JAPAN , HOKKAIDO , OTARU

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Otaru, a port city on the northern island of Hokkaido, about 40 km north west of Sapporo, enjoyed its boom period in the Meiji and Taisho periods as a herring fishing center and the terminal for Hokkaido's first railway between Otaru and Sapporo.

Sometimes known as the "Venice of Japan," Otaru has preserved its historic and picturesque canals lined with brick warehouses and gas lights. The Venice connection has been expanded to include a new focus on glass-blowing in the city.

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