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Port of Otaru

 

With the development of the coalfields, Otaru Port was designed for the exporting of coal. Since the opening of the port in 1899, it has developed as a center of shipping export on the Sea of Japan coast, together with the cultivation of Hokkaido. The clusters of stone warehouses and canals used since days of old for transporting cargo from sea-faring ships have remained unchanged to this day. Supporting Hokkaido's tourism and industrial economy through its operation of domestic ferry routes, the port offers a marina, which serves as a departure port for marine leisure activities.

2012-2013 Cruise Schedule >

Port of Otaru

 

Sightseeing highlights of surrounding area

  • Otaru Canal
    Otaru Canal
    A magical atmosphere of past times is created in the glow of the gaslights. The stone warehouses that line the banks have now been reborn as restaurants.
     
  • Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway
    Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway
    The ropeway up the Tenguyama mountain leads to a viewing platform at the summit which commands sweeping views of the city, port and Ishikari Bay.
     
 
  • Sakai-machi-dori
    Sakai-machi-dori
    Filled with shops selling glassware, music boxes and confectionary, this is an ideal spot for shopping.
     
  • Asarigawa-onsen Hot Springs Village
    Asarigawa-onsen Hot Springs Village
    The waters of this hot spring village are rich in sodium and calcium chloride, and are said to be effective for muscle and nerve pain, as well as fatigue.
     
 

Culture

  • Foods
    Sushi
    Otaru is a port town that faces the Japan Sea. Now this is a town for enjoying fresh seafood, with its more than 100 sushi restaurants! There is even a street named “Sushiya-dori” (Sushiya Street).
     
  • Local specialties
    Crystal craft
    In the past, bobbers used for fishing were made of glass, and many of these were manufactured in Otaru, along with objects like lamps. On Otaru/Sakaimachi-hondori Street, there are many crystal craft shops that still use traditional glass-making techniques.
     
 
  • Event
    Otaru Ushio Matsuri (festival) (late July)
    People go dancing through the streets from the city center to the main event location to the music of “Ushio Ondo”. The walk/dance is called Ushio Nerikomi. There is a special group named “Tobiiri DE Odoritai” (Dance on a whim). You can join as a group or jump in by yourself.
     
  • World Heritage Sites
    Shiretoko
    One of the criteria for this site’s registration is as a “Food Chain from Ocean to Mountain”. The drift ice that comes to the Shiretoko Peninsula in winter carries a lot of plankton. Salmon feed on the plankton and then swim upstream in the rivers in Shiretoko in autumn. The salmon are caught by brown bears and white-tailed eagles. Left-over food and feces of the animals then become nutrient for plants. For this reason, the registered World Natural Heritage Site extends to about 3 km offshore from the coastline. This is Japan’s first World Natural Heritage site that includes ocean area. Blakiston’s fish-owls and Steller’s sea-eagles, which are designated as endangered species, live in this area.
     
 

Excursion information

2 hour course Enjoy freshly made sake on a tour of a sake distillery
4 hour course A tour of Otaru's symbolic Otaru Canal
6 hour course A complete tour of Otaru's tourist attractions, concluding with the observation deck overlooking Otaru

Passenger terminal information

Set up of temporary tourist information office on board ship or on quayside at time of docking.

Welcome event holding of port entry welcome ceremony on docking at the quay, with presentation of bouquets and commemorative gifts (on request). Area for tasting local sake etc. also set up (on request).

Facilities for the disabled

No facilities

Location

4-2 Minato-machi, Otaru City, Hokkaido, 047-0007

Access

Nearest station Otaru Station on JR Hakodate Main Line (15 mins on foot, 5 mins by taxi from Wharf No.3)
Airport New Chitose Airport (70 mins by train, 140 mins by bus (changing at Sapporo) 70 mins by car (using expressway)

Tourist information center

Unga Plaza Tourist Information Center
Otaru Unga Plaza, 2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido, 047-0031
TEL : +81-134-33-1661

Reference website >

Japan Map >