Otaru was recognized as a Japan Heritage site in 2025. This sightseeing bus tour offers a richly rewarding day, combining the history and scenery of Otaru with a visit to one of Sapporo’s classic attractions, Shiroi Koibito Park.
The first destination, the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway, is a hugely popular spot known as a favorite filming location for movies. At the summit station, five observation points offer sweeping views of Otaru’s townscape, the Sea of Japan, and the mountains rising in the distance, scenery that is also recognized as part of the Japan Heritage cultural assets. In addition to the views, the summit station also features shops and cafés, a ski museum, a chipmunk park, and activities such as a zipline, making it full of things to enjoy.
At the foot of Tenguyama is The Glass Studio in Otaru, where the glassmaking process behind Otaru glass can be observed, and with advance reservation, a glassblowing experience of about 10 to 20 minutes is also available.
*Glassblowing experience is closed every Tuesday.
After enjoying the views, it’s time for lunch. Lunch is served at Otaru Bine, a renovated Meiji-era building that once housed the former head office of Hokkaido Bank, where a seafood grill meal can be enjoyed in a historic setting. Savor Otaru specialties such as herring marinade and seasonal seafood.
After lunch, the next stop is the Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch. Built in 1906 in a Western-style design inspired by the revival architecture of modern Europe, this building is both part of the Japan Heritage cultural assets and a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Inside, the lavish interior showcases finely crafted details in the columns, wallpaper, and ceiling decorations, vividly reflecting Otaru’s former prosperity.
*Closed every Tuesday and on September 24. On those dates, this stop is omitted and time for exploring Otaru is extended to approximately 3 hours.
After visiting the historic building, the tour continues with a drop-off at Otaru Canal Terminal for free time to explore the town of Otaru.
Nearby are attractions such as the Otaru Canal, Denuki Koji, and Sakaimachi Street, lined with popular spots including Kitaichi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum, and Kitakaro. Planning which places to visit in advance is recommended.
On the way back to Sapporo, the tour stops at the sweets-themed park Shiroi Koibito Park for sightseeing and shopping. Highlights include an English garden filled with around 200 rose bushes and seasonal flowers, along with a mechanical clock tower where animal automata perform a cheerful parade every hour on the hour.
*Admission to the paid area requires a separate fee.
One of the great appeals of this tour is the chance to fully enjoy both the historic landmarks and popular attractions of Otaru and Sapporo. Why not enjoy a full day of sightseeing on a bus journey departing from and returning to Sapporo?
H
Seafood Grill and Ropeway Views
Otaru, the Japan Heritage City & Shiroi Koibito Park Tour (Includes Meal)
| Operation Period | May 9 - Nov 3, 2026（Excludes Jun 4, Jun 13, Jun 27, Jul 24 - Jul 26, Aug 8 - Aug 16, Aug 30, Sep 19 - Sep 23, Oct 3, Oct 17） | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 hours 31 min |
Distance | 89km |
| Embarkation Point/Departure and Arrival Times | |||
| Sapporo Station / Start: 9:30 End: 18:01 |
|||
H-1: Days when Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch is open
| Adult | 9,500yen |
|---|---|
| Jr. High school students | 9,200yen |
| Child | 5,900yen |
H-2: Days when Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch is closed (Tuesdays and September 24)
| Adult | 9,200yen |
|---|---|
| Child | 5,900yen |
*Includes lunch, admission to Mt. Tengu Ropeway, and admission to the Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch (H-1 only).
*Passengers using the junior high school student fare must present a student ID when purchasing and exchanging tickets at the regular sigtseeing bus counter, so please be sure to bring your student ID.
*During the H-2 period, junior high school students will be charged the adult fare.
Take in Otaru's spectacular views and rich history opn a thoroughly satisfying tour that also includes a stop at Shiroi Koibito Park.
Mt. Tengu Ropeway
Mt. Tengu Ropeway
The Glass Studio in Otaru
Otaru Bine
Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch
Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch
Otaru Canal
Sakaimachi Street
Shiroi Koibito Park
Itinerary
● Itinerary H-1
Days when Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch is open (all days except Tuesdays and September 24)
| 9:30 | Sapporo Station |
|---|---|
| Via Sapporo North IC and Otaru IC | |
| 10:32～11:30 | *①Mt. Tengu Ropeway & The Glass Studio in Otaru (Ropeway ride and free exploration)【Approx. 60min】 |
| 11:45～12:35 | Otaru Bine (Lunch)【Approx. 50min】 |
| 12:40～13:20 | Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch (Tour)【Approx. 40min】 |
| 13:30～15:40 | Otaru Canal Terminal (Canal walk, Kitaichi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum, Kitakaro, etc.—Free exploration) [Approx. 2 hours and 10 min] |
| Via Otaru IC and Sapporo West IC | |
| 16:15～17:15 | *②Shiroi Koibito Park (visit) 【Approx. 60min】 |
| 17:35 | Kita 1-jo Nishi 12-chome(D/O possible) |
| 17:45 | Kita 1-jo Nishi 4-chome(D/O possible) |
| 17:50 | Sapporo Clock Tower(D/O possible) |
| 18:01 | Sapporo Station |
● Itinerary H-2
Days when Former Nippon Yusen Otaru Branch is closed (Tuesdays and September 24)
| 9:30 | Sapporo Station |
|---|---|
| Via Sapporo North IC and Otaru IC | |
| 10:32～11:30 | *①Mt. Tengu Ropeway (Ropeway ride and free exploration)【Approx. 60min】 |
| 11:45～12:35 | Otaru Bine (Lunch)【Approx. 50min】 |
| 12:40～15:40 | Otaru Canal Terminal (Canal walk, Kitaichi Glass, Otaru Music Box Museum, Kitakaro—Free exploration and lunch on your own)【Approx. 3 hours】 |
| Via Otaru IC and Sapporo West IC | |
| 16:15～17:15 | *②Shiroi Koibito Park (visit) 【Approx. 60min】 |
| 17:35 | Kita 1-jo Nishi 12-chome(D/O possible) |
| 17:45 | Kita 1-jo Nishi 4-chome(D/O possible) |
| 17:50 | Sapporo Clock Tower(D/O possible) |
| 18:01 | Sapporo Station |
- *①
- ●The Glass Studio in Otaru is closed every Tuesday, so tours are unavailable. (Under the H-2 schedule, visits are not available except on September 24).
- ● In Case of Mt. Tengu Ropeway Suspension In case of bad weather or other reasons that cause the Mt. Tengu Ropeway to suspend operation, the itinerary will be adjusted as follows, and the ropeway fare will be refunded in cash at the Otaru Terminal counter.
・Itinerary when the ropeway is suspended (Tuesdays: The Glass Studio in Otaru is closed)
| 10:32～10:55 | Mt. Tengu Parking Lot (Restroom break)【Approx. 20min】 |
|---|---|
| 11:10～11:35 | Otaru Station Front Terminal counter (Ropeway fare refund)【Approx. 25min】 |
| 11:45～12:35 | Otaru Bine (Lunch)【Approx. 50min】 |
- *②Shiroi Koibito Park
●Free exploration. Admission to the paid area is optional and payable separately.
Paid area admission: High school students and older ¥800, ages 4 to junior high school ¥400, ages 3 and under free (through July 29); High school students and older ¥1,200, ages 4 to junior high school ¥600, ages 3 and under free (from July 30)
*Through July 29, parts of the Chocotopia 3rd-floor viewing area, including the Shiroi Koibito Park production line, may be unavailable due to renovation work. During this period, the paid viewing area will remain open, and all areas other than the 3rd-floor factory observation passage will operate as usual.
*Last admission to the paid area is 16:30 (open until 17:30).
*On July 28 and 29, due to preparations for the grand re-opening, the last admission time for the paid area will be 15:00, and entry to the paid area will not be available. Only garden strolls and shopping in the shops will be possible.
Meals
Otaru Bine
Otaru Bine：Grilled Seafood Plate
Enjoy herring and seasonal seafood in a Meiji-era bank building. This Western-style plate is distinctly Otaru in character, even down to the all-you-can-refill baguette made by Hirano Pan, a beloved Otaru bakery for more than 70 years.
[Menu]
· Marinated herring
· Grilled seasonal fish
· Grilled scallops
· Penne gratin with oysters
· Salad
· Baguette
· Onion soup
*Extra bread available upon request.
*Menu items are subject to change based on availability.
Schedule Calendar
| SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | ||
※Colored days are operating days.
Special Notes
※Tour may be cancelled due to weather conditions or expressway conditions. Tour may also be cancelled during operation due to similar conditions.
※Duration of tour may change depending on traffic congestion or number of passengers. Buses may also be delayed, so please allow ample time for transfer to other means of transportation.
※Arrival time will be earlier than scheduled time due to the closed days or limit on tours at each facility.
※Buses may be delayed due to traffic congestion and adverse weather, so please allow ample time for transfer to other means of transportation.
※Tours may be cancelled due to the disasters or marathons. Please inquire about operation schedule during adverse weather.
●Payment by credit card has been made possible for passengers who book their tickets on Hassha Alright Net as of August 1, 2018. Please understand that until payment has been processed the reservation is not complete.
●If you do not wish to pay with credit card, please make your reservation by contacting the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal Office at 0570-200-600 and pay at the Regular Sightseeing Bus Ticket Counter.
◆For all other details please visit the "Reservations" page on the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Website http://teikan.chuo-bus.co.jp/reservation/
●Please understand that Regular sightseeing bus tours may be cancelled due to rises or changes in the COVID-19 situation. Please be sure to confirm details on our official website.
※The Hokkaido Chuo Bus [Regular Sightseeing Bus] runs in the Central Hokkaido area.
