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
Budget:
-
-
![]()
Otaru Geihinkan8.6 km from Otaru Station, Otaru Geihinkan is a recently renovated property set in Otaru and offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. Featuring luggage storage space, this property also welcomes guests with a family-friendly restaurant and a terrace. The ryokan features family rooms. At the ryokan, every unit is fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. The units are fitted with a kettle and a private bathroom with a bidet and a hair dryer, while selected rooms here will provide you with a fully equipped kitchen equipped with an oven. The units are equipped with heating facilities. An American breakfast is available at the ryokan. Guests can also relax in the garden. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 26 km from Otaru Geihinkan, while Sapporo Station is 44 km away. Okadama Airport is 46 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Stay`sOTARUStay`sOTARU is located in Otaru, within 1.6 km of Otaru Station and 16 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center. Featuring a terrace, the 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel features a hot tub and luggage storage space. 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 every room is equipped with a balcony. Guest rooms in Stay`sOTARU are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the accommodation, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 46 km away. Okadama Airport is 37 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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 units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. The rooms in UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OTARU are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. Sapporo Station is 35 km from the accommodation, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Ryo AnLocated within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station, Ryo An offers rooms in Otaru. 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 rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel every room is equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from Ryo An, while Otaru Canal Park is 1.8 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 38 km away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Winkel VillageSet 9.4 km from Otaru Station, Winkel Village offers a terrace, ski-to-door access and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The accommodation comes with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, shower and a hairdryer, while the kitchen features a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and bed linen for an extra charge. A ski pass sales point is available on site and both hiking and skiing can be enjoyed within close proximity of the lodge. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 15 km from Winkel Village, while Sapporo Station is 33 km away. Okadama Airport is 35 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
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. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARULocated within 700 metres of Otaru Station and 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center, GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU provides rooms in Otaru. 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. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OTARU features a spa and wellness centre with a sauna. 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. Okadama Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Otaru Tap Room & HostelOtaru Tap Room & Hostel is situated in Otaru, within 17 km of Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 35 km of Sapporo Station. With a bar, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation features a shared kitchen, and luggage storage for guests. All rooms in the hostel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms have bed linen. Popular points of interest near Otaru Tap Room & Hostel include Otaru Station, Otaru Canal Park and Otaru Museum. Okadama Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Tabist Kaihorow OtaruSituated in Otaru, 1.3 km from Otaru Station, Tabist Kaihorow Otaru features accommodation with a shared lounge, 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. At the hotel, the rooms include a desk. All rooms in Tabist Kaihorow Otaru are fitted with a TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available at the accommodation. Sapporo Station is 35 km from Tabist Kaihorow Otaru, while Shin-Sapporo Station is 47 km from the property. Okadama Airport is 37 km away.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Authent Hotel OtaruA 5-minute walk from JR Otaru Train Station, Authent Hotel Otaru offers simple accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Guests can refresh in the sauna or request relaxing massages for an extra cost. A spacious public bath is available as well. Rooms here will provide you with a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Each features carpeted floors, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Featuring a shower, private bathrooms also come with a bath and a hairdryer. At Otaru Authent Hotel you will find a 24-hour front desk and a bar. Other facilities offered include luggage storage, dry cleaning and drink vending machines. Local souvenirs can be purchased at the gift shop. Casablanca serves Western dishes while Japanese meals are available at Irifune restaurant. Grilled Teppanyaki dishes are offered at Kaio restaurant. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Otaru Canal and a 15-minute walk from Otaru Orgel Museum Main Building. Shin Nihonkai Ferry Terminal is a 10-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
-
