黃國棟's Reviews Page 9/10

When visiting Otaru, I recommend taking the Tenguyama Ropeway up the mountain to one of Otaru’s most iconic viewpoints! As the ropeway climbs, you can enjoy views of the mountains and downtown Otaru along the way. Once you reach the summit, you can take in sweeping views of Otaru’s streets, harbor, and coastline. The scenery is truly spectacular.

A separate ticket is required for the ropeway. Although only two cars operate, with one going up and the other going down, the intervals between departures aren’t very long, so you won’t have to wait too long even if there’s a line.

Besides the observation deck, there’s also Tenguyama Shrine on the mountain, and you can browse Tenguyama merchandise. There isn’t a huge variety, but strolling around with the beautiful scenery still gives you that special Otaru travel atmosphere.

When visiting Otaru, you really can't miss this romantic music box wonderland! The Otaru Orgel Doh Main Hall is distinctive both inside and out. As soon as you enter, you're greeted by a dazzling array of exquisite music boxes in countless designs, including cute animals, dreamy fairy tales, and elegant vintage styles. Each one makes you want to stop and take a closer look.

With beautiful music playing, wooden decor, and warm lighting, the entire store has a strong nostalgic and romantic atmosphere that feels truly characteristic of Otaru.

Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's a great place to browse, take photos, and experience the romance of traveling in Hokkaido. There are also plenty of choices if you're looking for souvenirs. The selection is so extensive that it's easy to keep browsing and not want to leave.

When visiting Otaru, you can't miss this famous glassware shop! The store is filled with all kinds of exquisite and colorful glass products, from lamps and cups to various cute little items. Every piece sparkles, and simply browsing and admiring them feels very soothing. There's truly so much to see.
However, the glassware here is generally not inexpensive, so it's better to choose a piece you truly like as a special travel souvenir.

Otaru's glasswork is truly distinctive. If you have the chance to visit Otaru, be sure to stop in and experience this delicate and romantic atmosphere!

When visiting Otaru, don't miss Sakaimachi-dori Shopping Street, which is full of nostalgic charm! Many stone buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods have been preserved along both sides of the street. The old-fashioned atmosphere is very charming, and walking through it feels like stepping into a scene from a Japanese movie.

There's so much good food and plenty to browse here. Along the way, you'll find all kinds of glass crafts, delicate music boxes, unique souvenirs, and Hokkaido sweets, as well as many popular shops where you can eat and browse as you go.

The whole street is quite lively, and after it snows in winter, it has an especially romantic Hokkaido feel. Besides the canal, Sakaimachi-dori Shopping Street is also worth setting aside time to explore at a leisurely pace. Strolling, taking photos, and looking for little items you like really makes you feel like you're traveling!

How could you visit Hokkaido without stopping by Rokkatei! I ate so many Rokkatei sweets on this trip. It truly lives up to its reputation as one of Hokkaido's iconic confectionery brands, with every item being above average. They're also very suitable as souvenirs. This time, I specifically bought the assorted pack/store-exclusive assorted pack, which lets you try several different signature sweets all at once. It's great for giving as a gift or enjoying slowly yourself.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the assorted packs at this store have a relatively short shelf life! The items inside expire much sooner than the products sold individually on the regular shelves, so be sure to check the expiration dates when purchasing them. This is especially important if you plan to bring them back to Taiwan as souvenirs!

There is also a seating area on the second floor. After buying your sweets, you can sit down, enjoy them with a cup of coffee, and leisurely spend some time with Rokkatei's desserts.

On one day of our independent trip around Hokkaido, we specifically planned a visit to Otaru. Of course, we couldn't miss the iconic Otaru Canal Cruise. It was snowing that day, and the entire canal was covered in white. As the boat slowly traveled along the canal, the historic buildings on both sides blended with the snowy scenery, creating a particularly beautiful atmosphere.

Besides enjoying the scenery, the onboard guide also introduces the history of Otaru's development as an important port in Hokkaido. Although the main tour is in Japanese, it's very accommodating to visitors from Taiwan. Chinese audio guide devices are also available on board, making it easier for us to learn about the history and culture of the Otaru Canal.

The whole cruise moves at a leisurely pace. Slowly taking in Otaru amid the snow felt like more than just a boat ride to see the scenery—it was more like a short journey through the history of this port town. If you're visiting Otaru, I highly recommend taking a canal cruise to see this nostalgic city from a different perspective. It's especially romantic when it snows!

The Otaru Canal is so beautiful in winter that you can’t stop taking pictures! The snow-white scenery combined with the retro canal streetscape creates a romantic Hokkaido winter atmosphere.

A lot of people come here to take photos, and the canal has a particularly distinctive charm when covered in snow. I visited once in the summer, and after coming back this winter, I realized how completely different the same place can look depending on the season.

Besides walking around and taking pictures, you can also take a canal cruise and enjoy Otaru’s streetscape from the water, though the cruise mainly covers just this short stretch of the canal.

Hokkaido Shrine is one of Hokkaido’s most iconic shrines, with a steady stream of visitors coming to worship throughout the year. The shrine is located near Maruyama Park and surrounded by expansive natural scenery. As soon as you enter, you can feel the solemn and peaceful atmosphere. It happened to be snowing when I visited this winter, and the entire shrine was covered in white, making the scenery especially magical. There weren’t too many visitors that day either, so it was particularly pleasant to walk around.

Hokkaido Shrine has a different charm in every season. The snowy winter scenery feels completely different from the greenery of summer, so if you have time, I highly recommend visiting in different seasons. It’s also very close to Maruyama Zoo, making it easy to visit both on the same day for a fuller itinerary.

Visiting Hokkaido in winter feels like stepping into an endless, pure white world, and Kitahama Station adds an extra touch of northern romance. This century-old station standing along the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk may be unmanned, but the travelers who come to see it keep this little station full of life.

Kitahama Station is on the Senmo Main Line and is one of the few stations in Japan where you can view the Sea of Okhotsk from such a close distance. From the observation deck, you can take in panoramic views of the sea and sky. In winter, everything is surrounded by white snow, making it especially beautiful and peaceful.

It has also appeared in many TV shows and movies, including the Japanese drama “The Ugly Duckling” and the movie “If You Are the One,” making Kitahama Station an even more romantic destination in travelers’ minds.

During this visit, snow was falling from the sky, and the station, tracks, and Sea of Okhotsk were all covered in a layer of white. It really felt like stepping into a movie scene.

Located on the sandbar between Lake Furen and Nemuro Bay, this is a well-known birdwatching spot in Hokkaido and a protected bird sanctuary known as a “birdwatcher's paradise.” If you're lucky, you may even encounter rare birds such as red-crowned cranes and white-tailed eagles.

I visited in winter, and although the surroundings looked somewhat desolate, without the liveliness and colors of other seasons, the winter scenery had its own quiet and unique beauty. Walking along the well-maintained trail, I took in the vast natural landscape. It was very peaceful, and occasionally I could see wild birds flying by.