Otaru once more

After the Curb Market, we skipped the itinerary destinations in Sapporo ie Ishiya Chocolate factory, Okurayama Ski jump, Chizaki Rose Garden and Mt Moiwa, and drove to Otaru which was about 30 km away to catch up on a few well-known sights that we did not have time to for on Day 4. More on Ishiya Choc here and here, ski jump, Rose Garden and Mt Moirwa.

Driving within Sapporo was not a problem as traffic was not too heavy. However, there were many junctions as this was a city, and we missed the turn into the Expressway and ended on the old road which took us an hour to reach Otaru (by Expressway : 30 minutes).



At signalised junctions, we had to be extra careful as they had 6-lamp traffic lights which were quite confusing as they seem to give conflicting messages eg straight-ahead green arrow VS red light.



Parking space wasn't a problem as it was made out to be and we were advised to get here by train, but there were lots in sidestreet carparks. Parking spaces were a bit small and it took some wrestling to park our car perfectly.

The music box shop was huge but the items looked cheap and not up to modern Japanese quality I thought.




Many of the buildings along this well known tourist site looked "European", from their external elevations, facade treatments and detailing, building materials ... ... if it were colder and the sky darker, I could have mistaken that we were on say, South Street, Old Town, in Edinburgh.






Inside those buildings however were shops and kiosks and cafes and restaurants that charge high prices.








We were followed into this cute little shop by two of our PRIMEguides, Yuki & Meng, who chose us a good table, translated the menu, and helped order our selections! Wow!


The ramen were good but the price was higher than usual; like Tokyo prices.







Another well known item was the glass blowing factory where you create your own designs for a price. Check out that long queue (above left).









These two (above) shops were among the best along the street, with high quality stuff, and well worth the time we spent inside.





It's what you sell that attracts the ladies, and barbequed tidbits' not it.



Check out those reptile skins on the ceiling and that shaped-to-match grating in the round-bottomed open drain.



Well, well, well ... just like at home : there are inconsiderate motorists among the Japanese too; parking on the pavement!




Had tea and cakes in a cafe called La Toa or something like that which charged the most exorbitant prices along the street, but the hot chocolate was the best that I've ever tasted and which surprisingly, was not an expensive item considering that it consisted of a cup and two refills in the pot.


Please click here to continue driving in Hokkaido.