Otaru’s “Three Major Festivals” herald the arrival of summer in the historic port town.

The quiet canal town is enveloped in the excitement of the taiko drummers and the people carrying the portable shrines.

The best time to visit Otaru is during the summer when many festivals are held in the city. The northern festivals, Suitengu Festival, Ryugu Shrine Festival, and Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival, are steeped in history. Here are the three major festivals in Otaru, each with their own history and traditions that have been handed down to the present.

---

■Suitengu Regular Festival (Held in mid-June every year)

Held at a shrine on high ground, the festival is nostalgic and warmhearted. The view of Otaru Port from the shrine is spectacular. The lanterns and night stalls at dusk are also recommended as photo spots. This festival is representative of Otaru, a retro town full of old-fashioned atmosphere.

---

■Ryugu Shrine Festival (Held in late June every year)

This is a festival of the sea held in the town of Shukitsu, a unique fishing town. This shrine, dedicated to the god of the sea, has been the guardian deity of local fishermen for 150 years. The sight of the mikoshi (portable shrine) moving along the seashore is like a scene from a movie, with the sea breeze and the sound of drums all adding to the dramatic atmosphere. The route of the portable shrine is lined with stalls and vendors from the shopping district. Please come and experience this lively traditional festival.

---

■Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival (Held in mid-July every year)

One of the largest summer festivals in Otaru is held at Sumiyoshi Shrine, a traditional shrine that has been the “general guardian of Otaru” since the end of the Edo period. The sight of a huge portable shrine, said to be one of the largest in Hokkaido, leaving the main shrine of Sumiyoshi Shrine and descending the steps of the shrine grounds with a call to action is a sight to behold. More than 100 stalls line the grounds of the shrine every year, offering yakisoba noodles, candy apples, goldfish scooping, and other delicacies, making it a very popular spot for tourists from overseas as well. On the way back from the festival, a stroll along the Otaru Canal is recommended. The streets along the canal are also beautifully illuminated.

---

The major events that cannot be missed in the summer in Otaru. We introduced the Suitengu Festival, the Ryugu Shrine Festival, and the Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival. You can feel all the “now and then” and “prayer and bustle” of Otaru in one day at these festivals.

The area is very crowded with Otaru residents and tourists, so we recommend that you plan your travel schedule as early as possible. Please check out our recommended summer stay plans at the Authent Hotel Otaru.

Click here for recommended summer accommodation plans at the Authent Hotel Otaru.