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Myoken Marché may be the smallest bakery in Otaru. It is in Myoken Market that was once a thriving market in Otaru. The market does not have the bustle of old days any more, and only several shops keep up their business, but they are still popular with some customers.

Myoken Marché is a newcomer among the shops of old standing, but this tiny but spiffy-looking bakery, run by a young baker, seems to bring new perspective to the dwindling market by attracting new customers who like good home-baked bread.

Please visit Myoken Marché.

In Otaru, Hokkaido, you may come across some strange and interesting scenes spontaneously created by aging buildings like these in the photographs. If you would like to see something interesting in Otaru, the best way is walking around the town at random.

Summer heat in Otaru has already gone. It is much cooler early in the morning and evening though daytime sunshine is still strong. The sound of crickets singing in the evening reminds us that the long winter of Hokkaido is not too distant.

The sunrise point has been gradually moving to the east of the city.

Refer to the photos to see the difference. Both photos were taken from exactly the same point in early July and September.

"Kamomeya" is a newly-opened guest house near Otaru Canal. The building that used to be the office of a company evokes the image of old Otaru in Hokkaido.

There are only four guest rooms in Kamomeya, two western-style rooms, and two tatami-mat rooms. Though small, all the four rooms are clean, tidy and tasteful.

The room charges are also pretty reasonable. ¥4,200 for tatami-mat rooms, ¥5,000 for twin room per person respectively. The charge for the room with undersized double bed is ¥6,000, but it makes ¥5,000 if two persons share it.

Ushio Festival is a movable feast, and it takes place in Otaru, Hokkaido from July 27th through 29th this year.

Ushio Festival is a festival originated out of gratitude for the sea and wishing for the prosperity of Otaru in Hokkaido since Otaru is a port city.

The highlight of this festival must be Ushio Nerikomi (Ushio Dance procession) on the 28th (Sat.). Thousands of townspeople in uniform Yukata dance along to the music of Ushio Dance for hours from early afternoon into the night.

Kourakuen, Japanese inn located in Asarigawa onsen of  Otaru Hokkaido, has started the new service, "Kokage no Ideyu".

"Kokage no Ideyu" is a spacious hot spring bath of 80square-meter, and is perfect for those who like to enjoy a bath by themselves, with family or as a couple.

The bath can be rented for up to 60mins at a time. The bath can be enjoyed with a pleasant garden breeze. You can also sweat out aches and pains in the Finnish-Style sauna.

Otaru Museum that has been reorganized since last year opens on the 14th July.

New Otaru Museum consists of two museums in different areas.

One is the existing Otaru Museum situated along Otaru Canal. This museum is called "Unga-kan", and it focuses on history and nature of Otaru in Hokkaido.

Marine Festa will be held in Otaru Chikko area on July 15th as part of celebration of Marine Day, a movable feast falling on the 16th of July this year.

Many interesting events are provided to the visitors at the venues. At Otaru Chikko Waterfront Park, the events include experience-ride of wet bike, steering-experience of a motorboat, "Port Watching" by a boat that allows you to view the landscape of Otaru in Hokkaido from the sea.

Uguis and Bird Cage are in the same old wooden building. Simple but tasteful handmade furniture is displayed downstairs and part of upstairs as sample for custom-made furniture.

Bird Cage, the cafe, is housed upstairs on the opposite side of the furniture display space. Sandwiches made with home-baked bread and homemade cakes eating in a cozy remodeled old building are very good.

Unfortunately, this shop is open only on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays so far, but it is surely worth a visit.

Walter sold in the bottle is usually natural mineral water. "Otaru no Mizu" (小樽の水) or "Water of Otaru" in the photo, however, is tap water. In many cities in the world, tap water is often unsuitable for drinking, but Otaru's tap water is such high quality as sold in the bottle to drink.

People in Otaru don't have to buy this bottled water since there is no difference between the water in the bottle and tap water, (and we all pay water rate anyway).