I arrived in Otaru yesterday. Today began with breakfast.
The weather was good, so I decided to walk up Mount Tengu from below. To make it a proper crossing, I went to the sea first and walked from there toward the mountain.
From the sea to Mount Tengu
I continued the Otaru town stamp rally along the way. At a shrine I saw Rikka and prayed for a safe climb.
I bought a day bus pass, despite walking to Mount Tengu. Eventually a bus to the mountain passed me. Yes, I had a pass for it.
The road climbed past a sign showing a 15 percent grade. I’m impressed anyone built and compacted a road on that slope.
I reached the top after ten. It was hot, but the view was too good.
I greeted Karin too.
I used the ropeway to descend. If you ride only downhill, they give you a temporary ticket.
Lunch at Karin’s house
I went to Kihinkan for lunch, eating at what fans call Karin’s family home.
Next was Otaru Aquarium, where I bought an annual pass. Todo Rock was visible across the sea, so I took a photo with Teto.
I saw Chifuyu’s panel too. Teto seems to be getting fed.
I got Karin’s collaboration badge from the capsule machine on my first try. Clearly my good behavior paid off.
Back in town, still walking
After the aquarium I picked up my race number for tomorrow’s Otaru Canal Road Race.
I’m running tomorrow, but today I climbed a mountain. By a little after three I’d walked around 20 km and was properly tired.
I had sushi and called it carbohydrate loading.
Then I took a post-meal walk and completed all the stamps in the Miyako-dori shopping street.
Mount Tengu, round two
I went back to Mount Tengu in the evening, this time to wait for sunset. I had a Karin drink and watched Otaru with Teto and Karin.
The sun sank low, then disappeared into the clouds. I wasn’t going to see the moment it set.
It was still this bright at 7:50 p.m. So close to the summer solstice, darkness took its time. You really feel the higher latitude.
I ran out of time before the night view appeared.
I’d somehow walked around 30,000 steps today. Far too much the day before a road race.
Tomorrow I’ll run in my Karin T-shirt.
Exactly a year ago, I saw the Otaru Canal Road Race during my first visit and wanted to run as the Otaru Shiokaze High School track team. I’m happy I can finally join a year later.
Time for a bath and sleep.