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Otaru
in Japan

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Japan

Otaru

Otaru is a small city in the Hokkaido Prefecture of Japan. It is located on the western coast of Hokkaido, on the Ishikari Bay, and is a major port city. Otaru is well known for its canal district, which is lined with old warehouses and small shops selling seafood, souvenirs, and other local products. The city is also known for its many historic buildings, including the Otaru Music Box Museum and the Otaru Canal Museum.

Otaru has a long and storied history, having first been settled by the Ainu people in the early 1600s. It was officially established as a port city in 1822, and quickly became a major trading port for the region. It was also home to a number of foreign trading companies, including the Russian-American Company, which had a significant presence in the area.

In the late 19th century, Otaru was a major hub for the coal and herring industries, and it was during this time that many of the city’s historic buildings were constructed. The city was also home to a number of important historical events, including the signing of the Russo-Japanese War Treaty in 1905.

Today, Otaru is a popular tourist destination, and is known for its beautiful canal district, historic architecture, and unique museums. It is also home to a number of festivals throughout the year, including the Otaru Snow Festival and the Otaru Lantern Festival. The city is also a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, and is home to a number of ski resorts.

Excursion tips for a day in Otaru

Otaru, Japan offers a variety of activities for tourists to explore and experience in a single day. Here are some of the top things to do in Otaru:

1. Visit the Otaru Canal, a historical waterway lined with old warehouses and shops.

2. Explore the Otaru Music Box Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of music boxes.

3. Take a stroll through the Otaru Sakaimachi Street, a historic shopping street with traditional buildings and stores.

4. Visit the Temiya Cave, a limestone cave with a network of underground tunnels.

5. Visit the Otaru Aquarium, a popular aquarium with a wide variety of sea creatures.

6. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area, such as the popular sushi restaurants.

7. Go shopping at the Otaru Kitaichi Glass Store to find unique glassware.

8. Enjoy the view from the top of the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway.

9. Visit the Otaru Museum of Art, a museum dedicated to the history of art in Otaru.

10. Take a boat tour of the Otaru Bay to see the beautiful natural scenery.

 

to business owners in Otaru

Experience Otaru with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Otaru. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.

The climate in Otaru

Otaru in Japan has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. In spring, temperatures start to rise from March and reach their peak in May, when temperatures can reach up to 25°C. During the summer months, temperatures range from 25-30°C and the area experiences high humidity. In autumn, temperatures start to cool down from September and reach their lowest in December, when temperatures can drop down to -5°C. In winter, temperatures remain cold and the area can experience snowfall.

Cruise weather for Otaru

Our weather forecast for Otaru helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.

Date Icon Temperature Wind speed/gusts Cloudiness/Visibility Air humidity/pressure Sunrise/Sunset
Dec. 22nd 2024 Dec. 22nd 2024 max: 0.5 °C
min: -8 °C 		47.9 m/s
55.4 m/s		 84.8 %
7.5 m		 73.0 %
1,004 hPa		 07:05:20
16:04:05
Dec. 23rd 2024 Dec. 23rd 2024 max: 0.6 °C
min: -3.4 °C 		49.3 m/s
56.2 m/s		 93.8 %
9.7 m		 70.9 %
1,008 hPa		 07:05:47
16:04:38
Dec. 24th 2024 Dec. 24th 2024 max: -1.1 °C
min: -3.6 °C 		27.0 m/s
28.4 m/s		 98.0 %
3.5 m		 78.9 %
1,014 hPa		 07:06:12
16:05:13
Dec. 25th 2024 Dec. 25th 2024 max: 2.3 °C
min: -3.3 °C 		20.2 m/s
27.4 m/s		 88.1 %
23.3 m		 72.3 %
1,020 hPa		 07:06:35
16:05:50
Dec. 26th 2024 Dec. 26th 2024 max: 4.1 °C
min: -2.7 °C 		42.1 m/s
50.4 m/s		 98.2 %
13.1 m		 74.0 %
1,007 hPa		 07:06:56
16:06:30
Dec. 27th 2024 Dec. 27th 2024 max: -2.8 °C
min: -4.2 °C 		46.1 m/s
53.3 m/s		 98.6 %
13.4 m		 76.0 %
1,005 hPa		 07:07:14
16:07:12
Dec. 28th 2024 Dec. 28th 2024 max: -2.6 °C
min: -3.9 °C 		51.5 m/s
59.8 m/s		 99.9 %
12.1 m		 78.4 %
1,005 hPa		 07:07:30
16:07:55
Dec. 29th 2024 Dec. 29th 2024 max: -1.2 °C
min: -2.5 °C 		41.4 m/s
50.8 m/s		 97.0 %
13.4 m		 71.2 %
1,011 hPa		 07:07:43
16:08:41
Dec. 30th 2024 Dec. 30th 2024 max: 1.3 °C
min: -1.1 °C 		46.1 m/s
57.7 m/s		 95.8 %
10.1 m		 71.6 %
1,009 hPa		 07:07:54
16:09:29
Dec. 31st 2024 Dec. 31st 2024 max: -0.6 °C
min: -2.6 °C 		51.1 m/s
61.2 m/s		 96.0 %
17.7 m		 61.0 %
1,013 hPa		 07:08:03
16:10:18
Jan. 1st 2025 Jan. 1st 2025 max: 0.5 °C
min: -2.8 °C 		27.4 m/s
35.6 m/s		 44.6 %
24.1 m		 62.8 %
1,015 hPa		 07:08:09
16:11:10
Jan. 2nd 2025 Jan. 2nd 2025 max: 3.1 °C
min: -1 °C 		18.0 m/s
31.0 m/s		 93.1 %
20.0 m		 72.6 %
1,014 hPa		 07:08:12
16:12:03
Jan. 3rd 2025 Jan. 3rd 2025 max: 1.8 °C
min: -1.8 °C 		25.2 m/s
29.2 m/s		 89.4 %
16.1 m		 70.9 %
1,015 hPa		 07:08:13
16:12:58
Jan. 4th 2025 Jan. 4th 2025 max: 3.6 °C
min: -2.2 °C 		65.9 m/s
70.9 m/s		 88.7 %
12.0 m		 83.0 %
1,003 hPa		 07:08:12
16:13:55
Jan. 5th 2025 Jan. 5th 2025 max: -2.0 °C
min: -4.3 °C 		58.7 m/s
64.4 m/s		 100.0 %
5.5 m		 65.5 %
1,015 hPa		 07:08:08
16:14:53

Cruises to Otaru

Would you like to travel to Otaru on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Otaru.

Scheduled ship calls in Otaru, Japan
Date Ship Arrival Departure Details
Apr. 9th 2025 Wednesday, 9th of Apr. 2025 MS Noordam 08:00 am 04:00 pm
Apr. 19th 2025 Saturday, 19th of Apr. 2025 Carnival Luminosa 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Apr. 20th 2025 Sunday, 20th of Apr. 2025 Diamond Princess 08:00 am 05:00 pm
May 6th 2025 Tuesday, 6th of May 2025 Azamara Pursuit 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jun. 8th 2025 Sunday, 8th of Jun. 2025 Diamond Princess 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jun. 9th 2025 Monday, 9th of Jun. 2025 HANSEATIC inspiration 12:00 am 12:00 am
Jul. 14th 2025 Monday, 14th of Jul. 2025 Diamond Princess 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Oct. 22nd 2025 Wednesday, 22nd of Oct. 2025 MS Westerdam 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Apr. 23rd 2026 Thursday, 23rd of Apr. 2026 MS Westerdam 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jun. 5th 2026 Friday, 5th of Jun. 2026 HANSEATIC inspiration 12:00 am 12:00 am
Jun. 21st 2026 Sunday, 21st of Jun. 2026 HANSEATIC inspiration 12:00 am 12:00 am

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Maritime AIS Data Otaru

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