Otaru in Autumn

In Otaru, temperatures and scenery change a great deal from September to November. The Otaru Tourism Association defines autumn as September to November and introduces it as a season of autumn colors, autumn shako (mantis shrimp), and culture.

How Autumn in Otaru Changes from September to November

Month	Sightseeing tips	What to check
September	A transition from summer to autumn. Easy to explore on foot, but how the colors progress varies from year to year	Temperatures; whether outdoor facilities are open
October	The period when autumn color information for the city is updated	This year’s coloring at Temiya Park, Otaru Park, Tenjoji Temple, and elsewhere
November	The autumn colors wind down and winter events take over	Snowfall, the Blue Canal, and winter gear

In 2026, the City of Otaru updated the autumn color status of the Temiya Green Botanical Garden on October 22, posting photos and conditions as of October 20. During October, the Otaru Tourism Association also posted dated autumn color updates for the Temiya Green Botanical Garden, Tenjoji Temple, and other places.

The timing of the autumn colors differs from year to year. Do not treat the records from October 2026 as the peak for the following year; check the information for the year you travel.

Where to See the Autumn Colors

Temiya Park and Temiya Green Botanical Garden

The Temiya Green Botanical Garden in Temiya Park is a place where the City of Otaru publishes the current year’s autumn color status. In 2026, conditions as of October 20 were posted.

How the colors progress changes with that year’s temperatures and other factors. As your travel date approaches, check the City of Otaru’s autumn color status.

Otaru Park, the Former JNR Temiya Line Site, and the Canal Area

The Otaru Tourism Association updates autumn color information for several places in the city. It has also posted dated reports for Otaru Park in the past.

Within walking distance from JR Otaru Station to the canal, you can combine the ivy on the warehouses around the canal, the Former JNR Temiya Line Site, and the Otaru Park area. The Association’s web magazine article of October 1, 2026 also introduces the canal area, Otaru Sushi Street (Otaru Sushiya Dori), Otaru Park, and the Former JNR Temiya Line Site as places to see autumn colors.

There is no need to visit them in order. Matching your plans to your stay dates and transport, and separating the area you walk in the center of town from the area you reach by heading toward Temiya, makes planning easier.

Check Official Information for This Year’s Autumn Colors

If you pin the peak to a fixed date, as in “usually at its best on ○/○,” you may be off in some years. The City of Otaru and the Otaru Tourism Association publish each year’s coloring with dates.

In 2026, the Association’s “2026 Autumn Color Information” listed the Temiya Green Botanical Garden on October 15, Tenjoji Temple on October 24, and other places. These are records for 2026.

If you visit in 2027 or later, check whether that year’s “autumn color information” has been published.

The Canal and Streetscapes in Autumn

In autumn, rather than heading only to Otaru Canal, walk the surrounding streets as well; it makes the changing season easier to notice.

The Otaru Tourism Association’s web magazine article introduces autumn colors within walking distance, including the ivy on the canal warehouses, Otaru Park, and the Former JNR Temiya Line Site.

You can add Otaru Art Base on the Ironai side, and Kitaichi Glass and the Otaru Music Box Museum on the Sakaimachi side, to your walk.

If you want the walk itself to be the experience, you can also check Strolling Otaru by Rickshaw or in a Kimono. In autumn, it can feel quite different in the daytime and in the evening, so choose your clothing and the time you go to suit that day’s weather.

Autumn Food

The Otaru Tourism Association lists “seasonal autumn shako (mantis shrimp)” in its autumn guide.

To look for sushi, see Sushi in Otaru and Sushi Street; to browse lunch options in general, see Lunch in Otaru.

What comes in and what is served on a given day differs from restaurant to restaurant, so if you have particular seafood in mind, check the official information of the restaurant you plan to use.

From November, Winter Arrives in Otaru

November falls within the autumn season, but winter events begin as well.

The 2026–27 “Blue Canal” runs from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. It is lit from sunset until 22:30, from Asakusa Bridge to Chuo Bridge on Otaru Canal.

Snow is possible in the second half of November, so do not decide what to wear assuming only autumn colors. For winter events and snowy roads, you can also check Otaru in Winter.

If you head out of town by car, see Rental Cars and Winter Roads in Otaru for where to check road information.

What to Wear in Autumn

Temperatures differ among September, October, and November. For the temperatures on your travel date, check the Japan Meteorological Agency’s observations and forecast for Otaru.

In November especially, you may need to prepare for snow, not just dress for autumn. Do not assume the first snow falls on the same date every year; check the weather just before you leave.

FAQ

When are the autumn colors in Otaru?

It varies from year to year. In 2026, the City of Otaru and the Otaru Tourism Association updated the coloring at various places during October. Please check the information for the year you travel.

Where can I see autumn colors in October?

Official information is available for Temiya Park and the Temiya Green Botanical Garden, Otaru Park, the canal area, and the Former JNR Temiya Line Site. The colors progress differently at each place, so the safest approach is to check conditions just before your visit and choose then.

What can I see in Otaru in November?

In some years the autumn colors linger, but in 2026 the “Blue Canal” begins on November 1. November is a transition from autumn to winter, so check the latest information on both autumn colors and winter events.