The chilly wind and snow did let up a bit after we’d walked carefully down to the canal area and the sun came out to warm us a bit. We were in and out of shops frequently so gave us a chance to keep warm. Glass craft shops wherever- some pretty stuff but would prolly break on the plane home.
Bought several omiyage-type snack boxes that we’ll sample over the coming days – chocolates, corn-puff chocolates, rice cripsy chocolates.. oh.. i sense a theme here. Bought a bottle of Otaru whiskey (2000yen ,$21-22, for 700ml) – it was sitting next to the Nikka whiskey. Asked where it comes from and the lady said Sapporo. T says she read somewhere that they make beer and whiskey in Otaru…
Saw people munching on ice-cream cones… I want one! But each place we came across was shut, so no idea what they got them. Eventually found a different place doing ice cream in a cup up upstairs – along with some custard cream puffs.. Nom nom. Checked out the music box museum and shop – read about the old disk types etc and if i really fancied the sound of a windup music box i might have bought one of the top of the line big ones they make and sell for 60,000yen!! Real pieces of craftsmanship for sure.
Did a couple laps of the canal area waiting for it to go dark for the snow lanterns – stopping into the tourist info centre each time to warm up. On the last round we thought is was getting close enough but went to otaru beer hoping the servers hour shouchuu or sake as well… Nope… Got a large shot each of Kummel schnapps.
Finally dark enough for lanterns so out we went…. Obviously very busy along the canal now…. And very cold… Took the phone out of my pocket to get the ambient sensor up to temp (I mean down to temp) was showing -8 or 9!!
Hands started hurting just as we finished the canal walk snapping as a went then quick march back to the station! Perfectly timed to jump on the airport rapid to chitose via Sapporo.
Japan travels 