I’m setting off with an 80-liter backpack today. Teto is coming too. A beer to start the trip.
I took two flights to Hokkaido. The second plane was a 787.
At New Chitose I boarded a train for Otaru. Now my arrival was assured. The sea came into view, wider than anything I see around the Seto Inland Sea.
I reached Otaru safely a little after four.
Crossing Otaru on foot
First I picked up a stamp booklet. I’m doing the Otaru town stamp rally again.
At Iwanaga Watch Shop I managed to get Karin’s watch too.
Then I headed for Jigokuzaka, or Hell Slope. So this is the notorious hill said to defeat fans.
I didn’t run with that backpack, but after climbing it I’d call it a hill that might merely roll a fan downhill.
Since a collaboration between Teto and Otaru Shiokaze High School had just been announced, I continued up to Otaru University of Commerce. They were preparing for a campus festival.
Only after climbing did I notice that there was a bus.
Dropping my bags, then back to town
I checked into the hotel before six. The room was spacious.
I charged my phone and went out for dinner, with more stamp-rally stops and perhaps a beer.
I’ve gone to the office only about two days in the past year, but I’ve spent around twenty days in Otaru. I’m here more than I’m at work.
I’ll be in Hokkaido for seven nights. With a whole week here, I wish I’d contacted the other Teto fans in Hokkaido beforehand.
Bartender Karin
I visited HALF TONE in the evening. Karin welcomed me dressed as a bartender.
I was also allowed to photograph Minami’s Karin.
I got the stamp booklet and climbed the hill on my travel day. It was a busy start to my week in Otaru.
This trip later led me to make “Natsukusa no Rail feat. Natsuki Karin”.