Things To Do in Summer Otaru

Otaru in Hokkaido in summer is a popular tourist spot as a summer retreat because the days are cooler and more comfortable than those in Honshu.
July and August are especially busy, with hotels fully booked, so if you are planning a summer visit to Otaru, it is important to make your hotel reservations and sightseeing plans early!
Popular hotels, restaurants, and popular activities will fill up quickly.

Summer sightseeing in Otaru, Hokkaido, is full of activities that you can enjoy only in this season.
And of course, there are popular summer-only gourmet foods that you should definitely try!
Here are some recommended activities and gourmet spots to enjoy Otaru sightseeing in summer!

Recommended Activities in Summer Otaru

Mysteries seen only in summer! Blue Cave Snorkeling

First of all, I would like to introduce a snorkeling tour that can be experienced only in summer on the Shakotan Peninsula, a short distance from Otaru.
The Shakotan Peninsula is located in central Hokkaido, west of Sapporo, and can be reached from Otaru in about one hour.

The coastline of Shakotan Peninsula is popular for its beauty called “Shakotan blue”, which is the unity of the blue sky and the clear blue sea.
Snorkeling in the “Blue Cave” connected from such Shakotan blue sea!
Stepping into the cave, dyed blue by the reflection of light, you will feel as if you are in another world.

Wearing a life jacket and guided by a guide, even those who are not good at swimming or first-time snorkelers will feel at ease.
This is a recommended activity that is perfect for creating special memories unique to Otaru and Shakotan.

 

A pleasant trip on the sea by clear kayak!

Clear kayaking is another activity that allows you to fully enjoy the Shakotan blue.
The bottom of a clear kayak is transparent, so when you look down at your feet, you will feel as if you are floating on the sea, in the middle of the ocean.

Of course, just getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and out in the vast ocean is a stress reliever, but being surrounded by the scent of the ocean and rocking in the surf will make you forget all about your daily life.
You can even kayak through the Blue Cave!

If snorkeling seems too difficult for you, but you want to enjoy Shakotan blue!

 

Toast to Summer with Otaru Beer! Otaru Beer Brewery, Otaru Warehouse No.1

Quoted：小樽ビール

Summer is, after all, the season for good beer!
One of the recommended summer food spots in Otaru, Hokkaido, is Otaru Warehouse No. 1, where Otaru’s local beer is brewed.

This is the Otaru Beer Brewery, built in the summer of 1995 in a warehouse along the Otaru Canal, and is quite a popular spot because in addition to the popular Otaru beer, you can also taste real German beer brewed by German Brau Engineer Johannes Braun!
Furthermore, you can enjoy food made with Otaru ingredients to snack on your beer, making it a perfect gourmet spot for those who want to taste the local gourmet food.

And what’s more, you can take a tour of the brewery at Otaru Warehouse No. 1.
The tour takes about 20 minutes and the fee is …. It’s free!
You can taste the real malt used in brewing beer and taste the wort before it is fermented, making it a very valuable and very popular experience.

There are also some special deals available, such as an all-you-can-drink course with no time limit, so if you are interested, why not visit the website and check it out?

 

Aotsuka Shokudo, a guest house in Otaru, is recommended for its specialty, fresh sea urchin donburi, a gourmet dish available only in summer!

Quoted：Site name

If you have come all the way to Otaru in Hokkaido in the summer, you must try the fresh sea urchin that can only be eaten during this season!
Raw sea urchin is basically a precious food that can only be eaten during the summer season, which is mainly in August.

The best place to enjoy fresh sea urchin in Otaru is “Minshuku (a guest house) Aotsuka Shokudo” where you can have a bowl of fresh sea urchin!
Minshuku Aozuka Shokudo is a popular gourmet spot located in the northern part of Otaru City, a 10-minute drive from Otaru Canal and a 1-minute walk from the Otaru Aquarium bus stop.
This diner is popular among locals and tourists alike because it is a seafood diner that offers reasonably priced seafood from Otaru and Shakotan.

The “raw sea urchin bowl” served mainly in August uses sea urchins from Shakotan, and Shakotan sea urchins are characterized by their creaminess and sweetness compared with those of other sea urchins in general.
It is the finest sea urchin known to those in the know, as most of it is consumed locally due to the extremely small catch.
Therefore, some people in Hokkaido say it is common knowledge that “if you want to eat raw sea urchin, go to Otaru or Shakotan area”.

Basically, raw sea urchin bowls are often served at market price, and you can choose between Murasaki sea urchin and Bahun sea urchin.
In most cases, the buffoon sea urchin is about 2,000 to 3,000 yen more expensive, but the buffoon sea urchin is worth it for its exceptional taste.

Although it is so precious that there is no 100% guarantee that you will be able to find it due to the amount of fish caught on the day, why not try it to get a taste of the real thing!

 

Summer Otaru Activity and Food Summary

How was your summer sightseeing information in Otaru, Hokkaido?
In addition to fun activities, Otaru in summer is full of popular spots such as delicious gourmet food that can only be tasted during this season.

In particular, sea urchin is usually available only in summer (especially in August), so if you are a sea urchin lover, it is recommended to plan your Otaru sightseeing tour around this time.

In addition, cruising, a hot activity, can be enjoyed from early spring to autumn, but because it is summer, it has its own charms only at this time of the year, such as being able to enjoy it elegantly with a pleasant breeze.

Otaru is visited by tourists all year round, but summer is the most popular season as a summer resort, so if you are interested in an activity, we recommend you to make a reservation as early as possible.

Please refer to this article and enjoy Otaru in summer!

For Hokkaido activity experiences visit Basho Trip