Perhaps it’s the intrepid traveler in me or maybe it’s the aspiring photography buff that pushes me to go farther. In Otaru, I found myself at the end of the line; the bus would take me no further. No problem, just another opportunity to explore the cliffs near the Hiyoriyama Lighthouse and get a free glimpse at the sea lions in the aquarium. But I notice the sun is peaking through the clouds further up the coast and I see the winding road leading to the Shukutsu Panorama Observation Platform. I can’t resist and so it’s another hike up the hill and another experiential reward and of course – more photographs.








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