From the Nature Center of Shiretoko !

by Kazu

The parking lot of Shiretoko Nature Center was not filled up with the cars of tourists on that day in spite of the fine weather. Usually, the parking lot is almost full in this season of the year. After the Wuhan virus conquered the world, everything changed.

In high season of tourism, it is prohibited to go to the hot spring water fall "Kamui Wakka" and shuttle buses are available to reach there but it was not prohibited on that day.

Comfortable chilly breeze was blowing from the Okhotsk Ocean between the blue sky and green moutain range. We went down to Utoro Area and headed to the villa we would stay on that day. 

Shiretoko Nature Center !

by Kazu

Have you ever heard of "Barist Art Coffee" ? I found a new coffee shop opened in the Nature Center near Shiretoko Pass in Utoro area of Shari Town. It seemed that Caucasian people were running the coffee shop and the logos were so sophisticated and impressive.

I chose a strawberry & Jersey cheese cream BOBA. Shiretoko mountain range could be seen from the cafe in the Nature Center. It was so fine on that day that the scenery of the peninsula looked so nicer than in the fog. 

Every year, so many tourists from the other parts on this globe swamp to the peninsula but not so much this year. My wife and I used to visit this area every year before the peninsula was listed on the World Natural Heritage but after the registration, so many regulations were obliged. We have to abide by the new rules to preserve the abundant nature and hand it down to next generation.  

The Landscape under the Ocean !

by Kazu

I dived into the ocean from the coast of Senboushi area. It is also a sea park and some seals were in the small pool and tourists can feed them. Baits for them can be bought in the souvenir shop run by fishermen.  I bought dried and chopped kelp inn the shop and asked the mom to keep the key of my car during my strolling around under the water.

After checking up the aquatic lives in the water there I headed Otadomari Numa from where Mt. Rishiri Fusji could be seen so nicely. The scenery is used for the design of the box and wraping paper for the most famous butter cream cookie sandwich "White Lover" .

Mt. Rishirifuji did not take off the white hat of cloud then. The clouds showed that it would be raining soon. White clouds shaped like fish scales could be seen over the mountain.                   

Himenuma Pond in Rishiri Island 2 !

by Kazu

Near the lookout from where "Peach Rock- Momoiwa" could be seen, I could find the sign that showed the way to a small lake "Himenuma"on the hill. I remembered my last visit there with my wife so many years ago. Dark clouds were getting closer. 

Near the entrance of the trail around the pond, I found the river flowing out from the pond. It must be tough for fish to go up the river to this pond from the ocean. No splash could not be seen on the surface of the pond.

This is the trail around the pond. A senior couple was walking around the pond but would not complete the whole trail. The trail was not paved but well-maintained for tourists. I hope many tourists hit the trail again like before.

New Chitose International Airport to Rishiri Airport!

by Kazu

I've never seen such scenery of empty space in New Chitose International Airport before. Airlines were so dameged by Wuhan virus from China so harshly. I headed to Rishiri Island to take part in the meeting held by the Ministry of  Public Management、Home Affairs、Posts and Telecommunications.

A few tourists were on the same aircraft provided by All Nippon Airway. Some governmental and prefectural staffers were at the arrival gate of the airport to receive the Vice Minister Mr. Gaku Hasegawa politely.

I was provided the small yellow automobile for my small jaaunt on the island. I had to go around the island before checking in the hotel I would stay. Hot spring spa hotel "Ayase" was the place I would stay.

Sea Park in Rishiri Island !

by Kazu

It seemed that a new park was being built beside Rishiri Fantastic Road. On the way from Rishiri Town to Rishirifuji Town on the southern coastline, I found a new lookout, parking lot and washroom being built.

A small port could be seen from the lookout. Sea urchin picking can be experienced from the boat provided by fishermen. It might be a good place to dive into the ocean but we had better avoid such area to avoid being accused.

This is the deck of the lookout extended to the ocean. The floor had windows of sheet glass to see the surface of the ocean and rocks. I've never heard about whales going offshore of the island but watching the ocean is so healing.

Dinner in Hotel Ayase, Rishiri Island !

by Kazu

The hotel with hot spring spa "Ayase" had been filled up with tourists from the other parts on this globe every summer but during my stay in August, 2020, I saw five or six guests in the hotel other than myself.

The main dish of the dinner was Japanese "sukiyaki" of sliced quality beef. I could hear som guests were chatting in the restaurant of the hotel  but I could not see them because the seat arrangement was based on the rule of social distancing.

Atka Mackerrel andsmall fish boiled with broth,  salted squid, vinegared cucumber and seaweed with boild squid, sushi-grade fresh shrimp, scallop, squid and red snapper satisfied me but I had expected fresh sea urchin picked up around the island.I should ask to serve the seasonal seafood but I had an appointment to visit the key calismatic adventure guide on the island Mr. Toshiya WATANABE. So I was planning to have such expensive seafood to help him to running his accommodation on that day. 

Otadomari Pond in Rishiri Island !

by Kazu

Usually, so delicious topping for steamed rice can be bought in the souvenir shop beside this pond Otadomari in Rishiri Island but they were sold out on that day. The topping contains dried and shredded kelp, dried small shrimp, sesame, dried seaweed and so forth. it was a pity.

I found a new lookout just before arriving Oshidomari area of Rishirifuji Town. A huge rock "Momoiwa" which means "the Rock shaped like a peach" could be seen from there.

Beautiful sunset might have been seen from ther but I coukld not taker time for that and rainfall was forecasted in the evening. Sea Kayaking around the rock "Momoiwa" may be one of the big draws around Oshidomari Area.

Arrived in Rishiri Island !

by Kazu

I had been to Rishiri Island and rebun Island on my business jaunt in March of 2015, I think. I had a cold at that time and other than the appointments, I spent most of the time in the hotel I stayed. It was off-season of tourism and very few souvenirs were displayed in the shops.  

Normally, August is the high season of tourism in Rishiri Island but this time, the island was so calm without swamping tourists from all over the world. The Vice Minister for Public Management、Home Affairs、Posts and Telecommunications Mr. Gaku HASEGAWA visited the island for discussion with the local key persons.

It was cloudy when I arrived in the airport of the island but was not cold. I felt enough warmness and humidity to experience the peculiar climate and scenery of the island. The small yellow automobile was the one I drove. 

Lunch in Auberge Ginrinsou !

by Kazu

The courtyard of the hotel "Ginrinsou" in Otaru City had no flowers on that day. It may be so tough to keep a variety of  flowers blooming in the garden. But the garden seemed to be well-trimmed.  

The restaurant of "Ginrinsou" had kind of classical atmosphere inside.
The lunch in the restaurant started with the potage froid vichyssoise. The purple color of the cold soup was from rhubarb. It was so tasteful and stimulated our appetite so much.

The first scoop of the soup made us so refreshed and energized. It spread in our mouth and stimulated all the buds of tongue. The fresh veggies and seafood salad was flavored with vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and something. Some kinds of twists were added to the taste.