Hokkaido Hotel: Recommended Otaru Hotel
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Otaru (小樽) is a small harbor city in Hokkaido, Japan about half an hour northwest of Sapporo. It used to be a major fishing and trade port in Hokkaido, now it is a very popular tourist spot. Whether you want to see the famous Otaru Canal first, historic sites from Meiji, or go to the shopping street in Kojimachi, it's important to find a good place to stay where you can access everything.
Which is why this time JAPANKURU wanted to share a hotel that's newly opened, Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal. A hotel that not only is close to popular tourist spots, but provides great breakfast, a relaxing bath, and rooms with a fashionable theme!
⬟ HOTEL TORIFITO OTARU CANAL ⬟
Official Website (JPN) 💻 Reservation Page (JPN)
Bright and Simple: Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal Hotel Lobby
Other than the very famous Otaru Canal, Otaru is known for its Western-style buildings of stone and brick. Following that famous motif, the hotel halls and lobby of Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal is red brick. It's designed to look like a warehouse arch, with soft lighting and wooden floor, and when you walk through the front door, you can feel it. Everything is very calm and comfortable and there is a seating area next to the check-in counter which is a good place to wait and have a cup of coffee. The coffee is only available for a few hours, but when it is available it is free!
⏰🏨CHECK-IN 3pm / CHECK-OUT 11am
☕Free coffee available: 2pm-7pm
Check-In and Head to Your Room!
There are various room types, but they are broken down into 4 main design concepts. Since the main difference is the concept, we're going to introduce those 4 designs. To get more of an idea of the room types or what they look like, check out Hotel Torifito Canal's room page. Or their reservation page (both in Japanese)
⬟ Warehouse Concept (倉庫) ⬟
Set up with red brick walls, wooden furniture, and
warm earth-tone colors to represent a warehouse,
this room also provides a mini bar with a barrel as a motif and
a desk mirror that is shaped as a
a ship's wheel.
This room's concept is based on the stone used on buildings from Taisho to the early Showa period,
which was called
"Wall Street in the North".
The interior is similar to
the Warehouse rooms,
however here the color scheme uses different gray tones, creating a more stylish and calm sense.
You would think since it has a tatami floor, it would be called "Japanese style room" or something of the sort,
however the theme of this room is "Zen", something relaxing and modern.
With a serene color scheme of black ink and white wood on the walls, along with grass color and fine Japanese designs all over is said to guide those in the room to zen. If you don't get the relaxing feeling while being in the room, don't worry!
At least you won't have to worry about you or your kids rolling off the bed!
The beds are so low to the ground, they are easy to climb up on.
making your stay fun for those with a playful side!
Great for a family of four or a group of friends.
Just close the doors and batten up the hatches,
and you've got your secret base.
Traveling can be exhausting, so we are always thankful for Japanese hotel's big public bath.
There are two bathhouses, men's and women's, at Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal and they alternate rooms daily. There are beautiful murals on the walls done by popular Japanese painters, one room has a painting of Mt. Yotei (羊蹄山) and the other the Otaru Canal (小樽運河). Since the rooms alternate daily, it gives you a chance to soak in both rooms!
⏰♨ Hours: 3pm-1am, 6am-10am
Located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
During it's most beautiful time during the winter.
Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal has a highly recommended breakfast full of special originated in Hokkaido dishes and ingredients. One food that particularly caught our attention is known as Hokkaido's soul food, "ankake yakisoba." Ankake yakisoba (あんかけ焼きそば) consists of hard, crispy yakisoba noodles that are covered with a thick sauce known as "an." If you have ever tried or heard of Nagasaki's "sara udon", it's similar to that. It's definitely worth a try!!
It's also worth mentioning, that Hokkaido's milk is probably some of the best, most creamy milk you have ever had. We eventually lost count of how many glasses we had here for breakfast. Something else you can only get in Hokkaido is a drink similar to "Yakult" (ヤクルト), a probiotic lactobacillus dairy drink, by the name of Soft Katsugen (ソフトカツゲン). Try a cup when you have breakfast at Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal, your taste buds and tummy will thank you!
⏰🍞Breakfast: 6:30-10:00 (last order time: 9:30)
Hokkaido Otaru Hotel! Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
We asked those that live in Otaru, and they said most people when they come to Hokkaido they stay in Sapporo then drive to Otaru just because they don't know where they can stay. However, if you stayed in Otaru, not only will you be granted the freedom to travel around freely, you are more likely to find an open room whereas in Sapporo hotels would be full. Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal, regardless of location, room type, breakfast or bathhouse, brings unparalleled satisfaction to our journey. So how about trying and staying at Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal when traveling to Hokkaido!?
🏨Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
💻Homepage (Japanese)
Google Maps
Have you ever been to Hokkaido? Where are some of your favorite places??
We wanna hear about it in the comment box below!
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Details
NAME:Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal
MAP
1-5-7 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido
ACCESS:Otaru Station
CONTACT TEL:0134-20-2200
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Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!
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NIKI
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Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.
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Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).
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Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).
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Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.
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Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.
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Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.
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Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
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Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
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Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
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Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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OSAKA
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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