When one thinks of Japan it is unlikely that Otaru would be the first place that springs to mind. This city however has a very unique history and has a reputation as a popular tourist destination.
![Otaru City Museum | Image By Tobosha (Own work (own photo)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.wellknownplaces.com/blog-data/uploads/2018/02/Otaru_City_Museum_Of_Art_20110817.jpg)
Otaru
This portside city is quite popular with local tourists as well as Russian travellers. Since it is a very short drive from the major city of Sapporo, Otaru has become a significant commuter community.
The Otaru City Museum
This is essentially a railway and science museum, and was built out of decommissioned terminus yards that were once utilised by the Temiya Railway. Interestingly, information is displayed in a trilingual manner, showcasing Japanese, English and Russian.
Inside the Museum
Despite the humble nature of the museum, there’s quite a lot to see within it. In addition to a handful of cars and a lab on the second floor, you can find a planetarium, a railway museum and a science discovery room within.
The Railway Museum
The railway museum is particularly worth a visit because it features many full-sized trains from different eras, along with the history of Otaru’s railroads. If you’re staying at Otaru accommodation nearby, at a place like Grand Park Otaru, you should definitely check out the museum.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.
