We made a day trip from Sapporo to Otaru on a local train. The line was the first in Hokkaido, and Otaru was the original outbound terminus. Our second JR Rail Pass had expired, so we had to buy our tickets, a new experience but trouble free as the vending machines are bilingual. The train runs along the coast of Ishikari Bay which faces north-west to Vladivostok and Russia. It's a scenic stretch of coast which would be photogenic on a nicer day and if the windows were clearer. At Otaru, there's a connection to Niseko, the ski resort apparently taken over by Australians and best avoided.
Otaru Station at the top of town.
Otaru is presented as a quaint seaside village with old warehouses along a canal, but when we got there, we saw that it was a bustling small city with old warehouses along a canal converted to tourism attractions. There are cruises available along the canal. It was snowing pretty heavily most of our visit, but Otaru was nevertheless very popular with day-trippers, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. A large parking lot for tour buses was full of them. This is an effective little tourist trap town! Otaru has a cruise ship terminal, so it probably packs them in, in warmer months.
The old warehouses do look good, and their renovation has preserved their character pretty well. Inside one, we took lunch (with sake) at a Sushi Train. There were many eateries to choose from.
Restored and converted warehouses line the Otaru canal.
Only samples on the sushi train. You order what you want, and it's made fresh.
All manner of shellfish are for sale.
Sloppy tourist shopping strip in Otaru.
Our fellow visitors seem to be preoccupied with selfies along the canal, snacking on Japanese sweet treats, and shopping at the many venetian glass and crystal retailers which seem to be the town's specialty.
Pretty cool in Otaru.
Snow falling is no discouragment to canal cruisers, selfie takers and photographers generally along the Otaru canal.
Delicious giant crab is on the menu at this Otaru restaurant.
Protected from avalanche, this Otaru green tea outlet is ready for business.
Indigenous Ainu shop in Otaru, but the culture is definitely "cowboy".
When we were weary enough, we caught the train back to Sapporo and trudged the kilometer or so back to the hotel in failing light and in a steady snowfall. Like most local trains in Japan, this one was comfortably crowded with Japanese commuters, old folk on outings, and a goodly number of visitors.
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