Topography
OTARU
TOPOGRAPHY
Most of the terrain adjacent to Otaru is rugged. Elevations commonly exceeding 2,000 ft (610 m) in elevation southeast clockwise through west of the port provide limited protection from winds from those directions (Figure V-160). The highest peak within a 10 nmi radius of Otaru is Mount Yoichi, a 4,882 ft (1,486 m) peak located south of the Port.
A broad valley extends from the southeast coast of Ishikari Bay across Hokkaido to near Tomakomai on the Pacific Ocean. The valley provides an access for southeasterly winds to reach Ishikari Bay. However, southeasterly winds do not pose a major threat to the port due to its location west of the valley's southeast to northwest axis. Winds from the north quadrant bring the worst conditions to the port. Winds from north clockwise through northeast pose the greatest threat because they reach the port with their full open-ocean velocities.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/japan/otaru/text/sect4.htm
