Otaru Port

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, this natural harbor has long developed as a base for the settlement and development of Hokkaido. Facility improvements have also been made to accommodate large cruise ships, making it possible to receive vessels of up to 140,000 gross tons. The port is close to the city center, and historical structures such as the Otaru Canal and stone warehouses, cultural and artistic facilities such as museums, commercial facilities, and tourist attractions such as hands-on glass workshops are all within walking distance, allowing visitors to easily stroll around during port calls. In addition, the port is conveniently located near national roads, expressways, and JR stations, making it very accessible to popular sightseeing areas throughout Hokkaido. Furthermore, since Otaru Port can be reached in approximately 70 minutes from New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido's gateway to the sky, it has increasingly been used in recent years as a cruise embarkation and disembarkation port.