How to make the most of your trip to Otaru

Are you headed to Otaru for your next holiday? It promises quite a different atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the country's capital. Located in Japan's northern-most province of Hokkaido along Ishikari Bay, Otaru has a lot to offer tourists with its many charming attractions. Read on to find out some of the things you can do while you're there to make the most of your vacation at this port town.

Ever Owned a Music Box?

Music boxes were once precious gift items. Nowadays, when most people think of them, what may come to mind are scenes from old movies or recollections of them being used as a tool in horror films to build up an eerie atmosphere. But have you ever seen one in real life? The chances are that you haven't. Otaru provides the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal since it's renowned for its music boxes. There's a whole museum dedicated to it! Pay a visit to the Otaru Music Box Museum Sakaimachi to observe a collection of Japanese and European-styled music boxes and catch a few performances as well. And if you've been sold on the idea, you'll find that there are shops around the town that sell music boxes which you could take home as a souvenir.

Take a Charming Stroll

Sometimes, a quiet walk along a scenic path is all you need to lift your spirits and truly unwind, and this Hokkaido city offers just that. Located less than a 10-minute taxi drive away from the JR Otaru Chikko train station as well as Hokkaido accommodation such as the Grand Park Otaru, is the iconic Otaru Canal. Come summer or winter, walking along the pavement alongside the canal is one of the most popular activities for tourists while they're staying in the city.

A century ago, the canal's waters would have been filled with boats and ships carrying goods to the stores located nearby. However, these days, hardly any boats disturb the quiet waters since the ships dock at the port near the shores and have no need to travel along the canal. If you do see a vessel, go on and check it out for it's likely to be offering rides for tourists such as yourself. Also, keep an eye out for the stone bridges that are situated here and there along the canal. They are great spots from which to take a selfie or two!

Got Money on the Mind?

If you're planning a trip to Japan, you've likely done a little bit of research on the country and its culture. That is to say, you probably have an inkling about how disciplined they are as a society and how they generally like to keep things tidy and orderly. But did you know that extends to their currency as well? Head on over to The Bank of Japan Otaru Museum for a thorough education on the history of Japan's money systems. Among a myriad of interesting facts, one of the things that you will learn is the secret behind why you're unlikely to ever see a creased Yen bill during your vacation in Japan. Can you guess the reason? The Japanese are fastidious about many things, and this extends to their currency as well- damaging or even crumpling a Yen note renders it unusable, leading it to be taken out of circulation.

So do be careful with how you handle your Japanese currency the moment you've collected it from a bank or foreign exchange kiosk. While you may have been used to occasionally crumpling up money in your pocket or wallet back home, it's not advisable to do the same with currency bills in Japan.