Otaru is a nostalgic port town, with an atmospheric, hilly setting overlooking the Sea of Japan. We will introduce how to get to Otaru from Sapporo by train, bus and car.
⚫︎ Services and prices are subject to change. Check the official website for the latest information.
INDEX
Train
Rapid Airport for Otaru (right)
⚫︎ DURATION: 34–51min
⚫︎ FARE: ¥750
There are four types of the JR trains for Otaru from Sapporo. You can enjoy the ocean-view from the train windows between Zenibako and Otaru-chikko.
Transit IC cards, such as Kitaca and Suica, are available.
The Airport has reserved seats (¥840), known as the ‘u Seat’. You can reserve the seats at the JR Station’s ticket windows or reserved seat ticket vending machines.
⊿ Trains for Otaru from Sapporo
| TRAIN | DURATION (MIN) | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|
| Special Rapid Airport | 34 | hourly |
| Rapid Airport | 34-40 | 1-2 hourly |
| Rapid Niseko Liner | 44 | 1 daily |
| Local | 46–51 | 1-3 hourly |
⊿ Rapid Trains
The Special Rapid Airport (特別快速エアポート) between 10:30 and 16:30, and the Rapid Airport (快速エアポート) between 5pm to 7pm (and before 10am), are the fastest trains between Sapporo and Otaru (duration is 34 minutes). In Otaru City, the special rapid stops at Otaru-chikko, Minami-Otaru and Otaru.
Between 10:00 and 16:00, the Rapid Airport (快速エアポート) stops at every station from Teine to Otaru (duration is 40 minutes).
In the evening, the Rapid Niseko Liner (ニセコライナー) runs for Kutchan, stops at every station from Teine to Otaru. This train is operated by diesel cars.
⊿ Local Trains
Local trains run in the morning and night. The duration is 46 minutes.
⊿ Route
Highway Bus
Otaru Station Bus Terminal
⚫︎ DURATION: 63–69min
⚫︎ FARE: ¥730 (return ¥1360)
If you go from Sapporo to Otaru, the highway bus is as convenient as a train. The highway bus runs every 10 to 20 minutes via the expressway, and you can surely be seated.
Hokkaido Rail Pass holders can use the JR highway bus between Sapporo and Otaru (Chuo Bus cannot be used). Transit IC cards, such as Kitaca and Suica, are available.
⊿ Kosoku Otaru-go
Chuo and JR (JHB) operate the highway bus Kosoku Otaru-go (高速おたる号) between Sapporo Station stop 1 and Otaru Station. There are two routes: via Maruyama (円山経由) and via Hokkaido University (北大経由). Many buses are via Maruyama.
The highway buses for Yoichi, Bikuni, Iwanai and Niseko also go to Otaru Station via Maruyama.
Buses leave from Sapporo Station stop 1 at the Akarenga Terrace (opposite Former Hokkaido Government Office Building). It is about 7 minutes walk from the train station.
Note that the Kosoku Otaru-go via Boyodai (望洋台経由) goes to JR Otaru-chikko Station.
⊿ Main Bus Stops
Via Maruyama (円山経由)
⚫︎ Tokeidai-mae (時計台前) opposite Sapporo Clock Tower
⚫︎ Doritsu-kindai-bijutsukan (道立近代美術館) at the Hokkaido Modern Museum of Art
⚫︎ Maruyama-Daiichi-Torii (円山第一鳥居)
⚫︎ Nishimachi-kita 20 (西町北20丁目) near Shiroi Koibito Park chocolate factory
⚫︎ Okusawa-guchi (奥沢口)
⚫︎ Sumiyoshi-Jinja-mae (住吉神社前)
⚫︎ Shiyakusho-dori (市役所通り)
Via Hokkaido University (北大経由)
⚫︎ Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal (中央バス札幌ターミナル) near the TV Tower
⚫︎ Hokudai-Seimon-mae (北大正門前) at the main gate of Hokkaido University
⚫︎ Kita-sanjuyojo Subway Station (地下鉄北34条駅)
⚫︎ Okusawa-guchi (奥沢口)
⚫︎ Sumiyoshi-Jinja-mae (住吉神社前)
⚫︎ Shiyakusho-dori (市役所通り)
⊿ Ticket Windows
Chuo Bus Ticket Window (Nissay Building opposite Former Hokkaido Government Office Building) near Sapporo Station south gate, Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal
⚫︎ You can purchase the highway bus return tickets and bus passes.
⊿ Bus Passes
Otaru Ichinichi Free Set Ticket (小樽1日フリーセット券) covers the highway bus return ticket (between Sapporo and Otaru) and Otaru City Chuo Bus One-day Pass. The cost is ¥2000.
Local Bus
⚫︎ DURATION: 63–69min
⚫︎ FARE: round trip ¥800 (if you use the Ichinichi Norihodai Kippu)
If you want to enjoy a leisurely bus trip to Otaru, you can take the local bus from Sapporo. What is that method?
⊿ Get the local JR Bus Pass
At first, purchase the Ichinichi Norihodai Kippu (1日乗りほーだいきっぷ) at the JR Hokkaido Bus Ticket Center (バスチケットセンター 札幌駅前北三条店) on the ground floor of Sapporo Kita-Sanjo building (札幌北3条ビル). The ticket window is open from 10am, so purchase in advance if you leave early in the morning.
The Ichinichi Norihodai Kippu is a one-day unlimited ride pass and valid for the local JR Bus in Sapporo and its suburbs (including Otaru via Teine). Highway buses are not allowed to ride, but you can round trip to Otaru from Sapporo for just ¥800.
If you have Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass, it can be used by the local JR Bus (no additional charge required).
⊿ How to get to Otaru from Sapporo
At first, take the JR Bus 55 for Teine-eigyosho (手稲営業所前) or the JR Bus 57 for Teine-kozan (手稲鉱山) from Sapporo Station bus stop 14 in front of D-Lifeplace Sapporo building. Get off the bus at JR Teine Station South Gate (手稲駅南口). The duration is 63 minutes.
From JR Teine Station South Gate, take the JR Bus 65 for Otaru Station (小樽駅). The duration is 52 minutes. Check the timetables before you ride.
Car
Expressway
⚫︎ DURATION: 50–60min
If you plan to Otaru by rent-a-car from Central Sapporo, follow Kita-5jo-Teine-dori and enter the Sasson Expressway from Sapporo-nishi IC.
National Route
⚫︎ DURATION: 1hr 10min
Route 5 connects Sapporo with Otaru (38.5km). It may take nearly 2 hours if there is a traffic jam.