Otaru ... Everyone goes to Otaru.

After being caught in a blizzard that raged all night in Hakodate, the train service between Hakodate and Sapporo was completely disrupted, with no indication of when it would resume. We changed our tickets several times, only to be canceled and told to change to the next available train. As the morning progressed, more and more people arrived, and the queue to change tickets grew longer and longer. What was supposed to be a 6:00 AM departure turned into a 1:00 PM departure, and even then, it was uncertain whether we would be able to leave. We waited until 10:00 AM and decided to seek help from the tourist information office, as we had already booked a hotel in Sapporo. If we couldn't get there that night, we hadn't made any further arrangements for accommodation in Hakodate. Initially, we were discouraged because the staff informed us that all transportation services, including trains and buses, had been suspended. How ironic, I thought, having wished for heavy snowfall to experience the atmosphere. Earlier, I had also wished to experience an earthquake, and I had a close call while using the restroom. Why, when I wished to win the lottery, did I not receive such a blessing?

Just as we were about to give up and head back to the hotel to extend our stay for another night and email the Sapporo hotel, the female staff member came panting and said that she had found a bus to Sapporo. It was the only bus that had come from Sapporo the night before and was due to return, but she couldn't guarantee how far it would go. It could take a day to travel through the heavy snow and might have to return to Hakodate, which we were prepared for. It was better than waiting at the train station aimlessly. The staff member took us to the bus parking lot and said that there were two seats left and that she had already booked and paid for them, fearing that we would lose our seats. If we didn't go, she would lose money, but she didn't force us. On the one hand, we were amazed at her generosity. Why were the Japanese so kind to tourists? On the other hand, we started to get scared. Why did she take us two Thais out of the group of tourists? Plus, we stumbled over the words, "The bus may not be as good as others, but it meets all safety standards." We were nervous, but we thought, "What the heck, small boats have to leave the shore." Sometimes, deviating from our planned itinerary can lead to new experiences. It's probably not the Yakuza taking us to work on a fishing boat, right? They must have known that we were weak because we were fat. So we agreed and got on the bus. We were shocked. This was a standard bus? We thought it would be like a rusty, old bus. It was a million light years better than the tour buses back home, with VIP seats, individual seats, and clean bathrooms. There were even charging plugs for our phones at every seat. We wanted to bow down to the kind female staff member, but the driver said, "Get on, don't be slow, our bus leaves on time." So we hurried on and forgot to ask the female staff member's name. But we have to thank her for her help. Even though it took 10 hours to travel, with the heavy snow falling all the way, it was a great feeling to finally reach Sapporo.

After a long journey, we finally arrived in Sapporo. However, our destination is not Sapporo, but Otaru, a charming port city in Hokkaido located just half an hour north of Sapporo. We decided to visit Otaru the next day to avoid any potential snowstorms. Although the morning started with clear skies, heavy snowfall soon began and continued throughout the day. We realized that if a snowstorm occurred on our return trip, we might be stranded. Fortunately, we had checked the weather forecast beforehand and knew that the heavy snowfall in Hakodate had already passed. The snowfall in Otaru was only light, so we took the train to Otaru in the late morning. As it was a weekday, the train was relatively empty, making for a comfortable journey. This train line also connects Otaru to New Chitose Airport. The scenery along the way was blanketed in white.

The guidebook recommended getting off one station before Otaru Station and walking up to the canal first, then returning via Otaru Station. I wasn't sure if I was wrong, but it turned out that only two of us got off, and the station was very suburban. The houses were like ordinary village houses, and there was no sign of a tourist town. It was also difficult to walk because it was very cold and snowing all the way. But I thought, "Well, I've come this far, so I have to go through with it." The station name was correct, so I must have gotten lost on the way. But it's true that even though it looks a bit suburban, this road does lead directly to downtown Otaru. It was a bit difficult to walk because I had to wade through the snow, but I'm sure I didn't get lost. Look at the snow on the way! It was so thick and soft, like marshmallows. I accidentally lay down on it several times. It was like a winter love song, plus Gwan Min-ho, plus Fan Day.

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After a 20-minute walk, we finally reached our destination: the Otaru Music Box Museum. This iconic landmark was a must-visit, even though it resembled the Kamakura museum we had previously visited. We couldn't resist exploring its wonders, and emerged with two large music box dolls for the ladies. Who carried them? Yours truly, of course, along with my camera, tripod, and the two giant dolls. Such is the life of a husband in 2018.

The woman received her desired item and immediately stopped complaining about the snowy walk. It was time to explore the city. Otaru shares similarities with Hakodate, as both were among the few port cities open to foreign trade during the Meiji Restoration. Otaru served as a trading port with the United States and England, resulting in a blend of Western and local cultures reflected in its distinctive architecture. This architecture resembles that of Thailand during the reign of King Rama V, but with the key difference that while Thailand's structures were demolished over time to make way for modern buildings, Japan opted to preserve them.

Otaru, often mistakenly understood as the Japanese word for "firefly," actually originates from the Ainu language, meaning "canal." The Ainu people, a Polynesian group from the Pacific Islands, have inhabited a vast area from the Aleutian Islands in southern Alaska to the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island in Russia, and down to Hokkaido. Their DNA shares similarities with Taiwanese and Filipino populations. Consequently, historical depictions of the Ainu people often resemble Hawaiians, contrasting sharply with the physical characteristics of the Japanese.

Following the opening of the country, Otaru emerged as the most significant economic and financial hub in Hokkaido's early years. Hakodate in the south and Otaru in the north served as the primary ports, as travel within Hokkaido was considerably more challenging than maritime travel between the two cities. However, with the completion of the Hokkaido railway, prosperity shifted from Otaru to Sapporo.

Visiting Otaru, a must-visit is this shop. Le Tao cheesecake is much fresher and cheaper than in Thailand. I bought two pieces. I actually intended to buy the original flavor, but the seller recommended the chocolate flavor as well, saying it was Hokkaido's own chocolate. It turned out that the cheesecake was sold out, but the chocolate was left. Haha. Let's go for a walk and see the different corners of the city first.

And finally, the highlight, "Otaru Canal". We arrived at dusk, so the review's suggestion was spot on. Get off one station early and walk up, so you don't have to backtrack. The distance between the city center and the canal is quite significant.

The Otaru Canal, a 1,140-meter-long waterway connecting the original coastline to reclaimed offshore areas, was completed in 1923. Once a bustling hub for cargo ships, it fell into disuse after World War II when the government prioritized the development of Sapporo. Today, the canal's warehouses have been transformed into shops, restaurants, and romantic tourist attractions, drawing visitors year-round. Movies, dramas, and TV series often feature Otaru, making it a must-see destination in Hokkaido. The canal's nighttime ambiance, with its backdrop of warehouses and buildings, adds to its romantic charm. This concludes our tour of Otaru at the Otaru Canal. After dinner, we'll walk through the snow to catch the train back to Sapporo, where it's only 9 pm but already very dark. Thank you.