Otaru

The canal was completed in 1923. The canal has been developed as a walkway. It is lit at night by gas lamps and walkway lights. Located 10 minutes walk from Otaru Station.

A museum that contains exhibits about the development of music boxes, a collection of several notable music boxes, as well as an extensive store that carries many different types. For a fee, customers can build their own music boxes. The museum is also part of a larger complex of buildings in the surrounding area, which include a stuffed animal collection as well as an antiques museum.

Outside of the music box museum, the steam clock was a gift from Vancouver to Otaru. Powered entirely by steam, the clock plays a chime every 15 minutes, and features the main steam whistle on the hour.

Named after the elusive tengu god, Mount Tengu is a popular viewpoint where you can see all of the city and the Sea of Japan. The view is said to be one of Hokkaido's top three night views. There is also a free Tengu Museum with information and artifacts about tengu, a Ski Museum, hiking trails, and restaurants. Mount Tengu can be accessed by the Tenguyama Ropeway (¥840 one way, ¥1400 roundtrip).

Railway museum with examples of the snowplows used on Hokkaido’s railways. From May-Oct, there is a short ride on a steam train, running 3 times daily at no additional charge.

The stained glass pieces that are owned by the Stained Glass Museum (former Takahashi Warehouse), inside the Otaru Art Base, were crafted in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and were part of the window fixtures in churches. Many of the churches have been torn down due to various circumstances, but these beautiful pieces of art were spared, and ended up in Japan. Some of the stained glass is inscribed with words and pictures that tell the history from the flourishing reign of Queen Victoria, through the Edwardian Period, and into the era after the First World War.

The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum building was designed by Kingo Tatsuno and his protégé, Uheiji Nagano. Construction work was completed in 1912 to serve as the Bank's Otaru Branch, which discontinued its business operations on September 13, 2002. The historical building provides an atmospheric setting for displays on the bank's history, its business operations, and the development of the city of Otaru. Audioguides are available in English and Japanese.

Called "Yuki Akari no Michi", this Winter festival features paths illuminated with lanterns made of ice. The most scenic view is from the Otaru canal. You can also view many ice lanterns clustered along the abandoned railway a few blocks away from the canal. The festival runs in the first-second week of February.