Sakaimachi Street: Private Walking Tour in Otaru

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Attractive Street in the City Center of Otaru

Sakaimachi Street is an attractive, preserved merchant street in central Otaru, a short walk from Otaru Canal.

Sakaimachi Street is about 900 meters in length. It is here you can find souvenir shops, museums, restaurants, historical buildings, and landmarks. Many of these restaurants and stores are in these historical buildings, many being converted from old warehouses. So, not only can you do some shopping and dining, but you can also get some great photos while on your travels.

Sakaimachi Street (境町通り, Sakaimachi Dōri)

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Where is Sakaimachi Street

Sakaimachi Street is a ten minute walk from Otaru Station or a five minute walk from Minami-Otaru Station. Alternatively, two of the four Otaru Stroller’s tourist bus lines pass along the street, providing frequent connections with Otaru Station.

The north entrance of Sakaimachi Street is near the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum and around the south end of Otaru Canal.

The south entrance is a five-street intersection, and it is called Meruhen-Kôsaten. Formally, this intersection is “Sakaimachi Intersection”.

“Meruhen” is a German word “Märchen” and means “fairy tale”. “Kôsaten” means “intersection”.

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Walk with us on this private walking tour

1. Otaru Denuki-Koji

Quaint alleyway with a retro feel, lined with restaurants and food stalls serving ramen and yakitori. There are around 20 small shops in the historical building.

Address: 1 Chome-1 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan
Address: 〒047-0031 北海道小樽市色内１丁目１

If you are looking for a great view of Otaru Canal, there is a free observation deck upstairs. It is little narrow to climb up the tower, but Otaru Canal and the ocean is in front of your eyes. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the observation deck!

2. Seafood Restaurant Donburi Chaya

Donburi Chaya is a seafood rice bowl specialty restaurant, which originated from the Nijyo seafood market.

Address: 3-24 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町３−24

3. Crepe Plus – RE di ROMA Otaru

Address: 3-18 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町３−18

4. 抹茶スイーツ処 茶和々 小樽店

A building cannot get anymore maccha than this! Dubbed the Green Tea Matcha Building.

Address: 4-14 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町４−14

5. Venetian Cafeteria

Take a break with a rainbow tower ice cream. My rainbow ice cream had 7 layers of a variety of tastes: Grape, Strawberry, Powdered Green Tea, Melon, Chocolate, Milk, and Lavendar.

6. LeTAO Pathos

On the 1st floor is a confectionary where they offer their popular products, including Double Fromage. There is a takeout corner where you can eat their limited edition “Hokkaido Jersey Milk Pudding” made with Hokkaido Jersey milk and LeTAO’s original fresh cream. On the 2nd floor is a cafe where you can enjoy original cakes only from PATHOS as well as plates of pasta.

Pathos is the Greek word for “passion” and it’s logo mark of the sun expresses that meaning as well.

Address: 5-22 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町５−22

7. Snoopy Cha-Ya

All-things Snoopy!

Address: 6-4 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町６−4

8. Kitaichi Glass Crystal Shop and Kitakaro

Kitaichi Glass Crystal Shop
Set of shops selling items made from glass, such as decorative snow globes & kerosene lamps.
Address: 7-26 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町７−26

Kitakaro
Address: 7-22 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町７−22

9. Fromage Danish Dani LeTAO

Stop for a coffee break here.

Address: 6-6番13号 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan
Address: 〒047-0027 北海道小樽市堺町６−6番13号

10. Otaru Music Box Museum

Our private walking tour along Sakaimachi Street ends here. Otaru Music Box Museum is a specialty retailer featuring artisanal tabletop music boxes in many styles with ornate decorations.

On June 25,1994, the world’s largest and second ever steam clock was installed in front of Otaru Music Box Museum is a popular music box museum in the Otaru Orgel-do II building in Otaru, Japan. It includes various examples of music boxes as well as CDs that have music box-esque versions of various songs.

Otaru Music Box Museum (小樽オルゴール堂)

The British-style bronze clock measures 5.5 meters high and weighs 1.5 tons. It was assembled by Mr. Raymond Sanders, who also made the first steam clock located in Gastown, Vancouver, Canada.

Watch on YouTube

Credits to:

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6704.html
https://hokkaidoguide.com/sakaimachi-street/
http://www.travel-around-japan.com/k12-01-03-sakaimachi.html
https://otaru-denuki.com/en/about_en/
https://donburi.jp/en/
https://www.letao.jp/global/en/sp/shop/pathos.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otaru_Music_Box_Museum

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