Discover Otaru's new attractions! 6 Activities to Enjoy at the Sea, in the Mountains, and in the Town
Otaru's charm lies not only in its retro townscape with its historic buildings, but also in the abundant nature that stretches nearby. Why not discover a new way to enjoy Otaru with a different kind of activity? We will introduce outdoor leisure activities that are unique to Otaru surrounded by the sea and mountains, as well as experiences that will make your regular town tour even more enjoyable.
1Ryugu Cruise "Blue Cave Course
Breathtaking blue miracle created by nature
The "Blue Cave" is a spot where sunlight shines through a cave created by erosion of seawater, making the surface of the sea appear to glow blue. It is famous in Italy and Okinawa, but in fact, it also exists in Otaru.
Ryugu Cruises offers an 80-minute boat tour of the Otaru Blue Cave from April to October, and the waiting room and boarding area are located about a 15-minute walk from Otaru Station. The boat tour takes about 80 minutes to visit Otaru Blue Cave, and the waiting room and boarding area are located about a 15-minute walk from Otaru Station. As you proceed into the cave, surrounded by rock surfaces that have been woven together since ancient times, you will find yourself in a fantastic space drawn by the geological strata and the surface of the sea. The sound of waves echoes in the silence, and you will be enchanted by the mysterious world that transcends human knowledge.
Enjoy the spectacular view from the sea and encounter with wild animals
The powerboats of the "Ryugong Cruise" are comfortable, with all seats facing the direction of travel. The experienced "captain" will introduce you to the sights in an entertaining talk.
In addition to the dynamic and spectacular spots where untouched nature is woven together, encountering a variety of wild animals is also a pleasure on the cruise. Seagulls and petrels that chase the boat are familiar and cute companions on the cruise. In early spring, if you are lucky, you may see a school of sea lions or dolphins relaxing on the rocks.
- Ryugu Cruise
-
4-5 Minato-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
15 min. walk from JR Otaru Station
8:30-18:00 (varies according to the season)
Closed during bad weather from April to October and winter from November to March
Blue Cave Course: Adults 6,000 yen, Junior high school students - 22 years old 5,500 yen, 3 years old - elementary school students 4,000 yen
0134-32-3911
Free of charge
3 years old to 80 years old
For more information on the "Blue Cave Course," please visit the website.
2SAVE BLEU Sup Labo St. "SUP Touring
Try popular marine activities in Otaru's waters
SUP stands for "stand up paddleboard," an activity in which you stand on a board similar to a surfboard and paddle through the water. It can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults, and is gaining popularity around the world.
SAVE BLEU Sup Labo St." offers SUP touring from June to September at the Shiotani Coast on the outskirts of Otaru City. The Shiotani Coast is known for its high transparency, and the exhilaration of paddling out into the crystal clear ocean, where you can see the bottom of the ocean from the top of your SUP, is irresistible. There is a shared tour (about 1.5 hours) for beginners and a private tour (about 2 hours) limited to one pair per day, so you can choose according to your experience and preferences.
The comfort of the waves and the feeling of freedom are addictive!
No special skills are required for SUP. Those who are not comfortable paddling standing up can paddle on their knees, or lie down on the board and relax while swaying. With the support of the guide staff/staff members who are well versed in the waters of Otaru, you can also visit spots with spectacular views that can only be seen from the sea.
You can go out to the sea even on rainy days as long as the waves are not too high, so you can plan your itinerary without worrying about the weather. Once you experience the liberating feeling of being one with the magnificent ocean, you will be addicted to it.
- SAVE BLEU Sup Labo St., St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
-
- Inside BLUE HORIC Seakayak St., 1-28-14 Shioya, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
- Approx. 14 min. by car from JR Otaru St.
- 9:30-11:00, 13:30-15:00
- October to May
- Shared tour 6,500 yen, private tour 8,500 yen (10,000 yen per person)
- 090-2050-0081
- Free of charge
- Junior high school students and older (upper elementary school students can join the shared tour if accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- For more information on "SUP Touring," please visit our website.
3Haruka Horse Ranch "Horse Trekking
Try horseback riding at Harukayama, overlooking Ishikari Bay
Haruka Horse Ranch is a Horse Riding Property based on Haruka Mountain, located between Sapporo and Otaru. Haruka Horse Ranch is a horse-riding facility based on Haruka Mountain, halfway between Sapporo and Otaru, where you can experience authentic horse trekking with a view of Ishikari Bay from the top.
Three courses can be experienced throughout the four seasons: "Family Trekking," which is safe for children with the support of a guide; "Harusuta Trekking," which is for beginners and follows forest paths; and the wild "Lion Trekking," which crosses a creek to the top of the next mountain. There is also a winter-only "Long Trekking" course that takes snow-covered mountain paths, allowing visitors to experience a variety of horseback riding fun depending on their skills.
The warmth of the horses will soothe your heart, and the magnificent scenery will make your heart pound!
The joy of riding in harmony with the horse's movements and your own body, following the guide's lectures and controlling the reins, is something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. The horses at Haruka Horse Ranch are well-trained, obedient, and gentle. Even those who are new to horses will be charmed by their lovable nature.
Leaning into the rhythmic movements of the horses and moving forward as one, the horses and visitors will forget about their busy lives. The experience of crossing a river, passing through a forest, and looking out over Ishikari Bay with the horses will surely be an unforgettable one.
- Haruka Horse Lunch
-
- 397 Haruka-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
- 10 min. drive from JR Zenibako Station
- 10:00-17:00
Phone reception 8:00-19:00 - Thursdays
- Family trekking (approx. 30 min.) 5,500 yen
Harusta trekking (approx. 50 min.) 6,600 yen
Lion trekking (approx. 90 min.): 12,100 yen
Long trekking (winter only, approx. 120 min.) 16,500 yen - 0134-62-4635
- Free of charge
- No age limit (minimum height 140cm)
- For more information on horse trekking, please check the website.
4Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway "TENGUUU Zipline" and "TENGUUU Hot Air Balloon
Thrilling aerial glides overlooking the city of Otaru
Mt. Tengu, at 532.4 meters above sea level, is one of the most scenic spots in Otaru. A ropeway runs to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Otaru city center and the Sea of Japan.
At the top of the mountain, there are a variety of Properties and Activities to enjoy the magnificent view and contact with nature. One of the most popular activities is the "Tenguu Zipline," a 128-meter-long wire ride on pulleys. The fee is reasonable at 1,000 yen per ride, so even first-time zipliners can try it easily.
Enjoy the sparkling night view from the sky
Mt. Tengu is one of the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido. Tenguu hot-air balloons are available to enjoy the spectacular view from an even higher vantage point: a hot-air balloon is connected to a rope at 530 meters and soars 30 meters into the sky, offering a 360° panoramic view.
The hot-air balloon ride starts at 6:00 p.m. and lasts about 5 minutes. Depending on the time of the day, you can see various aspects of Otaru, such as at dusk when the city turns orange, or after sunset when the lights of the city twinkle like jewels. The sight of hot air balloons soaring into the sky is also beautiful, and it is fun to take a picture while waiting for your ride.
- Otaru Tengu Ropeway
-
- 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru City, Hokkaido (Sanroku Station) MAP
- Take a bus from Otaru Station Terminal and get off at "Tenguyama Ropeway".
- Late April - early November 9:00 - 21:00 (last ropeway up 20:48)
Operation periods and hours are subject to change. - Ropeway: Early November to late April *Other services may be suspended.
- Ropeway (round trip): 1,400 yen for junior high school students and older, 700 yen for elementary school students, one preschool child free per adult
TENGUUU zipline: 1,000 yen per ride
TENGUUU hot air balloon: 3,000 yen for junior high school students and older, 2,300 yen for 4-year-olds to elementary school students and younger, free for 3-year-olds and younger - 0134-33-7381
- Free of charge
- TENGUUU Zipline: Elementary school students and older (no experience allowed for children under 120 cm in height or over 120 kg in weight)
TENGUUU Hot Air Balloon: No age limit - TENGUUU zipline and TENGUU hot air balloon are closed from early November to late April (hot air ballooning may be cancelled due to wind).
*Please check the website for details.
5Ebisuya Otaru "Rickshaw".
Enjoy a leisurely and comfortable tour of the city in a jinrikisha, a small rickshaw.
If you are visiting Otaru for the first time, we recommend taking a rickshaw ride and enjoying a leisurely tour of the city. You will not have to worry about getting lost or finding a parking lot, and you will be able to visit the sights efficiently.
Ebisuya Otaru offers four different courses of rickshaw rides that cover a wide variety of attractions, from a course around the Otaru Canal to a course that takes you through Otaru's historical streets and rich natural scenery. The jinrikisha rickshaws are available around Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi-dori Street, which are the must-visit areas for tourists, and are ready for use as soon as you feel like it.
Guided tours and photo tours of hidden gems
Conversation with a jinrikisha rickshaw driver, who is full of personality, is one of the attractions of the rickshaw. They will introduce you to the sights and trivia of the sights with their professional knowledge of the town of Otaru and their pleasant talk. Sometimes they will take you to hidden places that most tourists don't know about, or to narrow alleys that are inaccessible by car. If you are in doubt about where to eat lunch or dinner, you can ask them for information about local gourmet food.
Rickshaw rides go well with Otaru's retro cityscape. The jinrikisha rickshaw drivers know all the photo-worthy spots and how to take pictures, and they are happy to help you take great photos that you cannot take by yourself.
- Ebisuya Otaru
-
- 2-8-7 Shikinai, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- 10 min. walk from JR Otaru Sta.
- 9:30 - sunset (until 20:00 from July to September)
- Open daily (may be closed in winter due to weather)
- 1 section: 4,000 yen for 1 person, 5,000 yen for 2 persons, 9,000 yen for 3 persons
30-minute charter: 1 person 9,000 yen, 2 persons 10,000 yen, 3 persons 19,000 yen
60-minute charter: 1 person 16,000 yen, 2 persons 20,000 yen, 3 persons 36,000 yen
120-minute charter: 31,000 yen for 1 person, 38,000 yen for 2 persons, 69,000 yen for 3 persons
For 3 persons, 2 cars are available. - 0134-27-7771
- No parking (use nearby toll parking)
6Otaru Tourism Promotion Public Corporation "Otaru Sea Sightseeing Boat
Take a small boat trip to discover the spectacular scenery of the Sea of Japan
The coastal area from Otaru to Shakotan Peninsula is in the "Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Coast National Park," where rock surfaces eroded by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan form a unique landscape. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery created by nature from the sea on the Otaru Sea Sightseeing Boat.
The most popular route, "Otamoi Passage," allows you to fully enjoy the dynamic scenic beauty of the Otamoi Coast, where a series of precipitous cliffs form a series of cliffs. There is also the "Shukutsu Passage," which is convenient as a means of transportation to sightseeing spots such as the Otaru Aquarium and the Nishin Goten, and the "Akaiwa Passage," which offers a mini cruise to Akaiwa Beach, just before Otamoi Coast.
The scenery of cliffs and oddly shaped rocks is breathtaking.
If you are going to go to the trouble of taking an ocean sightseeing boat, we recommend the Otamoi Passage, which is full of sights to see. Cliffs and oddly shaped rocks rise out of the cobalt blue sea, called "Shakotan blue." You can also see traces of Otamoi Amusement Park, a huge phantom resort that disappeared shortly after the end of World War II. There are many spots that can only be seen from the sea, and you cannot take your eyes off them.
Birdwatching is also a pleasure on the boat, with gulls flying close by, cormorants diving among the waves, and herons flapping their wings with ease. In early spring, you may even spot dolphins following the boat.
- Otaru Tourism Promotion Public Corporation
-
- 4-2 Minato-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
- 12 min. walk from JR Otaru Station
- 9:00-17:00 (reception)
- Open daily during business hours, closed in winter from mid-October to mid-April.
- Otamoi Passage: Adults 1,600-3,000 yen, children 800-1,500 yen (varies by course)
Akaiwa Passage: Adults 2,000 yen, children 1,000 yen
Shukitsu Passage: (one-way) Adults 800 yen (return 600 yen), children 400 yen (return 300 yen) - 0134-29-3131
- Free of charge
- Temporary service may be increased depending on the day of the week and season.
