Otaru is really perfect for strolling around and exploring at a leisurely pace. This time, I visited Tanaka Sake Brewing. The century-old brewery has so much character, with its wooden architecture and strong traditional Japanese atmosphere. You can sample sake and plum wine inside, and Chinese-language service is also available, making it easy to browse. It doesn't feel overly commercial; instead, it has a simple, warm quality. If you like Japan's historic streets and long-established shops, I highly recommend stopping by while you're in Otaru to experience a taste of old Hokkaido.
Tanaka Sake Brewing Main Store | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Takayama Inari Shrine
Takayama Inari is the major shrine in Aomori with blessings of good harvest, safety in the voyage and business prosperity. The founding is unclear, but a wealthy family ruling this area in Kamakura through Muromachi Periods is said to have built this shrine.
Takayama Inari Shrine is famous for its spectacular Senbon Torii. Although it’s relatively inconvenient to get to, if you’re not driving, you’ll need to take a bus and then walk for about 40 minutes, or take a taxi for about 5 minutes. But it’s definitely worth making a special trip! The vermilion torii gates stretch on and on, creating a dreamlike scene, and during cherry blossom season, they’re incredibly beautiful. Even if you visit outside the flowering season, it’s still impressive, and there are relatively few international tourists, so you can leisurely enjoy the tranquility and beautiful scenery.
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Cape Tappi (Tappizaki)
A scenic cape at the northernmost tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula, jutting into the Tsugaru Strait and offering breathtaking panoramic views. Surrounded by the Sea of Japan, the Tsugaru Strait, and Mutsu Bay on three sides, it gets strong sea winds and is also known as the “Cape of Wind.” At the tip stands the Tappizaki Lighthouse, a symbol of the Tsugaru Strait, and on clear days you can see as far as Hokkaido’s Matsumae Peninsula and Mt. Hakodate across the strait.
Cape Tappi is at the northernmost tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula, and from the cape, you can gaze out over the vast Tsugaru Strait. This time, I took the JR and Resort Asunaro trains from Aomori Station and arrived in about two hours. The scenery kept changing along the way, and the clear weather made the journey even better! At Kanita Station, I was also lucky enough to see the Train Suite Shiki-shima returning from Hokkaido. This unexpected little surprise made the trip even more memorable.
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Cape Kamui
Located within the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, this cape stretches out from the northwestern part of the Shakotan Peninsula into the Sea of Japan. It's approximately 770 meters from the parking lot to the tip of the cape, with a scenic 20-minute walk along a trail that has some ups and downs. The natural beauty of the surrounding area and the clear, azure waters known as "Shakotan Blue" make the journey truly breathtaking. At the tip of the cape, you can find the Kamui Rock and the Cape Kamui Lighthouse, offering a 300-degree rounded horizon view.
Finally made it to Cape Kamui, a place I've always wanted to visit! The cape is surrounded by the crystal-clear azure sea known as “Shakotan Blue,” and the scenery was truly breathtaking. That day, the sky was blue with white clouds and plenty of sunshine, so every photo looked like a postcard. Although there were quite a few visitors around noon, the trail was gentle and easy to walk, though the sea breeze was extremely strong. There are also mysterious legends along the way, making the trip even more interesting. Seeing this deep blue sea with my own eyes was truly worth it!
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