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Otaru in Hokkaido has a sister city in New Zealand. It is Dunedin in South Island.

Dunedin and Otaru have many things in common. One of them is that both cities are hilly and have many steep slopes. Dunedin has the world's steepest street called Baldwin Street. Its inclination is 38 degrees. I wonder if there is any slope in Otaru to cope with Baldwin Street.

Autumn leaves are really beautiful, but sometimes can be a nuisance once they fall on the streets.

Here in Otaru Hokkaido, howerver, it is a shame that ginkgo trees, along the street stretching from Sumiyoshi Shrine, have been trimmed before their leaves get golden yellow. Did they trim to avoid the trouble of clearing the fallen leaves?

Be that as it may, one of Otaru's seasonal beauties seems to be taken away because of this too early trimming...

It is getting quite cold early in the morning and at night here in Otaru Hokkaido. The difference of the temperature daytime and night makes autumnal tints so brilliant.

Otaru's autumn colors will be at their best soon. How about visiting one of Asari hot springs, where you can enjoy nice hot spring while viewing beautiful autumn colors of Hokkaido.