SPOT
An aquarium surrounded by nature where seals and sea lions are kept in an enclosed environment just like the Sea of Japan.
The aquarium exhibits around 250 different species of creatures, including porpoises, which are the only species kept at Otaru Aquarium in Japan. There are also plenty of performances, including penguins, seals, dolphins, and sea lions, as well as diving performances by sea lions.
公式サイト おたるぽーたる｜小樽観光協会Business Hours
■Regular period: March 15th (Sat) - November 24th (Monday)
・March 15th (Sat) - October 15th (Wed) 9:00-17:00
・July 19th (Saturday) - July 21st (Monday/Holiday), September 13th (Saturday) - September 15th (Monday/Holiday), September 20th (Saturday) - September 21st (Sunday) 9:00-20:00 *Night extension
・October 16th (Thursday) - November 24th (Monday) 9:00 - 16:00
■Winter: December 13th (Saturday) to February 23rd, 2026 (Monday, holiday) 10:00-16:00
*Last admission is 30 minutes before closing
*Business hours may change during Golden Week, Obon, etc.
<Amusement park> April 24th (Thursday) - October 13th (Monday/Holiday) 10:00-17:00
regular closing day
February 25th (Tuesday) - March 14th (Friday), November 25th (Monday) - December 12th (Friday)
*Open every day during business hours and during the New Year holidays
*The marine mammal park and amusement park are closed during the winter season.
Fee
・Normal: High school students and above 1,800 yen / Elementary and middle school students 700 yen / 3 years old and above 350 yen *Parking fee applies
・Winter: High school students and above 1,300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen / 3 years old and above 300 yen *Parking is free
parking lot
Available (charged)
*Free during winter operating period
Location
Otaru Aquarium, 3-303 Shukutsu, Otaru City
・About 60-70 minutes by car from Sapporo
・About 20 minutes by car from Otaru
・After getting off at JR Otaru Station, transfer to the Hokkaido Chuo Bus bound for the Aquarium
*Otaru Aquarium set tickets (JR + bus + admission ticket) are on sale at major JR Hokkaido station travel centers (Twinkle Plaza).
■Hokkaido Chuo Bus: Otaru (0134)25-3333 Sapporo (011)231-0500
Departing from JR Otaru Station → Aquarium bound. Departing from bus stop 3 at Otaru Station Bus Terminal, there are two routes: one around the sea and one around the mountains.
*The aquarium admission fee is discounted when you use an Otaru City 1-Day Pass. There is also a discounted set ticket that includes a round-trip bus ticket from Sapporo and admission ticket.
*The information listed is current as of March 2025.
*The information posted may be subject to change, so please check the official website for details.
