Sakaimachi Street in Otaru: Sweets, Glass Shops and Where to Park

Sakaimachi Street is Otaru's old shopping street, a few minutes' walk from the canal. It has been a merchant street since the Meiji era (the late 19th century), and its stone warehouses and wooden shopfronts are now home to Hokkaido's best-known sweet shops, Otaru's glass shops and the music box museum. It is the place to buy souvenirs in Otaru.

1What is Sakaimachi Street like?

The street runs between the canal area and the Märchen intersection, lined with old merchant buildings that give it a retro feel. Two of Hokkaido's most popular sweet makers have big shops here, Kitakaro's Otaru Honkan and LeTAO's main store, and Otaru has long been a glassmaking town, so glass shops line the street too.

2Shops to visit on Sakaimachi Street

• Kitakaro Otaru main store: the Hokkaido sweet maker's shop in an old stone warehouse, known for its baumkuchen and cream puffs
• LeTAO: the main store of one of Hokkaido's most popular sweet makers, known for its Double Fromage cheesecake
• Kitaichi Glass: Otaru's best-known glass shop
• Otaru Music Box Museum: a music box shop in a 1912 brick-and-stone building at the Märchen intersection, with a steam clock out front
• Kamaei: the factory shop of a popular Hokkaido fish cake maker

3How to get to Sakaimachi Street by car

From central Sapporo it is just under an hour. Take the Sasson Expressway toward Otaru and Yoichi and exit at Otaru IC; partway along, the road splits toward Otaru and Yoichi, so stay in the Otaru lanes. From Otaru IC, follow Prefectural Road 17 straight into town. The only rest stop before Otaru IC is Kanayama PA, with a convenience store (Seicomart) and toilets. From New Chitose Airport it is about an hour and a half.

4Where to park

There are several car parks around the street, but the one I recommend is the Kamaei customer car park: it is free for an hour if you buy something at Kamaei, it is right in the middle of Sakaimachi Street, and Otaru Canal is a 10-minute walk away. Other car parks near the street:

• Parking Momijien Otaru Irifunecho
• Showa Park Otaru Märchen Kosaten-mae
• Minato Sakaimachi Daiichi car park

5Near Sakaimachi Street

Otaru Canal, with its stone warehouses and gas lamps, is about 10 minutes on foot from the middle of the street, and the two together make a good half day.

Otaru Canal: Night Lights, the Canal Cruise and Where to ParkA local's guide to Otaru Canal: when the gas lamps and warehouses are lit, the canal cruise, how to get there from Sapporo by train or car, and where to park.

For a view over the whole town and harbor, ride the ropeway up Mt. Tengu, whose observatory, at 532 meters, has one of the best night views in Hokkaido. My Otaru guide puts Sakaimachi Street together with the canal, Yoichi, a seafood lunch and Mt. Tengu.

Otaru Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: A Local's Route and Where to ParkDriving to Otaru from Sapporo? A local's one-day route through Yoichi, Shukutsu, the canal and Mt. Tengu, with drive times, tolls and where to park near Otaru Canal.

6FAQ about Sakaimachi Street

Q1. What is Sakaimachi Street known for?

Sweets and glass: Kitakaro's Otaru Honkan, LeTAO's main store, Kitaichi Glass, and the Otaru Music Box Museum.

Q2. How far is Sakaimachi Street from Otaru Canal?

The canal end of the street is a few minutes away; from the middle of the street it is about 10 minutes on foot.

Q3. Where should I park for Sakaimachi Street?

The Kamaei customer car park, in the middle of the street, is free for an hour with a purchase at Kamaei.