter quirky formations like Sea Lion Rock and Bear Rock, often brought to life with entertaining commentary from the captain.
The journey continues to Hiyoriyama Lighthouse, Elephant Rock, Dragon’s Cave, and Bat Cave, before reaching the mystical Blue Cave. Unlike other sea caves, Otaru’s Blue Cave has both an entrance and exit, and in Ainu tradition, it’s believed to be linked to the afterlife, known as Poknamoshiri. The route concludes at Diamond Head, a scenic spot popular for stand-up paddleboarding and other marine activities.
Important notice: On July 17, 2025, there was a large rockfall on the left side of the Blue Cave. For safety reasons, entering the cave is currently suspended. Cruises are still operating, and you can come close to the entrance to admire the cave’s stunning blue glow from outside. For the latest updates, please check each cruise company’s official website.
Late Morning: Travel to Yoichi
From Otaru Station (just a 7-minute walk from Hotel Nord Otaru), take the JR train to Yoichi (about 25 minutes), or opt for a scenic drive if you prefer to travel by car.
Afternoon: Nikka Whisky and Local Culture
Tour the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery, where guided walks and tastings showcase Hokkaido’s whisky heritage. In warmer months, you can also visit a nearby winery for local vintages.
Lunch: Yoichi or Back in Otaru
Try Yoichi’s local seafood restaurants, or return to Otaru for a relaxed lunch near the station. Seasonal highlights include uni bowls in summer, salmon roe in autumn, warming hotpots in winter, and fresh spring delicacies.
Evening: Canal Stroll and Departure
Conclude your trip with one last canal walk at sunset, browse nearby shops for souvenirs, and enjoy dinner near or at the hotel.
Hotel NORD Otaru’s Offerings for Every Season
After exploring Otaru’s seasonal charms, there’s no better place to go to than Hotel Nord Otaru. Standing gracefully along the canal, the hotel combines comfort and character with an unbeatable location. From the moment you step inside, you are welcomed into a space where modern amenities meet the romance of Otaru’s waterfront.
Guest Rooms with Canal or City Views
Hotel Nord Otaru offers a variety of guest rooms, each designed to highlight a different side of Otaru’s beauty.
Guests who choose a canal-side room with river views enjoy exclusive, uninterrupted scenery of the Otaru Canal. From sunrise to sunset, the outlook changes constantly, shifting from the bustle of daytime tourism to the romance of softly glowing gas lamps at night. Those who stay in a city-side room with mountain views are treated to a picturesque perspective of distant peaks and the nostalgic townscape of Otaru, which feels both peaceful and charming.
The hotel also provides a wide range of room types to suit every traveler. Couples will appreciate the space and elegance of the Executive River Twin, while families can find extra comfort in Japanese-Western hybrid rooms such as the Grande rooms.
Breakfast Buffet with a Taste of Hokkaido
Each morning begins with a lavish buffet featuring around 70 Japanese and Western dishes. The emphasis is on freshness, with ingredients sourced from Hokkaido’s farms and seas. A highlight for many guests comes with the make-your-own kaisendon (seafood bowl), where generous servings of salmon roe, crab, and other seafood can be piled onto a bowl of rice. Because the dining area overlooks the Otaru Canal, the experience combines two pleasures at once: savoring Hokkaido’s flavors while taking in one of the city’s most famous views.
Canal Views by Day and by Night
The hotel’s location directly on the Otaru Canal means that its views are part of the stay itself. During the day, the canal brims with energy as boats glide past, tourists stroll along the promenade, and the stone warehouses reflect in the water. From a canal-side room or the restaurant, the lively spirit of the city is always in sight.
In the evening, the scene transforms into something more romantic. The glow of gas lamps illuminates the warehouses, and the reflections create a dreamlike mood along the canal. Guests can enjoy this shift in atmosphere not only from their windows but also while lingering in the hotel’s common courtyard, where the stillness of night enhances the sense of nostalgia.
For the most panoramic perspective, the Duomo Rosso Lounge on the top floor offers sweeping views of Otaru’s cityscape, canal, and harbor. With a cocktail or a glass of wine in hand, it is the perfect place to end the evening. Unlike many bars in Otaru, which close by 9pm, the lounge remains open until 11pm, giving guests a rare chance to enjoy the city’s nightscape at leisure.
Access to and within the Heart of Otaru
The hotel is a seven-minute walk from JR Otaru Station. Travelers flying in from Tokyo or Osaka will arrive at New Chitose Airport before continuing by train to reach Otaru in 80 minutes. If you are already in Sapporo, Otaru is only 35 minutes away by the JR Rapid Airport Express train. Travelers arriving by car can use the Otaru IC, just five minutes from the hotel.
The hotel’s parking lot accommodates 46 vehicles in both flat and multi-story garages, available from 3pm to 11am the next day for ¥1,200 per night (tax included). An EV charging station is also available for guests, operated through Terra Charge, with service hours from 3pm to 10pm. Parking operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hotel NORD Otaru’s location in the canal district places guests within walking distance of many major attractions, making seasonal sightseeing effortless. The Otaru Canal is right outside, while attractions like Canal Plaza (the former Otaru Warehouse), Sakaimachi Street Shopping District, and Northern Wall Street are all within walking distance. Guests can also easily access Otaru Art Village, Kitaichi Glass, and historic shrines and temples on foot or by bicycle. Let the charm of Otaru begin at Hotel NORD Otaru’s doorstep.
