Walking the Former Temiya Line from Otaru City General Museum (Railway) to Chuo-dori
The Former Temiya Line was a railway line in Otaru between Minami-Otaru Station and Temiya Station, opened in 1880 and closed in 1985. It was part of the Horonai Railway, which is the first railway in Hokkaido. Today, the Former Temiya Line functions as a linear park and anyone can freely walk along the former track. That’s right – most of the tracks still remains on the Former Temiya Line, even as a park.
Walking from Otaru City General Museum (Railway) to Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum, I used the Former Temiya Line as my main walking route.
The Former Temiya Line starts at the southern end of Otaru City General Museum (Railway) with the lines crossing the road.
A map of the Former Temiya Line is placed on the level crossing and also at various points on the route.
A memorial marker stands at the Former Temiya Line marking its life from 1880 to 1985.
Looking back at the Otaru City General Museum (Railway) with the railway line running through to the railway park.
Much of the Former Temiya Line remains well-paved between Temiya Station and Ironai Station.
While walking on the sleepers is possible, there is also a proper pavement to walk on.
The points equipment are barricaded with yellow poles.
Railway crossings are marked out with red and white poles, but this is Japan, so don’t just cross the road ahead along the tracks even if the road is empty. Use the nearest pedestrian crossing available at the road junction.
The pavement crosses the track at some points.
Meeting another railway crossing.
Even the buffer stop is kept along the siding.
Seats have been wrapped up for the winter to prevent direct snowfall on them.
The route map also changes orientation according to where you are facing when looking at the map.
Criss-crossing with the railway track on the pavement.
Crossing the main Hokkaido Prefectural Road Route 454. This road would be a direct route to Otaru Canal, but I stayed on the Temiya Line till as far as practicable.
Another memorial plaque on the Former Temiya Line.
More wrapped-up seats along the way.
Heading through residential areas.
Another smaller railway crossing.
Direction signs in Japanese and English are placed at key walking junctions.
Along the way, there is sort of a hidden café with a railway sign and a simple notice on the door asking you if you want some coffee.
Approaching Chuo-dori.
Chuo-dori is the main road in Otaru, forming a direct link between JR Otaru Station and the Otaru Canal. I ended my walk along the Former Temiya Line at Chuo-dori to go to the Otaru Canal and Otaru City General Museum Canal Museum.
The location map at the junction of the Former Temiya Line and Chuo-dori.
A Bell for the Eternal City “Otaru” is located at this junction as well.
From here, I headed towards the coast to visit the Otaru Canal.
Conclusion
The Former Temiya Line is quite well kept as a park today without intruding or disrupting the existing spaces around it. The narrow path and many railway crossings along this short walk also makes it understandable to shut the line to train traffic since it cuts through the whole of Otaru city on ground level, causing lots of traffic jams on the roads.