OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts, a city hotel located in an area known as the "Wall Street of the North" with many historical buildings, will once again be hosting the "Otaru Canal Kotatsu Cruising" this year, where guests can relax in a heated table (kotatsu) on a boat and admire the retro cityscape covered in snow, on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays only from December 6, 2025 to March 29, 2026
並みを眺める「小樽運河こたつクルージング」を今年も開催。
Guests can enjoy an elegant cruise on a private chartered cruise ship equipped with a heated table (kotatsu).
This year, a special sweet developed by "Otaru Western Confectionery LeTAO" will also be available. Along with the sweets, guests can enjoy the retro townscape illuminated by gas lamps and the fantastical snowscape from the ship.
The Otaru Canal was completed in 1923. OMO5 Otaru is unique in that it allows you to enjoy this popular tourist spot, which still retains the townscape of that time, with different programs for each season.
Feature 1: A boat equipped with a kotatsu is operated exclusively for guests staying overnight.
Unlike regular canal cruises which operate with bench seats, this special boat is equipped with kotatsu tables and is bathed in the warm light of lamps, so you can stay warm during the approximately 40-minute ride and enjoy the elegant view of Otaru's snow-covered streets lined with historical buildings.
Feature 2: Otaru's snowy scenery seen from the special seats
Otaru Canal is a place full of exotic charm, with its rows of imposing wooden-framed stone warehouses.
The scenery, a blend of snow-covered historical buildings and the warm glow of gas lamps, is a magical beauty unique to winter.
Furthermore, until January, you can view the Blue Canal lit up in blue light from a special seat on board the boat. The view of the blue sky and the blue illuminations interweaving during the blue hour after sunset is particularly romantic.
[New] LeTAO's special sweets, featuring the snowy scenery of Otaru seen from a boat, are now available
Onboard, passengers can enjoy a special dessert developed by Otaru confectionery shop LeTAO specifically for this cruise: an adaptation of LeTAO Pathos' popular "Mini Venezia Rendezvous (Chocolate)." The dessert represents the cityscape of Otaru as seen from the ship, with cream and powdered sugar depicting a snow-covered city and gold leaf representing the gas lamps illuminating the Otaru Canal at night.
Furthermore, passengers can enjoy a refined moment savoring the sweets while gazing at the city of Otaru, paired with LeTAO's original blend tea, "Otaru no Kaori," which evokes the retro atmosphere of Otaru.
Overview of "Otaru Canal Kotatsu Cruising"
Period: Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from December 6, 2025 to March 29, 2026 Price: 4,900 yen per person (tax included) Includes: Otaru Canal cruise, LeTAO original sweets, and blended tea Time: 17:40 - 18:40 *Includes 20 minutes for travel from OMO5 Otaru to the Otaru Canal and preparation for boarding, plus 40 minutes of cruise time Capacity: 16 people Reservations: By 15:00 the day before via the official website Target: Hotel guests only Notes: The menu may change depending on ingredient availability. The cruise may be canceled in case of bad weather.
Information
OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts
Machinaka Hotel is located in an area known as the "Wall Street of the North," lined with many historical buildings. Based on the concept of "Sora, the port town of awakening," the hotel offers a stay that allows you to fully enjoy the city of Otaru by sharing the hidden history, culture, and culinary charms of the port town of Otaru. While staying in a retro building that has been renovated from a historical building designated by the city, you can rediscover a new side of Otaru
Location: 1-6-31 Iroinai, Otaru City, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan
Phone: 050-3134-8095 (OMO Reservation Center)
Number of Rooms: 92 rooms Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11:00
Price: From 16,000 yen per room per night (tax included, meals not included)
Access: Approximately 9 minutes on foot from JR Otaru Station
Official Website:https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/omo5otaru/
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