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Canal Building The Otaru City Museum is made up of two separate museums: a conventional history museum beside Otaru Canal and a less centrally located railway museum on the grounds of a railway yard. These city operated museums are a good place to learn about Otaru's history and the early days of the development of Hokkaido. Housed in a former warehouse next to the canal, the Canal Building (‰^‰ÍŠÙ, Ungakan) is located within the city's main tourist area. The museum covers broadly the history and nature of Otaru, recounting the times of Hokkaido's native Ainu people as well as the city's preservation movement during the 1970s. There are many models and displays, which are explained in an English pamphlet. The Railway Museum (–{ŠÙ, Honkan) is located a bit outside the main tourist area on the former site of the terminal of Hokkaido's first railway line which connected Otaru Port with Sapporo. Multiple full size trains from various periods are exhibited on a rail yard, while the history of Otaru's railroads, an essential chapter in the city's development, is explained with exhibits and dioramas inside a building. Railway Museum Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

The Canal Building is located just beside Otaru Canal, a ten minute walk or a two minute bus ride straight down the main road from Otaru Station. The Railway Museum is a further 15-20 minute walk westwards, but can also be accessed by taking the Otaru Stroller's tourist bus from either the canal or the station (departures about every 20 minutes, 210 yen). How to get to and around Otaru

Hours and Fees

Canal Building Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: 300 yen (500 yen for combination ticket that includes the railway museum) English: Moderate (English pamphlet) Railway Museum Hours: 9:30 to 17:00 Closed: Tuesdays (or following day if Tuesday is a national holiday), December 29 to January 3 Admission: 400 yen (500 yen for combination ticket that includes the canal building) English: Moderate

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News and Reports

February 5, 2012 Otaru Snow Light Path Festival by scott Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi 2011 Photo Report

Travel Community

Ratings for City Museum: japan-guide.com Rating:   interesting   User Rating (by 50 users): 75/100   recommended Popularity of City Museum: Users who have been to Otaru: 631 Users who have been to City Museum: 120 2nd of 5 most visited sights in Otaru. 325th of 726 most visited sights nationwide. Have you been to City Museum? No - I have not been there yetYes - no ratingYes - highly recommendedYes - recommendedYes - mildly interestingYes - nothing specialYes - not recommended User Feedback We strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

Japanese Links

Otaru City Museum Page on the official city website.