Sapporo, Japan

Otaru: Dream Beach, Hoshioki River Path and Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park

Google Street View

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 Dream Beach Area. A nearly 10 km beach extends east and west of where the Shin River pours into the bay. The sand is fairly firm for running, so this makes for a decent beach run. There’s also a sort of road on the west side of the Shin River that runs along the beach for 3 km. Runnable, some beach views, and can be sandy. ROUTE MAP

Hoshioki River Path. Google Street View

Hoshioki River Path and Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park. Toward the western end of the beach, at Zenibako Star Light Beach, there are paths along the narrow Hoshioki River. It’s 2.5 km one-way between the beach and the train tracks, just south of Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park. A pedestrian bridge leads from the path on the east side of the river path to the park, which features 1-2 km of pleasant paths for walking. ROUTE MAP

Essentials
  • Numerous distance options: Beach is up to 10 km; Beachside road is ~3 km one-way; Hoshioki River Path is 2.5 km one-way; Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park has 1-2 km of paths
  • Flat
  • Otaru Dream Beach. Can also park at Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park to run the park paths & Hoshioki River paths
  • Parking in the beach area or Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park

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Essentials
  • Numerous distance options: Beach is up to 10 km; Beachside road is ~3 km one-way; Hoshioki River Path is 2.5 km one-way; Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park has 1-2 km of paths
  • Flat
  • Otaru Dream Beach. Can also park at Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park to run the park paths & Hoshioki River paths
  • Parking in the beach area or Hoshimi Ryokuchi Park