Central Otaru

[ MAP ] Central Otaru

Convenient Public Transit for Tourists to Otaru

Otaru Station

Trains and buses conveniently operate on frequent regular schedules.
Trains allow access towards Sapporo or towards Yoichi.
Also, the majority of city buses operate based on this station.

[ MAP ] Otaru Station

Minami Otaru Station

Minami Otaru Station is 10 minutes on foot to the "Marchen Crossroads", a sightseeing district on the south side of Sakai-machi Street with many attractions such as music box shops, glass shops, and onfectionaries.
The area around this station was once a thriving district, and many historical buildings still remain from its heyday.

[ MAP ] Minami Otaru Station

Otaru Chikko Station

This is Otaru's second largest transportation hub, directly connected to "Wing Bay Otaru", a major commercial complex.
This station is also very convenient as a stop for express trains bound for Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.

[ MAP ] Otaru Chikko Station

Shin Nihonkai Ferry Terminal

This is a base point for regularly-operated ships on Otaru-Niigata and Otaru-Maizuru routes.
Please use buses or taxis to travel to downtown Otaru.

[ MAP ] Shin Nihonkai Ferry Terminal

Explanation of icon

Tourist Information Center
Toilet
Tickets / Fare adjustment office
Lounge / Waiting room
Bank, money exchange
Police
Hospital
Hotel / Accommodation
Bus / Bus stop
Taxi / Taxi Stand
Railway / Railway station

How to Use Public Transit Fare Systems

Train (JR)

Buy Tickets
Buy Tickets
Confirm the fare displayed for your destination station name.
→ Insert money into the ticket machine and press the button.
→ Take your ticket and any change.
*If pressing your required button does not dispense a ticket, you have not inserted enough money. Please insert enough money for the fare.
*If you have reserved tickets, or if you are uncertain of your destination, fare, or require other information, please inquire at a nearby JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi).
Pass the Turnstile
Insert your ticket.
→ Take the ticket ejected at the other side of the machine.
[ Photo ] Pass the Turnstile
Confirm your Platform Number
*Please be aware that some trains with few cars will not span the entire platform.
*There are "Local", "Regional Rapid", and "Rapid" types of trains.
"Local" trains stop at all stations, but "Regional Rapid" and "Rapid" trains do not stop at some stations.
Please confirm in advance.

Fixed-Route
City Buses

Board the Bus
The central door is for boarding, and the front door is for exiting.
Exit the Bus
The vehicle's bus stop information monitor will indicate the next bus stop, allowing you to confirm where to exit the bus.
*Please push one of the stop buttons found throughout the bus to signal the driver that you would like to exit at the next stop.
[ Photo ] Exit the Bus
Pay the Fare
As you exit, please deposit your fare into the fare box next to the driver.
*The driver cannot make change, so please use the change machine in front of the fare box to prepare exact change in advance.
Fare
Adult ¥220, Child ¥110.
*Infants less than one year old are free.
*Fares and bus boarding entrances differ for the Asarigawa Onsen line.

Inquiry about public transport is this

Canal Plaza
+81 0134-33-1661
  • English
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Service Available

*Canal Plaza offers information on topics such as sightseeing and transportation, and there are permanently-stationed staff who can speak English, Chinese, and Korean.

Otaru Station
+81 0134-29-1333
Asakusa Bridge
+81 0134-23-7740
・Otaru Tourist Association
+81 0134-33-2510
・JR Hokkaido Otaru Station
+81 0134-22-0771
・JR Hokkaido Bus
+81 0134-22-5570
・Chuo Bus Terminal Outside Otaru Station
+81 0134-25-3333
・Otaru Taxi Association
+81 0134-21-3002
・Shin Nihonkai Ferry
+81 0134-22-6191
・Otaru Police Office
+81 0134-27-0110
・JR Hokkaido Railway train scheduling information
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・JR Hokkaido Railway train scheduling information
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・Hokkaido Chuo Bus suspension information
Homepage▶
・Japanese vehicle information center
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Guidance of sightseeing route which is convenient for sightseeing in around Otaru

  • Bus movement
  • Hot Springs Offering Day Bathing
  • ●Taxi / Approximate Taxi Fare from Otaru Station to Hotels at Asarigawa Hot Springs : ¥3,000

TO Aasarigawa hot springs

This riverside hot spring village offers accommodation ranging from charming guest houses to major resort hotels, and is surrounded by hills and rivers, offering the perfect environment to enjoy the bountiful nature of the four seasons.
Visitors can enjoy golf or tennis in summer, crimson leaves in autumn, and skiing in winter.

Otaru Station
GATE:2 / BUS:13
FARE
Adult ¥220~330
Child ¥110~170

6min

Okusawaguchi
Nantaru Market

5min

Otaru Chikko Station
Wing Bay Otaru
Grand Park Otaru
Shin Nantaru Market

9min

Kourakuen
Kourakuen Hotel

1min

Shinko 5-chome
Natural hot spring Yunohana

1min

Bunjisawa
¥220 for this area

1min

Onsengai
Musashitei Hotel
¥330 for this area

1min

Onsen-Sakaue
Kuramure Hotel
Asari Classe Hotel
Winkel Vi llaget

1min

Kanponoyado Otaru
Kanponoyado Hotel

TO MT.TENGU

It is about a 15 minute drive from downtown to Mt. Tengu, a major landmark of Otaru.
A 30-person ropeway reaches the peak in four minutes.
On a clear day, this scenic viewpoint offers a panorama including the distant Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula.
Operation Time
9:00 to 21:00 (operates on 12 minute intervals each hour)
*May be halted in case of poor weather.
Travel times vary by season.

Otaru Station
GATE:3 / BUS:9
FARE
Adult ¥220
Child ¥110

18min

Tenguyama Ropeway
●Taxi Approximate Taxi Fare from Otaru Station to Tenguyama Ropeway Platform:¥1,100
●Change to Ropeway
RETURN FARE
Adult ¥1,140
Child ¥570

4min

The top of Mt.Tengu
 

TO shukutsu

This unique atmosphere of this area features the liveliness and beauty of the coasts of Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, complemented with rustic herring fishery architecture which tells the tale of the area's history as a prosperous fishing community.
"Otaru Aquarium" is one of Japan's largest and best-known aquariums, and the nearby attractions including a marina make this a starting point for marine recreation.

Otaru Station
GATE:3 / BUS:10 or 11
FARE
Adult ¥220
Child ¥110

4min

Ironai-Kawashimo
Tanaka Sake Brewery (Japanese Sake Store)

1min

Nishiki-machi
Former Otaru Branch of Nihon Yusen Co.

1min

Temiya
Otaru Museum

14min

Shukutsu 3-chome
Otaru Kihinkan (Guest House)

6min

Otaru Aquarium
Otaru Aquarium
Nishin Goten (Herring Mansion)
Shukutsu panorama Observatory
Hotel Neuschloss Otaru
●Taxi Approximate Taxi Fare from Otaru Station to Otaru Aquarium:¥1,800円

20min by Cruise

Cruise Ship Dock
●FARE
[ One way ]
Adult ¥700
Child ¥350
[ Return ]
Adult ¥1,300
Child ¥650
Cruise ship dock is located 15 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station.
Operation Period April to October (Operates Daily).

Things to know! Manners for Enjoying Sightseeing in Japan

What are Button-Operated Pedestrian Crossing Signals?
In Japan, in addition to normal automated crossing signals, some crossing signals are controlled by buttons.
Please be aware that these crossing signals will not turn green until a pedestrian pushes the button.
It is very dangerous to cross the street on a red signal, so please be certain to press the button and wait for a green signal.
Form an Orderly Line When Waiting for Buses or Trains
When queues form to wait for boarding public transportation, please be certain to join the back of the line.
When the train or bus arrives, please swiftly move to one side so that passengers may easily exit the vehicle.
After checking that all exiting passengers are clear of the door, please board the vehicle in order from the front of the queue.
Remain Quiet in Public Places (and Onboard Vehicles)
Please refrain from shouting or speaking in a loud voice in public places, as this is very inconsiderate of others nearby.
Japanese people are used to a quiet environment on public transportation, so it is necessary to be considerate of others when speaking.
Also, as a general rule, speaking on mobile phones while riding public transit is prohibited.
Only Smoke in Designated Areas Where Ashtrays are Provided
Please smoke only where ashtrays are placed.
Please also avoid inconsiderate acts such as smoking while walking, or discarding cigarettes on the street (littering).
Public manners can only be improved through the moral effort of each and every person.
Please Flush Toilet Paper
Toilet paper in Japan is designed to dissolve in water, and will not clog toilets or plumbing.
After using the toilet, please do not dispose of toilet paper in the wastebasket.
Instead, toilet paper down the toilet.
*Flushing other items may clog plumbing, so please never flush any items except toilet paper.