OTARU Day Trip From SAPPORO | Snow Light, LeTAO, Otaru Canal, Steam Clock Tower | JAPAN DAY 3
Hi there! In this video we are escaping
Sapporo’s city buzz for a charming seaside town just a short train ride away. Together,
we’ll explore Otaru’s snow covered streets and mouthwatering foods. This town surely has a unique
historical vibe to it so let’s dive right in. So this was our first official morning in
Hokkaido. As we headed out of the hotel, we were greeted by the quiet and peaceful vibe of the streets blanketed in white
powder. There are so many birds. You think this is a bad omen?
Crazy. Good morning! Wait, love. Good morning. Hello. We’re on our way to Otaru. We’re walking along a subway. Along
the Sapporo subway station. This is massive. I wonder when Philippines will have this.
So if we entered the underground tunnels earlier near our hotel this is where we’ll be
at. Oh! Yes. So we just kind of wasted 100 meters. 200 meters! But it’s
fine because the weather was good. Otaru is only one train ride away from
Sapporo. From our hotel near Odori Park, Sapporo Station is only about 10 minutes walk.
Well, at least according to Google Maps because we sure did take longer than that as we tried
to walk slowly but surely along icy paths. From Sapporo Station we took the JR Hakodate Main
Line which was fairly busy at the time. We didn’t leave too early to go to Otaru since most of
the places we intended to visit opens at 10:00 AM. We decided to add Otaru to our Sapporo
itinerary since most of the people who traveled to the place have recommended it. We
liked the vibe of the place based on photos so we said “why not ?” They also have the Otaru Snow
Light Path Festival happening around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival so we just
tried to hit two birds with one stone in this trip. Little tip, facing the direction of
travel, try to sit on the right side of the train if you want a scenic view
of the seashore drizzled with snow. The journey to Otaru was super easy and
scenic. It’s about 30 to 40 minute ride and even the train ride itself offers a
beautiful glimpse of the winter scenery. We just got off Otaru Station. It’s so pretty! It is. Oh! I want a photo there with the vending machine.
Oh here! Go for soup curry? Yeah. Welcome to Otaru!
Are you hungry yet? Yeah, I don’t want to be so hungry again.
I might have the reflux again. Yeah, so we’re going to eat now.
Is it early lunch? So that I don’t have a reflux again when we have dinner super
late tonight. Yeah. The street’s pretty. Look! Welcome! We’re now in Otaru. It’s
just a day trip from Sapporo. There’s another Don Don Don
Donki Don Quijote here. Tada! And this is Mr. Reuben Sante Galanto, CEO
RSTG Constructions, Catering Services, Migration Services, Tourism and Travel & Tours. And sore loser. My hand’s freezing. I like this shoes better.
My hand’s frozen. Oh! We need to do a trend. Huh? Trend! You put
snow and I go like “Let It Go.” Okay? We’re going to eat some soup curry
here in Cotaru. Cotaru? Cotaru. I don’t know but that’s the place. I think they
open at 10:00 AM so we can come right in. Oops! The Japanese Soup Curry originated in
Sapporo around 1970 and it has since been considered as a dish perfect for cold
winter in Hokkaido. The small city of Otaru is also known to be filled with restaurants
offering soup curry with ingredients local to Hokkaido. We’re going back to the
station to get what? Melon bread. We’re going to get some melon bread. I think
there’s going to be a snow fall again. Probably. We’re roughly 4
hours from the Philippines, from Manila, and it’s a completely
different environment. Thank you. We are here! Saint Germain. He’s doing Google translate. We came
here for this. I think that’s a melon bread. So we’ve researched that Otaru
melon bread is a must try. For clarity, it is not a bread that tastes like melon
but rather a bread that looks like a melon. It is a Japanese sweet and fluffy
bun topped with crispy melon-like crust. We got the goods. Cheers. Honestly, ensaymada. It’s not called
melon bread because it tastes like melon. It’s just because of the design.
They made the bread looks like a melon skin. Try it. You’re eating the plastic. I like this better. I forgot what
this is called but try this one. Otaru is is a charming port city located just
a short distance away from Sapporo. It is known for its picturesque canal, historical
architecture, and delightful glasswork. Lovey, come here. We’re in Otaru. We’re just
going to walk towards there. To the beach so we can see how the snow meets the beach sort of thing. Otaru’s past as a prosperous port city is
reflected in its well-preserved historical buildings. Many of these buildings have
been converted into museums ,shops, and restaurants. Hi, we’re currently in Otaru. Tada! It is currently. It’s current. Oh! We’re going to use some tools in
here. They have cool little, I don’t know what you call that, uhm sleigh? It’s stuck! Dog sledding is fun! Wait what’s that? I didn’t hear. The sun dial
is one of the earliest proof that the earth was round. It’s a misconception that people
thought the earth was until Copernicus’ time. Or Galileo’s. It’s a misconception. They already
know that it’s round because of that sun dial. So, what’s the purpose of the stones? Based on
the history channel, you can find a lot of stone structures on old civilization because stones is
used for a lot of very useful things. First time keeping, checking the moon phases, checking
the dates and season, and most importantly the winter and summer solstice. That helps them
track when they need to store food? Yes. And when the winter solstice happen it means the worst
or peak winter is about to happen but it also means that winter is already in the middle so
they’ll be more optimistic the winter is ending; and summer solstice means that they’re going to
the peak summer and they need to be productive and save a lot of food because winter will
be coming in the next four to five months. Where else was that seen?
Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and Mexico. Oh! It’s still happening. Shocks. LeTAO. LeTAO. You want to go there? Ah! Stop! What are you doing? Tada. We’re going to? Where are we going? LeTAO. LeTAO? LeTAO. Let’s go .After
enjoying our time at the museum, we thought it’s now time for
dessert so we went to LeTAO. LeTAO is a very well-known confectionary
and its main store is in Otaru which has been a must visit for dessert lovers. It is
specifically famous for its double fromage cheesecake which is a combination
of the baked and unbaked cheesecake layers. LeTAO emphasizes on the use of high
quality Hokkaido ingredients particularly the fresh cream and dairy products which contribute
to the exceptional flavors of their sweets. Otaru Denuki Koji. I think they have lots of food
there but it’s usch a small area. Though, we might try and find some skewers. Just despite
small shops there they might have some skewers, lovey. We are going to try the potato butter. Oh
but it’s a bit tight. Can we fit? Can we? Hi, one potato butter and two meat
means cutlet. Meat means cutlet. We need to eat it quick! Diving head first into Otaru’s famous Sakaimachi
Hondori Street, this place is a real step back in time loaded with adorable shops and delicious
treats. The street was absolutely buzzing with energy. What was once a major merchant street
decades ago is now a major tourist spot for Otaru. Along these streets, you’ll find souvenirs
from delicate ornaments, music boxes, and many intricate pieces. If you are visiting here during winter, like us, be careful when walking along the street
because the compacted snow can get very slippery. Hi. We’re currently in the LeTAO
cheesecake factory. So yeah, we didn’t get to have it earlier
at the place beside the Otaru Museum since it’s already sold out but
we realized there’s another branch here. What? It’s cold. Oh! Cheers! It’s cold! Oh. My. God. Jesus Christ. Worth it? It’s super worth it. I thought it was going to be hot. It’s
like an ice cream; which makes it a lot better but I saw that they blowtorched it before
they served it. So big news just came in. Our Otaru Canal Cruise has been cancelled
because of heavy snow and strong winds. Well to be fair the the snow earlier
was like heavy? But if there’s any consolation there’s still going to
be canal cruise not cruise sorry light along the canal. Okay I checked the
website and the Otaru Canal website said they are operating still it’s just that the cruise
will stop at 5:30PM because of the bad weather so I’m thinking we could maybe go there and check if we can book during the like until the available time so we can still do the cruise today and then we can just walk through the lights after. We’ll see. So there’s another LeTAO here. I don’t know how many LeTAO shops Otaru has
but we’ve seen four. We’ve seen four as of now. As if wandering along Sakaimachi
Hondori Street wasn’t enough step back in time. Did you know that Otaru still has a
functioning steam clock tower? It is powered by an incredible mechanical system and it
sounds and releases steam every 15 minutes. Just imagine the history this
clock has witnessed over the years marking time for people of Otaru since 1994. We were going to enter the music box museum but
found it too busy and crowded. We were sort of aware of what to expect inside and we knew
we won’t be purchasing anything so we turned around. But inside, there are about 25,000
music boxes in the collection. Imagine that. The snow was starting to get heavier too
hence why we just headed back quickly to Otaru Canal for our final stroll
so we could head back to Sapporo a bit earlier. So this is why the the canal cruise.
got cancelled. One hour before the disaster. My nose is very red.
Both our noses. Oh my god. Ah! It’s getting into my eyes. This is why. This
is why the canal cruise got cancelled. Look at us. It’s hard to laugh with your mouth open. Oh my nose. I’m Hazel the red-nosed human. Okay, looking back at it we might have
focused too much on food during our day trip to Otaru but no worries. I’ve listed the other places
that you can visit and add into your itinerary down in the description box below. They have
varying opening times and distance from the canal so make sure you plan them properly into your day.
To be honest, if you walk along Sakaimachi Hondori Street you’ll get a feel of the vibe and figure
out which places you’d like to stay longer at. This iconic canal is the heart of Otaru’s tourist
area. It’s stone warehouses and gas lamps create a romantic and nostalgic atmosphere, especially
at night. It’s literally like stepping into a postcard. The warehouses lining the canal aren’t
just for show either. They used to be the bustling heart of Otaru’s thriving port industry back in
the early 20th century. This canal was crucial for transporting goods, especially herring,
which was a major industry here at the time. Now, these historic buildings have been
lovingly restored and transformed into all sorts of cool things like restaurants,
cafes, boutique shops, and even museums. It’s amazing how they’ve kept all the character
of the place while giving it a new life. Once a year, in the middle of February,
Otaru hosts the Snow Light Path Festival transforming its snowy landscape with
twinkling lights and little snow figures. These create a truly delightful ambience for
visitors. Key locations to this captivating event are the historic Otaru Canal and
the old Temiya Line. Those two are both historically significant to Otaru’s growth
as gateways to their industry’s development. We’re going back to the Otaru Station
to go back to Sapporo. And what are we going to do in Sapporo? We’re not
going to buy anything. We’re not going to shop. No shopping. No shopping. Just what?
Nothing. The snow on your shoulder looks like beads. There’s snowfall again. I
think I wished too hard. ‘Cause I said I wish there is snowfall when
we get here in Hokkaido and now there’s too much. But wait there’s
more! It’s just a second day here. Okay, fake news, so we’re not going
home yet. We’re going to have a takoyaki break. What flavor? And that is it for a fun day trip to Otaru. We
headed to the Odori Site of the Sapporo Snow Festival afterwards which I’ve showcased in a separate
video noted down below. I’ve also included links relevant to our itinerary for the day so if you’d
like more information please check that out. Thank you so much for watching. Please let me know your
thoughts in the comment section below. See yah!
Hi there! Sharing with your our fun day trip to Otaru filled with history learnings and delicious food! Check out this link for our adventures before and after this day trip: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGLHl208N1HWihUBxtBR42F6R_hs_9ztF
Escape the hustle and bustle of Sapporo and join us on a charming day trip to the picturesque town of Otaru! Just a short train ride from Sapporo, Otaru is a hidden gem with its snow-covered streets, mouthwatering local cuisine, and historical charm. In this vlog, we explore the iconic Otaru Canal, dive into local dishes like soup curry and melon bread, and wander through quaint shops on Sakaimachi Hondori Street. Whether you’re planning a winter getaway or just love discovering new places, Otaru offers a unique blend of beauty, culture, and food that you won’t want to miss. Watch till the end for a peek at the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival and more!
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RELEVANT LINKS
Otaru Museum of History and Nature: https://www.city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020111400122/
LeTAO Main Store: https://www.letao-brand.jp/shop/letao/
Otaru Steam Clock Tower: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Otaru_Steam_Clock_%E6%99%82%E8%A8%88_on_the_Marchen_Intersection_in_Otaru_Hokkaido_Japan_%283887460608%29.jpg
Otaru Canal Cruise: https://otaru.cc/
KOKO Hotel Sapporo Ekimae: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=-1&hid=18166392
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AFFILIATES
AGODA Bookings: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1941602&hl=en-us
KLOOK Bookings: https://www.klook.com/invite/MGZU2Q?c=AUD
[DISCOUNT CODE: HAZELMAYCEKLOOK]
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CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelmayce/
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ADDITIONAL ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS
– Otaru Beer Otaru
– Kitaichi Glass Otaru
– Antique Museum
– Otaru City Museum
– Otaru Aquarium
– Tanaka Sake Brewery
– Kitaichi Venezia Art Museum
– The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum
– Otaru Taishou Glass Museum
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CHAPTERS | Travel Date: 8 February 2025
00:00 – Introduction
03:05- Scenic Train to Otaru
05:00- Otaru Station
08:20 – Japanese Soup Curry
10:05 – Otaru Saint Germain
14:19 – Otaru Canal
16:40- Otaru Museum of History and Nature
21:27 – LeTAO Canal Plaza Store
24:38 – Sakaimachi Hondori Street
28:23 – LeTAO Main Store
31:47 – Otaru Steam Clock Tower
36:40 – Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
37:19 – Otaru Canal Cruise
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