Very pretty place particularly in winter when snow is everywhere and the Christmas lights are coming on. Gets dark around 4:30pm which makes it not too late to see the lights if only on a day trip from Sapporo as we were.
Recommend sitting in a warehouse bar or restaurant along the canal.
We didn't have much time, so we just walked along the canal. But it was a beautiful sunny day and because we went early, it was almost empty. There was a crowd for the boat tour, but we didn't go there. I'm sure exploring the warehouses would have been fascinating, but just to see all the Meiji era western-style buildings was a piece of history I wasn't expecting. Well worth even a short visit, and from here, it's just a minute's walk to the glass-ware shops.
Many romantic movies and dramas have been made on location here for decades, you just have to goggle and the list is easily a few pages long. Thus no surprise why many Asians consider Otaru a very romantic town and this Canal is a must visit. Still, a few rules to complete the works. Firstly, come during winter. It is simply different without the snow covered roofs though you may have to trudge through a feet of the slippery white shit. If you come during summer the warehouses simply look dirty, tired and very old. Autumn is the next close second best with lovely autumn colours and cool weather. Next, come at night. The river lights up and honestly, the darkness covered up much of the unsightly parts, if any. Lastly, don't come alone. It's probably depressing enough to see the prettier, younger couples posing for pictures and if you have to take selfies here as the only loser, you might as well shoot yourself. Bring a partner, borrow one of you have to, or, don't come at all.
The Otaru Canal is a picturesque and iconic landmark that perfectly captures the charm of this historic port town. Lined with beautifully restored warehouses and retro-style gas lamps, the canal offers a nostalgic atmosphere that transports you to another time.
