2024.11.29
4 Popular Movie and TV Drama Filming Locations in Otaru
Hokkaido, with its unique charms such as magnificent nature and Ainu culture, has been used as a location for various movies and dramas. Otaru in particular is characterized by its historical buildings remaining from the Meiji era and the romantic scenery of the port town. Why not visit each of the filming locations in Otaru and experience being one with the scenery of the movie?
■My Sunshine
Release date: September 13, 2024
Director: Hiroshi Okuyama
Starring: Keitatsu Koshiyama, Kiara Nakanishi, Sosuke Ikematsu, Ryuya Wakaba, Maho Yamada, Yon ho
Set in a snowy rural town, this is a heartrending love story about three people who meet through figure skating. In addition to Otaru city, filming took place in the Sapporo area, Shiribeshi, Iburi, and northern Hokkaido.
1. Nantaru Market
This is the market where figure skating coach Arakawa and his roommate Igarashi come to shop. Since the first market was built in 1938, it is a historic market that has supported the kitchens of Otaru citizens. The market offers fresh fish, vegetables, meat, side dishes and other groceries, as well as daily necessities, a pharmacy, a florist and more, allowing you to see the traditional market scenery. You can also enjoy Hokkaido specialties such as sushi, ramen and seafood bowls.
Address: 12-1 Shintomi-cho, Otaru City
2. Funamizaka
It appears as a view of the town where Arakawa lives. Otaru is a port town surrounded by mountains and the sea, and there are many steep slopes, and Funamizaka is one of them. As the name “Funamizaka” suggests, from the top of the slope you can see the ships anchored in Otaru Port.
Address: Near 2-12 Tomioka, Otaru City
3. JR Hakodate Line railway crossing
It appears as the railroad crossing where the heroine Sakura stops. Otaru was the first place in Hokkaido to have a railroad during the Meiji period, and it served to transport coal to the port. Even today, it remains an essential means of transportation for the citizens of Otaru.
Address: Near Yamadacho 8, Otaru City
■First Love
Release date: November 24, 2022
Director: Yuri Kanchiku
Starring: Hikari Mitsushima, Takeru Sato, Rikako Yagi
Inspired by Hikaru Utada’s hit songs “First Love” and “Hatsukoi,” this moving love story is set in Hokkaido. Many romantic scenes were shot in the beautiful Otaru city.
1. JR Otaru Station
The area around Otaru Station leading to the Otaru Canal appears in the film. Inside the station, many glass lamps are displayed to symbolize Otaru, the city of glass. There are souvenir shops, restaurants, and a tourist information center, making it an essential place to gather information about Otaru.
Address: 2-22-15 Inaho, Otaru City
2. Otaru Tenguyama
It appears as a memorable place that the main characters visited during their high school days. It is a popular tourist spot that can be easily reached by ropeway. The view from the observation deck at the top is said to be one of the three most beautiful night views in Hokkaido. In winter, it is also a popular ski resort, attracting many skiers.
Address: 2-16-15 Mogami, Otaru City
3. Otaru Canal
The film features Chuobashi and Asakusabashi bridges over the Otaru Canal, as well as the area around the former Otaru Warehouse. There are three bridges over the Otaru Canal, and Ryugubashi Bridge is located on the north side of the canal. The area around the Otaru Canal is bustling all year round, with cruise ship terminals, rickshaws, souvenir shops and restaurants.
Address: Minatocho, Otaru, Hokkaido
■Beyond Goodbye
Release date: November 14, 2024
Director: Hiroshi Kurosaki
Starring: Kasumi Arimura, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Toma Ikuta
This drama depicts the preciousness of life and the complexities of love through the theme of heart transplants. Filming took place mainly in Otaru, but also in other locations around Hokkaido, including Furubira, Niseko, Muroran, Yakumo, and Ebetsu.
1. Kenashi Pass
This pass appears as the route taken by the bus that Yusuke and Saeko ride. It is a pass on National Route 393, which connects Otaru City to Akaigawa Village (towards Kiroro Resort). From the Kenashiyama Observatory along the way, you can get a panoramic view of Otaru’s cityscape and harbor, and if the weather is good, you can also see a beautiful night view.
Address: 4-1 Tenjin, Otaru, Hokkaido (Kenashiyama Observatory)
2. Former Temiya Line Site
This is the route Naruse and Satoko take to work. The scene where Yusuke and Saeko walk barefoot after taking off their shoes is very memorable. The former Temiya Line was part of the first railway built in Hokkaido, and its main role at the time was to transport coal to the port. It is now a promenade, and is always crowded with tourists as a photo spot in Otaru.
Address: Around 1-9-5 Ironai, Otaru City, Hokkaido
3. Yanagawa Shopping Street
An old-fashioned shopping street appears in the flashback scenes. Its name comes from “Ryosen,” the pen name (another name used by writers, etc.) of Enomoto Takeaki, who devoted himself to the development of Hokkaido. The main store of “Naruto,” famous for its fried chicken halves, is located in this shopping street.
Address: 3-4-8 Inaho, Otaru City
■Golden Kamuy (live-action film)
Release date: January 19, 2024
Director: Shigeaki Kubo
Starring: Kento Yamazaki, Anna Yamada, Gordon Maeda
This live-action film is based on a hit manga set in Hokkaido after the Russo-Japanese War, where Saichi Sugimoto, known as the “Invincible Sugimoto,” and an Ainu girl named Asirpa battle for buried treasure. Various locations in Hokkaido appear in the film, but Otaru in particular is a port town that has existed since the Meiji era, and many historical buildings remain unchanged from the film. The story also begins in Otaru.
1. Former Otaru Warehouse and Otaru City Museum (Canal Museum)
Otaru used to be lined with many warehouses to store the goods brought in from the port. Among them, the Old Otaru Warehouse is a huge U-shaped warehouse surrounded by walls like a fortress and with a large courtyard inside for handling goods, and it still remains in the same form as it was back then. Part of the building is used as a museum, where you can see exhibits that give you a feel for the world of Golden Kamuy, such as what Otaru used to look like and Ainu traditional costumes that resemble Asirpa’s outfit.
Address: 2-1-20 Ironai, Otaru City
2. Otaru Romankan (former Otaru branch of the Hyakujusan Bank)
The building that served as the model for the bank that Hijikata Toshizou attacked in the film is the former Hyakujusan Bank. Otaru was once a major port city in Hokkaido, and trade with Honshu was active there. For this reason, many bank branches were built near the port. The former Hyakujusan Bank was one of them, and is currently used as a store selling accessories and glass goods.
Address: 1-25 Sakaimachi, Otaru City
3. Otaru Nikuraya
The story features “Kushi-dango (dumplings on skewers), a specialty of Hanazono Park. In fact, there is a long-established dango shop with its main store in Hanazono, Otaru. Nikuraya’s “Hanazono Dango” has been in business for over 120 years and is beloved by the people of Otaru as a famous sweet representative of Otaru.
Address: 1-3-1 Hanazono, Otaru City