If you don’t drive by yourself, travelers going to Hokkaido can only rely on JR for inter-city movement, and then rely on buses or trams for city tours.The traffic planning method in Otaru, Hokkaido is a very typical example.
Otaru Tourist Transportation: Sightseeing Bus
For transportation from major cities in Hokkaido to Otaru, although you can choose to take a bus, the best option is to take JR Hokkaido and purchase the JR Pass, which saves money, is fast and convenient.It is recommended to take JR Hokkaido to Otaru first. After arriving at Otaru Station, walk out of the entrance of the station and cross the road to the bus stop. You can take all major bus sightseeing routes here.
Otaru Sightseeing Bus's departure route
Generally speaking, tourists who come to Otaru, as long as they designate a sightseeing route, can actually see the main attractions of Otaru thoroughly. The buses on the sightseeing route are quite antique and it is highly recommended to take them.It should be noted that the operating hours of the sightseeing routes are relatively short. Except for the Tengushan cable car route, the rest of the routes are mostly closed in the evening. If you play too late, you have to take the bus on the general route.
The Chuo Bus official website provides simple explanations of sightseeing and general routes, as well as timetable downloads. Although there is only a Japanese version at present, the timetable is easy to understand.In addition, Otaru Station will provide multi-language instructions for the scattered strategy route. Before leaving the station, you can take a Chinese version in your hand for reference.
Bus routes in the Otaru area
Bus routes in the Otaru area are mainly operated by Chuo Bus Company. In addition to the general bus routes, three Otaru Sansaku Bus (おたる散策バス) routes are specially planned:
A. Blue Line-Chikko Route (Malrinkos): Mainly to Kitaichi Glass, the focus of the tour is glass craft shops and hand-made experiences, as well as the Ferris wheel and Outlet of Otaru Chikko.
- Otaru Station → Canal Plaza → Otaru Canal Tower → Otaru Canal → Kitaichi Glass Front → Arihoro-cho → Tanaka Sake Brewery → New Nantaru Market → Otaru Port → Otaru Port → Otaru Port ／Ishihara Yujiro Memorial Hall → Shinnantaru Market → Tanaka Sake Brewery in front of Kozao → Arihoro-cho → In front of Kitaichi Glass No. XNUMX Hall → ヴェネツィア Art Museum → Otaru Canal → Otaru Canal Terminal → Otaru Canal → Inho Cross Street→ Otaru Station
Related Reading ▶️A trip to Otaru, Hokkaido: Kitaichi Glass Museum, Otaru Canal.
A.藍線─北一硝子路線(ろまんコース)(期間限定)：主要開往北一硝子，運行期間為4/27-11/4土祝日、4/27-5/6、7/1-9/29毎日運行。
- Otaru Station → Canal Plaza → Otaru Canal Terminal → Sakai-cho → Kitaichi Glass Front → Harbin Crossing Point → Kitaichi Glass No. XNUMX Building Front → ヴェネツィア Art Museum → Otaru Canal Bank → Otaru Canal Bank → Otaru Canal Bank → Otaru Canal Bank → Otaru Canal Bank Front) → Inho Cross Street → Otaru Station
Related Reading ▶️Choose from two food gathering places at the Otaru Canal Canteen and Debukoji in Hokkaido!
B. Red Line-Tengu Mountain Route (Tengu Mountain コース): Mainly to Tengu Mountain, the focus of the tour is to take the Tengu Mountain Cable Car and enjoy the night view of Otaru.
- Otaru Station → Inai XNUMX-chome → Otaru Canal Terminal → Bank of Japan Finance Museum (Otaru Bayin front) → Inho Cross Street → Civic Hall Street → Tenguyama Ropusei → Civic Hall Street → Inosan Cross Street → Nikkei Financial Museum (Otaru Inmae) Otaru Canal Tower → Bank of Japan Finance Museum (Otaru Bayin front) → Inho Cross Street → Otaru Station Front
C.綠線─祝津路線(祝津コース)(期間限定)：主要開往祝津地區，主要景點包括小樽水族館、小樽貴賓館、青塚食堂、海上觀光乘船場等。運行期間為3/15-4/14、4/27-11/4毎日運行。
- Otaru Station → Irinai XNUMX-chome → Otaru Canal Terminal → Canal Plaza → Maritime Ferry Boat Ride → North Canal → Comprehensive Museum → Otaru Guest House → Koshinai Aquarium → General Museum → Old Nippon Yusen Ship-mae → Tanaka Shuzou XNUMX-chome → → Otaru Canal Tower → Bank of Japan Finance Museum (Otaru Bayin front) → Inho Cross Street → Otaru Station Front
Related Reading ▶️Otaru Guest House, Hokkaido: A famous tourist spot where you can admire the ancient buildings of the Aoyama Bettei
In addition, a special shuttle bus route has been opened for the night view of Chikko and Tenguyama in the Otaru area:
Otaru Night Scenic Interchange (おたる夜景シャトルバス): Round trip between Otaru Grand Hotel (グランドパーク Otaru, Grand Park Otaru), Otaru Station, and Tengu Mountain Cable Car (Tengu Mountain Roepu ウエイ).The operation period is 4/27-11/4 every day.
Chuo Bus One Day Pass
The one-day ticket sold by Chuo Bus in the Otaru area covers three major sightseeing routes and general routes. It is 750 yen per person and can be purchased at the bus stop counter in front of Otaru Station.Generally speaking, the cost per ride is 210 yen. If you have to take the bus more than four times in the itinerary, you can purchase a one-day ticket.
The ticket is like a scratch-off card. The conductor will scratch off the year, month, and day of the day on the one-day ticket. You can take this ticket and show it to the driver when you get off the bus.In addition, when you go to the Otaru Hotel, Otaru Aquarium, or take the Tenguyama Ropeway, you can also show the one-day ticket to get some discounts.
※ The bus routes in Otaru area operated by Chuo Bus are quite complete, and they are also covered by the scattered bus routes. If the time of taking the bus has exceeded the operating hours of the scattered buses, you can switch to the general bus for a day trip. The volume can also be used.
Reference:
Official website of Chuo Bus Otaru Area Route:http://www.chuo-bus.co.jp/city_route/course/otaru/index.php
