[Mt. Kenashi Observatory]

I went to Mt. Kenashi Observatory, a familiar night view spot for those who live in the suburbs of Otaru City. Mt. Kenashi is a mountain along Route 393 connecting Otaru City and Akaigawa Village. The observatory is located on the Otaru side of the mountain, about 470 meters above sea level, and offers a panoramic view of Otaru City and Ishikari Bay. Many people from Otaru and Sapporo pass this mountain on their way to Niseko and Mt. Yotei. The Otaru side of Mt. Kenashi is a winding road with sharp curves, which requires careful driving and makes you tense both physically and mentally. During the day, you can enjoy the view of the green mountains and the blue sea, with the Otaru cityscape in between, making you want to stretch out.

The other day, on my way back from Mt. Yotei, I entered Mt. Kenashi Observatory after passing the mountain pass, the sky was covered with a dark indigo color, but I noticed that the mountain ridges were reflected in orange, the remnants of the setting sun, creating a beautiful gradation from indigo to orange, which I wanted to capture in a photo! I wanted to take a picture of this! I was just passing the observation point when I was able to stop the car and take a picture. The gradation on the mountainside was beautiful, and when I looked at the seaside, the city of Otaru was lit up and I could enjoy the night view. It was a pity that I could not take good pictures with my cell phone camera, but both the night view and the gradation after the sun went down were more fantastic in person. It was a beautiful autumn day with no clouds in the sky, so perhaps it was a good time to take pictures, but some people were taking pictures with full-scale cameras fixed on tripods.

In Otaru, where our showroom is located, the leaves are turning red, green, red, and yellow, and many people go for a drive to see them at their best. The area around the Mt. Kenashi Observatory in Otaru is also a good spot for a drive, as you can enjoy the autumn leaves during the light hours and the night view after the sun goes down. However, the temperature drops dramatically as the sun begins to set, so be sure to bring warm clothing!

Otaru Showroom
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