Otaru Style

2026/07/23

2026 Ushio Matsuri Event Schedule

2026 Ushio Matsuri Event Schedule

The 60th Otaru Ushio Matsuri

July 24 (Friday) ～July 26 (Sunday)

Ushio Matsuri is coming up soon!

It is the largest summer event in Otaru, celebrated to thank the sea and pray for the city's future.

Event schedule まつり

July 24, 2026 (Friday)

Vendor booths open from 15:00 ～ 22:00

15:10～15:30 Ushio Taiko Drumming Performance

16:15～18:45 Ushio Variety Stage(Dance)

17:45～19:00 Ushio Furekomi(starts from Miyako Kaikan)

19:00～20:00 Opening Ceremony

20:30～21:00 Ushio Variety Stage(Gospel)

July 25, 2026 (Saturday)

Vendor booths open from 10:00 ～ 22:30

10:50～12:50 Ushio Variety Stage(Impersonator Show)

13:00～20:30 Ushio Nerikomi (starts from Sunmall Shopping Street)

21:00～21:30 Ushio Variety Stage(Dance)

July 26, 2026 (Sunday)

Vendor booths open from 10:00 ～ 22:00

10:00～ Ushio Variety Stage

(Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity**super hero action show)

10:40～11:40 Ushio Taiko Drumming Performance

11:50～12:50 Ushio YOSAKOI Stage

12:55～ Ushio Variety Stage

(Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity**super hero action show)

13:30～14:00 Takashima echigo Bon Odori (Bon Dance)

14:00～16:30 Mikoshi Parade

14:15～14:45 Nerikomi Contest (Awards Ceremony)

15:00～15:30 Hokkaido Sapporo Intercultural and Technological High School Band

16:30～18:00 Mikoshi Miyairi (Portable Shrine returning to the Shrine)

18:15～19:30 Ushio Variety Stage(Rock)

20:00～20:30 Fireworks Display

20:30～21:00 Closing Ceremony

21:00～21:20 Sayonara Ushio Ondo (Farewell Ushio Ondo Dance)

21:20～21:30 Ushio Taiko Drumming Performance

※ Please note schedule is subject to change

2026/04/13

2026 Otaru Tourist Guide Map

The 2026 Otaru Tourist Guide Map (English version) is now available.
Please download it from the link below or pick up a copy at any tourist information center in Otaru.
2026 Otaru Tourist Guide Map

【Otaru Tourist Information Centers】

1.Otaru International Information Center

5-3 Minatomachi

9:00～20:00

2.Otaru Station Tourist Information Center

2-22-15 Inaho (Inside JR Otaru Station)

9:00～18:00

3.Otaru Canal Tourist Information Center

5-4 Minatomachi

9:00～18:00

Stroller Rental ''Babycal''

Otaru International Information Center offers a stroller rental service.

【How to Rent】

1.Membership Registration & Reservations via the “Babycal” website

*A credit card is required for registration

2.Pick up your stroller at Otaru International Information Center

*Please note that you cannot return the stroller to a location other than where you picked up it.

*Please check the “Babycal” website for details on rental fees, membership registration, and other information.

“Babycal”

Otaru International Information Center

5-3 Minatomachi

+81-134-33-1661

Stroller Rental Check-in and Return Times: 9:00～19:00

2026/02/05

[NOTICE]JR Hokkaido:Partial Service Suspensions on 2/6(Fri) & 2/7(Sat)

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! NOTICE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

JR Hokkaido

Partial Service Suspensions on 2/6(Fri) & 2/7(Sat)

Due to the risk of heavy snow accompanied by strong winds, some trains departing on 6th February (Friday) and 7th February (Saturday) will be suspended.

Please check the latest information on the JR Hokkaido website before travelling.

JR Hokkaido

2026/02/03

2026 Otaru Snow Light Path

⛄⛄⛄ 2026 Otaru Snow Light Path⛄ ⛄ ⛄

Feb. 7, 2026 (Saturday) ～ Feb. 14, 2026 (Saturday)

5:00 ～ 9:00 pm

The Otaru Snow Light Path, a major winter event in Otaru, will be held.

Amidst the bitter cold, let your heart be warmed by the fantastical glow of candlelight and feel the creators' heartfelt intentions.

Main Festival Sites

・The Canal Site

・Former Temiya Railway Line Site

・Otaru Art Base Site

・Mt. Tengu Site

Opening Ceremony

February 7, 2026 (Saturday)
5:00 pm ~

Otaru Art Base Site

Otaru Snow Light Path Website

2026/01/29

[Notice]Final Train Departure Time Change from JR Otaru Station

* * * * * * *Notice* * * * * * *

Final Train Departure Time Change from JR Otaru Station

Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29: Final trains will depart earlier to allow for snow clearance operations.

The last train from Otaru Station bound for Sapporo will be the 20:22 local train to Sapporo.

Please check the JR Hokkaido website for details.　

JR HOKKAIDO RAILWAY COMPANY

2026/01/07

Otaru Liner-Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

If you plan to travel from Otaru to Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort, a reservation-only bus service operates from within Otaru city.

Reservations must be made by the day before travel.

Operating Period: December 19, 2025 - March 8, 2026
Operating Section: Otaru city, Otaru-Chikko Station, Asarigawa Onsen ⇔ Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

Fare:￥2,000 one way
Reservations:

Outbound: Until 11:59 pm on the day before travel

Return: Until 1:00 pm on the day of travel

Operating Company: Hokkai International Service Co.,Ltd.
Inquiries: Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort

9:00-17:00

+81-11-598-4511

Please check the details on the ski resort's official website or on the booking site.

2025/12/27

Mochi-tsuki～ the mochi pounding event

Mochi-tsuki ～the mochi pounding event

Would you like to come to 'mochi-tsuki' event?

The mochi-pounding is called 'mochi-tsuki' in Japanese and a traditional Japanese event where people make mochi together during the year -end and New Year holidays.

The pounding is done using a large wooden mallet, called a kine,and a hollowed-out stone or wooden mortar ,called an usu.

After pounding the mochi, we'll serve it as kinako mochi and sweet red bean soup.

*Closes as soon as mochi runs out

Mochi-tsuki～ the mochi pounding event

Date: January 1st ,2026 (Thu)
Time:①11:00　②13:00
Place:Port Marche Otarue
Address:5-3 Minatomachi,Otaru
TEL:0134-64-1672
Opening hours:9:00AM-8:00PM

9:00AM-5:00PM(New Year's Eve)

10:00AM-6:00PM(New Year's Day)

2025/08/10

Otaru Canal Tourist Information Center

Asakusa Bridge Tourist Information Center relocated to the first floor of the Ukiyo-e Museum in June and reopened as Otaru Canal Tourist Information Center.

Luggage lockers have been installed, and a new smartphone charger rental service has also started.

We have maps in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, so please feel free to stop by .

Otaru Canal Tourist Information Center

5-4 Minatomachi

9:00～18:00

*Hours subject to change depending on season and events

Open 365 days a year

Map

2025/07/24

The 59th Ushio Festival Brochure 2025

The 59th Ushio Festival Brochure 2025

59th Annual

USHIO MATSURI

July25(Friday)～July27(Sunday)

Otaru's biggest summer Festival 'Ushio Matsuri' starts tomorrow.

Hokkaido Otaru Miraisouzou High School Students (local high school) made a brochure in English.

Pick up a brochure at Tourist Information Centers or see below.

Have fun at Ushio Matsuri!

2025/05/07

[Closure Notice Due to relocating] Asakusa Bridge Tourist Information Center

Asakusa Bridge Tourist Information Center close temporarily for relocating.

Schedule

CLOSED : ①May 7 (Wed) ～11 (Sun)

Open in Temporary prefab: May 12(Mon)～Jun 8(Sun)　< Temporary prefab in Asakusa Bridge >

CLOSED : ②Jun 9 (Mon) ～16 (Mon)

Relocation and reopening : Jun 17(Tue)　

<inside OTARU ART BASE～UKIYOE MUSEUM>

5-4 Minatomachi

*Subject to change due to construction progress, etc.

*June 17 is the date of the relocation and reopening of Asakusa Bridge Tourist Information Center, not the opening of the OTARU ART BASE～ UKIYOE MUSEUM.