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 (運河館, 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 (本館, 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.
Getting there and around
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 bus number 2 or 10 from the station. Get off at Sōgō Hakubutsukan (総合博物館, 10 minutes, 240 yen one way, about every 20 minutes).
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 (canal building only)
500 yen (canal building and railway museum)
500 yen (canal building and railway museum)
Railway Museum
Hours
9:30 to 17:00
Closed
Tuesdays (or following day if Tuesday is a national holiday)
December 29 to January 3
December 29 to January 3
Admission
400 yen (railway museum only, 300 yen in winter)
500 yen (railway museum and canal building)
500 yen (railway museum and canal building)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Otaru
Top rated in Otaru
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Stay`sOTARUSet within 16 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station, Stay`sOTARU offers rooms in Otaru. Featuring a terrace, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.6 km from Otaru Station. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a wardrobe. The hotel provides certain rooms with city views, and each room is equipped with a balcony. At Stay`sOTARU every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers a hot tub. Shin-Sapporo Station is 46 km from Stay`sOTARU, while Otaru Canal Park is 2.4 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Ryo AnRyo An is located in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 400 metres from Otaru Station. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from Ryo An, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARUSituated in Otaru, 800 metres from Otaru Station, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU features accommodation with a terrace, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. At UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. Sapporo Station is 35 km from UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
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Little BarrelSet within 1.5 km of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Little Barrel provides rooms in Otaru. Featuring a garden, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and a shared lounge for guests. At the hostel the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Little Barrel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 37 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Otaru Tap Room & HostelOtaru Tap Room & Hostel is located in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. Featuring a bar, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 800 metres from Otaru Station. All rooms in the hostel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms have bed linen. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from Otaru Tap Room & Hostel, while Otaru Canal Park is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only)Situated in Otaru, 1.5 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) features accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. This 2-star love hotel offers room service. Guests can enjoy sea views. All rooms are fitted with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet and free toiletries, the rooms at the love hotel have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms are equipped with a balcony. At Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only) rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Otaru, like skiing. Otaru Station is 19 km from Hotel Luna Coast (Adult Only), while Sapporo Station is 20 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 18 km from the love hotel.View on Booking.com -
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GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARUGRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU is located in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. With a restaurant, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. Each room comes with a safety deposit box and certain rooms include city views. Guest rooms in GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna and a spa centre. With staff speaking English and Japanese, around the clock guidance is available at the reception. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the hotel, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU.View on Booking.com -
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Winkel VillageWithin a 10-minute walk from Asari Ski Resort, Winkel Village features cosy apartments and cottages, all with a terrace and mountain views. It features a ski school and a shop. Apartments and freestanding wooden cottages feature heating, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a bathtub. All are equipped with a TV, while apartments boast a private open-air hot spring bath, however not for cottages. Guests sleep on Japanese futon bedding on the bedroom floor. There are 2 types of rooms.Village Winkel offers rentals of sporting goods, board games and barbecue equipment that can be used on the guests' private terrace. Guests can go hiking or fishing in the area, and there is a tennis court on a 5-minute drive. Hotel Winkel Village is a 15-minute drive from Otaru Ferry Terminal and Otaru Unga Canal, and a 40-minute drive from Kiroro Snow World.View on Booking.com -
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Dormy Inn Premium OtaruJust a minute away from Otaru station on the JR Hakodate Line, Dormy Inn Premium offers air-conditioned rooms with free internet access, a flat-screen TV and refrigerator. Facilities at Dormy Inn Premium Otaru include natural hot spring baths and a sauna. Coin-operated washing machine, public computer with free internet access in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk are available. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast of Japanese and western dishes daily.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Torifito Otaru CanalFeaturing 3-star accommodation, Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal is situated in Otaru, 700 metres from Otaru Station and 17 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal the rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Hotel Torifito Otaru Canal, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 38 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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