Otaru is a port city that lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The waterfront section stretches in a narrow strip for 30 km from Otaru Dream Beach west to the Otaru Aquarium on the tip of the bay. The two best best places to run in Otaru are the Otaru Dream Beach Area/Hoshioki River Path, and further north along the Otaru Canal and some lovely city parks.
Otaru Canal Area & Temiya Park. The more historic section of Otaru, and the area often visited area, is located 20 km northwest of Sapporo. The city, now almost a bedroom community of Sapporo, is famous for its canal. Folks take boat trips along the canal to enjoy its blossoms in spring, winter scene with icicles, and festive blue lights in season. There’s a walking path alongside the canal that’s nice for running. For a nice 3.7 km loop, run the canal path one way, and take the cycle path for the return. This paved, dedicated path cuts through the center of Otaru.
For a 2 km nice add-on, continue from the north end of the canal path into hilly Temiya Park. There are lovely running paths passing botanical gardens and then climbing 70m to the Temiya Park Viewpoint. The park is popular for its cherry blossoms in spring and is lovely in winter with fresh snow. There’s a running track at the center! Note: HillyROUTE MAP
Asahi Observation Deck. CC 3.0: t-konno
Otaru Park to Asahi Observation Deck. Otaru Park is a pleasant city park just west of downtown. There are walking paths, ballfields & other athletic facilities, and a concert hall. A loop of the park is ~1.5 km. You can start in the park, or combine with the canal route. It’s 1 km from the southern end of the canal path to Otaru Park, using Koen Dori.
From the northwest end of the park, challenge yourself with a run/walk to the Asahi Observation Deck. It’s 2 km, climbing 200m, on a mainly wooded road. There are several km of additional roads and paths in this wooded city park. Especially pretty in winter! Use our map as a guideline. Note: if you’d like to avoid the hill climb, there’s a parking area at the Observation Deck. From there, enjoy a less hilly run on park roads/paths, or run downhill! ROUTE MAP
Otaru is a port city that lies northwest of Sapporo on Ishikari Bay. The waterfront section stretches in a narrow strip for 30 km from Otaru Dream Beach west to the Otaru Aquarium on the tip of the bay. The two best best places to run in Otaru are the Otaru Dream Beach Area/Hoshioki River Path, and further north along the Otaru Canal and some lovely city parks.
Otaru Canal Area & Temiya Park. The more historic section of Otaru, and the area often visited area, is located 20 km northwest of Sapporo. The city, now almost a bedroom community of Sapporo, is famous for its canal. Folks take boat trips along the canal to enjoy its blossoms in spring, winter scene with icicles, and festive blue lights in season. There’s a walking path alongside the canal that’s nice for running. For a nice 3.7 km loop, run the canal path one way, and take the cycle path for the return. This paved, dedicated path cuts through the center of Otaru.
For a 2 km nice add-on, continue from the north end of the canal path into hilly Temiya Park. There are lovely running paths passing botanical gardens and then climbing 70m to the Temiya Park Viewpoint. The park is popular for its cherry blossoms in spring and is lovely in winter with fresh snow. There’s a running track at the center! Note: HillyROUTE MAP
Asahi Observation Deck. CC 3.0: t-konno
Otaru Park to Asahi Observation Deck. Otaru Park is a pleasant city park just west of downtown. There are walking paths, ballfields & other athletic facilities, and a concert hall. A loop of the park is ~1.5 km. You can start in the park, or combine with the canal route. It’s 1 km from the southern end of the canal path to Otaru Park, using Koen Dori.
From the northwest end of the park, challenge yourself with a run/walk to the Asahi Observation Deck. It’s 2 km, climbing 200m, on a mainly wooded road. There are several km of additional roads and paths in this wooded city park. Especially pretty in winter! Use our map as a guideline. Note: if you’d like to avoid the hill climb, there’s a parking area at the Observation Deck. From there, enjoy a less hilly run on park roads/paths, or run downhill! ROUTE MAP
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Essentials
Canal Loop is 3.7 km (2.3 miles); Temiya Park adds 2 km; Otaru Park Loop to Asahi Observation Deck is ~3.5 km one-way
Canal path is flat; Temiya Park is hilly. It's a 200m climb to the Asahi Observation Deck
Downtown Otaru for the canal path; For Otaru Park/Asahi, can run from downtown or park in Otaru Park near the concert hall
Otartu Park: parking area at concert hall; Can also park at Asahi Observation Deck
The top running route in Sapporo, this paved multi use path stretches over 25 km along the Toyohira River. Start from out from or run to Nakajima Park or Makominai Park for the best sections.
The airy public campus of Hokkaido University has a very park-like feel with plenty of runnable paths and sidewalks. We’ve mapped a 7.5 km tour of the highlights, including Gingko Ave. Good winter option!
A long linear park in central Sapporo, this prized green space has a 3 km loop (intersected by several streets), but it makes a nice addition to the Hokkaido University or Toyohira River routes.
Located along the Shinoroshin River in the north of the city, this park is acclaimed for its landscape architecture and sculptures. A full loop around the park is about 10 km.
The paved, well lit paths of Asahiyama Memorial Park lead to a great vista of the city, but there are also miles of trail running around the hills of Mt Moiwa.
More of Sapporo’s best trail running can be found at the sprawling Nopporo Forest Park. There are lots of options, but a circuit around the park perimeter is about 20 km. A trail map shows loop options of various lengths.
This park in west Sapporo is famous for its gravel paths lined with cherry blossoms. There are also connections to dirt singletrack trails leading to some great viewpoints.
The Shin River, and its branches (the Kotonihassamu River & Kotoni River) have paved and dirt pathways along the banks. They are not always the most scenic options, but good for distance. Another route, along the Nakano River in the Teine Ward.
Just northwest of Sapporo, some nice running options in the Otaru Dream Beach area: 10 km of runnable beach; a 3 km beachside road; and 2.5 km of paths along the Hoshioki River, & more in Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park. Can be combined in various ways!
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Essentials
Canal Loop is 3.7 km (2.3 miles); Temiya Park adds 2 km; Otaru Park Loop to Asahi Observation Deck is ~3.5 km one-way
Canal path is flat; Temiya Park is hilly. It's a 200m climb to the Asahi Observation Deck
Downtown Otaru for the canal path; For Otaru Park/Asahi, can run from downtown or park in Otaru Park near the concert hall
Otartu Park: parking area at concert hall; Can also park at Asahi Observation Deck
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!