Otaru This & That

It is welcome that the snow melts and disappears in Hokkaido. However, snowmelt in the streets is unwelcome.

Spring is the time of beginning for the Japanese.
New school year and most companies fiscal year begin in April in Japan. New pupils, students and company employees look fresh but tense somewhat.

There must be some oversea people who has just arrived, and are going to start new life in Otaru, Hokkaido.

For those who are thinking of learning Japanese language to communicate with the locals, there is a wonderful Japanese instructor in Otaru.

It is quite invigorating for the residents here to see that the sunlight is getting brighter, and the days are getting longer after the rigorous winter here in Otaru, Hokkaido.

The sunshine at this time of year is especially dazzling because of the reflection from the snow.

The daytime temperatures get above the freezing point, and the snow melts by the sunlight little by little.

Although it is still cold, and it often snows, the heart of the people living here seem to be exhilarated with a hint of spring, however small it might be.

This year's "YUKIAKARI" (Snow Gleaming 8th) was closed yesterday after 10 days festival period, and it was highly successful. Many sightseers including overseas visitors came to Otaru, and enjoyed fantastic scenes that emerged from various places in the city at night.

According to the local paper, it seems that the number of people who came to see the festival during its period has reached half a million for the first time since it started seven years ago.

Amazake is a Japanese traditional drink made from sake (rice wine) lees which is the by-product left after sake is extracted.

Sake lees is used as an ingredient or a seasoning in some Japanese food, and Amazake is an example. It is usually drunk hot in winter. Since this drink is categorized non-alcoholic even though it is the material sake is taken from, it can be enjoyed by anyone including children.

Free Amazake is served for the first 100 comers from 16:00 at Sun Mall Arcade on the 18th(Sat.) as part of "Yukiakari no Michi" Festivities in Otaru, Hokkaido.

During the festival period, thousands of small candles in the niches made in the snow walls and in the transparent ice pots illuminate the city.

The Otaru Canal whose water reflects the lights of floating candles in the glass balls looks very beautiful.

At the main site, former Temiya railway line, snow sculptures made by the locals and guests amuse the visitors to the festival.

In recent days, it is extremly cold in Otaru.

Otaru Canal, a popular scenic spot of Otaru in Hokkaido, is in chilled and clear atmosphere as well. It will be soon illuminated with the light of a lot of candles during Otaru Snow Gleaming. At present, it looks as if waiting for the lively event alone in silence.

I like Otaru Canal in cold Hokkaido.

Kaiyoutei is a fancy Japanese-style restaurant that opened its business at the early stage of the Meiji era in Otaru, Hokkaido. Its name had been changed from initial 魁陽亭 through 開陽亭 to current 海陽亭 (they are all pronounced equally).

The great hall on the second floor is the oldest part of the house. It is presumed to be rebuilt after the massive fire in 29 of the Meiji era (1896).

This stone building was erected in Otaru, Hokkaido by Shichihei Ooie, a shipping merchant from Ishikawa prefecture, and was used as a warehouse of his company. You can see the company's logo "Yama-shichi" on the triangular wall under the eaves.

The special characteristics of the building are its roof lantern and the double arches over the entrance. It is also characteristic that the outer walls of the building are made of Sapporo soft stone.

The imposing and unique appearance make it a representative example of the stone warehouse found in the canal area in Otaru.

It was 1893 when the substation of the BOJ was first opened in Otaru Hokkaido, and then it was promoted to a branch office. This branch office had played an important roll for growth of local economy before it was closed in 2002.

The construction work of the present building was started in July 1909, and completed in July 1912. The architect was Kingo Tatsuno, who also designed the main branch of the Bank of Japan and red-brick Tokyo train station. The building is in medieval style with curve of the dome and the noble exterior, boasting a remarkabley solemn appearance.