Otaru is a small port city some 40km northwest of Sapporo and is known for glassworks, music boxes and sushi. Its beautifully preserved canal area and historic buildings such as Nishin Goten ("herring mansion") make Otaru a popular day trip destination from Sapporo. There are also several small museums and specialist sweet shops which are worth visiting.

Meet 9:00am JR Sapporo Station
Dep. Sapporo 9:10am (platform 2) to Otaru
Arr. Otaru 9:55am
(640 yen)


Japan-Guide


Optional visit to Nikka Whisky Distillery at Yoichi

Nikka Distillery is located further 20km away at Yoichi. A guided tour of the distillery is only available in Japanese, but it is possible to walk around the distillery following the same route as the guided tour. No reservation is necessary (except for a group of more than 10 people) and free tasting is available at the end of the tour. Make sure to pick up a voucher for free drinks at the entrance.


Japan-Guide


If going to Nikka Distillery (trains between Otaru and Yoichi are not very frequent):

Dep. Otaru 13:50
Arr. Yoichi 14:14
(360 yen)

Dep. Yoichi 16:03 or 16:45
Arr. Otaru 16:26 or 17:11
Dep. Otaru 16:30 or 16:40 or 17:20 or 17:30
Arr. Sapporo 17:02 (Kaisoku Airport 170) or 17:21 (Ishikari Liner) or 18:09 or 18:02 (Kaisoku Airport 180)
(1,070 yen)


If not going to Nikka Distillery there are trains from Otaru back to Sapporo at least every 10-20 minutes.

Dep. Otaru 16:00 or 16:10 or 16:30 or 16:40
Arr. Sapporo 16:32 or 16:49 or 17:02 or 17:21
(640 yen)

It is not worth getting a rail pass or a special ticket for the trip but bring your IC card such as Suica and Pasmo. Hokkaido's own IC cards are called 'Kitaca' and 'SAPICA' and may be used just like any IC cards from other regions.

Links:

Otaru : Japan-Guide
Local Writer’s Recommendation! Otaru Day Trip by Train from Sapporo