osaka-otaru

Several days before 2013, we went on a little trip to Otaru.

We were using miles and actually wanted to go to somewhere in Okinawa (where it was warm), but in the end, could only get seats for Hokkaido (where it was fahreezing)...

I didn't mind too much, as I've been wanting to see snow and the last time we'd been to Otaru was back in 2009.

From Osaka it is about 2 hours to Chitose by plane and then about another hour by train to Otaru.

When we got off the train, the snow was coming from all sides in semi-blizzard fashion.

After checking in, we ventured out to look for dinner.

Our hotel was located looking out at the unga (canal) and across the canal in the old stone warehouses were many eateries.

We decided to check out Otaru Beer.

The interior seemed like a German beer hall with German music and some of the foods were "German-ish".

We started off with tako (octopus) carpaccio...the octopus was tender with a little chew, the sauce was Asian with some chili in for kick.

We tried their ramen salad, this was like a hiyashi chuuka without the "soup".

Different but good.

Next we tried their currywurst, a sausage topped with curry flavored ketchup...delicious!

I had seen this on many food shows and would like to try it in Germany someday!

Love the sausages in Japan, they all have a nice snap.

Lastly we tried their German pizza this was a thin crust topped with sour cream, lots of thinly sliced onion and thinly sliced bacon...this was different but really tasty.

Their dunkel bock beer was fruity but delicious as well, I would definitely go back to try their other beers & foods.

Otaru Beer
5-4 Minato-machi
Otaru, Hokkaido
Phone: 0134.21.2323
Hours: 10:00-23:00

Hotel Sonia
1-4-20 Ironai
Otaru, Hokkaido
Phone: 0134.23.2600