If you come to Otaru, you'll feel old atmosphere.
Because there are lots of old buildings built about 100 years ago.
The pay phone in Canal plaza has good old atmosphere too.
You'll find this kind of antique stuffs at many places in Otaru.
It's available as normal pay phone
The stuff is...↓↓
Do you know what this black thing is?
Actually, this is a old safe for business.
I have seen this kind of safe, but I didn't know that the Canal plaza have it.
This safe stands here...↓
I opened a heavy door...
Wow, still it has black door.
I opened again...
It has wooden box inside itself.
Nowadays, we don't use this safe.
In the old days, Canal plaza was a warehouse and after that, this building was used as post office.
Probably, post office staff left here and still it stands with us.
If you are familiar with safe, please let us know about it...
Plate on the front door of the safe
I raised a small plate, there's a keyhole!
Hello, how are you?
The weather was horrible yesterday.
The rain came down in buckets on the afternoon.
Dark sky at Canal Plaza...
But we have nice weather today!!
The temperature is 20 degrees :)
Hi!
I got new leaflets yesterday.
"The 45th Otaru Ushio Festival".
It will be held on 29th to 31st of July.
Otaru becomes really crowded with a large number of people.
The parade of powerful portable shrine with lots of people who are in happi coat is a great spectacle.
Actually, everyone can join the parade of "Ushio Nerikomi".
"Ushio Nerikomi" is a dance parade, in which a lot of local men and women of all ages take part.
This parade will be held on 30th of July.
If your group consists of below 5 people, you'll be able to join it without prior application.
I would like you to enjoy "Otaru Ushio Festival"!!
I'll post about it again :)
Hi :)
Today, I'll tell you a grateful story.
I worked at Asakusa bridge tourist information a few days ago.
One woman visited us and asked about the way to go to Mt.Tengu.
She needed to take a bus but at the moment, she didn't have enough time to take a next bus from the closest bus stop.
I told her how to go to Mt.Tengu quickly and she rushed to the bus terminal.
She had to take the bus from the bus terminal but I thought she wasn't sure which bus stop she should get on from, because there's another bus stop in front the terminal.
So, I ran after her, but regrettably, she missed the bus and she decided to take a next bus which was one hour later.
I couldn't help her well, but a few hours later, she came back to out tourist information again!!
She said "I bought souvenirs to you guys :)"
She looked that she really enjoyed her staying at Mt.Tengu.
I was pleased about just her coming back.
That's why, I was more happy about her present.
I opened a paper bag which she gave me...
Pretty strap for mobile
Thank you so much, Mrs.
I treasure it:)★
We saw a poster saying "どらやき生キャラメル" (※Dorayaki with Raw caramel) so, we stopped at "Tanaka Sake brewry".
※Dorayaki...Japanese-style confectionery. Small bean paste between Japanese-style pancakes.
"Tanaka Sake Brewry" is located 15 minutes walk from JR Otaru station and it's long-established sake brewry where you can sample and purchase local sake, local wine, bean tea, confectionery made from sake and so on.
We chose Dorayaki with raw caramel cream.
We really enjoyed it :)
The day of our strolling was the middle of May.
The best season of Sakura (Cherry blossoms) in Otaru is from the begging to the middle of May.
Now, "Tengu Zakura" (located on the mountaintop of Mt.Tengu) is at its best.
This cherry tree looks like a heart in shape.
I'll show you some Sakura's pictures.
