HOKKAIDO · OTARU TOURS

15 Standout Otaru Tours

37 tours  ·  from $35 a day out

This page collects the 15 Otaru tours we rate highest, with a full review behind every entry. The quick picks below answer the usual question: which one should I book.

Hokkaido: Lake Toya, Bear Ranch and Sapporo Otaru Full Day Tour

Hokkaido: Lake Toya, Bear Ranch and Sapporo Otaru Full Day Tour - Noboribetsu and the steaming ground

1.Lake Toya, Bear Ranch and Sapporo Otaru Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · from $85.66Our top pick

Travel from Sapporo by air-conditioned bus to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, Bear Ranch, and Otaru. English, Japanese, and Chinese guides, including guides such as Rii, Shirley, and XiXi, lead this full 10-hour outing.

“Guide very attentive, with many anecdotes, explanations, with good recommendations. Tour of the natural landscape very interesting and with enough time for the sites visited.Auto-translated”

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Hokkaido Noboribetsu Lake Toya, Otaru Panoramic Tour From Sapporo

Hokkaido Noboribetsu Lake Toya, Otaru Panoramic Tour From Sapporo - Oyunuma Pond adds a quieter volcanic pause

2.Hokkaido Noboribetsu Lake Toya, Otaru Panoramic Tour From Sapporo

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 28 reviews · from $120.00

Travel from Sapporo with a multilingual guide such as Jay or Sophia to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Showa Shinzan, and Otaru. Expect a packed 9 to 10-hour day, free exploration, a small bus, and extra fees for the bear ranch.

“Ms Sophia is fluent in both Mandarin & English and is able give good recommendations on which shop & what to buy. The driver is careful & able to keep us safe throughout the trip. Duration allocated is short but enough to give an overview of the places for a first timer.”

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Sapporo: Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort Day Trip with Gear

Sapporo: Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort Day Trip with Gear - Meeting at Sapporo Station

3.Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort Day Trip with Gear

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 9 hours · from $185

Meet your guide at Sapporo Station for a bus ride to Otaru Asarigawa Ski Resort. Choose coached skiing or freestyle, use included gear and lift pass, then enjoy four hours on the snow before returning in the early evening.

“Very pleasant trip and really sweet and pacient instructor!”

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Hokkaido, Sappro, Otaru & Cape Kamui One-day Tour

Hokkaido, Sappro, Otaru & Cape Kamui One-day Tour - Cape Kamui and the Shakotan coast from May to August

4.Hokkaido, Sappro, Otaru & Cape Kamui One-day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 21 reviews · from $66

Travel from Sapporo by bus to Hokkaido highlights that change with the season. See Cape Kamui and Otaru from May to August, enjoy Noboribetsu in autumn, or play in Bibai Snowland in winter. English, Japanese, and Chinese support is available.

“I went on this day trip bus tour with a group of three friends. It was my first time on this type of tour, and I suggested it to my friends with some hesitation, but everyone gave it a really high rating. If anyone asks me about this bus tour, I'd definitely recommend it The tour guides were really knowledgeable, skilled, and passionate, and I think the participants had a great time. I felt like the tour program was carefully selected. But I think it was also a big deal that we were blessed with good weather that day. I was lucky enough to join a really great bus tour.…”

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[Otaru & Yoichi] Let’s go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo)

[Otaru & Yoichi] Let's go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo) - Yoichi Nikka Whisky from 10:10 to 11:00

5.[Otaru & Yoichi] Let’s go to Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, Music Box Hall, and Yoichi Nikka Whiskey by private car (arriving and departing from Sapporo)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $372.05Highest rated

Leave Sapporo with a private driver for Yoichi’s Nikka Whisky museum, shop, and tasting bar, then spend three to five hours in Otaru. Drivers such as Masaru, Tomomi, and Kate have helped with photos, food stops, and flexible routing. The distillery tour is not included.

“This was a very fun tour, even for my teen kids. After the whiskey museum, we spent a few hours exploring Otaru, discovering different foods, glass products and small specialty shops. Masaru is a great driver and very accommodating. He even took us to a sake brewery after we told him how much we enjoyed Japanese sake. Overall a very enjoyable day.”

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Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide - Otaru Art Base: historic buildings with an art focus

6.Otaru 4hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $108.38

Meet a government-licensed English-speaking guide on foot in Otaru and shape a four-hour visit around two or three sites. Guides such as Kazuo Sumi, Roy Aoki, Kumiko, Teri, and Kenji have led walks covering canals, art, sake, food, and local history.

“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!”

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Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide - Otaru Art Base and the city’s old buildings

7.Otaru 6hr Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $153.50

Build a six-hour Otaru visit around three or four stops with a government-licensed English-speaking guide. Walk the canal, browse Sakaimachi Street, sample local culture, and add Mt. Tengu views if desired.

“Akiko researched a tour specifically for me, which was great! She adapted for the very cold weather and helped with ordering vegetarian food. All this made it a very pleasant and interesting day - thank you, Akiko!”

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From Sapporo: Private Day Trip to Otaru

From Sapporo: Private Day Trip to Otaru - The train from Sapporo sets the pace

8.Private Day Trip to Otaru

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 6 hours · from $191

Take a six-hour private train trip from Sapporo to Otaru with a guide matched to your interests. Toru, Ryuki, Karen, and others have led custom outings featuring glass shops, music boxes, food, snow views, and local stops.

“Actividad increible, nos tocó la villa de Otaru totalmente nevada, fue bellísima verla desde el mirador. El viaje en teleférico una gran experiencia, 10 de 10. La guía de Emilio fue perfecta. No duden en reservar.”

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Sea Kayaking Tour – Otaru Coastal Adventure

Sea Kayaking Tour - Otaru Coastal Adventure - The first 35 minutes: getting used to the water

9.Sea Kayaking Tour – Otaru Coastal Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $97.98

Paddle stable double kayaks from Shioya Beach along Otaru’s cliffs and coves with a certified guide such as Max. Expect about two hours on calm water, a secluded beach stop, sea life, photos, and a swim if conditions allow.

“Great tour - tour guide really knew his stuff. Great sights though out the cave. Also able to go for a swim in the water witch was amazing.”

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Otaru Canal Private Sightseeing Tour from Sapporo Station

Otaru Canal Private Sightseeing Tour from Sapporo Station - Otaru Canal and the city’s trading past

10.Otaru Canal Private Sightseeing Tour from Sapporo Station

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $175.91

Travel from Sapporo with guide Tomo or another English-speaking sightseeing ambassador for a private 5 to 6-hour Otaru tour. See the canal, Bank of Japan, Sakaimachi Street, make a music box, and visit Mt. Tengu.

“Started off with our guide Tomo, picking us up from our hotel right on time. We had a wonderful day exploring Otaru and Mt. Tengu. He was patient as we strolled through the quaint town, we enjoyed immensely our sushi lunch at his “secret” Read more”

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Otaru: Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Guide

Otaru: Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Guide - Tasting Otaru at Sankaku Ichiba

11.Private Guided Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7 reviews · 4 - 6 hours · from $106

Spend 4 to 6 hours exploring Otaru with a nationally licensed English or Japanese speaking guide. Visit the canal, Sankaku Ichiba, Otaru Music Box Museum, and Kitaichi Glass, or shape the route around your interests.

“A lovely day spent with Katsuko showing us around Otaru.”

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Sea Kayaking Tour – Otaru Coastal Adventure

Sea Kayaking Tour - Otaru Coastal Adventure - The first 35 minutes: getting used to the water

12.Sea Kayaking Tour – Otaru Coastal Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours · from $103

Set out from Shioya Beach with guide Max or another certified English-speaking instructor. Paddle stable double kayaks past cliffs, caves, sea life, and quiet coves, then stop at a secluded beach for a swim.

“Max was a skilled and informative guide, great area to kayak and lovely to pull up at a beach and have a swim! A bit of difficulty finding the meeting place but otherwise very happy with the experience.”

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Hokkaido Cape Kamui Shimamui Coast Otaru Day Tour from Sapporo

Hokkaido Cape Kamui Shimamui Coast Otaru Day Tour from Sapporo - Cape Kamui, where the sea takes center stage

13.Hokkaido Cape Kamui Shimamui Coast Otaru Day Tour from Sapporo

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · from $89.00

Travel from Sapporo to Cape Kamui and Shimamui Coast, tour Yoichi whisky country, then stroll Otaru Canal. An English or Chinese-speaking guide leads a group of up to 48, with scenic drives and free time at each stop.

“Disappointing! Poor organisation, not true that available for English speakers.. STAY AWAY L! I booked this trip for 5 November a couple of months before my chosen date with English guide. I would not normally write bad reviews, but the Read more”

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Otaru & Yoichi Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Sapporo

Otaru & Yoichi Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Sapporo - The Otaru Canal, warehouses, and the value of time

14.Otaru & Yoichi Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle from Sapporo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $1,178.84

Travel from Sapporo to Otaru and Yoichi with a licensed English-speaking guide and private vehicle. Choose three or four stops, from the Otaru Canal and Tenguyama Ropeway to Nikka Whisky Distillery and local apple treats.

“This was a great tour from start to finish. Hiroko contacted us in advance with suggested places to visit. We were able to do everything that we wanted to see during our tour. She was very knowledgeable and very professional. We would highly recommend!”

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Otaru: Private Otaru Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw

Otaru: Private Otaru Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw - Seeing Otaru From the Main Rickshaw Stand

15.Private Otaru Sightseeing Tour by Rickshaw

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 30 minutes - 2 hours · from $35Best value

Explore Otaru’s canal, piers, stockyards, and historic streets by private rickshaw with a Japanese-speaking guide. Choose a 30-minute to 2-hour ride, with photo stops and seasonal views. Guides such as Toshy have earned praise for friendly, informative service.

“The driver was outstanding! Very friendly, knowledgeable and informative. We had a GREAT and enjoyable experience!! Thanks Ed”

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