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Hokkaido is blessed with vast land and beautiful nature. Located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, Otaru is a popular tourist destination with easy access from Sapporo. The town is filled with historical buildings designated as cultural assets, such as the Otaru Canal, which has a retro feel with stone warehouses and gas lamps, and the old banking district, and its atmospheric streets are sure to captivate visitors.

Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Otaru boasts excellent access to both the sea and the mountains, both of which are within 30 minutes of the city center. Here, we will introduce how to enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring in Otaru, a city blessed with nature.

1. Famous cherry blossom spots
　　　Temiya Park
　　　Suitengu Shrine
　　　Tenguyama in Otaru
　　　Minami-Otaru Station
　　　Sumiyoshi Shrine
2. Otaru Spring Events
3. Photos of Otaru in spring

Give Otaru as a gift.

From the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
From UNGAPLUS, which brings you the "Story of Otaru" that walked alongside the Kitamae ships,
We will introduce you to "Places to visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy Otaru.

Famous cherry blossom spots in Otaru

Spring in Otaru | How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms - Otaru Tourism ①

Cherry blossoms at Temiya Park

The fourth comprehensive park to be built in Hokkaido.

Temiya Park, which includes the Temiya Botanical Garden, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, was acquired as national land in 1900 (Meiji 33) and made into a public amusement park. Located on a hill in the center of the city, it is the fourth oldest urban park still standing in Hokkaido.

Approximately 700 cherry trees, including Ezoyamazakura and Somei-Yoshino, have been planted, and the peak cherry blossom viewing season is from early to mid-May. There is also a chestnut forest, said to be the northernmost natural forest, with approximately 250 large trees over 100 years old.

In recent years, the Northernmost Chestnut Grove Association was formed, and the park has been loved and highly acclaimed by local citizens, with seedlings being grown from the fruit in the park and replanted.

Famous place : Temiya Park
Address : 2-5 Temiya, Otaru, Hokkaido
Opening hours : 24 hours
Closed days : Open everyday
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Spring in Otaru | How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms - Otaru Tourism ②

Cherry Blossoms at Suitengu Shrine

A panoramic view of Otaru cityscape with cherry blossoms.

There are shrines named Suitengu all over Japan. Suitengu in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture is the main shrine that enshrines Emperor Antoku and others, but Suitengu in Otaru does not actually belong to that group.

Suitengu Shrine in Otaru is registered with the Shiribeshi branch of the Hokkaido Shrine Association. It is about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station or Minami-Otaru Station, and can be found at the top of a hill called "Foreigners' Hill" in Shinonome Town. Located on a hill about 55 meters above sea level, the location to the right of the shrine offers a panoramic view of Otaru Port, the Sea of Japan, and the Otaru cityscape.

In addition, double cherry blossoms, Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms, and Ezoyama cherry blossoms are planted around the temple grounds, and in spring you can see a beautiful flurry of cherry blossom petals. Every year in mid-June, the Suitengu Shrine Festival, one of Otaru's three major festivals, is held here, and it is beloved by locals along with Ryugu Shrine and Sumiyoshi Shrine.

Famous place : Suitengu Shrine
Address : 3-1 Aioicho, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-22-3495
Opening hours : 24 hours
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Spring in Otaru | How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Cherry blossoms at Tenguyama, Otaru

Tengu Sakura is a single cherry tree that blooms the latest in Otaru.

Otaru Tenguyama has long been a symbol of Otaru and beloved by locals. It stands 532 meters above sea level and can be seen from anywhere in central Otaru. You can reach the summit by ropeway, which runs every 6 to 12 minutes, or by car (roads are closed during the winter).

There are five observation decks on Otaru Tenguyama, with the summit observation deck in particular being a must-see spot, having been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. It is a great vantage point from which you can see the miniature cityscape below, Otaru Port, Ishikari Bay, and on clear days, the distant Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula. The beautiful night view, like a studded jewel, is said to be one of Hokkaido's three great night views. The varied city lights created by the terrain surrounded by the port and mountains make for a night view that you will never tire of.

At the summit of Otaru Tenguyama stands the Tengu Sakura, a single cherry tree that is said to be the latest to bloom in Otaru. The Tengu Sakura is over 100 years old and is a romantic Ezoyamazakura cherry tree that resembles a heart when in full bloom.

Sightseeing Spots : Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway and Ski Resort
Address : 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-33-7381
Business hours : vary depending on the season
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Spring in Otaru | How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms - Otaru Sightseeing ④

Cherry blossoms at Minami-Otaru Station

When you get off the platform, you will be greeted by beautiful cherry blossoms.

During Golden Week, when spring arrives in Hokkaido, the cherry blossom front also arrives in Otaru, a northern port city steeped in historical romance. One recommended tourist spot is to get off at JR Minami-Otaru Station, one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, and enjoy some cherry blossom viewing. As you step off the platform, you'll be greeted by magnificent cherry blossoms. The magnificent sight of the trees stretching out as if to paint the sky pink spreads before your eyes.

Sightseeing Spots : Minami -Otaru Station
Address : 11 Sumiyoshicho, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-23-0362
Business hours : Midori no Madoguchi 5:30-23:10
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Spring in Otaru | How to Enjoy Cherry Blossoms - Otaru Sightseeing ⑤

Cherry blossoms at Sumiyoshi Shrine

When it comes to shrines in Otaru, the first one that comes to mind is Otaru Sumiyoshi Shrine.

Sumiyoshi Shrine, located an eight-minute walk from Minami-Otaru Station, was founded in 1868. Its origins date back to 1865, when Kikuchi Shigetaka, the head priest of Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine, enshrined Sumiyoshi Okami as the guardian deity of Otarunai and Takashima. In 1881, the shrine was built at its current location, making it a historic shrine with 150 years of history.

Nowadays, as the main guardian deity of Otaru, when talking about shrines in Otaru, the name "Otaru Sumiyoshi Shrine" always comes up. The enshrined deities are the "Sumiyoshi Sanjin" (commonly known as the "Three Sumiyoshi Gods"), namely Sokotsutsuno-no-kami, Nakatsutsuno-no-kami, and Uwatsutsuno-no-kami, as well as Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto. According to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, these deities were born from the water that flowed from the body of Izanagi-no-Mikoto when he performed a purification ritual. The shrine is considered to be the god of the sea, safe navigation, waka poetry, and safe childbirth, and is deeply rooted in Otaru, a port town that prospered through maritime trade.

The Sumiyoshi Shrine Annual Festival, held in mid-July every year, is one of Otaru's three major festivals and is a huge success. The Otaru Sumiyoshi Shrine office, one of the largest wooden structures in Hokkaido, was designated a historic building by Otaru City in 1994.

Sightseeing Spots : Sumiyoshi Shrine
Address : 2-5 Suminoe, Otaru City
phone : 0134-23-0785
Opening hours : 24 hours
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Here's how to enjoy spring, summer, autumn and winter

Otaru's Spring Events

February to March: Tanaka Sake Brewery Main Branch's Doll Festival

This event, held at the Tanaka Sake Brewery Main Branch, displays Hina dolls from different eras donated by Otaru citizens, and is held to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of girls. Approximately 200 Hina dolls are on display, including some that were made as far back as the early Showa period, wooden Hina dolls, and all-handmade washi paper Hina dolls. During the event, limited quantities of "Peach Amazake" (a type of sweet sake) and "Amazake Sakuramochi" (a type of sweet sake made with sake lees), which are associated with the Girls' Festival, will be sold, along with "Hina Sake Manju" (a type of sweet sake bun), "Sakagura Dorayaki (a type of sweet sake bun), "Amazake Mousse" and "Sake Kasu Yokan" (a type of sweet sake jelly), all made with fragrant Junmai Daiginjo sake lees.

March: Otaru Taiko Festival

The Otaru Taiko Festival brings together groups from Otaru and Shiribeshi to perform a powerful taiko drumming performance on the stage of the Civic Hall's large hall. The festival is held with the aim of encouraging groups that don't usually have the opportunity to perform together to raise their level. Not only can you hear the unique performances of each group, but at the end, representatives from all the participating groups come on stage together to perform a powerful joint performance by all the groups, which is a highlight.

May: Otaru Spring Festival

The Otaru Spring Festival is an annual spring event held in late May that both locals and tourists can enjoy. It's a three-day event where you can fully enjoy spring in Otaru by eating and playing. This festival is beloved by many as a local spring tradition. It is a large-scale festival jointly held by eight shopping districts in the city. One thing you can't miss is the wide variety of food stalls where you can enjoy Otaru cuisine. Hokkaido is full of delicious food, so everything you eat is delicious. There are also plenty of participatory events, such as karaoke competitions and speed-eating contests.

May-June: Otaru Guest House Former Aoyama Villa "Peony and Shakuyaku Festival"

The former Aoyama Villa is a nationally designated tangible cultural property. Also known as the Herring Palace, the building is a 650-square-foot mansion said to have cost 3 billion yen in current terms to build. The Peony and Peony Festival is held in late May, coinciding with the blossoming of the peonies and peony flowers in the courtyard. The 750 flowers, including 430 peonies of 40 different species and 320 peony plants of 37 different species, are in full bloom, creating an even more gorgeous and elegant atmosphere.

Spring in Otaru seen in photos

Spring and cherry blossoms on the coast of Otaru Spring and cherry blossoms at Canal Park Spring and cherry blossoms on the former Temiya Line Spring at Katsunagawa River Spring and cherry blossoms at Tenguyama in Otaru Spring cherry blossoms at Funamizaka Spring and Cherry Blossoms in Zenibako Spring at Hiyoriyama Lighthouse Spring and cherry blossoms at Temiya Park Spring and cherry blossoms along the Hakodate Main Line

UNGAPLUS

Good luck from the shipping town of Otaru...
May the flow that has been protected without interruption be your ally and open up your luck.

During the Meiji period, Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido.
Kitamae ships flapped their pure white sails across the ocean, traveling to and from Honshu and bringing many goods and cultures to this area.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products that incorporate the history and culture of Otaru, as well as high-quality products from the ports of call of the Kitamae ships, from the former Otaru Main Warehouse, the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido, built by Kitamae ship owners Nishide Magozaemon and Nishitani Shohachi.

The story of Otaru, which has walked alongside the Kitamae ships, can be heard from this place.

We are looking forward to your visit and have a wide selection of original items that are only available here and make great souvenirs.

Click here for details on "UNGAPLUS" Store name : UNGAPLUS

address : 2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru 047-0031

phone : 0134-65-8150

Opening hours : 10:00~18:00

Closed days : Open everyday

Home page : Click here for the homepage

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