Heavy snowfall since last week in Otaru has finally let up, and the blue sky came back!
However, it is the second coldest period of the year according to the calendar in Japan, and Otaru's highest daytime temperatures have been -7℃～-8℃ for the past few days.
It is still warmer here comparing the inland areas of Hokkaido. The temperatures in those areas sometimes go down below -20℃.
"Onsen" or hot spring baths you can find everywhere in Hokkaido is the best method to keep you warm at this time of year.
A View from the bus window on the way to Sapporo yesterday
It cannot be seen very well in the image, but I could see something like mist welling up from the surface of seawater offshore.
It was interesting for I have never seen this before.
A residential area of Otaru
The snow piled up high after the serial snowfalls for the past few days.
A view on a fine day from the platform of JR Otaru Chikko Station
