Otobe, town in Nishi district, Hokkaido, Japan
Otobe is a small town on the coast of the Sea of Japan on the west side of the Oshima Peninsula. It has open land with quiet streets and green hills, and the Hime River flows through it as an important geographical feature.
The town has a history stretching over a hundred years, becoming a second-class village in 1902 and gaining town status in 1965. The area was long a place where fishermen and farmers traditionally lived from the sea and land.
The name Otobe comes from the Ainu language and means 'river with a marsh in its estuary'. Today, residents show respect for nature through local festivals celebrating the sea and seasons, as well as traditional crafts like woodworking and pottery that reflect the simple way of life here.
The best time to visit is in spring or summer when the weather is mild. Simple guesthouses are available near the town center and waterfront, and you can easily explore on foot since everything is within short walking distance.
Water here is special: natural springs emerge from the ground and have been used by locals for generations, with some saying certain spring water has healing qualities. A sea pool has been operating for many years as a place where people swim and relax.
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