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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.

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
Mar. 16th 2026 Mar. 16th 2026 max: 4.0 °C
min: 0.6 °C 		27.4 m/s
32.0 m/s		 17.5 %
23.9 m		 65.8 %
1,017 hPa		 05:47:16
17:43:04
Mar. 17th 2026 Mar. 17th 2026 max: 3.0 °C
min: 0.4 °C 		34.6 m/s
36.4 m/s		 51.3 %
20.6 m		 63.6 %
1,018 hPa		 05:45:30
17:44:16
Mar. 18th 2026 Mar. 18th 2026 max: 5.7 °C
min: 0.5 °C 		25.6 m/s
34.2 m/s		 10.1 %
24.1 m		 68.7 %
1,017 hPa		 05:43:44
17:45:28
Mar. 19th 2026 Mar. 19th 2026 max: 6.0 °C
min: 1.2 °C 		31.7 m/s
46.1 m/s		 50.4 %
23.8 m		 71.5 %
1,012 hPa		 05:41:57
17:46:40
Mar. 20th 2026 Mar. 20th 2026 max: 5.5 °C
min: 1.7 °C 		15.5 m/s
20.9 m/s		 64.4 %
24.1 m		 52.9 %
1,012 hPa		 05:40:11
17:47:51
Mar. 21st 2026 Mar. 21st 2026 max: 4.3 °C
min: -1.3 °C 		57.6 m/s
70.9 m/s		 83.0 %
14.6 m		 62.8 %
1,009 hPa		 05:38:24
17:49:02
Mar. 22nd 2026 Mar. 22nd 2026 max: 5.4 °C
min: 3.2 °C 		45.0 m/s
64.4 m/s		 66.0 %
21.6 m		 62.8 %
1,010 hPa		 05:36:37
17:50:14
Mar. 23rd 2026 Mar. 23rd 2026 max: 4.5 °C
min: 2.2 °C 		28.1 m/s
40.3 m/s		 17.9 %
24.1 m		 61.1 %
1,011 hPa		 05:34:50
17:51:25
Mar. 24th 2026 Mar. 24th 2026 max: 4.4 °C
min: 2.4 °C 		34.6 m/s
41.4 m/s		 26.7 %
24.1 m		 60.3 %
1,015 hPa		 05:33:03
17:52:36
Mar. 25th 2026 Mar. 25th 2026 max: 6.4 °C
min: 2.4 °C 		23.8 m/s
37.4 m/s		 65.4 %
18.6 m		 70.6 %
1,016 hPa		 05:31:16
17:53:47
Mar. 26th 2026 Mar. 26th 2026 max: 7.7 °C
min: 2.5 °C 		15.5 m/s
17.6 m/s		 64.2 %
22.7 m		 75.6 %
1,016 hPa		 05:29:30
17:54:57
Mar. 27th 2026 Mar. 27th 2026 max: 8.7 °C
min: 5.6 °C 		10.4 m/s
11.2 m/s		 46.1 %
24.1 m		 78.0 %
1,017 hPa		 05:27:43
17:56:08
Mar. 28th 2026 Mar. 28th 2026 max: 11.7 °C
min: 5.9 °C 		11.2 m/s
13.3 m/s		 80.6 %
24.1 m		 71.5 %
1,014 hPa		 05:25:56
17:57:19
Mar. 29th 2026 Mar. 29th 2026 max: 7.3 °C
min: 4.2 °C 		20.2 m/s
30.6 m/s		 92.1 %
20.9 m		 86.4 %
1,006 hPa		 05:24:10
17:58:29

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 Passaengers (min - max) Arrival Departure Details
Apr. 23rd 2026 Thursday, 23rd of Apr. 2026 MS Westerdam 1968 - 2362 08:00 am 05:00 pm
May 30th 2026 Saturday, 30th of May 2026 SH Minerva 08:00 am 12:00 am
Jun. 5th 2026 Friday, 5th of Jun. 2026 HANSEATIC inspiration 199 - 230 07:00 am 08:00 pm
Jun. 21st 2026 Sunday, 21st of Jun. 2026 HANSEATIC inspiration 199 - 230 07:00 am 10:00 pm
Sep. 1st 2026 Tuesday, 1st of Sep. 2026 SH Minerva 12:00 am 06:00 pm
Mar. 5th 2027 Friday, 5th of Mar. 2027 Vasco da Gama 1260 - 1512 06:00 am 05:00 pm
Apr. 22nd 2027 Thursday, 22nd of Apr. 2027 MS Westerdam 1968 - 2362 08:00 am 05:00 pm
May 28th 2027 Friday, 28th of May 2027 Silver Cloud 252 - 302 07:00 am 11:00 pm
Oct. 15th 2027 Friday, 15th of Oct. 2027 Carnival Luminosa 2260 - 2712 07:00 am 05:00 pm
Jun. 27th 2028 Tuesday, 27th of Jun. 2028 HANSEATIC spirit 199 - 230 08:00 am 10:00 pm
Oct. 4th 2028 Wednesday, 4th of Oct. 2028 Seabourn Encore 532 - 638 12:00 pm 12:00 am
Oct. 5th 2028 Thursday, 5th of Oct. 2028 Seabourn Encore 532 - 638 12:00 am 10:00 pm

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Maritime AIS Data Otaru

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