Otaru Orgel Museum
The Otaru Orgel Museum, or Otaru Orgel Doh, founded in 1912, is not only a popular souvenir shop in Hokkaido but also the oldest and largest music box museum in Japan. There are over 3,000 kinds of music boxes from all over the world, including antique music boxes that were favored by Princess Diana (1961 - 1997), in the museum. These include classical music boxes, jewelry music boxes, sushi music boxes, and doll music boxes, among others. Music boxes are one of the specialties of Otaru, and at the museum, you are able to both appreciate precious antique music boxes and buy one as a souvenir if you like. The Otaru Orgel Museum has six branches with different features, and here we will mainly introduce the main hall.
Goods in the Otaru Orgel Museum
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Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall/Otaru Music Box Museum
Must-See Before You Enter the Main Hall
The main building is a brick structure with three floors, which is rare in Otaru where stone buildings predominate. It features Renaissance-style arched windows, a red brick exterior, and cornerstones made of natural stone, giving it a strong sense of history. There is an English-style classical steam clock in front of the museum, built in 1977, and it is one of only two remaining steam clocks in the world. It not only chimes the hours but also emits steam and plays a beautiful melody of five notes every 15 minutes.●First Floor: A Diverse Selection of Saleable Music Boxes
The first floor is a spacious hall where a series of sparkling music boxes are neatly displayed, including glass music boxes, wooden music boxes, glow-in-the-dark music boxes, movable music boxes, and plush toy music boxes. Most of the music boxes on this floor are available for purchase, so you can choose your favorite style if interested.●Second Floor: High-End Music Boxes and Antique Music Boxes
The second floor primarily exhibits high-end music boxes and antique music boxes that serve as collectibles and are not for sale. Here, a three-dimensional model that grandly depicts the history of music boxes is one of the highlights of the main hall. Remarkably detailed and even movable, this model offers a vivid portrayal. The staff in the museum can provide an in-depth explanation of the history of music boxes from the 1600s to the present. Additionally, the corridor on the second floor, which is a popular photography spot overlooking the first floor, further enhances the charm of this area.●Third Floor: Music Boxes Featuring Cartoon Characters and Animals
This is a dreamy area filled with music boxes and miscellaneous goods featuring popular characters from Disney works. These music boxes play the theme songs from the movies, pulling you back into the world of cartoon movies anytime.How to Get to Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall
From Otaru Station, take the Hakodate Line or Rapid Airport and get off at Minami-Otaru Station, then walk about 100 meters (110 yards) northeast, turn left, and walk about 400 meters (440 yards) to the Otaru Music Box Museum, which takes 10 minutes.Alternatively, take a 10-minute taxi from Sapporo Station to get there.
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Admission fee |
Free admission |
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Opening hours |
09:00 - 18:00 |
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Recommended tour time |
2 - 3 hours |
Other Branches of the Otaru Orgel Museum
1. Otaru Orgel Doh Hall Number 2 Antique Museum
The Otaru Orgel Doh Hall Number 2 Antique Museum is also worth a visit, where you can see a variety of classic music boxes, doll crafts, and classic musical instruments such as the pipe organ with a century-old history. The museum holds free concerts at regular intervals every day, with performances at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00. Each performance lasts about 20 minutes. If you happen to catch one of the concerts, be sure to sit down and enjoy the musical journey.Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00
2. Otaru Orgel Doh Music Box & Handicrafts Studio You-kobo
Otaru Orgel Doh Music Box & Handicrafts Studio You-kobo offers a variety of hands-on experience menus, with music boxes as the main focus, as well as colored glass products and more. From children to adults, everyone can enjoy creating their own music box to decorate, experience the real assembly of a music box, and create original glass crafts.Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00, last admission at 16:30
Note: It requires advance reservations.
3. The Sound of Dream - Cartoon Characters’ House
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Customers in Otaru Orgel Museum
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Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00
4. Karakuri Doll’s Zoo
The Karakuri Doll’s Zoo is also part of the Otaru Orgel Museum, with a slightly different concept focusing on zoos. It features various plush toys, wooden toys, and stationery and is called a “paradise for animal dolls” by tourists.Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00
5. Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi
Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi is located near the Otaru Canal and sells a variety of popular music boxes. You might as well stop by the store to check out the exquisite music boxes while visiting the Otaru Canal.Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00
How to Get to Other Branches
1. Otaru Orgel Doh Hall Number 2 Antique Museum, Otaru Orgel Doh Music Box & Handicrafts Studio You-kobo, The Sound of Dream, and Karakuri Doll’s Zoo are all located near the main hall, at the same intersection, and can be reached on foot.2. Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi
Walk north for about 550 meters (600 yards) from the Music Box Museum, turn left, and walk northwest for about 200 meters (220 yards) to Otaru Orgel Doh Sakaimachi.