OTARU, Hokkaido -- JR Otaru Station is familiar as the gateway to this northern Japan port city, and as you enter the station's central concourse, you will see glass lamps hanging in front of the windows and a ceiling with bold features, with beautiful shadows cast by the incoming sunlight.
The ocean is visible from the platform. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)=Click/tap photo for more images.
The station opened in 1903 as "Otaru Central Station" in the city of Otaru, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hokkaido. The station building, in its third iteration, was completed in 1934. It was the first steel-framed reinforced concrete station building in the country's northernmost prefecture, and is a rare example nationwide of a working station building of this construction method from the early Showa era (1926-1989).
The exterior is symmetrical and was modeled after Ueno Station in Tokyo. Otaru is a hilly city, and the station, located on a hill, makes the most of the topography. The stairs from the first-floor ticket gate lead to the ground-level platform, which is equivalent to the second floor of the station building.
The lamps in the station were donated in 1987 by Kitaichi Glass Co., a local manufacturer and seller of handmade glass, in response to a request from the then stationmaster to give the station a distinctive look. Twelve years later, more lamps were donated, bringing the total to 333. The lamps add a nostalgic touch to the historical ambience of the station.
(Japanese original by Taichi Kaizuka, Hokkaido Photo Group)
JR Otaru Station, located on the hillside, is seen from the ocean side of the building. It looks as if there were houses on top of the station building. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)=Click/tap photo for more images.
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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on Nov. 7, 2021.
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This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
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