Home > Otaru Tourist Portal > Autumn Foliage in Otaru

Hokkaido is blessed with vast land and beautiful nature. Otaru, located on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, is a popular tourist destination with good access from Sapporo. The city boasts a charming townscape with many historical buildings designated as cultural properties, such as the stone warehouses and gas lamps of the retro Otaru Canal, and the former bank district, which captivate visitors.

Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Otaru prides itself on excellent access to both, with many attractions less than 30 minutes from the city center. Here, we introduce ways to enjoy the autumn foliage in Otaru, a city rich in nature.

Giving Otaru.

From UNGAPLUS, which delivers "The Story of Otaru"
that walked with the Kitamae-bune ships,
from the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we introduce "Places to Visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy "Otaru."

Famous Autumn Foliage Spots in Otaru

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy Autumn Foliage - Otaru Sightseeing ①

Autumn Foliage at Temiya Park

The 4th oldest general park in Hokkaido.

Temiya Park, which includes the Temiya Greenification Botanical Garden famous for its cherry blossoms, was acquired as a public amusement park in 1900 (Meiji 33) by reclaiming national land. It is the fourth oldest existing urban park in Hokkaido, a general park located on a hill in the city center.

Approximately 700 cherry trees, including Ezo-yamazakura and Somei-yoshino, are planted here, with the peak cherry blossom viewing season from early to mid-May. In autumn, the autumn foliage of Enkianthus perulatus is famous, and there is also a chestnut grove, said to be the northernmost natural forest, with about 250 old trees over 100 years old, where you can enjoy chestnut picking along with the autumn leaves.

In recent years, the "Northernmost Chestnut Grove Association" was formed, cultivating seedlings from the fruits in the park and replanting them, earning high praise as a park beloved by local citizens.

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy Autumn Foliage - Otaru Sightseeing ②

Autumn Foliage at Otaru Park

Overlooking the city and port from the observation deck.

Otaru Park is located in the city center, covering an area of 23.5 ha. It houses facilities such as the Citizens' Hall, General Gymnasium, Public Hall, baseball field, and grounds, as well as a Japanese garden, monuments inscribed with poems by Ishikawa Takuboku and Totsuka Shintaro, and a statue of a girl. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and port.

In addition to a natural forest comprising approximately 4,000 chestnut, oak, and sen trees, about 7,000 azaleas, designated as the city's flower and tree, and about 1,500 white birch trees have been planted, making it a beloved park of greenery and flowers.

Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and the Japanese garden's autumn foliage can be enjoyed in autumn.

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy Autumn Foliage - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Autumn Foliage at Otaru Tenguyama

A beautiful night view like scattered jewels.

Otaru Tenguyama, with an elevation of 532 meters, has long been cherished by citizens as a symbol of Otaru. It can be seen from various parts of Otaru city center. You can reach the summit by taking the ropeway, which operates every 6 to 12 minutes, or by car (road closed during winter).

Otaru Tenguyama has five observation decks, and the summit observation deck, in particular, is a must-see spot that has earned one star in the "Michelin Green Guide Japan". From here, the city unfolds like a miniature garden below, offering an excellent vantage point to view Otaru Port, Ishikari Bay, and on clear days, even the distant Shokanbetsu mountain range and Shakotan Peninsula.

The beautiful night view, like scattered jewels, is said to be one of the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido." The varied city lights, created by the topography surrounded by the port and mountains, allow you to enjoy a night view that never gets old.

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy Autumn Foliage - Otaru Sightseeing ④

Autumn Foliage at Otaru Canal

The reddish color of the ivy climbing the warehouse walls.

Otaru Port played an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. Cargo was unloaded from large ships anchored in the harbor using small boats called lighters, but with the increasing volume of cargo, congestion in lighter operations became a problem.

Therefore, to enable more efficient loading and unloading, an artificial island was created over approximately nine years from Taisho 3 (1914), allowing cargo operations to be performed around it. The 1,314m long, 40m wide waterway left between the original quay and the artificial island became known as the "Otaru Canal."

After its completion in 1923, it supported the prosperity of Otaru, a commercial city, for a while. However, after the war, as wharves were developed in Otaru Port, lighter operations gradually decreased. Furthermore, with the construction of large ports in cities on the Pacific side, many ships shifted to Pacific routes. The Otaru Canal gradually became a useless place, accumulating silt and garbage.

A plan arose to reclaim the canal to build a three-lane road and once again make Otaru a logistics hub. In response, a citizen movement emerged to preserve it as a symbol of Otaru, leading to the "Otaru Canal Preservation Movement," which became a nationwide topic.

As a result, the southern half along Prefectural Road 1 Otaruko Line was reclaimed for a road, but the canal side was developed into a promenade with cobblestones and gas lamps. It has now been reborn as a popular tourist spot representing Hokkaido, with its beautiful scenery captivating many people. The northern side (commonly known as the North Canal) still retains its original width of 40m.

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy Autumn Foliage - Otaru Sightseeing ⑤

Autumn Foliage at Asari Dam

Beautiful blue sky and autumn foliage reflected in the lake.

Approximately 40 minutes by car from central Sapporo and 30 minutes from Otaru city, after passing through the Asarigawa Onsen area just before Otaru, the "Asari Sky Loop" suddenly appears. This magnificent collaboration of the giant loop bridge and Asari Dam has received the Otaru City Urban Landscape Award and is popular among architecture enthusiasts. Asari Dam is located at the top of this Asari Sky Loop.

Asari Dam is 73.9m high. From the dam crest, you can enjoy the "Otarunai Lake" (the dam lake), and on clear days, the beautiful curves of the Asari Sky Loop and the sea visible from between the mountains. In autumn, the surrounding mountains change colors, making it a popular autumn foliage spot, and the blue sky and autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface are exceptionally beautiful.

From the observation deck, you can see the mountains beyond the water surface, and the clear ridge line stretching into the distance offers a unique landscape.

On the shore of Otarunai Lake, there is the Asari Dam Memorial Hall, which displays materials related to the dam, as well as a park and an athletic field with tennis courts near the dam. The memorial hall exhibits a model of the dam, panels introducing the construction of Asari Dam, and panels introducing Otaru city's water supply facilities.

How to enjoy the four seasons here

Autumn Events in Otaru

September: Otaru Shukutsu Fireworks Festival

The Shukutsu Fireworks Festival, which concludes Otaru's firework displays, is a unique, handmade event organized primarily by local residents, featuring fireworks for abundant catches, memorial, and celebrations. Approximately 1,500 fireworks are launched from the Shukutsu beachfront in Otaru City around 7:00 PM. On the day of the event, the illuminated Otaru Nishin Goten (Herring Mansion) appears from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, offering a view only seen here. Additionally, festival stalls line the area near the venue, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of a summer festival that isn't quite over yet.

October: Otaru Soko No.1
"Oktoberfest"

Inspired by the world's largest beer festival held in Germany, "Oktoberfest" is an annual event hosted at Otaru Beer Otaru Soko No.1. Oktoberfest originated from a beer brewed for a royal wedding in 1810 and is held for two weeks from late September at Theresienwiese in Munich each year. Around 6.7 million people gather from all over the world in search of beers that can only be tasted at Oktoberfest, consuming approximately 5.6 million liters of beer. Otaru Beer's "Otaru Fest Beer" is a recreation of the fest beer served there, characterized by a strong malt aroma and a slight sweetness. During the period, Otaru Soko No.1 offers an all-you-can-drink plan for all beverages, including beer, for 3 hours at a fixed price. It's an unmissable event for beer lovers.

Autumn in Otaru in Photos

Autumn Foliage at Asahi Observation Deck Autumn Foliage at Okusawa Water Source Autumn Foliage at the Former Temiya Line Autumn in Sakaimachi Street Shopping Arcade Autumn in Otaru Port Autumn Foliage at Otaru Tenmangu Shrine Autumn Foliage at Hariusu Pass Autumn at Hiyoriyama Lighthouse Autumn along the Hakodate Main Line Autumn at the Former Okazaki Family Noh Stage

UNGAPLUS

Good fortune from Otaru, the city of shipping...
May the continuous flow that has been preserved be on your side,
and may your own luck open up.

Otaru flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido's development during the Meiji era.
Kitamaebune ships, with their pure white sails unfurled on the vast ocean, brought many goods and cultures to this land through their trade with Honshu.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products embodying the history and culture that still remain in Otaru, as well as excellent goods from the Kitamaebune's port of call, all from the "Former Otaru Warehouse Main Building," the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido built by Kitamaebune shipowners Magosaburo Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani.

From this place, we share the story of Otaru, which walked hand in hand with the Kitamaebune.

We look forward to welcoming you with a selection of unique original items that make wonderful souvenirs.

Click here for more details on "UNGAPLUS"