Otaru This & That

In contrast to cherry blossoms in full bloom warming our hearts, it has been a spell of unusual cold weather here in Otaru.

Today, normal spring weather has come back again!
Flowers look very happy in the sunshine.

I could not help taking more photos of cherry blossoms to have the people from countries with no cherry trees enjoy the beauty of them on my website.
Cherry blossoms season is very short, and they can be seen only once a year.

Many Japanese people seem to think vaguely how many more times they will be able to see cherry blossoms in the future as they get older.

Otaru's cherry blossoms are at their best now.
You can see cherry blossoms everywhere in the city.

Since the color and the figure of the blossoms are slightly different depending on the species of cherry trees, it is really fun to take a stroll searching for varieties.

In addition to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms that are also pale pink are in full bloom,too. The whole city looks to be tinted in pink.

Spring finally has come! We have been enjoying warm spring weather since last week.

Flowers are beginning to bloom one after another.
Many people will enjoy cherry blossom viewing party this weekend.

Plum blossoms

Cherry blossoms of Tenjoji Buddhist Temple may be in full bloom in a few days.

Forsythia is also a flower to herald the beginning of flower season.

It was the end of March when new International Passenger Terminal at New Chitose Airport began services.

I went to see the facilities for my work with my fellow tour guides.

New terminal is much spacious and conveniently designed for passengers compared with the former one.

In addition, there are attractive gift shops both on the departure and arrival floors.
One of most interesting goods I found in a gift shop was the stamps of English names　engraved in Chinese characters.

In my previous blog article, I wrote about Bekomochi that is the confection to celebrate Children's Day in Hokkaido.

In the same article, I mentioned about Kashiwamochi that corresponds to Bekomochi in other areas of Japan.

Although Bekomochi is dominant, Kashiwamochi is also available here in Hokkaido.

Kashiwamochi is a rice cake　wrapped in an oak leaf.
As oak is called "Kasiwa" in Japanese, it is called Kashiwamochi.

It comes in two types of bean paste.

Bekomochi is a seasonal confection that is made and eaten for the celebration of “Children’s Day”. It is made from rice powder and brown sugar, but lately, you can see green Bekomochi that tansy is mixed in.

It is said that the name “Bekomochi” is derived from “bekko” meaning turtle shell in Japanese, or “beko” meaning cow in a dialect of Tohoku district, but neither theory has been identified. I think both make sense. They express well the various look of the confection.

Incidentally, Bekomochi is available only in part of Tohoku district and Hokkaido.

It has been unusually cold for this time of year in Hokkaido.
The highest daytime temperatures are still lower than 10℃.

However, crocuses are vigorously flowering along with butterbur sprouts that also come up first after the snow disappears.

They say Manga, Japanese cartoons, are quite popular worldwide now. Numerous kinds of Manga books have been translated into other languages and enjoyed by many overseas people.

Here is a Manga keeping imperishable popularity among the Japanese, regardless of age. It is “Sazae-san” depicting a Japanese family with witty humor.

Sazae-san started as a four-panel cartoon in a daily newspaper in 1949 and it continued until 1974.

You may happen to see fish-shaped streamers in Japan at this time of year.
The streamers are called "Koinobori" showing carps ascending against a stream, and they are put up wishing for young boys' happiness and future success, whereas Hina Dolls are set out to pray for girls’ happiness.

The Boys' Festival is May 5th, but this day is actually called Children’s Day, and considered to pray for both boys' and girls' good health and happiness.

In Otaru, a lot of Koinobori are put up over the River Katsunai every year, and they attract people’s attention as a charming sights of spring.

Because Otaru is facing the sea, and the land area is made up of hills, you can enjoy wonderful views of the sea from everywhere.

Among others, I like the view of a red and a white lighthouse.
It is a picture-book scene, isn’t it?

In the other image, you can see a red and white crane. This is also my favorite scene against the background of the sea. Some people call the crane giraffe, as its shape looks like a giraffe from a distance.

The sea changes its appearances every day, depending on the season, weather and time of a day. I never get tired of gazing the sea.