Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5Timed from the gangway with the port's official timetables · updated · Takumi Yamada
Numbers follow the route below. Pins are the places themselves; walking lines are not drawn because the best way between two stops can change with the tram, the tide or the weather.
How the day runs
Times are from the moment you step off, not from the scheduled arrival. Everything shifts if your ship is late; the order does not.
- +0:00Walk to Otaru Station
15–20 minutes, uphill. Leave the ship by about 9:10 and buy a paper ticket to Yoichi (¥470)
What you will see here - +0:25The 9:35 train to Yoichi
Arrives 10:00, along the coast. Trains run only every 60–90 minutes
What you will see hereFull guide: Nikka Yoichi Distillery
Photo: さかおり / CC BY-SA 4.0 - +0:55Nikka Yoichi distillery
Five minutes from the station. Walk in by the Shop Entrance: the museum, shop and paid tasting bar need no booking. Only the free guided tour does, and it is in Japanese
What you will see hereFull guide: Nikka Yoichi Distillery - +2:30Tasting, and the Taketsuru residence
He chose Yoichi because the climate reminded him of Scotland. Leave by 12:30 for the train
What you will see here - +3:25The 12:35 train back to Otaru
Arrives 13:05. If you miss it, the 13:40 arrives 14:10. No train leaves Yoichi between 10:20 and 12:35
What you will see here
Photo: Flickr user: Chi ing https://www.flickr.com/people/davelau/ / CC BY 2.0 - +3:55Nichigin-dori, Sakaimachi and the canal
The Bank of Japan museum is free (closed Wednesdays). You see the canal in afternoon light; the lamps come on at sunset, after a day call sails. On an 8-hour call (08:00–16:00), skip this and walk straight back from the station, about 20 minutes
What you will see hereFull guide: Sakaimachi
Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5 - +5:50Walk back to Wharf No.3
~15 minutes along the canal
What you will see here
Otaru, along this route
Real photographs of the places above and the streets between them. Every one is credited.
