Japanese lanterns appeared!

Hi!

These paper lanterns are special for "Otaru Ushio Matsuri" festival.

During the festival, Otaru city will be illuminated with them.

I took this photo in front of JR Otaru station.

There are 6 days left to the biggest summer festival!!!

In preparation...#2

Huge signboards of "Otaru Ushio Matsuri" festival were placed in front of Canal plaza.

During this festival, lots of Japanese lanterns will be hung at many places in Otaru.

They're so beautiful, I'll show you them after hanging :)

In preparation...

The biggest summer festival "Otaru Ushio Matsuri" festival will be held from July 29th to 31st.

Its preparation is going on steadily.

Construction of main stage

There will be full of people and booths this area during the event.

Many dance shows and concerts will be held on this stage.

6 Tastes Ice-cream Cone!!

Have you ever seen a big ice-cream cone like this??

Otaru has many kinds of sweet shops.

One of them is "Terrace" of Kitaichi glass. (About 20 minutes walk from JR Otaru station.)

It was enough quantity for couple and delicious!!

From the top...Strawberry, Kiwi, Melon, Vanilla, Banana and Chocolate.

Try it! :)

How powerful, she is!

WOW :-O

She is holding a quite huge rod!!

It was a just power pole...:)

We found this pole at Former Temiya Railway. (Trace of the 3rd Japan's oldest railway.)

It's 5 min walk from JR Otaru station.

Would you like to feel old Otaru's atmosphere at Temiya Railway??

We Are Ushio Staffs!!

The biggest summer festival, "Otaru Ushio Matsuri" will be held on Jul 29th ~ 31st.

We're arousing this festival already in same "Ushio Matsuri" T-shirts.

The mark on our backs is the symbol of "Ushio Matsuri".

It represents wave.

"潮" is read as "Ushio" and means tide.

Cool, isn't it?

Summer Fireworks Information in Otaru 2

Hi!

Lots of fireworks will be held this summer in Otaru.

This is additional information.

◆The 2nd Riverside Festival in Asari 2011 &

11th Fireworks in Asari◆

When : Aug 3rd, 4th

Time : 8:45 pm ~

Shooting Place : Asarigawa Park

Access : Take a bus in front of Green Hotel (5 min walk from JR Otaru Station), Bus number 3, get off at "Shinko Jujigai" (新光十字街) and then 5 min walk.

Riverside Festival web site : http://asari.cc/

◆Takashima Noryo Fireworks◆

When : Sep 4th

Time : 8~9 pm

Shooting Place : Takashima Fishing Port

Access : Take a bus in front of Green Hotel (5min walk from JR Otaru Station) , Bus number 2, get off at "Takashima 3 chome" (高島３丁目).

◆Otaru Shukutsu Fireworks◆

When : Sep 4th

Time : 7 pm ~

Shooting Place : Otaru Aquarium Parking area

Access : Take a bus from Chuo-Bus Otaru terminal, Bus number 10 or 11, get off at the last bus stop "Otaru Aquarium" (おたる水族館).

If you have any questions, please visit us!!

Have Fun!!

Cool sound of Otaru~Ushio Wind Bell~

This is "Ushio Wind Bell".

It's official goods of annual event, "Otaru Ushio Festival".

Every year, only one work(glass wind bell) is chosen from among glass studios in Otaru.

This is the champion glass wind bell of this year made by Ms. Chiaki Yamamoto. (belonging Otaru ADVANCE Club glass studio).

It's in quite rare and beautiful design, double glass.

and look at it carefully, it's really meticulous design.

This is Ushio Matsuri Festival's symbol. We sell her works at Canal Plaza for 1,500 yen and limited 300 bells.

I would like you to listen this lovely sound!!!

Enjoy! Marine wave

Hello★

I got a opportunity to take a cruiser.

Otaru has some spots to enjoy cruiser.

One of them is "Marine wave Otaru" located in Otaru Chikko area.

This area has huge shopping mall, seafood market and so on.

It'll be held fireworks display in summer at this area.

I went there with Mr. Kodama (Otaru tourism association office staff) and Mr. Eto (Tourist Information translator for Korean visitors).

Excited...

Mr.Kodama took us by car

It took just 5 minutes by car from Canal plaza.

If you take a sightseeing bus from JR Otaru station, it'll take about 30 minutes, and it takes 7 minutes by JR train.

Visited "Otaru Marine Center House" first.

When you enjoy cruising, please ask the information desk here.

Mr.Kodama looks eager in taking pictures for Tourism association staff blog :)

After passing through this main building, beautiful port view spread out before us.

The high building behind boats us the Hotel Grand Park Otaru and shopping mall named "Wing Bay Otaru".

Every these boats are personal belongings.

Going through the gate...

We got some explanations about cruising boat.

Fixed number is 10 persons each boats.

Don't forget to wear life jacket :)

Perfect★

Captain guided us about strange shaped rocks and sea animals etc.

Two boats of us goes with kingly zest.

Found a fishing boat!

Found a sightseeing ship!

We really enjoyed many kinds of strung rocks and coastline.

Shukutsu area has Otaru aquarium, Herring mansion, Hiyoriyama light house and so on.

The hotel Neuschloss Otaru stands on the Cliff which has outstanding view from itself.

To our surprise, a huge amusement park was built here 77 years ago.

But it's burned down 59 years ago.

One of best spots "Tsurukake Rock"...↓

This pattern of the cliff looks giraffe, doesn't it??

Look at this picture!!

How beautiful color of the sea!!

"Mado(window) Rock"

On the return way, we past faster!!

laughing :)

What are you thinking about?? :)

This cruising service started for tourists not only Japanese visitors but also foreign tourists.

"Marine Wave Otaru" company has many kinds of boats' menus.

We enjoyed "Window Cruise" course.

Time: For 60 minutes

Schedule: 10:30, 13:00, 14:30(Jul~Aug...Everyday without Wednesday Sep~Oct...Saturday, Sunday and National holidays)

Fare: 3,800 yen (Half price for under elementary school student)

Other courses: Sunset cruise, Charter cruise, Hire yacht, Hire boat

Web link: http://www.mw-otaru.jp/