Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Trace the footsteps of renowned writers on this 1.5 km climb, where echoes of Otaru’s academic history linger in the winter air.

Leading to Otaru University of Commerce (formerly Otaru Higher Commercial School), this steep slope has long been part of the city’s character. During their student years, author Kobayashi Takiji and poet Ito Sei walked this route each day, nurturing their creative spirits as they climbed. In those days, the area was largely undeveloped, leaving the hillside exposed to Hokkaido’s harsh winters. Students faced blinding blizzards and biting cold that cut against the skin. With frozen hands tucked into their coats, they pressed upward through heavy snow toward the summit. This daily struggle earned the road its enduring nickname: “Jigoku-zaka,” or “Hell Slope.”

Today, the path winds through a peaceful residential neighborhood, offering visitors a gentler experience. As you walk uphill, the Otaru cityscape gradually unfolds behind you, revealing rooftops and sea views. Walking this route invites quiet reflection on the determination of those who came before. In the silence, you may find your own pace echoing a past era. This 1.5 km walk is more than a physical ascent; it is a journey into Otaru’s resilience and cultural soul.