Finally, we found our inn. We went out as soon as we checked our baggage. The inn is located on a deserted street. We came across various things until we got downtown.
The first photo shows an unused track of JNR (Japan National Railways). It is the Temiya Line which was abolished in 1985. It used to be a main transportation artery between Sapporo and Otaru. Numerous materials and commodities for the development of Hokkaido were carried on the track. I said "Thank you!" at the track in my mind. I don't know; I just couldn't take it anymore! I couldn't have lived with myself if I hadn't said thanks. I found myself having make-believe conversations with people who were alive and working for the Temiya Line 100 years ago.
Otaru city is known as the northern Wall Street. This city used to be a financial center. Dozens of buildings that were built in the Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926) and Showa (1926-1989) Era are preserved now. The second photo shows one of them. I don't know who was the original owner, but it looks like a former bank.
On the way to downtown, I took more than 20 pictures of such kinds of buildings. I'm thinking that I'll build a website for showing those pictures to all of you.
(Vocabulary)
inn 宿屋
check one's baggage 手荷物を預ける
make-believe 【名】見せかけ、ふりをする人、偽り、～ごっこ
【形】見せかけの、～らしく作った、偽りの、架空の、作り事の、でっち上げた、代用の
make-believe world 架空の世界
(KW:小樽 北の金融街)
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