Published date: August 5, 2024
[Accommodation Experience] OTARU TAP ROOM
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
This time, I visited a guesthouse called "OTARU TAP ROOM" in Otaru through HafH.
Otaru, a tourist destination in Hokkaido, retains a strong nostalgic atmosphere.
Regardless of the season, many tourists come from all over Japan.
It’s ideally located about a 3-minute walk to the Otaru Canal and about a 7-minute walk to Sakaimachidori shopping street.
The area is quiet and allows for a comfortable stay.
I arrived by rental car, so I parked in a nearby coin parking, but it's also conveniently accessible by foot in about 10 minutes from JR Otaru Station.
One unique feature of the accommodation is that it’s not only a guesthouse but also has a beer bar.
There are a lot of foreign tourists, and the atmosphere is very international.
They have more than six types of draft craft beer and hard cider available at all times.
They usually open at 15:00, so it’s nice to enjoy Otaru beer in the evening.
I wanted to drink Otaru beer too, but unfortunately, the bar was closed on the day I visited.
If you’re aiming to go for the bar, it might be better to check in advance.
The atmosphere inside the shop made it easy to get to know other guests quickly, so I thought I would like to enjoy conversations with various people while drinking Otaru beer the next time I come back.
The building where you check in at the beer bar is different from the building where you stay, so you have to move your luggage to the adjacent building.
Upon entering, there is an entrance, and you should take off your shoes and change into slippers.
The room I was shown was "203".
The room is very simple, with no TV or refrigerator, just a futon on the tatami mat.
It has a somewhat traditional house feel and is relaxing. The Hokkaido I visited was unusually hot, exceeding 30°C every day, but it had air conditioning, so that was not a problem.
What I liked about the shared space was the living area.
It’s very stylish, with high ceilings and an open atmosphere.
It seems like a good place to work on a computer.
There is also a kitchen in the living area, so you can bring in ingredients and cook for yourself.
It would be perfect for a medium to long-term stay.
In fact, during my stay, there were also several guests who seemed to be staying for a long time.
I think it’s great not only for those who want to stay in Otaru for sightseeing but also for people looking to work remotely!
Experiences during the trip
The "OTARU TAP ROOM" is located in the center of Otaru, surrounded by many tourist spots.
A cruise on the Otaru Canal, which is a symbolic canal of Otaru, lasts about 40 minutes.
We recommend enjoying the nostalgic atmosphere of the streets of Otaru.
Another shop recommended by the staff at the inn that you must visit when in Otaru is Kitaichi Hall.
Located in the Otaru Sakaimachidori Shopping Street, it’s a very atmospheric restaurant and cafe.
The highlight here is the lighting of the 167 oil lamps.
Before the opening, the staff spends 30 minutes lighting each oil lamp one by one.
On the day I visited, they were doing the lighting from 10:00 to 10:30 due to shortened business hours.
The light reflected off Otaru glass is very fantastical and beautiful.
It’s highly recommended for a relaxing break during sightseeing♪
For dinner on the night of my stay, I thought I couldn't miss the miso ramen since I was in Hokkaido, so I went to Ramen Tokaiya.
This restaurant serves ramen made by a former French chef, which is different from others.
When I visited, the chef was operating alone and seemed very busy, but the miso ramen I ordered was delicious.