Private Tour

Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Otaru!

Otaru is a famous historical city and popular vacation spot in Hokkaido. But if you’ve never been there before, it can be hard to know where to go and what to see. In this guide, We’ll introduce some of the best sightseeing spots, restaurants and sweet shops for those going to Otaru for the first time.

Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.

Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Otaru.

Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list

Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses

Private Vehicle

You cannot combine multiple tour groups.

Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Otaru Canal

The Otaru Canal is a classic staple when it comes to famous sightseeing spots of Hokkaido. Once the distribution hub of Hokkaido, it boasted a population that even surpassed that of Sapporo. At that time the canal was used to offload ships via barges, and was established to lengthen the distance that goods could be distributed. Eventually the canal was no longer necessary to serve its function once the docks were established and was to be landfilled. However it currently stands as a place for citizens and tourists alike to relax and enjoy with its promenades and gas lamps lighting the riverbanks.

Admission Not Applicable

Otaru Art Base

Otaru City's historical buildings of the early 20th century are now used as various resources for tourism. The Otaru Art Base located opposite the Otaru Canal across Rinkosen Street is one such facility. There are four historical buildings where 20 of the largest banks in Hokkaido were gathered, formerly the center of Hokkaido's economy known as "North Wall Street." What was the former Hokkaido Takushoku Bank Otaru Branch as seen in the picture is now home to the Nitori Museum of Art, and includes displays such as Japanese and foreign paintings, wood carvings, and more. In the basement you will find the Art Nouveau Art Déco Glass Gallery.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Options

Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

Pickup included

Reviews

4.56

18 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Excellent way to spend the day in Otaru!
Diane S,
Oct 16, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Kazuo Sumi was such a great guide! He was very patient with our elderly parents and was great at explaining some of the beautiful art we saw. He was knowledgeable and an absolute joy to spend the day with. We highly recommend him!
Learning many details...
Neil S,
May 21, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Learning many details about the history as well as current features of Otaru City. A charming location where we also enjoyed sushi and other snacks. One of the highlights in our 2 week vacation to Japan. Arigato Roy Aoki!
Experience matters
Li L,
May 7, 2024
- Viator
5.00
Rain started to fall and temperature dropped significantly and made walking around too chilling. It could've have been a disaster for a day trip but everything turned around when my guide turned up. Kumiko-san is not only knowledgable of the town and she quickly suggested a pivot to an indoor oriented itinerary The sake brewery was an absolute blast, and the Aoyama house is an amazing examples of fine craftsmanship in every corner, even in the toilets :). There was very few people in the house, made me felt a bit like I'm a on VIP tour. in this case the bad weather has become an advantage. The lunch place was at a local joint with no other tourist in the shop. The seafood don was delicious and very reasonably priced. To make it even more interesting, Kumiko-san told stories about her other customers, from rude tourist to VIP government officials, from entertaining to amazing. All in all I should thank Kumiko-san for a well executed tour and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone visiting the region.
No Guide, tour cancelled
David J,
Apr 21, 2023
- Viator
1.00
Viator never found a guide. There was no tour. Why would they ask for a review? They are certainly disorganized. They said they would refund.
Great mini tour
yoyoan114,
Feb 1, 2023
- Viator
5.00
We did a half day tour including sake brewery, old bank and some stroll around town. Also a nice sushi lunch. Our guide Teri was very knowledgeable and pleasant.