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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

This was one of our best tours we had 2 for the four of us and both young men were great Really enjoyed it

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!

We had a wonderful and knowledgeable guide who made every minute of the rickshaw tour exciting. It was obvious he had studied the areas we toured, had a superb sense of humor, and fine talent in photography. Photography is his hobby and he set up our photos so that the lighting for each shot was perfect. Looking at the photos he took of us in the richshaw will bring back unforgettable memories of that day in snowy Otaru. We were so happy that we signed up for this event and had the luck of being assigned the tour guide that we had. I'm sorry I forgot this talented young man's name but I'm sure you can find his name in your records.

This was our first experience with Viator and we were so pleased not only with the event, but how they set up the tour purchase and provided excellent contact information with their on-site office. I was able to contact a real person from the time of purchase as well as in the days prior to the tour for confirmation purposes. Because of this, I will continue to book with Viator in the future.

Patti B and Ed L of Aiea, Hawaii

We did a 2 hour Rickshaw Tour Of Otaru with Ebisuya. This is our second Rickshaw Tour, first one was last year in Arashiyama in April during Sakura Blossoms. As with our first tour our guide, “Toshi” was amazing. We went around in Otaru in the snowy street and learned a lot about Otaru’s history and it’s buildings and scenic sites. We ended up with the best photos of our vacation, taken by Toshi. I brought a gift from San Francisco for our Rickshaw Guide, last time I had to force our guide to accept our tip. I brought a hoodie with San Francisco, CA logo and See’s Candy. I’m so glad I did because we really appreciate our guide. It was a beautiful sunny day with snowy slippery roads which made it harder for our Rickshaw Guide. Thank you Toshi for a wonderful trip.

Our super friendly guide (Gucci) took us on a tour of the canal area for half an hour. Even with snowy weather we wrapped up warm and were taken on a 30 min tour of Otaru with our English speaking guide. A great experience and would recommend it to anyone.

I an travelling with a friend on a one day trip to Otaru and we highly recommend the rickshaw tour activities to do. Our rickshaw guide, Shota is the best. Although his English is limited, but his explanation about the area is well enough for us to understand. And he is very kind too. Not to mention, very professional at capturing candid photo. We highly recommend for those who is visiting Otaru. These guys are amazing runners and they bring you to the less crowded place where you get to see the old buildings of Otaru.

I would recommend this fun and informative guided tour. We arrived in Otura aboard a princess cruise and were met by the guides at the pier. We had booked two rickshaws before we left Australia and they were waiting just a we got off the ship. The two young men were very helpful in getting us settled in and they showed us around Otura for one hour, stopping along the way with information and photo stops. they took plenty of photos of us in the rickshaws with tourist back drops. IT was a very rainy day and we did not get wet with all the extra rain wear they placed over us. Overall it was a great way to see Otura.

We (couple) were lured to have a ride on a rickshaw near the Chuo Bridge over the Otaru Canal. A young boy took us around for about fifteen minutes with some sketchy explanations. Frankly speaking, it wasn’t worth the price. It was too short, guiding information too simple to truly enjoy the historical background of the region, and too expensive at JPY4,000 for the contents (ride and guiding.) The tour should be at least 60 minutes, but it will be way too expensive at JPY17,500 for two people. Not recommended.

On a recent trip to Otaru, the rickshaw staff were very friendly amd informative about local information. Especially Murakami Takuto was welcoming. I recommend this company for a fun, relaxing way to enjoy Otaru!!

Our best memory in Otaru. We've learnt a lot about Otaru from this tour. Our guide Toshi is very fun and informative. Very friendly guy and he took beautiful pictures too. We will never forget about this tour. So, it's a must do if anyone ever visit Otaru.

Our guide was super amazing! He seems to be our age which makes it more easier to interact. He took us to the places that it not so touristy but we still got very nice views AND pictures of course. Overall, I would definitely recommend this and our guide to everyone!

Our guide was Gucchi-San. He was charming, funny, and a great photographer too! Every little detail of the trip, from hot packs on the seat and double blankets to keep us warm, to his detailed and interesting "walking" history tour of the older warehouse district was just fantastic. Gucchi-San made what could have been a boring trudge through nameless buildings a real treat. It did feel a bit strange having someone carry us about town like that, almost exploitative, but we really had a good time. If you find yourself in Otaru, which has a beautiful canal flanked by centennial architecture, I highly recommend taking the time to enjoy this amazing service. You won't regret it!

Best tour@Otaru !! Mr Kotoro (小澤虎太郎) is very super friendly and informative about the history of the buildings@Otaru and he is very entertaining throughout the conversation. We are parents travelling with 2 kids (9 & 6 years old) and my kids loved the tour and the guides too ! Highly recommended for families with young children and the pick + intro is swift at Chuobashi Bridge@Otaru. Best 👍👍👍

This is the first time in my life that I try Rickshaw service, the man who service me today is Masaya. He speak English very well and can explain me for all the historical places that we visit. He also be the very good and creative photographer. He do the best as he promise to show me the important place, he also recommend the nice place for lunch and dinner. I'm very impressive and really recommend you to try, this make me enjoy and complete Otaru Trip within short time. Thank you Masaya for the nice pics : )

We enjoyed a wonderful experience through the streets of Otaru, Japan,on a rickshaw with wonderful commentary about the area and its history. Our guide also stopped every now and then to take photographs of our experience and these were fabulous! I would highly recommend this tour, reasonably priced, fun and delightful. Loved it! Thank you - arigatou gozaimasu - ありがとうございます