Otaru City Museum Main Building (小樽市総合博物館 本館),
also called the Otaru City General Museum, is a museum with historical
information & rail exhibits, including a model & several full-sized
trains. It is located at 1 Chome-3-6 Temiya, Otaru City in Hokkaido Prefecture,
Japan.
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building |
Otaru City Museum Main Building Details
The Otaru City General Museum is one of Hokkaido’s
most fascinating cultural attractions, offering a unique glimpse into the
history, nature, and technological development of Otaru and its surroundings.
Originally established as the Otaru City Museum in June 1956, it
was the fourth city museum in Hokkaido. In July 2007, the museum merged
with the Otaru City Youth Science Museum at the former Otaru
Transportation Memorial Hall site and was renamed the Otaru City General
Museum.
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building - Otaru City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Two Distinct Facilities for Visitors
The museum comprises two main facilities: the Main
Building, located at Temiya 1-chome (formerly the Otaru Transportation
Memorial Hall), and the Canal Museum, located at Ironai 2-chome
(formerly the Otaru City Museum). While the two buildings are about a 20-minute
walk apart, visitors can purchase a combined two-day admission ticket,
making it easy to explore both locations.
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| 小樽市総合博物館 本館 |
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| The Statue of Daniel Meloy, American consul in Sapporo |
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building facade |
For this article, we'll just focus on the Otaru City Museum Main Building. This museum is a
must-visit destination for anyone interested in Hokkaido’s rich railway and
transportation history. Sitting on 5.8 hectares of the former Temiya Line and
Temiya Station, the site is historically significant as the birthplace of
railways in Hokkaido.
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| Inside Otaru City Museum Main Building |
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| There are gatchapon here that contain (guess what?) - train-themed toys |
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| You can also buy other train-themed souvenirs at the souvenir shop inside the museum |
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building Floor Map |
Explore Hokkaido’s Railway History
The Main Building features three key facilities: the
Railway, Science and History Museum, and the Steam Locomotive Museum. Visitors can view historic steam locomotives, diesel and
electric railcars, passenger and freight cars, and even rare rescue vehicles.
The museum preserves eight of Hokkaido’s 12 quasi-railway monuments, including
Japan’s oldest surviving locomotive shed, offering an immersive look into the
evolution of rail transport in the region.
Steam Locomotive "Shizuka"
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| Steam Locomotive "Shizuka" |
The centerpiece of the Otaru City Museum Main Building is the steam locomotive “Shizuka,” meticulously preserved and prominently displayed inside the museum. This historic train offers visitors a tangible glimpse into Hokkaido’s rich railway heritage and the pivotal role steam locomotives played in the development of Otaru as a port city. Beyond its well-preserved look and mechanical craftsmanship, the Shizuka serves as an educational exhibit, allowing guests to explore the engineering, history, and stories behind Japan’s railway expansion during the early 20th century. For railway enthusiasts and history lovers alike, the Shizuka is not just a display—it’s a journey back in time.
Exhibits inside the Otaru City Museum Main Building*
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits, and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what the Otaru City Museum Main Building has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Outdoor Exhibits and Attractions*
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| Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum |
Outside, the Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum boasts a spacious exhibition area where
historic railway vehicles and automobiles are displayed in their full glory.
From panoramic models of track maintenance to restored locomotives, the outdoor
exhibits provide incredible photo opportunities and a hands-on sense of
transportation history.
*You can read about this in a separate article.
Educational and Interactive Experiences
.jpg "Kai enjoys the plasma globe display") |
| Kai enjoys the plasma globe display |
The Main Building is not only about static displays—it also
offers interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, and educational activities
for visitors of all ages. Families, students, and railway enthusiasts can learn
about Hokkaido’s transportation development, from maritime trade to land
transport innovations.
Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building
My family and I visited the Otaru City Museum Main Building
for the first time on October 9, 2023, the final day of our three-day
Sports Day Road Trip. This visit also marked my 707th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. As a history teacher in the Philippines,
I’ve always been drawn to historical sites, so I made sure to include this
museum in our itinerary. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the
museum and learning from its wide array of fascinating exhibits.
Otaru City Museum Main Building
Admission Fee
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building Admission Fee |
- Adults: 400 yen (300 yen in
winter)
- High school students and seniors 70+
living in Otaru: 200 yen (150 yen in winter)
- Junior high school students and
younger: FREE
Extra
Information:
- Visitors with a disability
certificate (physical, mental, or rehabilitation) and their caregivers
can enter for free. Caregivers should let the reception know.
Otaru City
Museum Main Building Operating Hours
Main Building:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed on Tuesdays (or the
following weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday)
Holiday
Closures: The Otaru City Museum Main Building is closed during the New Year
holidays (December 29 – January 3).
Why visit Otaru City Museum Main Building?
The Otaru City Museum Main Building is a must-visit
for anyone interested in Hokkaido’s rich railway and transportation history.
Located on the historic Temiya Line and Temiya Station site, the
birthplace of railways in Hokkaido, the museum showcases 50 iconic railway
vehicles, including steam locomotives like the famous Shizuka,
diesel and electric locomotives, and historic passenger and freight cars.
Visitors can explore indoor exhibits such as the Railway, Science and
History Museum, the Steam Locomotive Museum, and the Railway Car
Museum, as well as outdoor displays featuring locomotive sheds,
turntables, and railway monuments. With interactive exhibits, hands-on
experiences, and opportunities to learn about the evolution of Hokkaido’s rail
transport, the Main Building offers a unique and educational experience for
families, history buffs, and railway enthusiasts alike.
From Otaru Station,
head out and go to platform 3 of the Otaru Eki Mae (Otarushi) bus stop. Board
the 11 Shukutsu Sen – Otaru Suizokukan bus operated by the Chuo Bus Company.
Get off at the Temiya
bus stop. Once there, walk for about 120 meters to the Otaru City Museum Main
Building.
Travel time: 9
minutes
Fare: 240 yen
Ratings
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.jpg "Kai enjoys the plasma globe display")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru City Museum Main Building")
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