Otaru Beer

Otaru is well known for its canal, fresh sushi, and Otaru Beer.

I was reading this article from Japan times:

"While Japan's major breweries continue to report flat beer sales amid an ailing economy, there is one Hokkaido-based beer maker that's brewing up a storm. Otaru Beer in the port city of Otaru has continued to flourish since its inception 15 years ago, with output growing at an annual average of 10 percent....

Ingredients used are all organic, with high-grade barley, wheat and hops imported from Germany to be combined with Otaru's soft, pristine water. The only other ingredient — yeast — is propagated by Braun himself and is the reason why Otaru Beer's draft ales and their bottled equivalents are only available within a 100 km radius of Otaru."

The news brings back memories of white Christmas trip around Hokkaido. I was on a one day trip in Otaru, exploring the beautiful streets with its irresistible sweets shops and came across this medieval theme cafe next to the famous Otaru Canal and then I found myself sitting on a timber bench overlooking the canal and sipping Otaru draft ale...

'nodogoshi ga ii...'

(Otaru Canal in snow, Christmas 2009)

Otaru Sweets

It's been one month since I left Japan and seemed like I left half of my heart over there too..

Here is another foodie post from my trip around Japan, especially from Otaru, Hokkaido.

Otaru, an old city worth visiting for its beauty and yummy food. Should you walk on the main streets of Otaru, you'd find cafes and shops along the streets with historic yet charming architectures, some look very traditional and some look very unique and creative. Sushi and seafood might be the most popular food for tourist, besides, there are some worth trying sweets in town, chocolate, cheesecake, sweet potato cake, cream puff and the list still goes on..

Chocolat de Otaru

Sweet Potato cakes in Otaru

Otaru Cream Puff

Apple Pie

Choco Cheesecake from LeTao cafe

LeTao Cheesecake

Christmas' sweets

Kitakaro cakes, fresh from the oven!

Kitakaro cake shop in Otaru

Kitakaro cake

Otaru - The Town of Hills

Otaru, a beautiful city of western Hokkaido also called 'The town of hills' for local people as there are some hills surrounding the city. It took me only 30 minutes by Kamuy express train from Sapporo and it was a quick visit to this port city famous for its canal. I didn't have enough time to visit the observation point on Mt. Tengu-yama to enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of Otaru and its port area though, still I enjoyed my half day scrolling down the famous Otaru canal and sushi-dori street. As I arrived at Otaru station, I just walked down the main street to Otaru Music box museum and enjoyed scrolling the streets with glassworks shops, coffee shops, restaurants lining up along the canal. The shops and buildings have distinctive and attractive architectures and when the night falls the lights and oil lamps are lit, creating even more charming sceneries. Walking down Otaru's streets, you will see some spots in Otaru used for filming some Japanese and Korean movies and serries.

Here are some photos from my half day visit in Otaru, a city of Hokkaido with lots of cafes full of irresistible sweets.

Main street of Otaru

Cafes along the street

Music box museum

The famous canal of Otaru

Night view from the canal

'The real drug store' in Otaru :)

Baikinman in Otaru

Almost forgot that it's New Year's day, Happy New Year to you all fellas!