OTARUDestinations
A City of History and Culture Surrounded by Sea and Mountains
Otaru once prospered from herring fishing. It developed as a commercial city of the north through "Kitamae-bune" merchant ships that connected Hokkaido with various regions of Japan. The town flourished with the construction of railroads, harbors, and the canal, but declined rapidly after World War II.
The Otaru Canal was reborn to its current form after about 10 years of debate between citizens and the government over the reclamation of the obsolete canal. Since then, Otaru has been revitalized as a tourist city where many buildings and historical heritage sites reminiscent of the past remain scattered throughout the city.
On the other hand, Otaru is also a part of "Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park" and has enjoyed nature’s blessings with its topography surrounded by mountains on three sides. In the short 150 years of its existence, human activities nurtured Otaru's culture, and the story of Otaru is connected by the sea. Why not experience history, culture, and nature, the Otaru way?
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Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park Highlights
The “Otaru Kaigan Nature Trail” hiking route is a 5.5-kilometer scenic trail. With many ups and downs, it is located in a national park, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery and seasonal vegetation. After coming down the scenic trail, you will arrive at the Shukutsu area where you can trace the history of herring fishing and Kitamae-bune merchant ships, such as the herring banya and the former Aoyama Family Villa.
The Otaru Kaigan Marine Park area within the national park has significant development of sea cliffs, and the ocean area exhibits a beautiful underwater landscape that includes seaweed belonging to temperate and subarctic zones, sugamo seagrass meadows, and red algae. Visitors can see strange rocks and reefs as well as take their time to befriend nature’s mysteries through SUP and sea kayak activities.
History Walk
This guided tour will take you on a walk around Otaru where buildings that remind us of the old days, such as the ruins of the first railroad line built in Hokkaido to transport coal to mainland Japan, the port used to ship goods, the canal built to handle cargo entering Otaru Port, the timber-framed stone warehouses throughout the city, and the old banking district with its modern architecture, remain throughout the city. You can experience Otaru’s history, from its prosperity, decline, and rebirth, since it is at a walking pace. The businessmen who supported Otaru during its prosperous period left behind not only buildings but also culture, art, food, and other assets that lead to present-day Otaru.
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