Crab and Sake Glow: Otaru’s Cozy Izakayas by Lantern-Lit Canals

Otaru, Hokkaido’s romantic port, glimmers after dusk with canal-side izakayas grilling fresh crab and pouring Asahikawa sake, offering tourists a soul-warming dive into Japan’s pub culture 30 minutes from Sapporo by JR. Near Otaru Station’s Hakodate Main Line, these intimate taverns (¥2,000–¥5,000 per person) brim with fishermen and travelers, perfect for toasting after a day at the Music Box Museum or Kitaichi Glass shops. With English menus in some spots, sharing plates of Hokkaido uni and kani miso, and hours until midnight, these izakayas blend Otaru’s maritime heart with rustic hospitality. Whether swapping tales over shochu in a wooden nook or stumbling to a karaoke den, Otaru’s izakayas cast a crab-fueled glow, crafting a Hokkaido night where lantern-lit canals and sake warmth weave a cozy tapestry under snow-dusted stars.

1. Izakaya Yoiyoi

   Near Otaru Canal (¥2,000–¥4,000 per person), this spot serves kani shabu and sake, a 5-minute walk from Otaru Station.

   Izakaya Yoiyoi on Google

   

   
   

2. Otaru Warehouse No.1

   In Sakaimachi (¥2,500–¥5,000 per person), this izakaya offers Hokkaido seafood, a 7-minute walk from Otaru Station.

   Otaru Warehouse No.1 on Google

   

   
   
   
   

Location Benefits: Otaru’s JR line links to Sapporo (30 minutes) or Niseko (2 hours). Walkable canal-side bars, sushi joints, and karaoke spots keep the night alive, with Hokkaido’s snowy charm all around.