Ryokan in Otaru

小樽

A small harbour city of canals and stone warehouses, 30 minutes north-west of Sapporo by rapid train. Most visitors come for the canal and the old merchant streets; for a hot spring, Asarigawa Onsen is in a valley in the hills behind the town.

Choosing an area in Otaru

Otaru Canal 小樽運河
The canal and the old warehouse quarter, about 8 minutes on foot from Otaru Station.
Asarigawa Onsen 朝里川温泉
A quiet hot spring in the valley of the Asari River, south-east of the town.

Otaru through the year

Spring春
March to May
About 690 cherry trees bloom in Temiya Park from early to mid May.
Summer夏
June to August
Most visitors come between May and September.
Autumn秋
September to November
In autumn the dodan azaleas of the Temiya Greening Botanical Garden, next to Temiya Park, turn red.
Winter冬
December to February
Every February since 1999 the Otaru Snow Light Path lines the canal and the old railway with candles in the snow.