Tranquil and blanketed in pristine white snow, the Japanese city of Otaru serves as the backdrop ... away on the west coast of the island of Hokkaido has become the latest flashpoint in Japan ...

Otaru Canal, a popular tourist attraction, is seen in Otaru, Hokkaido, on Jan. 26, 2025. (Mainichi/Haruka Ito) OTARU, Hokkaido -- This northern Japanese city implemented new measures on Jan.

OTARU, Hokkaido--After sunset, the city’s renowned Otaru Canal takes on a magical ambience, courtesy of 10,000 blue LED lights. The Blue Canal illumination event runs until Jan. 31 along a ...