We left the Otaru Aquarium after the penguin walk in time to catch the 11:45AM-ish bus ride back into Otaru Central, stopping by the Victoria Station steakhouse for lunch. After that, it was a leisurely walk – in snowfall but the wind had stopped – towards Otaru Canal.
Like the two canals I visited in September in the cities of Kurashiki and Yanagawa, the Otaru Canal has its heyday in yesteryears, though apparently this was as recently this century – the large warehouses that remain present to this day presented majestic backdrops to the evening photos below. The warehouses have since been repurposed for tourism, and house souvenir shops, museums and dining establishments. The canal is fairly long, but the best place for pictures seems to be Nichigin Street. Just to be sure, the retail street isn’t just along the canal, but also along Sakaimachihondori Street. Both sides of the street are lined with dining establishments, souvenir shops, seafood and fresh produce, small eats and confectionaries, and glass crafted wares.
Some of the day’s highlights as we explored this street for several hours:
The much talked about Rainbow Tower ice-cream is so-called because of its seven layers. The ice-cream costs ¥650, and isn’t anything to shout about: but the experience is novel. Beware: the ice-cream is large, so you’ll want to think twice before going nuts and getting one for every person in your party! There are also other snack-items sold in the little shop, and there’s also an indoor dining area.
The street is filled with glassware shops, and the intricate designs are fascinating. We also found a little spot where craftsmen were in the process of making glassware – but clearly posted signs noted no photography.
The Otaru Music Box Museum doesn’t disappoint, though be prepared for fierce crowds. There are three levels of the museum, and most items on display – particularly on the first floor and some on the other floors – can be purchased. The Museum is really pretty, with its light-ups, and the seasonal christmas decorations provided some photo opportunities.
The famed cheese-cakes from LeTao are pricey: ¥410 for a rather small slice – but the wife says it’s good. I’m not a fan of cheese-cakes, so I’ll take her word for it – alongside also the evidence presented by the crowds and long queues!
Pictures:
A final post on Otaru next!
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