landmark
Sapporo
Hokkaido's vibrant capital known for its annual Snow Festival, fresh seafood, craft beer, and the iconic Odori Park.
32 km · about 35 min drive
AsiaJapanHokkaido
Otaru
Hokkaido, Japan · Asia
About Otaru
Otaru sits on the route: 20 minutes from Yoichi, 32km from Sapporo.
Otaru is in Hokkaido, Japan, with about 120,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Yoichi, about 19 km away.
Otaru (小樽市, Otaru-shi) is a city and port in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces Ishikari Bay and the Sea of Japan, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination. Because it is a 25-minute driveRead more
from Sapporo, it has grown as a commuter town. As of July 31, 2023, the city had an estimated population of 107,432 and a population density of 441 persons per km2 (1,100 persons per mi2). The total area is 243.83 km2 (94.14 sq mi). Although it is the largest city in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, the subprefecture's capital is the more centrally located Kutchan.
Where to Stay in Otaru
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Otaru.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Otaru.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Otaru?
Within an hour or so of Otaru: Sapporo (32 km).
Where is Otaru?
Otaru is in Hokkaido, Japan, about 19 km from Yoichi.
Road trip
Drive to Otaru
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Otaru. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 115,333
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Hokkaido
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 43.1894, 141.0022
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Otaru
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Otaru.
Plan a trip around Otaru
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Otaru.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.