Joanna James
When travelling around Japan many towns are filled to the brim with activities, history and wonder. One such town is Otaru that is located on the island of Hokkaido. Filled with plenty of things to do as well as a thriving art culture, this is an ideal place to explore.
One of the oldest ice cream parlours in this small town can be found inside a warehouse that dates back to 1892. The region is well known in Hokkaido for its ice cream and the spectrum of flavours that are available.
For example, there are several unique ingredients used to bring out a new experience for consumers. One such ingredient is the use of squid ink to make what is referred to as 'Ika-sumi' ice cream. While the black colour of the ice cream may be a bit off-putting, the ice cream itself is sweet and delicious.
Another unique flavour found only in Otaru is the sea urchin flavour ice cream which is ideal for uni lovers amongst you.
However, if you simply want to enjoy a more traditional flavour, be sure to try their sweet melon flavour!
If you are staying at an Otaru hotel near Jr Station such as the Grand Park Otaru be sure to ask around and make a list of flavours that you should taste.
There is something a bit ethereal about the Otaru canal. It might be the snow that lines its path during the winter months or the warm orange glow from the streetlamps. This canal was once an important part of the cities busy port life but is now a popular destination for those on the lookout for a romantic night-time stroll
If you can, of course, choose to walk or opt to take a boat along the canal as well given the frequent tours that are run.
This city is filled with nuanced little eccentricities. It once was the hub in terms of Japan's glass production industry and was well known for the oil lamps it developed.
However, what many people are devoting their time to is the process of building a variety of mainly decorative items and other glass souvenirs. The best part of this is that you can also enrol in glassmaking classes to make your pieces!
Much of the history of the city can be understood by looking at the buildings that are scattered through the land. One fine example is the warehouse that has been converted into a modern-day museum. This structure was built in 1893 and is located very close to the above mentioned Otaru Canal.
Within this museum, you can find rare artefacts as well as a remnant of the past that speak on behalf of the city regarding what it has been through over the decades.
No adventure would be complete without a quick stop for a beer. This is true in Otaru as well, where Otaru Beer serves people with a Bavarian ambience and fare. With their homemade beer, there is no better place to enjoy some music while sipping a cool mug of beer!
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