Hostel Canal View

The apartment itself felt new, and all five of us were reasonably comfortable. From our top-floor, two-bedroom place, the snowy view over Otaru was lovely. The hosts had thought of useful basics like umbrellas and a microwave. Getting there is another matter: the climb up to the building is seriously steep. We were glad we had a car, though icy roads could be dangerous for cars without chains. Free open-air parking is below the building, while the entrance is at the top of the hill. The smaller bedroom has a queen or maybe king bed that takes up the whole floor, so there’s no room to walk around it. Its attached storage room is awkward to reach because you’d have to cross the bed. There’s another storage room off the living area. The second sleeping area is off that same room and has no walls. It sleeps two and works if privacy isn’t important, without feeling cramped. Person number five can use the couch, and there’s a sofa bed too. The bathroom is roomy by Japanese standards. At first there was a slight mildew smell, probably because it has no windows. There’s a washing machine but no dryer. Heaters in the bedroom and living room helped dry damp clothes hung nearby overnight.

The hillside setting gives the building a great city view, though the roads can get slippery in winter. Crampons or shoe cleats would be useful then. Inside, the apartment was clean, warm, modern, and well furnished, with a well-equipped kitchen. The owner we reached through Airbnb was friendly and helpful. The building belongs to a company and can only be booked through Airbnb.

The apartment has a kitchen and washing machine, and it’s near the tourist spot. Getting to Main Street takes about ten minutes on foot, though the walk back up the mountain to the apartment is a tough one.

Getting downtown is just a few minutes on foot if you walk downhill. The place is very clean, spacious, and laid out well.