Hotel Neuschloss Otaru - Stunning Views from the Cape's Tip

About Otaru

The canal, storage warehouses, and old buildings are Otaru’s most popular attractions, giving guests a nostalgic feeling. It also enjoys great popularity as a place to experience Hokkaido’s best gourmet sweets and sushi, with some of the most famous shops being Kitakaro, Rutao, and Rokkatei. If you venture out of town a bit you’ll find Asarikawa Onsen, Tenguyama Ski Slopes, and other things to enjoy. You can experience all this with just under an hour’s drive from Sapporo, or 30 minutes by express train.

Even though there’s actually a lot to see in Otaru, its quaint size makes it nice for a quick visit, and many people choose just to stop in for a day. But since you’ve come all this way, why not enjoy the city by day and night, and stay in a hotel with a unique and amazing view?

Hotel Neuschloss Otaru, Resting on a Cliff's Edge

Hotel Neuschloss Otaru is located about 20 minutes from the city center by car (busses are also available).

The number one most notable feature of the hotel is its tri-directional ocean view thanks to its location on a cliff jutting out into the sea. All hotel rooms have ocean views (ocean front view, ocean view, and partial ocean view types available) and feature rotenburo outdoor baths. Located away from the noise of the city, this is the place to go for anybody wanting to really relax.

The picture above is the scenery that can be seen from the hotel parking lot. This view alone is stunning enough.

Check In Early to Get the Best View for your Yen

The picture above is the ocean view from a guest room. Ocean, as far as the eye can see! I was truly moved by its beauty. If you do decide to stay here, be sure to check in early so you can fully enjoy the view.

The view you get will change based on the season, with strikingly blue water in the summer and snowflakes dancing on the ocean in winter. Depending on the room you may also be able to see the sunrise or sunset. For example, sunset can be seen from the Ocean Front View type rooms from late April until around July.

At night you can also see isaribi, fires lit on the water to draw in fish. It’s great too, but I definitely recommend checking in early enough to see the sun go down as well! Even if you can’t see the sun going down over the water due to the season, watching the sky change colors over the water is more than enough to take your breath away.

See the Ocean from your Private Bath

The picture above shows the private outdoor baths in each guest room (the window opens and closes). Open the window and a beautiful scene awaits! Rest your mind and body as you listen to the ocean’s roar.

In addition to the individual baths in the rooms, there is a large community bath as well, so feel free to use that if it’s your preference.

If you decide to stay here you should really spring for the Ocean Front room, but if you choose not to, I recommend going up on the observation area on the 6th floor. There, you’ll find a spacious, open air observation deck, and on a clear day you can see the famous “Shakotan Blue” sea, and watch the sun go down over the ocean (depending on the season).

(The observation deck opens at 9AM, so it’s unfortunately not possible to catch the sunrise here.)

You can see the sky and ocean completely unobstructed, so it’s a different view than what you get in your room. Be sure to enjoy this panoramic view!

Retro Style Rooms

They say that Hotel Neuschloss Otaru has a long history as an observation point, and they’ve tried to preserve the retro-modern feeling of the building.

The wonderful atmosphere is nostalgic and relaxing… one could even say Otaru-esque.

I recommend dining at the hotel’s restaurant for those who want to get the full experience. Called Blau Kuste, it serves French cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. They use local vegetables and seafood as a main feature, and you can taste a hint of Japanese flavor. One of the restaurant’s best features is its glass facade, through which you can get yet another great view! Unfortunately it’s too dark at night to see anything normally, though.

While the food here is great, if you’re really looking to get seafood and sushi as your main Otaru culinary experience, it may be best to go to town.

At Hotel Neuschloss Otaru, you can enjoy a guest room with a good atmosphere, the amazing view, and a relaxing bath all at the same place. This is one of the best hotels Otaru has to offer.