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Otaru Facts
Otaru (小樽市; -shi) is a city and port located in Shiribeshi, Hokkaido, Japan.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 146,297 and the density of 601.72 persons per km². The total area is 243.13 km².
History
This is not a city with an easily visible history - buildings created in the 1930s are regarded as cultural assets.
The city was an Ainu habitation, and the name "Otaru" is recognised as being of Ainu origin. The very small remaining part of the Temiya Cave contains cave carvings from the Zoku-Joumon period of Ainu history, c. 400 A.D. Otaru was recognised as a village by the bakufu in 1865, and the railway first arrived in 1885. Otaru was redesignated as a city on August 1st 1922.
Notable Attractions
A canal runs through Otaru which is adorned with Victorian style street lamps. During the day it is a hive of activity, and buskers play on the boulevards that run alongside, although it comes into its own at night. Otaru certainly is one of the more picturesque Japanese cities (granted that there is not much competition), in a vicinity which is abundant in natural beauty - beautiful beaches are to be found nearby. At some beaches, such as Ranshima and Sunset Beach at Zenibako (on the way to Sapporo), the sea water is so clear that I can quite believe the Japanese must filter it for clarity.--JohnCrocker 21:44, 7 Feb 2005 (UTC) Otaru attracts a large number of native Japanese tourists as well as Russian visitors.
There are many restaurants, but Otaru Beer (adjacent to the canal) is certainly worth a visit, not only for the quality of the local brew, but for a unique quasi Arthurian medieval-themed and yet very weird experience - a cross between the Lord of the Rings and a scene from Cable Guy. Otaru sushi also worth trying, it is renowned in Japan.--JohnCrocker 21:44, 7 Feb 2005 (UTC)
The town has substantial shopping arcades and bazaars, but there can be few cities in the world that compare to nearby Hokkaido capital of Sapporo in this respect.
A nearby attraction that is worth a look on the west side of the city is Nishin Goten (herring mansion). This is a large wooden building, built in 1897, that was once the house of a magnate of the herring fishing industry called Fukumatsu Tanaka. It was originally built at nearby Tomari village, but was moved to its present location in 1958. Visitors can clearly see the difference between the squalid conditions of the first floor sleeping quarters of 120 workers, and the ground floor luxury of the magnates rooms.
Climate
In the summer the weather can be hot and balmy, but please note that it snows in winter from about November to March, and drifts of two to three metres are not uncommon.
Mount Tengu
Otaru is an important port for Sapporo, and part of this hilly city is located on the lower slopes of Mount Tengu (Tenguyama). Although this is not well known, Mount Tengu is a good location for skiing and other winter sports.
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