Otaru's Summer Festival "Ushio Matsuri"

  USHIO MATSURI 

Otaru may be famous for the winter festivals “Snow Story” and 
“Snow Light Path” that transform the city into a winter wonderland 
but there’s a large festival in the summer called 
USHIO MATSURI that we are equally well known for.

Otaru Ushio Matsuri, or Tide Festival, is an enormous event 
held every year on the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of July. 
As Otaru is a port city, the festival is held to show gratitude 
for the sea and hope for the development and prosperity of the city. 

Some of the highlights of the festival include:

　
              Friday              

July 28, 2017

  Ushio Furekomi  

Dancing parade to announce the beginning of the festival.

  Opening Ceremony  

An offering of sacred water and taiko drumming performance.

  Great Fireworks Display  

Magnificent fireworks will light up the sky!

              Saturday              

July 29, 2017

  Ushio Nerikomi  

Dancing parade where companies, students and 

neighborhood associations or groups, each in matching yukata uniforms 

dance to the traditional Ushio-Ondo dance song.

If you were looking for an opportunity to participate in an event, here’s your chance! The dance is easy to learn and there is a group designated for people/visitors who wish to join and participate in the dancing parade.

              Sunday               

July 30, 2017

  Ushio Watari (Crossing)  

Maritime parade of a fishing fleet 

from the Takashima and Shukutsu area.

  Mikoshi Parade  

People from various neighborhoods 
gather to carry “mikoshi” or portable shrines.

  Great Fireworks Display  

Grand finale of the 3-day event include spectacular fireworks!

There are lots of other events held at the Pier No.3 main stage 

as well as various booths so if you’ll be in town during these days, 

be sure to stop by and experience firsthand 
Otaru’s magnificent summer omatsuri!!

We look forward to seeing you!!

2017 Otaru City Guide Booklet with Map

"Motto Motto Otaru"
Otaru City Travel Brochure

         (click on  image to download contents)

Our travel brochure, "Motto Motto Otaru"
which translates to "More and More to/of Otaru,"
packed with information about all the city has to offer
is now available in English!

From the must-visit Otaru Canal and Sakaimachidori Shopping Street
to the lesser known off the beaten path spots, look no further
for all the best places to visit and eat during your stay in Otaru!

The city map is included in the booklet, but if you would like to

 print out just the map, please click on the images below.

Central Otaru Map

Greater Otaru Map

We look forward to seeing you soon!!

2017 Otaru Sakura Map

🌸 OTARU SAKURA MAP 🌸

Spring is here!
The weather has been beautiful the past couple of days
and sakura cherry blossoms around the city are starting to bloom.
A couple of places were already in full-bloom this morning!
Check out the below map for some of the best
sakura viewing spots in the city!

①    Temiya Park 

Located near the Otaru Museum, enjoy the Temiya Botanical Garden along with the approximately 700 Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) and Yoshino cherry trees that bloom early to mid-May.

Address:  2 Chome Temiya  

Tel:  0134-32-4111 (ext. 349, 426)

Parking:  40 spaces

Restrooms:  4 locations (3 inside Temiya Botanical Gardens), 

                      accessible (handicap) available

Bus:         ★Otaru Canal Terminal 
                               【 ⑩ Otaru Aquarium 】
                 ★Otaru Station Bus Terminal
                               Gate 3【 ⑩ Otaru Aquarium 】【 ⑪ Otaru Aquarium 】

                        ➤ 10-minute walk from “Temiya” bus stop

Car:  10 minutes from Otaru Station

②    Nagahashi Naebo Park 

Approximately 3,000 Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) cherry trees bloom early to mid-May. It's not rare to spot a black woodpecker that is designated as a nationally protected species in this forest park.

Address:  1 Chome 53 Banchi Saiwai  

Tel:  0134-32-4111 (ext. 349, 426)

Parking:  40 spaces　　

Restrooms:  2 locations, accessible (handicap) available

Bus:  From outside Otaru Station Bus Terminal (in front of the Post Office)

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop C 【 ⑰ Shioya 】【 ⑱ Yoichi 】

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop D 【 ⑧ Otamoi 】【 ㊳ Otamoi / Parute Chikko 】

                        ➤ 10-minute walk from “Naebo Doori” bus stop   

Car:  15 minutes from Otaru Station

③    Otaru Park 

In addition to sakura cherry trees, this park is famous for the many azaleas (the city flower) that bloom throughout. From early to mid-May approximately 900 Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) cherry trees and Yoshino cherry trees are in bloom.

Address:  5 Chome Hanazono  

Tel:  0134-32-4111 (ext. 349, 426)

Parking:  25 spaces   

Restrooms:  4 locations, accessible (handicap) available

Bus:  Across from Otaru Station Bus Terminal (in front of Nagasakiya/Don Quijote building)

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop F【 #24 】

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop G【 #6, #16 】

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop H【 #1, #2, #3, #38, #42 】

                        ➤ 5-min walk from “Hanazono Koendori” bus stop

On Foot: 15-minute walk from Otaru Station   

Car:  10 minutes from Otaru Station

④    Suitengu Shrine 

Yoshino and Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) cherry trees bloom early to mid-May at this shrine overlooking the Otaru Port and Sakaimachi. (A historic building designated by the City of Otaru)

Address:  3 Ban 1 Go Aioi-cho  

Tel:  0134-22-3495   

Parking: 10 spaces

Restrooms: 1 location

Bus:  From Otaru Station Bus Terminal

　　　　  ★ Gate 1【 Express Bus to Sapporo 】  

                        ➤ 5-min walk from “Hanazono Koendori” bus stop

Car:  10 minutes from Otaru Station

                         

⑤    Tenjoji Temple 

The 30 Yoshino cherry trees against the beautiful Japanese temple backdrop is a must see.   The best time to view the blossoms is early May. (The main temple is a historic building designated by the City of Otaru.) 

Address:  4 Chome 32 Ban 1 Go Irifune  

Tel:  0134-23-0975  

Parking:  30 spaces   

Restrooms:  YES 

Bus:  Across from Otaru Station Bus Terminal (in front of Nagasakiya/Don Quijote building)

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop F【 #24 Yamatenakadorisen 】

                        ➤ 1-minute walk from “Kita Gasu Mae” bus stop 

Car:  10 minutes from Otaru Station

⑥    Mt. Tengu 

Tengu Sakura, the 100 year old Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) cherry tree at the top of Mt.Tengu, is the last cherry tree to bloom in Otaru (mid-May).

Tel:  0134-33-7381 (Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway) 

Parking:  250 spaces (at the foot of the mountain)

Restrooms:  2 locations at the mountaintop, accessible (handicap) available

Bus:  From Otaru Canal Terminal or Otaru Station Bus Terminal (Gate 4)

　　　　  ★【 ⑨ Tenguyama Ropeway 】bus

                        ➤ get off at last stop “Tenguyama Ropeway”

                        ➤ ride the 4-minute ropeway to the top 

Car:  15 minutes from Otaru Station

⑦    Hiraiso Park 

Approximately 100 Yoshino, Ezo Mountain (Sargent’s) and Yaezakura (double-flowered) cherry trees bloom during mid-May at this little oasis for locals located on top of a hill where you get a nice view of the Chikko area and Otaru Port Marina.

Address:  20 Ban Wakatake-cho  

Tel:  0134-32-4111 (ext. 349, 426)

Parking:  NO   

Restrooms:  2 locations 

Bus:   Across from Otaru Station Bus Terminal (in front of Nagasakiya/Don Quijote building) 

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop G【 #6 Boyodai 】

　　　　  ★ Bus Stop H【 #2 Sakura-machi 】

                        ➤ 10-minute walk from “Sakura-machi” bus stop 

JR Train:  20-min walk from JR Otaru Chikko Station 

Car:  10-15 minutes from Otaru Station

⑧    JR Minami Otaru Station 

The cherry tree outside the station blooms early to mid-May and can be enjoyed from the platform.

Address: 10 Ban 7 Go Suiyoshi-cho  

Tel:  0134-23-0362   

Parking:  NO

Restrooms:  YES   

On Foot: 10-minute walk from Marchen Crossroads

Car:  10 minutes from Otaru Station

2017 Otaru City Map

OTARU CITY MAP

Here is the renewed city map along with a quick guide to the major tourist attractions near the JR Otaru Station. 

                                                                                 (please click on map to download)

                        

                                                  　

It is a quick ten-minute walk from the JR Otaru Station down to the Canal Plaza Tourist Information Center and Otaru Canal.  Once you exit the station, continue going straight down the street right in front (Chuodori Street) to reach the Otaru Canal.

  

 JR Otaru Station

    

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 10-minute walk 

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Canal Plaza Tourist Information Center 
and Otaru Canal

   

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 5-minute walk along the canal 

        

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Asakusa Bridge & Asakusa Bridge Tourist Information Center

   

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 3-minute walk 

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Sakaimachidori Shopping Street
（Highlighted in GREEN on the map)

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Taisho Glass

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Kitaichi Glass / Kitaichi Hall
  

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LeTAO / Marchen Crossroads
  

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Music Box Museum / Steam Clock
  

If you're heading toward Sapporo by train, you can turn around and go back to JR Otaru Station 
OR
if you're short on time, it is an additional
10-minute walk  to

⇓

 ⇓ 
 JR Minami Otaru Station

  
All trains (Rapid, Semi-Rapid and Local) departing from JR Otaru Station heading to Sapporo stop at this station as well.

We look forward to seeing you!