Fodor's Expert Review Otaru Canal Cruise

Since everyone comes to Otaru for the canals, why not go out on them? When you have worn out your feet for the day, try taking a 40-minute Canal Cruise and get a nice view of Otaru's famous stone and brick warehouses from a different perspective. The cruise will take you up and down the main canal with a little jaunt under Tsukimi and Asahi bridges into the port area. The boarding platform is just over the canal from the Otaru Tourist Office at Unga Plaza. In summer the daytime cruises run 10 times per day (11 at the height of summer) and two or three at night (after 7 pm), but check their schedule as it changes with the seasons. No cruises run between October and February. At the height of the season, reservations are recommended for the night cruise. Reservations can be made by phone or at the platform.