It seems like a week since the last post, but it’s only been two days – and what a lot of territory we’ve covered!

First, I forgot to mention the fireworks (sorry, no pics) in Lake Tōya: every night from April to October they provide a spectacular fireworks display on the lake at 8.45 pm.  I should keep this a secret from our tour guests next May and pretend we arranged it just for them.  A fitting end to a great visit to beautiful Tōyako.

Our drive to Yoichi took us via Mount Yōtei, the Mount Fuji-lookalike that normally dominates the landscape, but yesterday was shrouded in mist, and Niseko, the popular ski resort where they were celebrating big time that quintessential Japanese festival of … Halloween (good grief!).

On to Yoichi, home of Nikka whisky (a fascinating story for another time – or just ask Google-san) and a chance to check out some lovely coastal painting venues for next year.

Then onto Otaru for the last two nights (it’s now Sunday night, October 22) at the amazing Neuschloß Hotel – a blend of German and Japanese, with a dash of French élan.  We’ll be here for three nights in May and the rooms and private sea-facing ofuro (baths) will not disappoint.  Why, on a clear day (which this wasn’t) you can spy Comrade Putin doing push-ups, since we are even closer to Russia than Sarah Palin.

Hopefully the hotel will not have slid down the mountain before we get to enjoy it again in 2018!

Today we spent checking out painting spots in the fishing villages between here (the hotel is in Shukutsu) and Otaru. Plenty to chose from.  Otaru is delightful and although it was freezing, we loved the walk along  the main street and exploring the glassware stores, with a melon soft cream cone to keep us going before a tempura feast at lunch.

On to Sapporo tomorrow for more shitami duties.  It’s supposed to be snowing there, so we’ll be rugged up.