The coastal city of Otaru is located on the island of Hokkaido, on the Ishikari Bay. The port is connected with the canal, which was once used by smaller vessels transporting goods that arrived by the sea. The stone warehouses built in the 1920s still stand on the banks of the canal. Today, the historical canal no longer serves its original function, however, it has a permanent place in the landscape of the city and has been a kind of a tourist attraction. The canal is adorned with the old-fashioned lanterns that illuminate the promenades along its banks. Its surroundings are also seasonally decorated by snow sculptures and lanterns. Otaru is famous for its good beer and fresh sushi.
