おたる: Entranced in Otaru

The Journey

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I reached Otaru from Sapporo via the train which took around 30-40 minute ride, one way.

I should have realised that the journey might be a precurson of what is about to come, and I was in for a surprise right from the very beginning.

What more can a chionophile like me as for? This was pleasantly similar to my the Russian sojourn I undertook in the Winters of 2018. The difference is that this was supposed to be a warm time during April, yet, the mercury was hovering close to (even below) zero degree Celsius in this part of Japan. I thought of resharing this blast from the past reel stratght from Russia.

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Just when you might have thought that this was the only highlight of this train journey, you would be mistaken. Hokkaido reveals another card from its sleeve – this time the transition from Icy Mountains to beautiful beaches in quick succession. Scroll through the images below in the slideshow.

If the journey is this good, then the destination will be even better, isn’t it?

Let’s explore it now.

The Landing

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You feel like you have landed from a swanky time machine which has transported you from 33rd Century Japan (the profileration of technological advancements make it appear thus) straight to early 19th Century Japan. Have a closer look at the JR Otaru Railway Station of Otaru-Eki. Scroll through the images below in the slideshow.

The Mountains of Ice and Snow are visible even from the beaches as well as the stations. Always a welcome sight for a chionophile.

The おたる-えき (Otaru-Eki) or Otaru Railway Station gives abundant vibes of the retro or historical railway station built some 150-200 years ago when trains were just beginning to become conspicuous on the Japanese soil. Due credit must be given to the Japanese Railway (JR) Company and the Administration of Hokkaido for keeping the pre-industrial theme of the Otaru-station intact. And who can dare complain about the upkeep of the facility when every smallest detail of the station is spotlessly clean and is in the prime stage of their operation? That’s why it feels like the traveler has been transported back in time in the younger days of thie magnificent station.

Now that we have landed in Otaru, let’s explore the attractions of the city.

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