Otaru, Port city in Hokkaido, Japan
Otaru is a coastal settlement on Hokkaido island known for its restored stone warehouses and narrow waterway running through the old port district. The steep hillsides divide the town into different levels, with the waterfront forming the commercial center.
The settlement grew into a major herring fishing port and trade hub with Russian vessels during the late 19th century. The railway connection to Sapporo opened in 1880 and greatly increased its economic importance.
Many former warehouses along the waterfront now house workshops where glassblowers shape molten material into delicate objects. Narrow lanes in the Sakaimachi shopping street fill with small stores selling local sweets and handmade crafts.
Regular trains connect the town to Sapporo and take around half an hour for the journey. Streets in the canal district are easy to explore on foot, but the steep slopes require sturdy footwear and some stamina.
The town receives more than six meters of snow on average during winter, piling up on rooftops of the old warehouses. During the coldest months, icicles form on bridges over the waterway, creating a particular winter scene.
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