Otaru, Japan

Today we were in Otaru. We started the day with some breakfast in the buffet. We then needed to wait for the Japanese immigration staff to set up in the main theater. Since we had just come from Busan, we had to officially reenter Japan. They had a ticket number system. I had gotten up early a few days ago and the lowest number I could get was 15. They started the process at 10:20, calling numbers 1 and 2. By about Noon number 15 was called and we went to the theater. We had to wait about ten minutes but were processed and able to leave the ship about 12:20.  

Otaru, like the other places we visited, is an old port. The difference here is there is a canal.whereas.the other ports had piers. The canal is what was used to bring cargo from the ships into the vast warehouses and eventually into local shops. After the canal was no longer needed, the city was planning to fill it in so the city roads could be expanded. The residents didn't want the canal, which was such an improvement part of the city. to just disappear. So they protested and the city compromised by keeping some of the canal in its original state. Since it was such an integral part of the city, we decided to take a canal cruise.  

It was a 30 minute walk to the canal cruise office. We got there at 1PM just as one cruise was leaving. We bought tickets for the 2PM cruise and went out to find some lunch. The tickets were 1800 JPY per adult (~$13.81 USD). Luckily there was a restaurant only a few blocks away. We started with some pan fried dumplings.

 Then Angie ordered pork ramen. 

I ordered a spicy fried chicken which is one of Otaru's signature items. We also ordered two highball cocktails made from Nikka whiskey which is distilled locally. All very good and satisfying. This was 4080 JPY (~$31 USD).

After lunch we walked the short distance to the canal cruise office and boarded our cruise. 

 You were given a life belt to wrap around your waist as well as ear buds so you could listen to the narration. It was available in both Japanese and English. It was an interesting 40 minute cruise. You learned about the various old warehouses, many of which had been repurposed as restaurants, bars and retail shops. And some are still used as warehouses. Great glimpses of the mountains. And yes - that is snow on the peaks. 

After the cruise we headed to the local Otaru Brewery. Once you stepped inside, it was like being in a German beer hall.

 We ordered a Dunkel and a Hefeweizen. Both were some of the best in style of these beers that I have tasted. And of course when you're in a Japanese German beer hall, you order a pretzel!!  

It was time to make the 30 minute walk back to the ship. On the way, we found a vending machine with snack foods. I was interested in trying this. It was a little hard to interpret, even with Google Translate. But we were sure that the food would come.out hot. So I selected some fried chicken and dropped my 420 JPY (~$3.23 USD) into the machine.

 Then it was the usual "clunking" from the machine. It seemed to happen too quickly. Would it be hot? I pushed the glass at the bottom and grabbed the item. It was frozen solid. Certainly not ready to eat. How disappointing. :-( I guess the expectation is that you would grab these on your way home and then heat up in your microwave. Of course we have no such option on the ship. So it went in the trash on our walk back. I'll never know what it tasted like. I should have some more research.  

We got back onboard and are now sailing to Aomori We have an all day ship excursion tomorrow where we will visit some ruins, visit a natural park, see a Buddha and have a local lunch.