Hereโs a throwback post to my trip in the UK in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.
There are so many attractions to cover in London. If you want to explore London by foot and with a guide – give Strawberry Tours a shot.
Free Tours of London take you on a journey through the cityโs colourful and sometimes dark history. They are both informative and fun; no boring lectures! Explore Londonโs busy streets and discover 2,000 years of fascinating and entertaining history. London walking tours guarantee plenty of laughs through fun facts and anecdotes, as well as the promise of hidden gems to visit. They are far more entertaining than your history teacher! At Strawberry Tours we believe that everyone, no matter what oneโs budget is, should be able to experience and enjoy what London has to offer and we also believe that the price of a tour should correlate with your budget and how much you enjoyed it. Therefore, on all tours you decide how much you want to contribute, should you want to, at the end of the tour, depending on your enjoyment and possibilities. Come rain or sunshine (this is England after allโฆ), these free walking tours in London offer something for everyone!
Even though it goes by the line of โfree walking tours Londonโ, the tours are solely tips based so you can decide to contribute as much or as little as you feel the experience was worth.
We spent 2 hours with a Strawberry Tours guide bringing us across London to selected landmarks.
1. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial
2. St Jamesโs Palace
3. Buckingham Palace
4. Horse Guards Parade
5. St Jamesโs Park
6. Westminster Abbey
7. Big Benand Palace of Westminster
8. Downing Streetand Cabinet War Rooms (Churchill War Rooms)
Sakaimachi Street is an attractive, preserved merchant street in central Otaru, a short walk from Otaru Canal.
Sakaimachi Street is about 900 meters in length. It is here you can find souvenir shops, museums, restaurants, historical buildings, and landmarks. Many of these restaurants and stores are in these historical buildings, many being converted from old warehouses. So, not only can you do some shopping and dining, but you can also get some great photos while on your travels.
Sakaimachi Street (ๅข็บ้ใ, Sakaimachi Dลri)
Where is Sakaimachi Street
Sakaimachi Street is a ten minute walk from Otaru Station or a five minute walk from Minami-Otaru Station. Alternatively, two of the four Otaru Stroller’s tourist bus lines pass along the street, providing frequent connections with Otaru Station.
The north entrance of Sakaimachi Street is near the Bank of Japan Otaru Museum and around the south end of Otaru Canal.
The south entrance is a five-street intersection, and it is called Meruhen-Kรดsaten. Formally, this intersection is “Sakaimachi Intersection”.
“Meruhen” is a German word “Mรคrchen” and means “fairy tale”. “Kรดsaten” means “intersection”.
Walk with us on this private walking tour
1. Otaru Denuki-Koji
Quaint alleyway with a retro feel, lined with restaurants and food stalls serving ramen and yakitori. There are around 20 small shops in the historical building.
If you are looking for a great view of Otaru Canal, there is a free observation deck upstairs. It is little narrow to climb up the tower, but Otaru Canal and the ocean is in front of your eyes. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views from the observation deck!
2. Seafood Restaurant Donburi Chaya
Donburi Chaya is a seafood rice bowl specialty restaurant, which originated from the Nijyo seafood market.
Japanese Maccha Sweets (The GreenTeaMatcha Building)
5. Venetian Cafeteria
Take a break with a rainbow tower ice cream. My rainbow ice cream had 7 layers of a variety of tastes: Grape, Strawberry, Powdered Green Tea, Melon, Chocolate, Milk, and Lavendar.
On the 1st floor is a confectionary where they offer their popular products, including Double Fromage. There is a takeout corner where you can eat their limited edition “Hokkaido Jersey Milk Pudding” made with Hokkaido Jersey milk and LeTAO’s original fresh cream. On the 2nd floor is a cafe where you can enjoy original cakes only from PATHOS as well as plates of pasta.
Pathos is the Greek word for “passion” and it’s logo mark of the sun expresses that meaning as well.
Kitaichi Glass Crystal Shop Set of shops selling items made from glass, such as decorative snow globes & kerosene lamps. Address: 7-26 Sakaimachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0027, Japan Address: ใ047-0027 ๅๆตท้ๅฐๆจฝๅธๅ บ็บ๏ผโ26
Our private walking tour along Sakaimachi Street ends here. Otaru Music Box Museum is a specialty retailer featuring artisanal tabletop music boxes in many styles with ornate decorations.
On June 25,1994, the world’s largest and second ever steam clock was installed in front of Otaru Music Box Museum is a popular music box museum in the Otaru Orgel-do II building in Otaru, Japan. It includes various examples of music boxes as well as CDs that have music box-esque versions of various songs.
Otaru Music Box Museum (ๅฐๆจฝใชใซใดใผใซๅ )
The British-style bronze clock measures 5.5 meters high and weighs 1.5 tons. It was assembled by Mr. Raymond Sanders, who also made the first steam clock located in Gastown, Vancouver, Canada.
