Mt. Tengu & Asarigawa Area

This area is a good option when you want to combine Otaru city sightseeing with mountain views and hot springs. Both Mt. Tengu and Asarigawa Onsen can be reached by local bus from in front of JR Otaru Station. Operations and road conditions change in autumn and winter, so please check the latest information before you leave.

Location of the Mt. Tengu and Asarigawa area

The base station of the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway is at 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru. The ropeway is 735 m long with an elevation difference of 271 m, and takes about 5 minutes from the base to the summit.

From the summit you can see Otaru city, Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay. On clear days, the official guide says you can see as far as the Shokanbetsu mountain range and the Shakotan Peninsula. It is a place to see Otaru from a different angle than when walking through town.

Asarigawa Onsen is about 30 minutes by car from central Otaru toward Sapporo. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the hot spring area is described as “Otaru’s retreat”.

Further beyond the hot spring town, a road continues over a loop bridge to Asari Dam. Asari Dam was completed in autumn 1993. The reservoir was named “Lake Otarunai” in a public naming contest.

Articles in This Area

For more on the views and the ropeway, see Mt. Tengu.

For how to spend time in the hot spring town, see Asarigawa Onsen. If you want to combine skiing in winter, you can also check Ski Resorts You Can Reach from Otaru.

For autumn scenery around Asari Dam, see Otaru in Autumn.

By season

From spring to autumn, Mt. Tengu is an easy addition on days when you want to see the city and port from high up. The ropeway takes you toward the summit, adding a view different from walking around town.

In 2026, the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway’s summer operation runs until November 3. It is suspended for autumn maintenance from November 4 to 27, and winter operation begins on November 28. You can also check the dates in the Mt. Tengu official autumn suspension notice.

At Asarigawa Onsen, there are mountain landscapes stretching from the hot spring town toward Asari Dam.

If you combine skiing in winter, please check each facility’s operating schedule before you go. Otaru Tenguyama Ski Resort’s 2026–27 season is scheduled to start on December 19, with no night skiing. Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort plans to open its 2026–27 season in early December.

Getting there

Getting to Mt. Tengu

From in front of JR Otaru Station, you can take Chuo Bus Route 9, the “Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway Line.” It departs from Stop 4 at the JR Otaru Station Bus Terminal, and runs about 2–3 times an hour during the daytime.

By car, it is about 15 minutes from Otaru IC. There is a free parking lot for 100 cars at the base.

On days when you ride the bus several times, you can also check the one-day bus pass. Before you leave, check the latest service on Hokkaido Chuo Bus Otaru routes and timetables.

Getting to Asarigawa Onsen

From in front of JR Otaru Station, you can take Chuo Bus Route 13, the “Asarigawa Onsen Line.” The terminus is “Asarigawa Onsen.” Times can be checked on Hokkaido Chuo Bus Otaru routes and timetables.

If you go by car, driving conditions in the snow season differ from those in snow-free months. If you use a rental car in winter, please also check driving on winter roads beforehand.

Autumn and winter tips

From November 4 to 27, 2026, while the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway is suspended, the summit CAFE & SHOP is also closed, and the Otaru City Sightseeing Road is closed to traffic.

According to the official guide, skiers and snowboarders at Mt. Tengu use the pair lift in winter and cannot ride the sightseeing ropeway. There is also no night skiing in the 2026–27 season.

Suspensions of the Asarigawa Onsen Line can be checked on Hokkaido Chuo Bus suburban Otaru line suspension information. For the latest information on each route, including the Mt. Tengu line, check Chuo Bus’s information for that route.

When deciding what to wear, think about the mountain side too, not just the city. Seasonal guidelines can be found at Otaru Weather & What to Wear.

FAQ

Can I get to both Mt. Tengu and Asarigawa Onsen by bus?

Both can be reached by local bus from in front of JR Otaru Station. Mt. Tengu is Route 9, and Asarigawa Onsen is Route 13.

Can you ski at Mt. Tengu until night in winter?

The guide says there is no night skiing in the 2026–27 season. Skiers use the pair lift, and the sightseeing ropeway cannot be used.

Basic information

Item	Mt. Tengu	Asarigawa Onsen
Key features	Ropeway, and views of the city, port and bay from the summit	A hot spring area surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the road toward Asari Dam
Bus	Route 9 “Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway Line”	Route 13 “Asarigawa Onsen Line”
By car	About 15 minutes from Otaru IC	About 30 minutes from central Otaru toward Sapporo