●Experience a Japanese Heritage Site at the nostalgic Otaru Canal
Otaru Canal is beloved as a symbol of Otaru. A walk along the canal lined with stone warehouses feels like stepping back in time to the romantic Taisho era. These warehouses once served as a major hub for goods when Otaru was the gateway to Hokkaido and played a central role in the region’s economic flow. They are designated cultural assets that form part of the Japanese Heritage “Otaru, the town known as the ‘Heart of Hokkaido’.”
The historic buildings and the calm water surface of the canal create a soothing and picturesque landscape. During your free time, you may also enjoy visiting Kitaichi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum, Kitakaro, or the Nitori Art Museum.

●Enjoy a seafood grill lunch at Otaru Bine, a designated historic building in Otaru
Lunch is served at Otaru Bine, a historic building renovated from the former main branch of Hokkaido Bank. Inside the spacious and stately interior, you can enjoy a Seafood Grill Lunch made with fresh local seafood from Otaru and around Hokkaido. The building itself is an important architectural structure that symbolizes the financial strength that supported Japan’s economy from the Meiji era onward.

●Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch
(※Closed on Tuesdays and from December 29 to January 3)
Completed in 1906, this building was the second Otaru branch office of Nippon Yusen (NYK Line). It was constructed during the development of Otaru Port and remains a symbol of Otaru’s prosperity as a commercial and port city.
Features include a marble side entrance, an elegantly carved wooden staircase handrail, and detailed central decorations. Imported materials such as American steel shutters and German linoleum were also used.

●Otaru Aquarium
(Stop available only on operating days from December 13 to February 23)
The aquarium houses approximately 250 species and 5,000 individual animals. A highlight of the winter season is the Penguin Snow Walk, where you can see gentoo penguins walking on the snow up close. Up to fifteen penguins including those born in 2025 may appear.
At the Dolphin Stadium, you can watch dynamic jumps by bottlenose dolphins. Inside the aquarium, you can also see northern marine animals such as harbor porpoises, lumpsuckers, and sea angels, which are kept only at Otaru Aquarium in Japan.

●Shiroi Koibito Park
This theme park features a factory where you can observe the production line of the famous Hokkaido confectionery “Shiroi Koibito,” exhibits on chocolate history, and hands-on sweet-making experiences. The British-style buildings and gardens are beautiful and highly photogenic.
Limited-edition sweets are available at the shop and café, making it a popular spot for families and travelers.
(※From January 3 to July 31, 2026, part of the Chocolateopia third-floor viewing area including the production line may be unavailable due to renovation. The paid viewing area remains accessible during the renovation.)