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Cool Confection
2010-07-22 (木) - 13:43 — wahei
In Japan, heat wave is covering over the sky this week, and many cities are experiencing extremely hot weather.
One of the means to cool yourself is to enjoy "Wagashi" or Japanese confection.
Wagashi is always made according to the seasonal theme, and in summer, confectioners make Wagashi evoking cool impression.
It is not the direct method to cool you, like ice cream, but it brings visual coolness that makes you forget the heat for a moment.
On the left is expressing sweetfish in the river.
Key to Finding Real Attractiveness of Otaru
2010-07-19 (月) - 15:39 — wahei
If you would like to see what Otaru is really like, I recommend you to walk around the city at random, especially Temiya, Ironai and Minami Otaru areas.
You can come across interesting objects or scenes that you cannot find in the areas just for tourists.
An undulating slope
Three vivid colors
Otaru's Dainty
2010-07-17 (土) - 16:18 — wahei
Most tourists visiting Otaru seem to think Otaru’s delicacy = fresh seafood, and
Naturally, they go to one of many sushi restaurants to eat fine sushi or other seafood dishes.
It is certainly true that Otaru’s sushi is very good, but Italian food in Otaru is also as good as sushi. Fresh agricultural and marine products are essential for Italian cuisine, and Otaru is in an advantageous location that those ingredients of good quality are available with ease.
There are many nice Italian restaurants in Otaru, but this time, I would like to introduce “Namaraya” among them.
Sumiyoshi Shrine Festival
2010-07-15 (木) - 14:54 — wahei
Sumiyoshi Shrine is the shrine of guardian deities of Otaru, and its annual festival is held 14-16 July.
On the Festival Eve (14th), ‘Shinto music and dance to dedicate to the deities was performed at the main sanctuary of the shrine. Dancers were all children, and their dancing was filled with solemn beauty.
On the 15th, the main festival day, ‘Mikoshi’, gorgeous portable shrines go around the city in procession throughout the day. The biggest portable shrine carried by many Mikoshi carriers will go around the shrine areas between 19:00 and 21:00.
Fireworks T-shirt
2010-07-14 (水) - 16:18 — wahei
Otaru’s fireworks display is held as the finale of Ushio Festival on the final Sunday of July every year.
Otaru City and many companies of Otaru sponsor the fireworks, but a new private entity joined the display from last year.
They began this project to display fireworks of their own. For raising funds, they are selling T-shirts that the picture of fireworks is printed in the back. You will be able to support their project, and enjoy enhanced fireworks display by buying the T-shirt.
If you are interested in the T-shirt, it is available at some shops in Otaru.
Cherry Picking Season has Started
2010-07-12 (月) - 14:44 — wahei
Cherry picking is an amusing outdoor activities for city dwellers in this season.
In Yoichi and Niki, Otaru's neighboring towns and well known as fruits production areas, many farms open up their orchards for tourists to pick and eat cherries as much as they like within a certain time for a fixed price at this time of year.
The farmers also set up roadside produce stands, you can buy cherries to take home.
Annual Cherry Festival is held at "Fruits Park Niki" next Sunday(July 18). If you have chance, please visit the site and enjoy good cherries.
