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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 autumn foliage in Otaru, a city blessed with nature.

1. Viewing autumn leaves in Otaru
　　　Temiya Park
　　　Otaru Park
　　　Tenguyama in Otaru
　　　Otaru Canal
　　　Asari Dam
2. Otaru's autumn events
3. Photos of autumn leaves in Otaru

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 autumn foliage spots in Otaru

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves - Otaru Tourism ①

Autumn leaves 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 here, and the peak cherry blossom viewing season is from early to mid-May. In autumn, the park is famous for the autumn foliage of the Enkianthus campanulata, but it also has what is said to be the northernmost natural chestnut forest, with approximately 250 large trees over 100 years old, allowing visitors to enjoy chestnut picking along with the autumn leaves.

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

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves - Otaru Tourism ②

Autumn leaves in Otaru Park

The observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city and harbor.

Otaru Park is located in the center of the city, and within its 23.5 hectares, it is home to facilities such as a civic center, a general gymnasium, a public hall, a baseball field, and a sports field, as well as a Japanese garden, monuments to the poems of Ishikawa Takuboku and Totsuka Shintaro, a statue of a young girl, and more. From the observation deck, you can get a panoramic view of the city and harbor.

In addition to a natural forest of approximately 4,000 trees, including chestnut, oak, and ash, the park is also home to approximately 7,000 azaleas and 1,500 white birch trees, which are designated as the city's flowers and trees, making it a beloved park of greenery and flowers.

You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in the Japanese garden.

Sightseeing Spot : Otaru Park 
Address : 5-3 Hanazono, Otaru, Hokkaido
phone : 0134-32-4111
Opening hours : 24 hours
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Autumn leaves at Tenguyama in Otaru

A beautiful night view that looks like it's studded with jewels.

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, and the summit observation deck in particular is a must-see spot that has been awarded one star in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. It is a great viewpoint 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 the "Three Great Night Views of Hokkaido." The varied city lights, created by the terrain surrounded by the port and mountains, make for a night view you will never tire of.

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

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves - Otaru Sightseeing ④

Autumn leaves at Otaru Canal

The crimson color of ivy climbing the walls of the warehouse complex.

Otaru Port played an important role as the gateway to Hokkaido from the Meiji period through the early Showa period. Large ships anchored in the port were unloaded using small boats called barges, but as the volume of cargo handled increased, barge loading and unloading congestion became a problem.

To make loading and unloading more efficient, an artificial island was constructed over a period of nine years, starting in 1914, and unloading operations could now be carried out around it. At that time, the water surface remaining between the original quay and the artificial island, measuring 1,314m in length and 40m in width, came to be known as the "Otaru Canal."

After its completion in 1923, the canal supported the prosperity of the commercial city of Otaru for a while, but after the war, when a wharf was built at Otaru Port, the barge loading and unloading operations gradually decreased, and when a large port was built on the Pacific side of the city, many ships shifted to Pacific routes. The Otaru Canal gradually became a useless place where sludge and garbage accumulated.

A plan was put forward to fill in the canal, build a three-lane road, and once again turn Otaru into a logistics hub. In response to this plan, a citizens' movement arose calling for the canal to be preserved as a symbol of Otaru, which led to the "Otaru Canal Preservation Movement," which became a national topic.

As a result, the southern half of the Prefectural Route 1 Taruko Line was reclaimed for road construction, but the canal was remodeled into a walking path with cobblestones and gas lamps, and the beautiful scenery has been transformed into a popular tourist spot representing Hokkaido that continues to attract many people. The northern side (commonly known as the North Canal) still retains its original width of 40m.

Sightseeing Spot : Otaru Canal
Address : 5 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido
Opening hours : Open all year round
Home page : Click here for the homepage

Autumn in Otaru | How to Enjoy the Autumn Leaves - Otaru Sightseeing ⑤

Autumn leaves at Asari Dam

The blue sky and autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface are beautiful.

It's about a 40-minute drive from central Sapporo and about 30 minutes from Otaru city. Once you pass through the Asarigawa Onsen area just before Otaru, the Asari Sky Loop suddenly appears in front of you. This magnificent combination of the gigantic loop bridge and Asari Dam has won the Otaru City Urban Landscape Award and is popular among architecture fans. Asari Dam is located just up the Asari Sky Loop.

Asari Dam is 73.9m high. You can enjoy the dam lake, Lake Otarunai, and on clear days, the Asari Sky Loop, which forms a beautiful curve from the top of the dam, and the view of the sea from between the mountains. In autumn, the surrounding mountains turn color, making it a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves. The blue sky and autumn leaves reflected on the lake surface are very beautiful.

From the observation deck, you can see the mountains beyond the water's surface, with their ridgelines clearly stretching into the distance, creating a unique view.

On the shore of Lake Otarunai, there is the Asari Dam Memorial Hall, which displays materials related to the dam, as well as a park. Near the dam there is also a sports field with tennis courts. The memorial hall displays a model of the dam, panels introducing the construction of the Asari Dam, and panels introducing the water facilities in Otaru City.

Sightseeing Spot : Asari Dam Memorial Hall
Address : 2-580-10 Asarigawa Onsen, Otaru City, Hokkaido
Opening hours : 10:00~16:00
Home page : Click here for the homepage

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

Otaru's Autumn Events

September: Otaru Shukutsu Fireworks Festival

The Shukutsu Fireworks Festival is the finale of the Otaru fireworks festivals. It is a unique, handmade festival held mainly by local residents, with fireworks being used to pray for a good catch, as well as for memorials and celebrations. The fireworks are a massive event, with around 1,500 fireworks launched from Shukutsu Maehama in Otaru at around 7:00 PM. On the day of the festival, the Otaru Herring Palace is illuminated from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, creating a sight that can only be seen here. There are also festival-like stalls lined up near the venue, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of a summer festival that is far from over.

October Otaru Warehouse No. 1
"Oktoberfest"

This annual event is inspired by Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival held in Germany, the home of beer. Oktoberfest began with a beer brewed for the Royal Wedding in 1810, and is held annually for two weeks starting in late September at Munich's Theresaplatz. Approximately 6.7 million people from around the world gather at Oktoberfest in search of the unique beer they can only experience. Approximately 5.6 million liters of beer are consumed. Otaru Beer's "Otaru Fest Beer" recreates the festival beer enjoyed there. It has a strong malt aroma and a slight sweetness. During the festival, Otaru Warehouse No. 1 offers all-you-can-drink beer, including beer, for three hours for a fixed price. It's a must-try for beer lovers.

Otaru in Autumn in Photos

Autumn leaves at Asahi Observatory Autumn foliage at Okusawa Water Source Autumn leaves on the former Temiya Line Autumn at Sakaimachi Shopping Street Autumn at Otaru Port Autumn leaves at Otaru Tenmangu Shrine Autumn leaves at Hariusu Pass Hiyoriyama Lighthouse in Autumn Autumn along the Hakodate Main Line Autumn at the Former Okazaki Noh Stage

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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Blue Cave Otaru Aquarium Hanazono Area

Banking district Sakaimachi Shopping Street Night view of Otaru

Otaru Canal Cruise Sushi Street

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