The gateway to Otaru sightseeing. The retro station building built in 1934 is a popular photo spot.

The station building and platforms are decorated with lamps, and platform 4 is named "Yujiro Platform" and has a panel of Yujiro Ishihara.

The station concourse is also home to Taruche, an eki-naka-mart offering about 1,000 items from the rich bounty of Otaru and the Goshi region (20 municipalities), a stand-up food counter serving Otaru and Ise sushi, Otaru Narutoya, which serves Otaru's famous "half fried young chicken" and "zangi," as well as a bakery and hamburger store.

Otaru Station is also romantic at night. Especially, Otaru Station with snowy scenery is very moody. Triangle Market is just to the left of the station. It is very convenient for shopping and dining.