Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum (蒸気機関車資料館)
is a train museum that is part of the Otaru City Museum. It is located at 1
Chome-3-6 Temiya, Otaru City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum |
Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum Details
The Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum is a fascinating train museum located at 1 Chome-3-6 Temiya, Otaru City,
Hokkaido, Japan. As part of the Otaru City General Museum, the Steam
Locomotive Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history
of Hokkaido’s railways, steam engines, and railway technology.
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| Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum - Otaru City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
A Historic Location
The museum’s Main Building sits on 5.8 hectares of
the former Temiya Line and Temiya Station, known as the birthplace of
railways in Hokkaido. The site includes three facilities: the Railway,
Science and History Museum, and the Steam Locomotive Museum, which is an expansive outdoor exhibition area showcasing
historic railway vehicles and automobiles. The museum preserves eight of
Hokkaido’s twelve quasi-railway monuments, including Japan’s oldest
surviving locomotive shed.
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building's entrance gate |
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| Otaru City Museum Main Building's facade |
Iconic Steam Locomotives and Exhibits
The museum displays 50 of Hokkaido’s most iconic railway
vehicles, including the famous Shizuka steam locomotive, along with
the Daishogo, C12 6, and C55 50 locomotives. Visitors can
also see the Iron Horse, a 2-6-0 tender steam locomotive manufactured in
1909, which operates during summer events. Other highlights include diesel and
electric locomotives such as DD13 611, ED75 501, and ED76 509,
as well as historic diesel railcars and passenger cars.
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| The Steam Locomotive "Shizuka" is displayed inside the museum |
Outdoor Exhibits and Railway Monuments
The museum’s outdoor area features preserved locomotive
sheds, turntables, and railway markers, including the Temiyaguchi
Turntable and the Hokkaido Railway Opening Point Marker, providing
insight into Hokkaido’s railway infrastructure. The Former Temiya Locomotive
Shed, a National Important Cultural Property, is open to the public
and allows visitors to step back in time and experience early 20th-century
railway operations.
.jpg "The Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum is located outside, behind the Otaru City Museum Main Building, but its exhibits are not inside this building, but spread across the vast open space around it.") |
| The Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum is located outside, behind the Otaru City Museum Main Building, but its exhibits are not inside this building, but spread across the vast open space around it. |
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| Former Temiya Railway Facility Locomotive Sheds Nos 1 and 3 |
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| The backside of the Otaru City Museum Main Building |
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| Hokkaido Railway Opening Milestone |
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| Otaru City Museum Temiya Entrance |
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| Otaru City Museum's Guide Map |
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| Former Railway Turntable |
Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum Exhibits*
* 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 Steam Locomotive Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Interactive Experiences and Events
During the summer, visitors can ride the SL Iron Horse,
experiencing a historic steam locomotive in action. Dynamic exhibitions and
educational displays illustrate the evolution of Hokkaido’s railways, from
early steam engines to modern locomotives, making the museum an ideal
destination for families, students, and railway enthusiasts alike.
Team Nicerio visits Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum
My family and I visited the Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum
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.
The museum had also been featured in the NHK
documentary “Hokkaido's Railway Heritage at a Crossroads,” which further
motivated me to visit. True enough, my family and I learned a great deal about
the numerous trains and exhibits on display, making it a truly educational and
memorable experience.
Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum Admission Fee
Since the Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum is part of the Otaru
City Museum Main Building, its admission fee is included in its 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 Steam Locomotive Museum Operating Hours
The museum is open 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Closed
on Tuesdays (or the following weekday if Tuesday is a public
holiday)
Holiday Closures: The museum is closed during the New
Year holidays (December 29 – January 3).
Why visit the Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum?
The Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum (蒸気機関車資料館)
is a must-visit destination for train enthusiasts, history buffs, and families
exploring Hokkaido. Located at the historic Temiya Station site, the
birthplace of Hokkaido’s railways, the museum showcases 50 iconic railway
vehicles, including steam locomotives like the famous Shizuka, as
well as diesel, electric, and historic passenger and freight cars.
Visitors can
explore indoor exhibits at the Railway, Science and History Museum, the Steam
Locomotive Museum, and the Railway Car Museum, along with outdoor
displays featuring locomotive sheds, turntables, and railway monuments.
The museum offers interactive experiences, summer rides on the SL
Iron Horse, and detailed insights into the evolution of Hokkaido’s rail
transport, making it an educational, engaging, and unforgettable experience
for visitors of all ages.
Getting to Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum
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
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.jpg "The Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum is located outside, behind the Otaru City Museum Main Building, but its exhibits are not inside this building, but spread across the vast open space around it.")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum")
.jpg "Team Nicerio visits Otaru Steam Locomotive Museum")
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