Otaru Station, one of Hokkaido's major cities, attracts many tourists, especially around the Otaru Canal. This was my first visit, and while it wasn't as urbanized as I expected, and there were quite a few tourists, it never felt crowded. Instead, it was a pleasant town where you could enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. It might sound abstract, but perhaps because it blends the lingering traces of the Meiji and Taisho eras just right, many places here strongly evoke a sense of romance. I felt this city possesses the potential to significantly increase both its tourist numbers and its overall population.
Around Otaru Station
