Otaru Rickshaw Tour: Experience Distinct Seasons and Old-Day Bustle in Northern Port City

This port city of the north has four distinct seasons, the nice sea breeze in summer, to the snow covered winter views that will give you the chills. Piers, canals and stockyards will remind everyone of the bustling old days, and you will feel the dashing spirit of Otaru.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Otaru Canal - iconic scenery of Otaru
  • Kitaunga - north part of Otaru canal
  • Former Nippon Yusen Kaisha Otaru Branch - visit inside the old post office
  • Former Japanese National Railways, Temiya line - old rail tracks
  • Otaru Denuki Koji - small alley
  • Asakusa Bridge - The most popular bridge in Otaru! From here you have a…
What's Included
  • Rickshaw ride
  • Local driver/guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
  • Expecting mothers in their first 16 weeks of pregnancy are not permitted to ride a rickshaw
  • Adult pricing applies to age 6 and over
  • Child rate (age 5 years or under) applies only when children sit on an adult’s lap without occupying a seat
  • A maximum of 2 adults per rickshaw. Up to 2 children (age 5 years or under) can ride with 2 adults (children…
Location
中央橋
at the corner of the bridge, where the traffic light is
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(73 Ratings)
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Mary_b
May 27, 2024
Definitely recommend! - This was a great trip. 😊 We booked 2 rickshaws for 1 hour. Very interesting and informative ride around the historic sights of Otaru in the canal area. Very pleasant young men pulling the rickshaws with the option to be dropped back at the cruise terminal if we preferred. Pick up point was easy to find with the map and photo provided.
Review provided by Viator
Robim446
Jan 27, 2024
Just a quaint place - We went a few years ago in summer, while staying in Sapporo. We are now planning to go in winter. Otaru is an ideal distance for a day trip from Sapporo. Alternatively you can use Otaru as a home base and do day trips out from there. It is so pretty just strolling the streets any time of the day, sunrise, sunset, twilight. We found as you got further north less tourist. If you are planning a holiday and don’t want the queues Otaru is ideal. We are looking forward to going in winter.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
純一
Nov 26, 2023
Rickshaw driver experience tour is the best - The Otaru rickshaw tour was a wonderful experience. I learned about the history of the Otaru Canal and got a feel for the feelings of the local people. I was touched by the young rickshaw driver's love and pride for Otaru. I'll definitely visit Otaru again. Thank you very much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_b
Aug 5, 2023
Highlight of day trip to Otaru - I was so happy that I booked this wonderful experience. Our guide Kuma was very professional and knew so much info about Otaru. We learned so much. His English was also excellent and is self taught. I believe he also knows a bit of Korean and Chinese.
Review provided by Viator
Traveler20581243431
Aug 1, 2023
It was fun being a local! - Since it was close, I had never ridden a rickshaw before, but my daughter said she wanted to try it, so we got in and it was fun as the driver explained the deep history of Otaru. The explanation was easy for children to understand and interesting, and Mr. Inoue was a fun guy, so I recommend it! He was also really good at taking photos, so we made some great memories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_m
May 8, 2023
Fun, Authentic & Affordable - What a fabulous way to see downtown Otaru and hear about its history while also experiencing this mode of transportation which was invented in Japan. Our guide was friendly and strong and stopped along the way to share the history of what we were seeing. I was so pleased to have a hand-pulled rickshaw, the bicycle driven ones are not the real mccoy in my view. Since it was a cold and somewhat rainy day, our driver put seat warmers down for us, bundled us up in a blanket and then affixed a brightly-colored tarp over the blanket to keep all dry and cozy. What an excellent experience!! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jamesr_8
Sep 19, 2019
Yuki was the best - We had a fun ride with our Rickshaw driver Yuki. We liked his attire. He provided us with interesting information about Otaru. He was professional and friendly. We highly recommend him if you are coming here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alanraussie
Aug 27, 2019
Great way to see Central Otaru - A rather unique way to get around but if you can handle other tourists taking photos of you, one I endorse. The fitness of our driver (puller?)Mitsu was amazing for a 2 hour tour with only short breaks for photos. He took several photos of us in the rickshaw as well, which turned out excellent. Otaru is a compact city and much can be seen in a short time. If you do take a rickshaw in Otaru I suggest asking for Mitsu who apart from his rickshaw capabilities also speaks English. Very handy for non Japanese speaking Australians.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debtempleton
Jul 23, 2019
Templeton trip - This was one of our best tours we had 2 for the four of us and both young men were great Really enjoyed it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Knittersid
May 25, 2018
Best experience ever - Going around otaru with rickshaw is really the best choice, we have 30min tour and enjoy otaru with the best view frim rickshaw, the guide also can speak english to guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $39
up to 10 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).