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小樽商大の学生会館２階にあるレストハウス『LAO'S CAFE』さんに、去年の１２月より写真を１６点ほど展示させて戴いてます。

展望レストランのような広い窓からは、市街と港が一望、今の季節には夕刻に美しい街の灯が楽しめる。

ロケーションだけではなく、メニューも評判で、小樽商大の学生さん以外にはあまり知られていない隠れスポットかもしれない。

• 営業時間：11～17時
• 定休日：土・日曜日

南小樽駅の近く、若松町にある喫茶店。初めての人にはちょっとわかりづらいかもしれませんが、小樽病院と量徳小学校の間の通りを下りていくと右手に可愛らしいお店が目にとまると思います。香り高い飲み物、オリジナルケーキに、お店の人とのおしゃべりが楽しい空間です。

一時は見送りも検討されていたそうですが、ウイングベイ小樽のビッグツリーが今年も観光客や市民の目を楽しませています。小樽ジャーナルさんの記事によれば、今年は高さ約20メートル、樹齢70年の日高産クロエゾマツの木を4万個の電球で飾り付けているそうです。

冬の北海道では、街のあちこちがイルミネーションで飾られ、訪れる人たちの目を楽しませてくれます。札幌のホワイトイルミネーションを楽しみにしている観光客の方は多いと思いますが、この時期、小樽にも港町らしい素敵なイルミネーションが姿を現します。

撮影地：北海道小樽市銭函

Copyright (C) 2008 Kazuo Yamamoto.

Some of the visitors to Otaru get off the train at Minami Otaru station. Nantaru Market, a popular market among both the locals and tourists, is about 10-minute-walk distance from Minami Otaru station.

There are also nice eating and drinking places and cafes popular with the locals within half a kilometer radius of the station. Minami Otaru area is worthy visiting to find part of Otaru’s various charms.

The photo is an old building with a stone warehouse in Minami Otaru area.

*Unfortunately, this building was torn down in 2009.

If you like soul music, "Thirsty Soul" is the right place to visit. You can enjoy soul music and drinks in a cozy atmosphere created by the old-established building built in Taisho Period (1912-1926) and modern interior design.

The building was originally built as Kimono shop, and it used to be three-story. The second and third floor is now put together, and used as Thirsty Soul. The third floor was the proprietor’s private room made in response to his taste for western architecture. The ceiling and the mirror on the wall kept in the state of those days are really a must-see.

It's another Christmastime. Glass Christmas ornaments appear in JR Hokkaido Otaru station concourse this year again.

The street along the upper side of former Temiya line that is abolished railway in Otaru Hokkaido is an interesting area. There is a series of old buildings of low eaves that used be pubs or bars many years ago.

The shop, maybe bistro, in the photo got into my eyes over the small alley between some of those small buildings. There are some things that you can pass over unless you are walking at leisure.

Autumn tints are at closing stage in Otaru, Hokkaido. Autumn is another colorful season of the year after flowery spring. We have a special feeling on this brilliant autumn leaves period, as the world will be like a monochrome drawing being blanketed with snow soon.

You can come across the scene like in the photo while rambling in Otaru at this time of year.