First City: Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan!!!

Elder Lawler finally made it to Japan. Gave out a Book of Mormon on the long airplane ride from L.A. to Tokyo, and got to play hoops with his Mission Pres. and Assistants on Day #1!

Here's a copy from Wikipedia about Otaru:

Otaru, Hokkaidō
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Otaru
小樽市
Otaru's location in Hokkaidō, Japan.


Otaru's location in Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Hokkaidō
Prefecture Hokkaidō
Physical characteristics
Area 243.13 km2 (93.87 sq mi)
Population (as of 2008)
Total 137,693
Density 580.11 /km² (1,502 /sq mi)
Location 43°11′N 140°60′E / 43.183, 141Coordinates: 43°11′N 140°60′E / 43.183, 141
Symbols
Tree Shirakaba (Siberian Silver Birch)
Flower Azalea
Bird Aobato (Japanese Green Pigeon)

Flag
Otaru Government Office
Address 2-12-1 Hanazono, Otaru-shi, Hokkaidō
047-8660
Phone number 0134-32-4111
Official website: City of Otaru

A section of the Otaru skyline.
A canal in OtaruOtaru (小樽市, Otaru-shi?) is a city and port located in Shiribeshi, Hokkaidō, Japan, northwest of Sapporo. The city faces the Ishikari Bay, and it has long served as the main port of the bay. With its many historical buildings, Otaru is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations. Also, because it is located within a 25 minute-drive from Sapporo, the city recently has seen growth as a bedroom community.

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 137,693 and the density of 580.11 persons per km². The total area is 243.13 km². Although it is the largest city in Shiribeshi, it is not the capital of the subprefecture (that title goes to the more centrally-located Kutchan).

Contents [hide]
1 Geography
1.1 Neighboring Cities and Towns
2 History
3 Notable attractions
4 Climate
5 Mount Tengu
6 See also
7 Sister cities
8 External links



[edit] Geography
Otaru is a port town on the coast of the Sea of Japan in northern Shiribeshi subprefecture. At one time, a canal ran through the middle of the town, but now only a portion of it has been preserved. The southern portion of the city is characterized by the steep slopes of various mountains--notably Mount Tenguyama, a popular winter skiing location--and the altitude of the land sharply drops from the mountains to the seaside. The land available between the coast and mountains has been almost completely developed, and the developed part of the city on the mountain slopes is called Saka-no-machi, or "Hill town", including hills affectionately named Funamizaka (Boat-view Hill) and Jigokuzaka (Hell Hill).