Tourists from overseas came back !

by Kazu 

It seemed that the number of the tourists to Otaru City recovered and outstripped the former volume. So many tourists from overseas were speaking foreign languages. 

The atmosphere around the canal lit up with candle lights might give the couples unforgettable and irresistible romantic memories.

Canal cruise boat was empty at that time but I saw  some tourists enjoying the cruise in daytime the otter day. The word of "Over tourism" coul be seen in Kyoto and other area of Japan but the direction of Japan can not be found by the politicians so far.

 

Otaru Canal in the evening !

by Kazu

We took a walk to the Otaru Canal indowntown of Otaru City after having BBQ Dinner in "Gyuukaku" without savoring special fresh seafood on that day. 

We felt like having grilled beef to beef up ourselves preparing for another

mission

to make this would a better place. 

As we stayed in our favorite "Dormy Inn" on that day, we had to save the space in our stomach to eat compliment Ramen Noodle soup supper after 21:30 in the hotel.

 

"Jounetsu" was titled on the snow !

by Kazu 

The efforts of the staff exerted to create and keep this scenery gave us such gift that made us so happy and warm.

I really appreciate their efforts and enthusiasm to make it happen. So many tourists and citizens seemed to be so satisfied and happy.  

I was not sure how long did it take to prepare for the event but considering the snow sculptures not covered with snow, all the sculptures must have been made in a short period.

 

How many candles were needed?

byKazu 

I was so curious about the position of the candles inside the snow objects on the snow-lantern-trail in Otaru City.

I found some well-designed snow-lantern on the trail. It had so complicated figure and the candle light from the inside was so beautiful.

Keeping the candle lights must have been so tough but the flame-keepers strolled along the trail to change the candles and keep this beautiful scenery. Kudos to all the people pertinent to this event.  

 

The Trail of Snow Lanterns !

by Kazu 

The Snow Lantern Trail in Otaru City was between the residential area and hundreds of candle lights played up the beauty of the snow sculptures and twilight. 

The design of the snow sculptures varied and the intention of each artist entertained the visitors so much. 

The flames keepers of the lanterns were strolling around the trail and the adjacent area to keep@ the candles lightning and burning. 

 

The Power of the Citizens in Otaru City !

by Kazu

All these snow sculptures andlanterns were made by the citizens of Otaru City to create the beautiful and romantic trail.

The kids, youths, seniors, disables, males, females and LGBTQs joined the workforce to create the space along the trail made on the forme railway. 

Without electricity, small candles made up these lanterns kept burning by some "flame-keepers" strolling on the

trail. Kudos to the flame- keepers and creators!

 

Snow LanternStreet in the Port City Otaru !

by Kazu

I love this scenery of the downtown of Sapporo City that can be seen from the west end of the premises of Hokkaido University before sunrise. 

The beautiful

twilight welcomed us so nicely when I chose this route for routine jogging early in the morning . 

We visited the Port City Otaru on that day and joined its snow lantern festival held on the former railway area in the City. 

The citizens made up the various kinds of snow lanterns along the trail and a gentleman kept the candles inside burning .

 

Basketball Team Revanga Sapporo !

 

by Kazu 

We got tickets of the basketball game Hokkaido Revanga vs Sendai and went to Hokkaido Athletic Dome "Kitaeru Sapporo" . 

In order to allure many people to the games, a variety of attractions, kitchen cars and tricks including DJ were well-organized in the facility. 

The colourful lightnings played up the stage so much that the cost of the frills of the game must have been so expensive t mak money, I assumed. 

Exocism at the age of 59 !

by Kazu

It is said that males should be taken off the evil with the help of the Shinto Shrine Priest at the age of 42, 59, 60  and 61.

At these age, males can be suffered by the evils and malice, they say. We had to be purified our soul and body in Shinto Shrine, so we chose Suwa Shrine in Sapporo on that day. 

The hand washing area of the Shrine was decorated with flowers, umbrellas and objects as usual. The water flowing from the mouth of a small dragon was so cold but keep flowing to wash up our pot of soul.

 

At the end of winter!

by Kazu

Even at the

beginning of April, such heavy snowfall can be seen in Hokkaido. Actually, I hadexperienced harsh blizzard during the

long holidays

at the beginning

of May decades ago. 

 w

The experimental agricultural

fields on the premises of Hokkaido University got covered with

white snow on that

day. 

In a several

weeks, this white fields would turn to be brown, yellow and green under the

bright sunshine of spring. The season of blossoms of cherry, small white magnolia would be coming.