What makes it 70% Baby-Friendly: Smooth sidewalks and free nursing and diaper stations steps away aid caregivers, but the sudden whistle can startle infants and there is no immediate shaded seating for feeding or calming.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with baby: Allows time to see two steam-clock shows, stroll with a stroller, and enjoy a quick cafe break
Watch the steam clock show:
See steam puff and hear the melody every 15 minutes at Märchen Intersection
Tip: Arrive 5 minutes before the quarter hour and keep stroller to one side
Stroll Sakaimachi Street:
Walk along the preserved merchant street lined with boutiques and cafes
Tip: Use wide sidewalks and take breaks on benches as needed
Browse Music Box Museum galleries:
Explore free displays of thousands of music boxes playing different tunes
Tip: Visit outside peak times for a quieter experience with baby
Quick cake break at LeTAO Main Shop:
Share a cake set and enjoy views of the steam clock from the 2nd-floor café
Tip: Choose a window seat for better visibility and more space

Jeff McD
The steam clock rings and performs hourly and is quite an amusing landmark for otaru. Very charming. There were lots of people waiting for it to play.
Esben Eickhardt
Stupid fun and underwhelming 😂 The clock itself doesn't run on steam, but does have a five-ten node steam show every 15 minutes. In the summer it isn't very wild, but in the winter I could imagine it being wilder. The clock is among a handful in the world, and this one was created by a Canadian. Not very Japanese, but still fun. Not a must see.
Aihles Buga-ay
The Otaru Steam Clock is a vintage-style that whistles and releases puffs of steam every 15 minutes, delighting visitors with its gentle chimes and old-world charm. People usually line up to take photos but since I visited mid-week and late in the afternoon, there aren't much tourists.
Lawrence Wee
This place is located along a tourist belt where there are a lot of shops and restaurants. This place sells a wide variety of musical boxes in different designs, ranging from around 1000 yens to 10,000 yens for the souvenirs. This place has 3 levels and so it took a while to see and hear the difference musical. Each design comes with different music. After much consideration, I bought a Lucky C...
Sarah Hasselman
Very cool clock gifted from Canada! It goes off on every hour and 15 minutes before the hour. The bell tower across the street also plays on some hours, and starts a minute or two after the steam clock chime.
In winter, dress baby in warm layers and watch for icy sidewalks. In summer, bring sunshade for the stroller.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| LeTAO cake set | JPY 864 |
| Rainbow Tower soft cream | JPY 550 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 1,414 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: 4 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0015, Japan
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