Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A steep 1.5 km slope leading to Otaru University of Commerce, a historic path walked by writer Takiji Kobayashi and poet Sei Ito during their student days.

This slope leading to Otaru Higher Commercial School (now Otaru University of Commerce) was once a harsh path where students climbed through snow and wind with no surrounding buildings in winter. On blizzard days, snow swirled so thick that visibility was lost, and in the relentless cold wind beating against their bodies, students climbed step by step up the steep incline with frozen hands tucked in their pockets. Due to this harshness, it came to be called "Jigoku-zaka" (Hell Slope). Writer Takiji Kobayashi and poet Sei Ito also climbed this slope daily, pursuing their studies with passion for literature in their hearts. In the silence where only footsteps and breathing echoed as they climbed, one can imagine what thoughts they were contemplating.

When descending the slope, Otaru's sea spreads in a straight line before you, offering an exhilarating sensation as your view suddenly opens. The road stretching straight toward the sea from the top of the slope creates a mysterious sensation as if being drawn into the ocean. The approximately 1.5 km slope walked while following the footsteps of literary figures is a special place where you can physically experience Otaru's history and culture.