The station consists of two island platforms serving four tracks. The station has automated ticket machines, automated turnstiles which accept Kitaca,[2] and a "Midori no Madoguchi" staffed ticket office.
Otaru Station opened on 28 June 1903.[3]
The station name was originally Otaru Chūō Station (小樽中央駅, Otaru Chūō eki). The name was changed on 15 October 1904 to Takashima Station (高島駅, Takashima eki), on 15 December 1905 to Chūō Otaru Station (中央小樽駅, Chūō Otaru eki) and on 15 July 1920 to the present one. From 11 June 1900 to 14 July 1920, present-day Minami-Otaru Station was called Otaru Station.[4]