A fleeting glimpse of the bustle in Otaru, Hokkaido

Otaru, a port city in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, Japan, serves as the outer port of Sapporo, facing the Ishikari Bay. It is located in the western part of Hokkaido, facing the Ishikari Bay, and developed about 100 years ago as the maritime gateway of Hokkaido. It flourished to the utmost, with numerous banks and businesses flocking here to develop, and it was even called the 'Wall Street of the North'. The night in Otaru is so quiet, strolling on the streets, looking for local delicacies. 🌈 Transportation Tips Take a train from JR Sapporo Station to JR Otaru Station or JR Minami-Otaru Station, with a one-way fare of 750 yen, and a travel time of 30 minutes (rapid train) to 45 minutes (local train) 🌈 Otaru Highlights 1⃣️ In the past, the canal was crowded with numerous sampans loading and unloading goods, and the banks were lined with brick and stone warehouses, a scene of bustling activity. Today, these warehouse buildings have been converted into glass craft shops, teahouses, restaurants, and large stores. 2⃣️ In front of Otaru Station, you can take a public bus and then transfer to the Tengu Mountain Ropeway to reach the summit. This boundless world of mountains and sea covered in snow is one of the three major night views of Hokkaido. 3⃣️ Hokkaido Glass Pavilion, the Romantic Pavilion, and Otaru Canal, to be honest, are just average. A group of people from our country squatting on the thickly snow-covered riverbank, holding cameras towards the canal, muttering to themselves not knowing what to shoot 4⃣️ The much-anticipated Triangle Seafood Market closes after evening, and I didn't get to eat there. The popular restaurants concentrated across the canal are the next stop to look forward to. The seafood rice from Zazeki Marine Products, the robatayaki seafood from Tsurukichi. They are all small restaurants, with seating for 10 people, hard to get a seat.