Otaru Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street | Review by 陳泰任

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Otaru Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street

Otaru's main street where you can enjoy retro scenery and shopping.

19 Oct 2026 See More

Otaru Canal | Travel Notes
Stepping into Otaru, Hokkaido, feels like entering a nostalgic cityscape painting. Strolling along the Otaru Canal, the old stone warehouses, gas lamps, and street scenery give off a unique northern charm. Along the way, I admired the well-preserved historic buildings around the canal and got a sense of Otaru’s former prosperity as a port city.

During the trip, I also visited neighborhoods with a foreign flair, admiring distinctive clock towers, churches, and red-brick buildings. Every casual snapshot captured scenery worth keeping. I stopped at a cozy cafe along the way to have coffee and chat with family and friends, adding a touch of leisure and warmth to the trip.

Otaru’s beauty lies not only in the canal itself, but also in the unique charm created by its old buildings, streets, people, and Hokkaido’s fresh air. This trip to Otaru left me with more than just photos—it also gave me wonderful memories worth savoring.

Other Reviews by 陳泰任

Lake Toya

There is no better attraction than the natural landscape of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. The area around a caldera lake, Lake Toya , and an active volcano, Mt.Usu, was designated as the Toya- Usu Unesco Global Geopark in UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Lake Toya and Noboribetsu
- Nature Spots
19 Oct 2026 See More

A Trip to Lake Toya | Time in Hokkaido Among the Lake and Mountains
Arriving at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, I was greeted by a refreshing view of the lake and mountains. The deep blue water sparkled in the sunlight, while Mount Yotei and the distant mountains were reflected on the lake beneath the blue sky and white clouds, like a landscape painted by nature.

Strolling along the lakeshore, colorful flowers bloomed by the water, and a gentle breeze brought a rare sense of leisure and tranquility. Looking out over the vast lake from the Lake Toya Observatory and taking precious photos with family and friends added even more wonderful memories to this Hokkaido trip.

Lake Toya is more than just beautiful scenery. It offers time to slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy the moment. This deep blue lake and magnificent mountain scenery will also become one of the most treasured pages of the journey.
Mt. Showa-Shinzan

Showa Shinzan, in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, was once a wheat field that was uplifted by Mount Usu's volcanic eruption in 1943. Showa Shinzan is a volcano that has received worldwide attention for its status as a national special natural monument, one of Japan's top 100 geological sites, a Japanese Geopark, and a UNESCO World Geopark, among other things.
- Lake Toya and Noboribetsu
- Nature Spots
12 Oct 2026 See More

Japan Showa-Shinzan Bear Park | Hokkaido Travel Notes
When I arrived at Showa-Shinzan Bear Park in Hokkaido, before I even entered the park, I was drawn to the eye-catching wooden “WELCOME HOKKAIDO” sign at the entrance. The cute bear statues and large brown bear sign immediately created a strong Hokkaido travel atmosphere.
What I looked forward to most, of course, was seeing Hokkaido brown bears up close. Through the secure fences and feeding windows, I could clearly see the bears leisurely moving around and waiting for food. A few even came right up to the fence and curiously interacted with visitors. When they looked up at us, the feeling of both excitement and nervousness made me keep reaching for my camera to capture the moment.
Sunlight poured over the park, and the bears against Hokkaido’s natural scenery created an interesting travel scene. This visit to Showa-Shinzan Bear Park wasn’t just about seeing bears; it also became a Hokkaido memory filled with surprises, laughter, and childlike fun.
Hakodate Kokusai Hotel

This city hotel consists of 435 guest rooms, a banquet hall with one of the largest capacities in the Hakodate area, three restaurants, and a modern tea lounge. The hotel boasts a wide variety of guest rooms, including "Standard Queen" rooms with a 160-cm wide queen-size bed that can accommodate one person or two, "Deluxe Family Rooms" for up to four people, and "Imperial Suite" rooms with a prestigious interior and beds in a 120-square meter space.
- Hakodate and Matsumae
- Hotels
12 Oct 2026 See More

Japan’s Heiseikan Kaiyotei | A Warm Encounter Along the Journey
During my trip to Hokkaido, I stayed at Heiseikan Kaiyotei in Hakodate. As soon as I entered the hotel lobby, I was drawn to the calm and elegant space before me. The wooden eaves, Japanese-style latticework, and dark stone complement one another, creating a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. What impressed me most was the towering stone water feature in the center of the lobby. Sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, blending with the lush green garden outside to create a tranquil scene.
Looking up, delicate golden floral chandeliers sparkled in the light and shadows. Paired with comfortable circular seating, they offered travelers a place to sit back, relax, and slow down after a long day. Through the large glass windows, the blue sky, green trees, and garden scenery were all in full view, creating just the right balance between the warmth indoors and the nature outside.
There is none of the noise of excessive luxury here. Instead, the thoughtful Japanese design creates a sense of calm and comfort. To me, Heiseikan Kaiyotei was more than just a place to stay during my journey. It felt like a warm rest stop where both body and mind could recharge, leaving me with a pleasant and unforgettable memory of this trip to Hokkaido.