Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Description
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Otaru! Otaru is a famous historical city and popular vacation spot in Hokkaido. But if you’ve never been there before, it can be hard to know where to go and what to see. In this guide, We’ll introduce some of the best sightseeing spots, restaurants and sweet shops for those going to Otaru for the first time. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Otaru Canal is a classic staple when it comes to famous sightseeing spots of Hokkaido. Once the distribution hub of Hokkaido, it boasted a population that even surpassed that of Sapporo. At that time the canal was used to offload ships via barges, and was established to lengthen the distance that goods could be distributed. Eventually the canal was no longer necessary to serve its function once the docks were established and was to be landfilled. However it currently stands as a place for citizens and tourists alike to relax and enjoy with its promenades and gas lamps lighting the riverbanks.
Otaru City's historical buildings of the early 20th century are now used as various resources for tourism. The Otaru Art Base located opposite the Otaru Canal across Rinkosen Street is one such facility. There are four historical buildings where 20 of the largest banks in Hokkaido were gathered, formerly the center of Hokkaido's economy known as "North Wall Street." What was the former Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch as seen in the picture is now home to the Nitori Museum of Art, and includes displays such as Japanese and foreign paintings, wood carvings, and more. In the basement you will find the Art Nouveau Art Déco Glass Gallery.
If you're travelling for pleasure, then you'll want to enjoy gourmet and shopping. Both can be done at Otaru's Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street, located on the inland side of Rinkosen Street, parallel to the Otaru Canal. It is a one-way street that stretches about 900 meters from North Wall Street to the Marchen Crossroads where you will find the Bank of Japan Otaru Branch. Both sides of the street are lined with old merchant shops and Western-style buildings. Nearby to the Otaru Canal, it is another very popular tourist spot.
Otaru may be known for its nostalgic influence of historic Western buildings and glass crafts, but there is also a spot that conveys the history of Japan from long ago. One of these places is the Tanaka Sake Brewery, founded in 1899. Many types of alcoholic beverages are manufactured here, including plum wine, sweet sake, and of course the beloved local sake of Otaru, Takaragawa. Because the cool climate of Otaru allows for the manufacture of sake year-round, the Tanaka Sake Brewery Kikkougura is a great place to visit at any time of the year.
Anyone can enjoy strolling the various beautiful landscapes of historical Otaru. Overlooking this beautiful seaside city and the Sea of Japan is Mt. Tengu, about 15 minutes by car from the Otaru IC. The Mt. Tengu Ropeway can take you from the foot of the mountain to the very top, a total distance of 735 meters, in about 4 minutes. From the mountain summit you can even get a great view of the Shakotan Peninsula.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Reviews(23)
This was our first day in Japan and our guide was wonderful! She had beautiful English and had a lot of little tidbits of knowledge about Otaru and navigating around Japan in general. She was a delight! We saw so much and learned a little as well. It was a wonderful day.
Thank you so much for your kind review. I’m glad you enjoyed Otaru . Hokkaido has so many charming places , so please come visit again. I’d be happy to show you around again. I’m looking forward to that day. Michiko
Our guide, Fumiko Yoshizawa was delightful. It was a particularly cold day and she brought us hand warmers which was so very thoughtful. Clearly Fumiko loves her city and loves sharing it with visitors. She contacted us several times before the tour to ensure when and where to meet her. She took us to a local restaurant that we would not have found on our own and guided us to try dishes we probably would not have tried without her encouragement. The food was delicious. She took us to several places and gave us rest periods as needed. She is a great tour guide.
Thank you so much for letting me guide you, sending generous and encouraging review. I have learned a lot from you how to live a fulfilling life with a positive attitude and make your dream trips a reality. You both look so cool!! I also enjoyed "Udon" lunch talking with you. Wishing you both a truly enriching and happy life ahead! - Fumiko
Michiko is very knowledgeable and a delight. She was very kind and was able to take my weird eating habits in stride and find a lovely dining spot. She contacted us prior to our tour so it felt very comfortable meeting her and spending the afternoon together. I think everyone should tour this way. Thank you so much Michiko.
Thank you for your kind review. I’m glad you enjoyed Otaru. Hokkaido has many attractive places, so please come again if you have a chance. And enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan. Michiko
Roy was very knowledgeable and fun. His English was also very good - learned just by watching Aliens 100 times. Highly recommend this tour to learn about the history and commerce of Otaru - especially as a trading port and hub of the herring fisheries. Arigato Roy
Dear guests, I am very glad to know you enjoyed your time in Otaru. You were the first guests I brought to the most secret waterhole in Otaru. Hope to see you again in the future. If it were 25 years ago, at the Ironman Hawaii ! Cheers, Roy
Roy is a passionate and knowledgeable guide with good sense of humor. He showed us the history of Otaru history and all highlights of the city. Had the best sushi in my life (specially fatty tuna) and delicious sake !!! Highly recommended for first timer in Oatru.
Dear Guests, I am thrilled to hear you had enjoyed the tour of Otaru. Yes, the sushi restaurant where we had lunch is the best one in Otaru. Please keep it secret. ;) I enjoyed your company very much, so THANK YOU ! - Roy
Kumiko was absolutely fabulous as a personal guide around the city. She was able to take us to all of the places we have to go for and accommodate us when we wanted to switch courses. She was friendly and knowledgeable under contacts or something! Thank you for a great day!
Thank you for your kind review for our tour ! I also enjoyed the tour talking with you all, such generous, kind ,nice customers . And I really appreciate you got much positive interest my favorite Otaru city . Ice cream was great and you also made me so happy on the day ! Best Regards Kumiko
Bad tour. Waste of money. I could not understand the guide. His English was terrible. Really nothing to see, except shops to spend money on stuff I don’t want or need.
Hello and thank you for your review. As we have not had a 4hr Private tour in Otaru recently, we would appreciate it if you could contact us directly to inform us of the name of your guide. Otaru has a rich history so we would like to be sure that our guides are explaining this to guests. We await your email. Japan Guide Agency
Roy was my guide and he was great! The restaurant he took us was great. His in depth knowledge about the city and its history was something we loved the most.
Dear guest, thank you very much for your kind feedback. As a guide I always learn a lot about the place I guide from the perspective of my guests. You were not exception. I learned new aspects of the city I live. Hope to see you again here in Hokkaido again. Roy
It was disappointing to learn that the museum we had originally planned to close was closed, but he quickly suggested the Otaru General Museum. There, we learned about the history of Otaru while listening to the guide. We met our guide, Mr. Yakuwa, for the first time in the lobby of the hotel where we were going to stay, and he was a dandy man about the same age as us, so we were able to ask him to guide us with peace of mind. At a sushi restaurant that Mr. Hakkuwa had booked in advance for lunch, we had a good meal. After that, the half day was full of shopping in Sakaimachi street, exploring the canal, and enjoying delicious sweets as a break. Thank you very much. As a side note, our dinner was undecided, but the beer restaurant that our guide told us about just before we parted was great in terms of atmosphere and taste.
エージェントより先日の小樽半日ツアーについて好意的なメールをいただいたと言う連絡を受けました。高評価をいただき感謝いたします。 あいにく美術館などを含め多くの施設が休館と言う日であったため、満足のいく小樽観光にはならないのではないかと心配しておりました。その中でできるだけ希望に沿うツアーになるよう心がけましたが、 満足いただけたならば、大変嬉しく思います。その後車で道南へのツアーを続けることを聞いておりましたが、楽しい旅はできたでしょうか？ 北海道は大変広く、また季節によっても様々な楽しみを提供してくれるので、 今後も機会があれば北海道の新たな魅力を見つけてくださることを期待しております。 八鍬 環
Katsuko-san is patient, knowledgeable, polite and extremely helpful. Well-versed in English, she is enjoying every moment of her profession to serve with distinction and professionalism. Thank you, we enjoyed the walking tour👍
Thank you very much for your kind review message. I hope you are enjoying tour in Japan. I was honored to guide you and am very pleased you enjoyed touring in Otaru, Hokkaido. As you see, the mountains and fields are now tinted with crimson red and golden yellow. Japan has distinct four seasons, each of which has its unique landscapes and offers tasty foods. Pleae come back again. Also, please enjoy the rest of your stay. If you have another oppotinity comong to Hokkaido, I would like to guide you again. With best wishes. Katsuko Kemanai
