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Private Tour

Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

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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

1

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
2

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

16
0
0
0
2
  • Otaru with Kumiko

    dawnmoses14,

    Aug 17, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Kumiko was absolutely fabulous as a personal guide around the city. She was able to take us to all of the places we have to go for and accommodate us when we wanted to switch courses. She was friendly and knowledgeable under contacts or something! Thank you for a great day!

    dawnmoses14's photo 1
  • Bad tour.

    Paradise563840,

    Jul 19, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    1.00

    Bad tour. Waste of money. I could not understand the guide. His English was terrible. Really nothing to see, except shops to spend money on stuff I don’t want or need.

  • Great guide

    Lovetravelling808,

    Jan 9, 2025

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Roy was my guide and he was great! The restaurant he took us was great. His in depth knowledge about the city and its history was something we loved the most.

  • Thank God I asked you~

    Camper27363662452,

    Nov 17, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    It was disappointing to learn that the museum we had originally planned to close was closed, but he quickly suggested the Otaru General Museum. There, we learned about the history of Otaru while listening to the guide. We met our guide, Mr. Yakuwa, for the first time in the lobby of the hotel where we were going to stay, and he was a dandy man about the same age as us, so we were able to ask him to guide us with peace of mind. At a sushi restaurant that Mr. Hakkuwa had booked in advance for lunch, we had a good meal. After that, the half day was full of shopping in Sakaimachi street, exploring the canal, and enjoying delicious sweets as a break. Thank you very much. As a side note, our dinner was undecided, but the beer restaurant that our guide told us about just before we parted was great in terms of atmosphere and taste.

  • A Day of Joy at Otaru Canal, Half-day Walking Tour

    Clarice W,

    Oct 30, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Katsuko-san is patient, knowledgeable, polite and extremely helpful. Well-versed in English, she is enjoying every moment of her profession to serve with distinction and professionalism. Thank you, we enjoyed the walking tour👍

  • Excellent way to spend the day in Otaru!

    Diane S,

    Oct 16, 2024

    - Review from 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

    - Review from 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!

  • Quality experience on Private Tour of Otaru

    Dream09014187408,

    May 17, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We thoroughly enjoyed our tour led by Mr. Roy Aoki. He shared historical details of the many attractions we visited. The Otaru Museum, Otaru canal, the Shopping Street, Sake Brewery and the Kamaboko Factory were definitely highlights. We will definitely recommend Roy Aoki to any friends and family who plan to visit Otaru.

  • Experience matters

    Li L,

    May 7, 2024

    - Review from 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.

  • Best tour in Japan.

    ozziewanderer,

    Apr 27, 2024

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    We were lucky enough to have Michiko guide us around Otaru today. She is very knowledgeable and her English is extremely good. She suggested we visit the herring mansion/museum which is the best example of a 19th century wealthy home that we have seen during our holiday throughout Japan. We were fortunate that we were early and there were only a few visitors at the same time. We then visited the ‘western’ glass museum which was breathtaking. The museum houses a huge collection of glass from around the world, many 19th century. There is blown glass, etched glass, enamel painted, fused glass, cast glass and stained glass. Tiffany, Lalique and many more masters. We then strolled along the canal and one street over to browse the tourist shops. Thank you to Michiko for a wonderful day.

From ¥15,000

4.56
18 reviews
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