Otaru Sakaimachi Street

Hokkaido

Otaru Sakaimachi Street is the main street for sightseeing in Otaru, located just a 5-minute walk from Otaru Canal. Lined with historical buildings constructed from the Meiji era to the early Showa period, it features a nostalgic townscape that is truly charming. The street is filled with local specialties such as sushi, seafood bowls, sweets, Otaru glass, and music boxes, making it a popular destination for couples and families. Spanning approximately 1.3 km, the street also hosts many experiential shops, providing a unique blend of nostalgia and the extraordinary for visitors.

Basic Information

Spot Name: Otaru Sakaimachi Street
Location: 〒047-0027 6-11 Sakai-cho, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Access: 8 minutes on foot from JR Hakodate Main Line "Minami-Otaru" Station.
Parking: Parking available.
Business Hours: It varies by each facility and store.
Fees: The fees vary by each facility and store.
Contact Information: Phone Number： 0134-27-1133
Official Website: https://otaru-sakaimachi.com/

Map

Detailed Information

Otaru Sakaimachi Street Shopping District is a central part of Otaru tourism, located about a 5-minute walk from the popular "Otaru Canal," perfectly positioned between JR Otaru Station and JR Minami-Otaru Station. The street is lined with stone and brick historical buildings constructed during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.

The shopping district stretches approximately 1.3 km and consists of areas such as “Sakaimachi Main Street” and “Iro-nai Avenue.” With about 120 shops (83 of which are members of the shopping district), there is a diverse variety of stores including souvenir shops, restaurants, and experiential facilities, making it enjoyable for tourists, couples, families, and friends to spend the whole day.

In this area, you can find popular Otaru-origin stores such as "LeTAO" and "Kamarei," along with sushi restaurants using fresh seafood from Hokkaido, seafood donburi shops, stylish cafes and bars, Western confectionery stores, miscellaneous goods shops, and craft shops. You can indulge in gourmet food walks and shopping. Furthermore, there are many experiential shops offering activities like glassblowing, making glass beads, and crafting music boxes, perfect for creating memorable experiences during your trip.

Otaru once flourished as the economic center of Hokkaido, referred to as the "Wall Street of the North." The stone warehouses that still line the canal and historical buildings, including the former Bank of Japan Otaru Branch, are valuable remnants that tell the story of past prosperity, and the city's unique, dignified streets are a major attraction for tourists.

Around Sakaimachi Street, you can also find a wealth of popular souvenirs. From LeTAO’s “Double Fromage” to handmade glass accessories, music boxes, processed seafood products, Otaru Narutoya's semi-fried fish cakes, and Tanaka Sake Brewery’s sake, as well as Otaru beer, a variety of local products is abundantly available.

Additionally, Otaru Sakaimachi Street Shopping District is easily accessible from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, and Niseko, with a journey taking about 1 to 1.5 hours by train, bus, or car. The changing scenery through the seasons is another charm, ensuring that you will never tire of visiting.

The town's streets filled with history and culture, the unique shops, and the warm hospitality create an "extraordinary experience" waiting for you. Be sure to visit Otaru Sakaimachi Street Shopping District, where nostalgia meets novelty.