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Enjoy Spring in Otaru,Minato Machi! Recommended places and events.

 

Otaru – Rusutsu – Niseko  April 19th 2019

Otaru city famous as a Hokkaido port town is not only filled with romantic streets but is also a town filled with nature.

Other charms are the Otaru sushi and sweets. You can enjoy sightseeing all year round.

This time we are going to recommend sightseeing spots and events that you can enjoy during the spring.

There will be little known places, and also spots popular with the locals during this season. During the cherry blossom season there will be sights to see and events to go to so you can get the most out of Otaru.

| Contents |

1. Otaru’s Recommended Spring Spots
 1-1. Secret Cherry Blossom Spots [Tenjo-ji]
 1-2. Sakura as far as the eye can see [Temiya Park]
 1-3. Local Rest Spot [Hiraiso Park]
 1-4. [Mysterious Waterfall] Only in Spring
 1-5. [The Takashima Ghost] Seeing it is a miracle! <
2. Recommended Otaru spots in Spring
2-1. Plum Wine Festival 2019
2-2. Otaru Festival
2-3. The 14th Peony Festival
3. Things to know about traveling in Otaru in Spring
 3-1. How is the spring weather in Otaru? How about the temperature!
 3-2. We recommend warm clothing!
Closing

1. Otaru’s Recommended Spring Spots

1-1. Secret Cherry Blossom Spots

天上寺

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

Proceed from route 5’s Nyuusen Jujigai on the road towards the mountains and you will find Tenjo-ji a hidden cherry blossom viewing spot.
Tenjo-ji has about 30 Yoshino Cherry Tree”s which fully bloom by early May.

The reason that Tenjo-ji is so popular is its Japanese style appearance and cherry blossom which embody the feeling of spring. There are also statues, of Kanon, Rokujizo and Gokoushi which create a beautiful contrast with the cherry blossoms.

One step into Tenjo-ji and you will feel like you have entered a space of purity where you can feel truly relaxed.

As it is located away from the main sightseeing area, there are few visitors and it is still a secret cherry blossom spot.

1-2.Sakura as far as the eye can see [Temiya Park]

手宮公園

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

Temiya Park located in Otaru is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot frequented by locals. From Mid- late May around 700 Ezoyama Sakura  and Yoshino Cherry trees will be in bloom.

Temiya Park is not just for cherry blossom viewing but is also home to the  the Kuri Forest known as the northern border and Temiyaryokuka Botanical Gardens.

We recommend enjoying cherry blossom viewing by taking a walk along the row of cherry blossom trees.
Temiya Park is located on top of a mountain, so you can enjoy looking down at Otaru and the cherry blossom from it.

Also Otaru is home to many wild birds  so you may be lucky enough to spot some wild birds whilst viewing the cherry blossoms.

1-3. Local Rest Spot [Hiraiso Park]

平磯公園

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

The next location is Hiraiso Park a  famous cherry blossom viewing spot well loved by the locals just like Temiya Park.
Hiraiso Park  is home to about 100 Yoshino Cherry, Yae Sakura and Ezoyama Sakura.

During the cherry blossom season,the park is filled with people having Genghis Khan or walking through the park gazing at the cherry blossom.

In the middle of May all three varieties of Sakura will be in full bloom and is a recommended sight to see.

You will feel warm inside when you see all three cherry blossoms bloom at the same time.
If you walk a little you will come to the Hiraiso viewing platform where you can see views of Otaru.

The view at night also makes this place a popular date spot for the locals.

1-4. [Mysterious Waterfall] Only in Spring

A mysterious waterfall located in Otaru.

This is a famous cherry blossom spot, Gozensui Waterfall, located on a cliff to the south of Temiya Park.
It is located in Temiya Cave side alongside the Otaru Sea side road, and is so secluded that it is easy to pass by. 

Why is it known as the phantom waterfall? Well, this waterfall can only be seen when the snow melts or after heavy rain.  It is very elusive and can only be seen at certain times.

The force that the water flows also changes depending on the amount of water, so the waterfall always appears differently.
A lot of cars pass though this area, so if you are taking pictures please be careful.

1-5. [The Takashima Ghost] Seeing it is a miracle!

石狩湾の蜃気楼

Even among locals there are many people who have never seen the Takashima Ghost.
What do we mean by ghost?

During spring and summer only , a mirage appears  at Otaru’s Ishikari bay .
Due to this mirage the view of the opposite shore appears to change in size and length which lead it to be called the Takashima ghost.

It has even been referenced in old works of literature (Nishiezo nisshi and the Sainishiezo nisshi).

Both works were compiled by Takeshiro Matsuura who explored this area at the end of the Edo era.
These works of literature contains detailed accounts of the Takashima ghost.

Nowadays the Takashima ghost is famously known as a  “Haru no fuubutsushi” a spring poem.

In order for the mirage to be seen, many conditions need to be met.
There are many locals who have never seen the Takashima ghost, so if you see it whilst on your travels then you will be considered extremely lucky.

Please take a look at this related text.


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2. Recommended Spring Spots in Otaru

2-1. Otaru Plum Wine Festival 2019

おたる梅酒祭り2017

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

An event where you can taste and compare recommended plum wines. Otaru Plum Wine Festival 2019 runs from April 19th to May 6th at Tanaka Sake Brewery.

There is a fantastic  selection of  Hokkaido plum wines as well as plum wines from all over the country and Hokkaido’s first sparking plum wine that you can buy and taste.

Our recommendation is the prized plum wine that will only be available during the festival period.

The  plum wine that is only available during the Otaru festival is considered to be very rare.
There is only  a limited number available, so it is only available while stocks last.

We will also show you how to really enjoy your plum wine. Take this chance to find the plum wine that is perfect for you.

2-2. Otaru Festival

おたる春祭り

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

Held from May 24th – 26th Otaru Spring Festival is an event mainly based around food

As part of the event  we have incorporated the character Un-Gappa  for young children to enjoy. There will also be a bingo event for the younger ones to enjoy.
The schedule is action packed with  a karaoke competition, YOSAKOI SORAN dance parade, a food competition, and  an anime party in conjunction with the Otaru Anime Party.

2-3. The 14th Peony Festival

牡丹・芍薬まつり

Picture provided by Otaru Sightseeing Association

A historical building in Otaru Shukutsu. The old Aoyama Villa if calculated based on current costs, it would have had a construction cost of ¥3.5 billion is the home of the Peony (shaku-shaku) festival from May 25th to June30th.

Be greeted at the front of the building by a breathtaking red pine tree which is said to be more than 100 years old.

In the garden there are about 400 Peonies decorating the garden creating an air of elegance.
You can see peonies, cherry blossom, azalea, plum  and hydrangea in the gardens depending on the season.

The appearance of the garden varies depending on the season in which you visit.

3. Things to know about traveling in Otaru in Spring

3-1. How is the spring weather in Otaru? How about the temperature!

天気 イメージ

It is officially spring, but in Otaru the temperature is quite low and there tends to be a few chilly days.
The average temperature in April is 10.5℃ and the average temperature in May is 16.2 ℃ so there is still some snow on the road. deg

There will be puddles and areas difficult to walk through, so we recommend that you bring sturdy shoes with a non slip sole.
From late April to May trainers/ sneakers will be fine to use.

3-2. We recommend warm clothing!

冬小物 イメージ

If you are planning on doing sightseeing we suggest wearing a spring coat and long sleeve clothing.
In May it will be fine if you just carry a jacket with you.

As the wind can be quite chilly, bringing a wind proof jacket and gloves may be beneficial.

The morning and nights tend to be considerably chilly so if you are going out during these times, please dress accordingly.

Please take a look at this related text.


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Closing

So how about it? I hope we were able to explain to you what makes  Otaru Minatomachi such an attractive destination.

The spring in Otaru is a little cold, but it more than makes up for it with all of the wonderful things to see and do.
With the seasonally changing face of  Otaru and the feeling of nostalgia you get walking around, Otaru is a town you can really ejoy.

Shiretoko’s Snow Activities! Top 5 Voted Experiences and Events!

知床冬のアクティビティイメージ

The natural heritage site of Shiretoko is an area at Shari and Rausu, which are located in the eastern regions of Hokkaido.

As a tourist area rich in nature, most of its main tour seasons were in Summer but in recent years activities and event which can be experienced at Winter have increased, making it more substantial and productive than ever before.

In this occasion, we will introduce ways of fully enjoying Shiretoko during the peak of Winter. There are many activities on offer that enables you to really feel the coldness of Shiretoko with your skin!

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Hakodate’s Hidden Gems: Several Great Sightseeing Spots for a Daylong Drive

トラピスチヌ修道院

Hakodate: One of the Hokkaido’s leading sightseeing spots.
A rich selection of guidebooks has been prepared for the many tourists who visit Hakodate every year.

However, many of them leave you unsure where exactly to go or in what order you should visit, and the ones who do suggest an itinerary mostly stick to the most standard, iconic spots.

That’s why I’ve put together this plan for a one-day drive through Hakodate, touring some sightseeing spots off the beaten path.
The plan is just about the same one I’ve used on one of my own day trips to Hakodate.

If you stick to the same order, you should be able to hit every spot in just one day, but there are a few spots where you’ll need to make reservations in advance, so be careful.

The drive mostly sticks to the outskirts of Hakodate, so there’s a decent amount of mileage involved. Remember to drive safely, and have fun enjoying what Hakodate has to offer!

Contents
1. Hakodate Carl Raymond House Motomachi
2. Hasegawa Store
3. Trappistine Convent
4. Carl Raymond Headquarters Factory
5. Hakodate Wine Vineyard Main Store
6. New Hakodate Hokuto Station
7. Hokuto Fishery
8. Trappistine Monastery
9. Michi no Eki Misogi no Sato Kikonai
10. Hotel Seabreeze (Hotel Umi no Kaze)
In Closing

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You want to enjoy your stay and discover Otaru? Visit one of its popular hot springs!

湯の花朝里殿It’s not a vacation without a trip to the onsen hot springs!

Hokkaido has an amazing number of hot springs, if only because of its large size, and their respective qualities and atmospheres are equally amazing. However, many people have never heard of the Otaru hot springs, perhaps because there are so many interesting places throughout Hokkaido.

Still, this city is one of those interesting places, so why not visit an onsen in Otaru and get to know what kind of hot springs are there?

This time we’ve come up with a Special Edition focusing on Otaru’s hot springs. With a rich selection featuring everything from day trips to overnight hot spring experiences, step in and let the waters wash away your fatigue.

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Asahiyama Zoo and Other Places of Note: Seven Must-See Sightseeing Spots in Asahikawa!

Asahikawa sightseeing spot
If you ask someone outside Hokkaido if they’ve heard of Asahikawa, they’ll probably answer, “Asahikawa? Of course I know Asahikawa, That’s where the Asahiyama Zoo is, right?” You might be surprised to learn that there are tons of other amazing sightseeing spots in Asahikawa outside of Asahiyama Zoo!

If you’re planning a trip to Hokkaido and thinking of stopping by Asahikawa just to visit the must-see Asahiyama Zoo before moving on to another city, we hope you’ll take the time to look over this plan for a sightseeing stay in Asahikawa itself.

If you do, we hope you really will visit and tour the studios and beautiful gardens, or experience the fantastic art museums. Or perhaps you’d rather take in the elegant beauty of the mountain valleys, and enjoy many other activities in the great outdoors before wrapping up with a relaxing soak in the hot springs? Either way, you’re sure to discover for yourself heretofore unknown beauty and charm in Asahikawa. We guarantee there’s something to satisfy everyone, from couples to families, and even lone travelers.

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The Latest in Japan? Cherry Blossoms that Bloom in July, My Lake Rausu Trekking Experience!

“Lake Rausu”, is the largest lake on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Located in the middle of Shiretoko, this year marks the 10th anniversary since it was made a World Natural Heritage Site. The lake is difficult to access, so its magnificence is not widely known. Consequently, the stillness of this precious place has been preserved.
According to a local guide, you can even hear the sound of the cherry blossoms blooming on the quiet trail. This is something that even the guide has rarely witnessed, but apparently in the moment that the petals of the buds open you can hear a “popping” sound. I want to hear that sound too. So, I will now introduce you to what Lake Rausu was like when I went there in July (early spring).
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What a Beautiful Silky Snow! Why We Chose Niseko Village Ski Resort

ニセコビレッジスキーリゾート

One of Niseko’s appealing points is its “quality of snow.”
However, the quality of snow alone doesn’t make for a truly fun experience.

Niseko has several world-famous ski slopes. Especially, “Niseko Village Ski Resort.” Is famous among them.

And how is it different from other ski slopes? This time, we’d like to show you its charms.

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【From Sapporo】Five Recommended Bus Tours in Winter!

北海道バスツアー

There is an image that a bus tour is about “enjoying sightseeing in a group with a guide.”
Recently, “day-trip bus tours” for single travelers are becoming popular.

Here, we recommend five selected bus tours to enjoy Hokkaido in winter.
Please do refer to it when visiting Hokkaido!

※This information was updated in October 2016.

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Enjoy the Kiroro Resort with Abundant Powder Snow!

キロロリゾート

Ski season is right around the corner. If you sticks close to home to enjoy the slopes nearby, have you considered taking a trip to go skiing instead?

Because if you have, we’d like to introduce you to one of Hokkaido’s most explosively popular ski destinations, the Kiroro Ski Resort.

We’ve taken a first-hand look inside Kiroro Resort to examine the quality of its slopes and figure out its target demographic.
We’ll also show you some of the other features the resort has to offer.

Kiroro Ski Resort is a destination packed with all kinds of appeal, so tune in and we’ll introduce you to its most charming features!

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