Otaru City General Museum (Main Building)

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Otaru City General Museum (Main Building)

Ride a steam locomotive built over 100 years ago! A museum of railways and science.

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A museum where you can learn about railways and science,located on the former Temiya Line,Temiya Station yard site,known as the birthplace of Hokkaido’s railway industry.

The museum is centered on the “Railway,Science,and History Museum,” and also includes the “Former Temiya Railway Facilities” and the “Steam Locomotive Museum,” among others. It preserves and exhibits valuable rolling stock that shaped Hokkaido’s railway history,including the steam locomotive “Shizuka,” imported from the U.S. for the “Horonai Railway,” Hokkaido’s first railway in 1880,as well as snowplows and diesel locomotives. The 1909-built steam locomotive “Iron Horse,” which runs on the grounds,also offers rides in passenger cars. The nationally designated Important Cultural Property “Former Temiya Railway Facilities,” including the Meiji-era Locomotive Shed No. 3 and the Taisho-era turntable,are unmissable historical landmarks.

Beyond railway exhibits,the “Railway,Science,and History Museum” also features a hands-on Science Exhibition Room,a Special Exhibition Room with rotating themed exhibits,and a planetarium.

Highlights

  • Don’t miss the locomotive shed and turntable at the Former Temiya Railway Facilities,a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
  • See rare rolling stock that played a key role in Hokkaido’s railway history.
  • Ride a steam locomotive built in 1909 that runs on the grounds.
  • Inside,you’ll also find a planetarium and a science exhibition room.
  • Near the Otaru Canal,there’s also the annex “Canal Museum,” where you can learn about Otaru’s history and nature.

Photos

  • Plenty of fascinating exhibits centered on railways

    Plenty of fascinating exhibits centered on railways

  • You can also ride the steam locomotive “Iron Horse”

    You can also ride the steam locomotive “Iron Horse”

  • Also on display: “Shizuka,” a steam locomotive that operated in the Meiji era

    Also on display: “Shizuka,” a steam locomotive that operated in the Meiji era

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)

A

There are no foreign-language pamphlets available, but information signs in English are provided.

Q

Can I re-enter after leaving?

A

Yes.

Q

Is there free Wi-Fi available in the facility?

A

No.

Q

Are there coin lockers?

A

Yes (paid).

Reviews

Details

Name in Japanese
小樽市総合博物館 本館
Postal Code
047-0041
Address
1-3-6 Temiya,Otaru City, Hokkaido
Phone
0134-33-2523
Closed on
Tuesdays (or the next weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday),12/29-1/3
Hours
9:30am - 5:00pm
Admission
Adults: 400 yen (300 yen in winter),High school students: 200 yen (150 yen in winter),Junior high and younger: Free
Access
From JR Otaru Station (Hakodate Main Line),take a bus and get off at “Sogo Hakubutsukan”; it’s a short walk.
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official website(Japanese)