Otaru

[[file:Otaru banner view from Tenguyama - View from Tenguyama}}

Otaru Hokkaido Japan - Otaru Canal at dusk

Otaru ( 小樽]) is a port city in Hokkaido, Japan. The city is near Sapporo and it is a tourist destination for its food, its historical buildings and its shops.

Otaru Halal Explorer

Approximately 30 kilometers to the west of Sapporo, Otaru is a port city with a canal and excellently maintained architectures of early modern Japan in the Meiji era. Most of the attractions are found in the downtown surrounding the Otaru port.

Otaru's original name in the local Ainu language was "Otarunai" or "Ota-or-nai", meaning "river flowing through sand". The area's recorded history goes back to the 16th century, when an explorer from the Honshu island reported settlement. Otaru's early modern history as a port city started in 1871, when Japan's Meiji government opened a colonization office in Sapporo. Rapid development followed with expanding trades, especially after a railway was built in 1880 between Otaru and Sapporo, as the first railway in Hokkaido. Once busy with exporting coal and trades with Russia, today's Otaru has a thriving tourism industry.

Winter in Otaru is less severe than in most other cities in Hokkaido; the yearly average temperature is 8.6 degrees Celsius.

Travel to Otaru

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Otaru

Otaru is a major station on the JR Hakodate Line' from Sapporo, with very frequent train runs. At a cost of ¥620 and there are at least five trains per hour; the fastest service and the ' Airport Rapid, reaches Otaru in 30 minutes. The complete journey on the Airport Rapid from New Chitose Airport to Otaru takes 70 minutes.

By car

Otaru is 25 minutes away from Sapporo by car.

By ferry

Otaru is one of Hokkaido's key ferry ports, and the closest to Sapporo. Shin-Nihonkai Ferry](+81 6-6348-1120) operates a daily service between Otaru and Niigata (18 hours, ¥6,200+) and between Otaru and Maizuru near Kyoto (20 hours, ¥9,600+). Both services are overnight, and private cabins are available for a higher fare (the base fare buys sleeping space on the floor).

How to get around in Otaru

Noh Stage Otaru - Outdoor Noh stage

Halal Friendly Walking Tours in Otaru

Many of its historical buildings, restaurants and retail outlets are within easy walking distance so walking is a very easy (and affordable) means of getting around. A suggested walking itinerary begins from the Otaru Music Box Museum at one end of Sakaimachihondori Street, follow the street until it crosses a small canal, walk up the street until the Museum of the Money, and then follow the canal down and then keep following the canal when it turns left and widens up.

What to see in Otaru

Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi - A scene of Otaru's famous Snow Light Path Festival (Yuki Akari no Michi) at the Otaru canal

• Otaru Canal - 小樽運河 - 色内１丁目 43.198004, 141.003047 ☎ +81 134 32-4111 - Free The canal was completed in 1923. The canal has been developed as a walkway. It is lit at night by gas lamps and walkway lights. Located 10 minutes walk from Otaru Station.

• Otaru Music Box Museum - 小樽オルゴール堂 - @orgel.co.jp 1-2-3 Irifune 43.19068, 141.00766 ☎ +81 134 22-1108 +81 134 21-2531 Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 7PM Free A museum that contains exhibits about the development of music boxes, a collection of several notable music boxes, as well as an extensive store that carries many different types. For a fee, clients can build their own music boxes. The museum is also part of a larger complex of buildings in the surrounding area, which include a stuffed animal collection as well as an antiques museum.

• Steam Clock - 蒸気時計 jōgi tokei - 43.19090, 141.00741 at the "meruhen" intersection (メルヘン交差点, meruhen kōsaten) - Outside of the music box museum and the steam clock was a gift from Vancouver to Otaru. Powered entirely by steam and the clock plays a chime every 15 minutes, and features the main steam whistle on the hour.

• Otaru Snow Light Festival - 小樽雪あかりの路 Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi - 43.19842, 141.00266 Opening Hours: held annually in February Called "Yuki Akari no Michi", this Winter festival features paths illuminated with lanterns made of ice. The most scenic view is from the Otaru canal. You can also view many ice lanterns clustered along the abandoned railway a few blocks away from the canal. The festival runs in the first-second week of February.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Otaru

• Create your own music box at the Music Box museum.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Otaru

Music boxes. You'll find these in Hakodate and Sapporo as well, but shops dedicated to music boxes are especially prevalent here. The two museums selling music boxes are well worth a look, particularly for the hand-cranked variety which emit tunes using a piece of cardboard with holes punched in it.

Antiques. If you walk from central station straight towards the canal neighborhood, you'll see a karaoke centre called Thriller Karaoke with a bat gargoyle above the sign. Turn right until you see an eatery called Kongetsudo on the left hand side. Across the road are two antique dealers, one male and one female, on the second storey of a small building that sell mainly kimono. This place is worth a visit as you can pick authentic kimonos quite affordable here. Just remember that you may have to negotiate up to 50% off the price of a kimono with the male dealer if you are a foreigner.

Glassware. Otaru is famous among Japanese for its glassware. You can buy all types of articles made of class, from useful cups, bottles and plates, to tiny decorative fishes.

• Kitaichi Glass - 北一硝子 Kitaichi Garasu - 堺町７−２６ 43.192226, 141.007394 ☎ +81 134 33-1993 | Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 6PM Otaru hand-made crystal is one of the most famous in Japan.

Halal Restaurants in Otaru

Otaru is the best town in Hokkaido for sushi, and it ranks high on the national scale too. Sushi restaurants near Kitaichi are expensive, but if you walk to the canal you can find cheaper but good sushi.

• Kitaichi Hall 43.1921557, 141.0072118 Next to the Kitaichi glass shop - Located in an old warehouse, this restaurant resembles a grand hall fully decorated in wood and offers local meals (but no sushi) at a reasonable price.

• Kaiten sushi 43.19811, 141.00340 - This kaiten sushi place is very popular but worth the long queues.

Stay Safe

Like most of Hokkaido and the footpaths of Otaru tend to accumulate a lot of ice in the winter. Try to wear shoes with corrugated soles that will grip the ice. Another option you can buy metal-studded wraparound bands to put on your shoes from roadside shops for about ¥2700.

• Otaru Beer - 小樽ビール - 港町５−４ By the Otaru Canal ☎ +81 134 21-2323 Decorated with medieval props, this organic juice hall sells their own soft drinks.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Otaru

Otaru - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Otaru, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Otaru. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Otaru and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Otaru. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Otaru. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inOtaru: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Otaru.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Otaru: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Otaru, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Otaru.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Otaru, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Otaru, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Otaru and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Otaru, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Otaru, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Otaru without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Otaru is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Otaru.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Otaru is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Otaru, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Otaru Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Otarunai Backpackers' Hostel MorinoKi - おたるないバックパッカーズホステル 杜の樹 - Aioi 4-15 43.191201, 141.003757 10 min on foot from JR Minami-Otaru Station ☎ +81 134 23-2175 - ¥2800 Check-in: 3PM / Check-out: 10AM Top notch hostel, with a laid back owner and interesting decoration — but you're gonna have to be OK with dogs to stay here.

• Hotel Dormy Inn Premium Otaru - in-@otels.com 稲穂3丁目9-1 43.198296, 140.994887 Right across the road from Otaru Station. ☎ +81 134 21-5489 - ¥6000 for a twin Checkout: 11AM You get a free bowl of ramen at night in the downstairs buffet room from the guy with the glasses, who is an all-round client service legend. There is a LAN cable sort of hidden next to the phone in the rooms that you can use to get free internet. Lovely, clean and extremely well-serviced rooms.

• Otaru Emina Backpackers - 緑２丁目１５−１７ bus stop in front of Otaru Station, platform 3, bus #9, get off at Shinsenbashi ( about 10 minutes) or a 20 minutes walk from the station ☎ +81 134-61-1279 - 3000¥/day Check-in: 14:00-20:00 / Check-out: 11:00 A cozy hostel that opened March 2022, run by a great couple who can speak English. Very friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Separate male and female room, but it's not strict. 18900¥ for a week.

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