Experience the Nostalgic Otaru Canal & Japan Heritage Sites:Step back in time to the early 1900s as you stroll along the Otaru Canal, lined with historic stone warehouses. You will visit the "Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch," a designated Japan Heritage site that stands as a symbol of the port city’s prosperity during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Enjoy a relaxing walk through this atmospheric town, with stops at popular attractions like Kitaichi Glass and the Otaru Music Box Museum.
Savor Historic Dining & Explore Shiroi Koibito Park :For lunch, enjoy a grilled seafood meal using fresh local ingredients at "Otaru Bine," a restaurant housed in the renovated former Hokkaido Bank Head Office—a building radiating historical elegance. Later, visit the famous "Shiroi Koibito Park" to tour the chocolate production line, take photos in the beautiful British-style gardens, and enjoy exclusive sweets available only at the park.
Winter Exclusive: Snow-Walking Penguins & Northern Marine Life: Visit Otaru Aquarium for its signature winter event: the "Penguin Snow Walk" (mid-December to late February). Watching the Gentoo penguins marching right before your eyes is a charming must-see experience. You can also enjoy dynamic dolphin shows and meet rare northern creatures found nowhere else in Japan, such as harbor porpoises and sea angels.

Experience a Japanese Heritage Site: The Nostalgic Ambiance of the Otaru Canal
The Otaru Canal is beloved as a symbol of the city. Walk along the canal lined with stone warehouses, and you’ll feel as if you’ve slipped back to the early 1900s. These warehouses once served as a hub for good entering Hokkaido, symbolizing Otaru’s prosperity as the region’s economic lifeblood. They are part of the Japanese heritage site: Otaru – The Town Once Called the “”Heart”" of Hokkaido. The historic buildings and the calm waters of the canal create a soothing scene that warms the hearts of visitors. You can also explore attractions such as Kitaichi Glass, the Otaru Music Box Museum, and the Nitori Museum of Art.
Enjoy Grilled Seafood at Otaru Bine, a Designated Historic Building of Otaru
For lunch, dine at Otaru Bine, housed in the renovated former Hokkaido Bank Head Office—a building steeped in history. The interior features high ceilings and stately decor, where you’ll enjoy a seafood grill lunch made with fresh, local catches from Otaru and Hokkaido. The building itself is a symbol of Otaru’s financial power, which supported Japan’s economy from the Meiji period onward.
Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch (Closed Tuesdays and Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)
Completed in 1906, this was the second Otaru branch building of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line).
Built during the port’s boom years, it stands as a symbol of Otaru’s prosperity as a thriving commercial and port city. It is also a Japan Heritage Site. Its refined interior include a marble side entrance, intricately carved wooden stair railings, and a finely crafted central ornament. Many imported materials were used, such as American steel shutters and German linoleum.
Otaru Aquarium (Visited only on operating days from Dec. 13 to Feb. 23)
Home to around 250 species and 5,000 animals, the aquarium’s winter highlight is the “”Penguin Snow Walk,”" where you can watch penguins strolling across the snow up close. Up to 15 gentoo penguins, including chicks born in 2025, take part in this charming event. At the Dolphin Stadium, watch bottlenose dolphins perform spectacular jumps and playful tricks. Inside, take a look at northern species such as harbor porpoises, lumpfish, and sea angels—species that are kept only at Otaru Aquarium in Japan.
Shiroi Koibito Park
This theme park offers factory tours of the production line for Hokkaido’s beloved “”Shiroi Koibiti”" cookies, exhibits on the history of chocolate, and hands-on sweets-making experiences. Its British-style buildings and gardens make for many picturesque photo spots. Visitors can enjoy exclusive sweets at the on-site shops and cafés, making it a favorite destination for families and tourists alike. (Note: From January 3 to July 31, 2026, parts of the 3rd-floor “”Chocotopia”" viewing area, including the production line, may be closed for renovations. Paid admission areas will remain open during construction.)

※Note
● Otaru Aquarium
Children aged 3 to 5 require a separate ¥250 admission fee. Please pay individually on site. (This does not apply for those that have paid for children upfront)
○"Dolphin Time" (20-minute dolphin show) start times vary by season.
13：00
○"Penguin Snow Walk" (approx. 10 min)
12:40 or 13:30
○ Event times listed above may be subject to change. The event may be modified or canceled depending on weather conditions or the animals' health.
● Shiroi Koibito Park
○A tour of the Shiroi Koibito Park production line.
Pre-elementary children aged 4 and 5 are requried to pay a ¥300 admission fee for paid facilities. Pleas pay this fee individually at the site. (This does not apply for those that have paid for children upfront)
○From January 3 to July 31, 2026, portions of the Chocotopia 3rd floor observation area, including the Shiroi Koibito Park production line, may not be accessible due to renovation work. Paid admission areas will remain open during construction. All areas excpet the third-floor factor tour walkway are operating normally.
○The last admission for the paid tour area is at 16:30. (Business hours until 17:30)
If arrival is delayed past 16:30, our schedule will switch to shopping and a souvenir gift. Thank you for your understanding.

Information about tour
Place of departure and destination: From Sapporo to Otaru
Number of days of travel:1Day
Means of transportation:Bus
Name of bus company:Hokkaido Chuo Bus
Meal(s): 1 Lunch only for Lunch plan
Minimum number of passengers to operate. 1
Number of GUIDE：0
Tour Operator Information
Company Name: HOKKAIDO CHUO BUS CO., LTD.
Address: 1-8-6 Ironai, Otaru, 047-8601 JAPAN
Tel: 0570-200-600
Registration No.: No. 2-814 by Governor of Hokkaido Registered Travel Agency
Membership:Full Member of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Contact Information
Department Name:Inbound Travel Sales Division DMC Department Hokkaido Team
Address: 18th FL, Nissay Sapporo Bldg, 1-1 Kita 3 Jo Nishi 4 Chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido 060-0003 Japan
Tel: +81- 11-798-5191
Opening hour :10:00~18:00
(Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays)
General Travel Services Manager　：Kenji Nagamine
*The Tour Operations Manager is responsible for transactions related to your travel at the sales office handling your travel arrangements.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the explanations provided by the staff about this travel contract, please do not hesitate to contact the above-mentioned Tour Operations Manager.
Please read and understand the Terms and conditions below.
General Passenger Collective Transport Terms and Conditions