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Before we start, if you haven't read the previous posts, click here for Hakodate and here for Niseko Village. Now we can continue our journey to Otaru, a port town known for its fresh seafood and hot springs. I think their glass works and music boxes are also well-known. First stop, the Otaru Canal. Our hotel stay for the night is strategically located right across Otaru Canal. So we managed to snap both day and night shots with the canal.
Otaru Canal in the day
Warehouse turned Art Museum
Right across Otaru Canal photo stop
Next, we headed to Sakaimachi Street,a beautifully preserved merchant street in central Otaru that is just some distance away from the canal area. You can tell from the looks of the buildings that it has evolved over time, having retained the historic characteristics of Western-style architecture, which tells how Otaru thrived as a port city in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Sakaimachi Street view
A lot of souvenir shops on both sides of the street
Otaru Steam Clock on the left
Grab your Omiyage here at LeTao (if you like their confectionery)
Lunch on our own so settled at Otaru Kaisen. Went for their Hokkaido Beef Rice Bowl (more like Wagyu Donburi), Various Bowl (more like Mixed Sashimi Bowl), and Japanese Fried Chicken (more like Karaage) (the translation is forgiven so long there are photos to show). A decent meal for us with fresh sashimi and tender, seasoned beef slices that covers the top of the Japanese rice.
Lots of people along the street
Our lunch in Otaru
There was another stall along the same street that sells Beef Croquettes but we came across this stall that sells both Beef Sushi and Beef Croquettes. So why not have the best of both world at the same time? So remember this stall with the big sign 'Japanese Beef Sushi' for your beefy indulgence.
Screenshot from Google Map
Monsieur loved these two street foods so much and regretted not having another serving. The Beef Croquette is crispy on the outside and the fillings inside just melt in your mouth. No wonder it was sold out and we had to wait for it while having the Beef Sushi first. The sushi is also a must-try because the beef slice on top of the rice was so tender and it was topped with fish roe. Nice.
Beef Croquette
Beef Sushi
The last thing to try after our music-box-making session will be their rainbow ice cream. Supposed to be 7 layers of colors (because is rainbow mah) but they have 8 layers here. It was so pretty and creamy as usual. No Japanese ice cream is not worth waiting. Monsieur said he saw a group of schoolboys with the layered ice cream outside the shop and was not sure what happened and shortly, they dropped it on the floor even before having it. Unintentionally. Luckily we got to enjoy it happily in the cold because I held it like my life.
Came for their 8 layers ice cream
The ice cream mess on the top right by the schoolboys
The pathways and road were cleared of snow (or probably melted already from the previous day) when we first arrived but in the late afternoon, it snows. And within minutes, the street is covered in white. Can there be any more snow? So beautiful.
So different from the day, covered with snow
Had a hotpot dinner before checking in at Hotel Sonia Otaru for a night. Decided to head out for a night walk since it was still early. The street is already covered with more snow than in the day. And there isn't much nearby the hotel except for a clothing shop called Aoyama Tailor where you can find anything from work to winter wear. Also, went to Family Mart to grab some Japanese yogurt cups and snacks.
On top of hotpot, we each get scallops again. Yumz
The tourist info center beside Otaru Canal
Hotel Otaru Furukawa looking like houses back in Edo period?
I think Otaru is a city that one must not miss when you plan for your Hokkaido trip. Visit Sakaimachi Street for food, souvenirs, and visual pleasure of their architecture. Of course a short photo stop at Otaru Canal. There have to be much more fun in Otaru so do your homework well. Cheers. Up next, Hokkaido Shrine and more. Stay tuned!
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by the writer. Not a sponsored post. All reviews are based on the writer's preference and taste buds and do not represent anyone other than herself.
