Otaru

Otaru was one of those ports where time was short and the skies were gray, so I kept things low-key. I arrived by cruise and spent most of my visit exploring the main shopping street near the port. It’s a cozy, walkable area filled with local shops, quirky cafes, and little oddities that hint at Otaru’s artistic spirit.

I didn’t make any purchases, but a few things did catch my eye—like the Hello Kitty café, colorful stained glass decor, and the stone sculptures lining the way. A whimsical statue of a dog dressed for winter stood proudly outside one building, while koi-shaped streamers fluttered overhead in celebration of Children’s Day. Even under overcast skies, those koinobori added a splash of color and movement to an otherwise quiet city block.

The canal areas were peaceful and photogenic, with decorative lanterns strung above and weeping willows lining the path. I even spotted some snow still clinging to the ground in shaded corners. The weather was cold and the skies never quite brightened, so I didn’t wander too far, but the backdrop of snowy hills rising behind the city made for a pretty dramatic setting. Otaru feels like a town with stories to tell—just not one I had enough time or energy to fully uncover this time around.