Linda Liao's Reviews Page 14/36

A gentle early-summer breeze blows through, bringing a slight chill to the Otaru Canal. Strolling along the canal and watching boats slowly glide across the water has a charm all its own.

Otaru was once an important port and commercial city in Hokkaido. Shipping and trade flourished from the late 19th to the early 20th century, and the canal was built at that time to make transporting goods easier. Today, it has become Otaru's most iconic attraction.

Many historic buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods remain on both sides of the street, creating a nostalgic port-town atmosphere. The shopping street has many distinctive shops offering Otaru glasswork, music boxes, sweets, sushi, seafood, and more, so you can shop and sample food while taking a stroll. The skillful blend of old and new buildings gives it a charm all its own.

Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label is crisp and smooth, with a delicate malty aroma on the first sip. The bitterness is mild and not harsh, with a clean, crisp finish. It's especially satisfying ice-cold. It's also a classic favorite for many people. Its popularity comes from its balanced flavor and easy drinkability. It pairs well with yakiniku, fried foods, or Japanese cuisine. Having a glass at a gathering is refreshing and cuts through rich foods!

SuiSavon - Shuri Soap is one of my favorite stores. After buying and trying its products on my first trip to Okinawa, I became a regular customer. The store has quite a few popular products, but my favorite is their facial cleanser. Add water to the cleanser and gently rub it with a foaming net to create lots of dense, firm bubbles. The foam is fine and springy, and it doesn't disappear quickly. When washing my face, I slowly massage my skin with the bubbles. It feels very soothing, like giving my skin a gentle bubble massage, while also removing dirt and oil. My face feels fresh and comfortable afterward.

If it's your first time buying it, I highly recommend the hibiscus scent. It smells lovely and is their No. 1 most popular scent! I'm currently using the jasmine scent, which also smells wonderful. Its light fragrance makes washing my face every day feel very soothing.

A pale yellow cream with a thick texture and high moisturizing power. Like petroleum jelly, it forms a moisturizing protective layer on the skin, but it spreads more easily and smoothly. It is especially suitable for dry, rough areas such as the heels, elbows, and knees, helping keep the skin soft and comfortable. When dryness is noticeable, apply an appropriate amount and gently massage it in. Using it before bed is especially recommended, allowing the cream to thoroughly moisturize the skin overnight. The small jar is convenient to keep at home for daily care of dry areas.

S&B's Hon Nama Wasabi Paste is part of a line of tube seasonings that are really convenient for small households or cooking for one! The tube design doesn't take up much space, and you can squeeze out only as much as you need. It's also easy to use every last bit, so there's less waste. I also highly recommend the garlic paste. When cooking for one, there's no need to prepare a whole bunch of garlic, and it saves the time of peeling and chopping it. Just squeeze a little into some stir-fried vegetables to add aroma and garlic flavor—simple and quick. Keep it in the refrigerator and use it anytime; even beginners can cook with ease!

The cruise is a distinctive sightseeing experience that takes about 40 minutes. From the water, you can admire the stone warehouses and retro streetscapes along both sides of the canal while listening to the captain explain Otaru's history. Feeling the breeze and looking out at the calm water and beautiful scenery is very relaxing.

The Former Temiya Line is a remnant of Hokkaido's first railway, the government-operated Horonai Railway. The section from Temiya to Sapporo opened in 1880 and mainly transported coal from the Horonai coal mine to Otaru Port. It later became the Temiya Line and was officially closed in 1985. Today, the tracks, railroad crossings, and other features have been preserved and developed into a walking path about 1.6 kilometers long. Walking part of it on the way to the Otaru Canal offers a sense of Otaru's history as a former “railway city.”

Walking into the Triangle Market feels like stepping into Hokkaido's treasure trove of seafood in an instant. Voices echo throughout the market, vendors enthusiastically greet customers, and a faint scent of the sea drifts through the air. The whole market is full of energy. The most exciting part is the colorful seafood rice bowls, topped with salmon, sea urchin, shrimp, and more. Their vivid colors make it hard to look away, and just seeing them is enough to work up an appetite.

There are also plenty of king crabs throughout the market. Their thick legs and enormous bodies are impossible to take your eyes off. Here, you can enjoy fresh Hokkaido seafood at relatively affordable prices!

Kitakaro's “Yōsei no Mori” is a Baumkuchen with a moist, delicate texture, with each layer creating an appealingly soft and fluffy bite. In addition to the classic original flavor, there are also distinctive options such as apple, orange, and matcha, each with its own unique aroma. If you like Baumkuchen, it's worth buying one to try.