Otaru Ko, Japan

Otaru is a city and port in Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is a popular tourist destination.

Otaru Canal is the symbol of this city. The gaslights and stone warehouses along the canal producing a beautiful nightscape popular with young couples. There are many cafes, museums, restaurants & shops as well as the brewery restaurant belonging to Otaru Beer. Painters and other artists set up their easels etc.

Things to See & Do

* Otaru Canal
* Steam Clock
* Otaru Music Box Museum
* Tenguyama Ropeway
* Sakai-machi-dori shopping area

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 142,000 approx
Land Area – 243.13 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – Otaru passenger terminal is centrally located 5 mins by taxi from Otaru station.

Travel Links – Otaru is a major station on the JR Hakodate Line from Sapporo, with very frequent train runs. There are at least five trains per hour; the fastest service, the Airport Rapid, reaches Otaru in 30 minutes. The complete journey on the Airport Rapid from New Chitose Airport to Otaru takes 70 minutes.