Key points of Otaru Port
- The passenger ship will dock at Pier 3. JR Otaru Station is about a 15-minute walk away, and you can easily walk around the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street.
- It takes about 85 minutes by train to get to New Chitose Airport, and about 30-40 minutes by train to get to Sapporo.
- This is a nostalgic port town where stone warehouses and merchant houses from the Meiji and early Showa periods still remain.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
Members who have visited this port: None yet. Would you like to be the first?Register as a member to record your sailing history.
Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)
What kind of port is Otaru Port?
Otaru Port flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido after the Meiji Restoration. Stone warehouses and Western-style buildings that tell the story of that era's prosperity still remain today.
Docking location and access
| Main docking locations | Pier No. 3 (Nos. 16 and 17) |
|---|---|
| JR Otaru Station | Approximately 15 minutes on foot |
| New Chitose Airport | Approximately 85 minutes by train |
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
This information covers transportation from Pier 3 and Katsunai Pier, where cruise ships arrive at Otaru Port, as well as useful sightseeing information (based on official sources).
| Docking location | Pier No. 3 (near the Otaru Canal) or Katsunai Pier. Both can accommodate ships up to 140,000 tons. |
|---|---|
| From Pier No. 3 | You can walk to the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street. JR Otaru Station is about a 15-minute walk away. |
| From Katsunai Pier | Located on the east side of Otaru Port. Approximately a 20-minute walk to JR Otaru Chikko Station. Approximately a 10-minute walk to the "Shin-Minami Taru Market" bus stop (Chuo Bus "Parute Chikko" bound). |
| Tourist Information Center | Otaru International Information Center (5-3 Minatomachi, Otaru City, near Pier No. 3). 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (hours may vary seasonally). English, Chinese, and Korean services available. Tel: 0134-33-1661. There is also a tourist information center inside JR Otaru Station (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM). |
| Currency exchange | There is a foreign currency exchange machine at the Otaru International Information Center. |
| Wifi | It can be used at the Otaru International Information Center and the Otaru Station Tourist Information Center. |
| Toilet/Break | There is a waiting area and a 24-hour restroom on the first floor of the Otaru Port Sightseeing Boat Terminal (4-1 Minatomachi, Otaru City). |
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
Docking locations, shuttle bus services, and facility operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and weather conditions. Please also check the information provided on board the ship. (Date of confirmation: September 30, 2026 Source:Otaru Tourism Association "Tourist Information Center"、Otaru City: "Regarding the pier for receiving cruise ships"、Otaru City: "Regarding the Otaru Port Sightseeing Boat Terminal and surrounding facilities"）
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
You can walk from Pier 3 to the Otaru Canal and the area around JR Otaru Station (about a 15-minute walk to the station). Nearby supermarkets and drugstores can be found on the map below. For information on landing procedures, duty-free shopping, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
On foot (2-3 hours)
- Otaru Canal: A symbol of Otaru, lined with stone warehouses. Gas lamps illuminate it at night.
- Sakai-machi Street: A street lined with stone merchant houses and Western-style buildings. You can also find glass art shops and sweets stores.
By train (half a day)
- Sapporo: The central city of Hokkaido. Approximately 30-40 minutes by train.
Port town cuisine
- Sushi: Sushi made with fresh seafood such as sea urchin and mantis shrimp from nearby waters.
You can post reviews of places you've actually visited by clicking "Write a review" at the bottom of this page.
Port town gourmet guide:Sushi at Otaru Port(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
These are sushi restaurants around Otaru Port. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will show you its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether the restaurant is open on the day of the port call.
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Sat, Oct 3 This weekCarnival LuminosaArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 12 – Tue, Oct 13Viking OrionArr. 08:00 / Dep. 14:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- ASUKA II2 calls
- ASUKA III2 calls
- Pacific World1 call
- SH Minerva1 call
- Viking Venus1 call
- Carnival Luminosa1 call
- Viking Orion1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1Is it possible to walk from Pier 3 to the Otaru Canal?
Yes. You can walk from the port to the Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street. It's also about a 15-minute walk to JR Otaru Station.
Q2Can I go to Sapporo while the ship is docked?
It takes about 30-40 minutes by train from JR Otaru Station. Please plan your trip with plenty of time before the all-aboard time.
Q3Where do cruise ships dock at Otaru Port?
You can choose either Pier No. 3, which is close to the Otaru Canal, or Pier Katsunai on the east side of the port. If you choose Pier Katsunai, it's about a 20-minute walk to JR Otaru Chikko Station.
Q4Can I exchange currency near Otaru Port?
There is a foreign currency exchange machine at the Otaru International Information Center (9:00-20:00) near Pier No. 3. Wi-Fi is also available.
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Japan Tourism Agency / Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "CRUISE PORT GUIDE OF JAPAN"
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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