Ohnuma National Park !

by Kazu

After the trekking on the hillside of the active volcano Mt. Esan, we headed to Lake Ohnuma from where Mt. Komagatake of Hokkaido could be seen.   

Mt. Komagatake is also an active volcano of 1,131 meters high and erupted in 1640. The national park also has so nice landscape and comfortable hot spring spa. 

Cruising on the lake is also refreshing and energizing. Some famous and popular sweet shops are near the railway station of "Ohnuma".  

 

Sweet Little Flowers on the Active Volcano !

by Kazu

We found a bunch of small plants with flowers blooming in the shade of the rock beside the trail. So pretty flowers colored violet and white appeared to the sunny side. 

It must be tough for such plants to grow on the surface of the active volcano but they made it and were there to stay. 

Delicious culinary delights sourced locally in Hakodate City and adjacent towns and ocean would be waiting for us. We walked down the trail being thrilled and envisioning.

 

Leaving the Peak of the Active Volcano !

by Kazu

After enjoying the landscape that could be seen from the peak of Mt. Esan, we left there with kind of satisfaction and wet shirts.

The scenery from the opposite angle seemed to be a little bit different from that we saw on our way to the peak.

We got thirsty and hungry after being filled up with the beautiful scenery and thrilled. We can not be away from Sapporo in order to respond swiftly to the possible emergency and disaster now but I hope we will be able to return to the place in the not-so-distant future.

 

Peak Sign of the Active Volcano !

by Kazu

It seemed that there were some higher places than the place where the peak sign was built but please do not mind. The active volcano is still growing ? I am not sure this place was the only appropriate point to build the wooden sign or not but anyway, as long as the alert is not issued, we can enjoy trekking on the volcano. 

Usually, we find other trekkers having a rest and food on the peak of mountains but we saw no other trekkers on the peak of the mountain on that day.

The mountain is 618 meters high. At the height of 300 meters, there is a parking lot from where some trekking course start. There is a restroom near the parking lot. 

 

Art Rocks !

by Kazu

We were so impressed by a variety of shapes of the rocks that appeared to the surface of the active volcano Mt. Esan. I saw the same kind of art works in the big Island Hawaii Island.

Some of the ragged lava rocks on the coast of Hawaii Island were like knives and actually I cut my legs and palm when I exited from the ocean after diving.    

The gate of the sacred shrine on the peak of the mountain could be seen from the end of the trail. It seemed to have been well-maintained by the ranger of the park.

 

The Peak of the Active Volcano Mt. Esan !

by Kazu

It seemed that the lava appeared to the surface of the ground and cooled down gradually to make this ragged highland like the surface of the planet Mars.

The peak of the mountain was not so hot compared to the barren and white hillside.Carved by the winds from the ocean and the rainfalls, the rocks made of the lava seemed to be milder than they were born. 

The white volcano ash reflected the sunshine and made us hotter than the start of the trekking.The winds from the ocean blew us and cooled down so nicely.

 

Sapporo Tenjinyama!

by Kazu

The sunny sue on the top area of Tenjinyama Sapporo was decorated with pink azalea, cherry and Japanese apricot . Wisteria blossoms were about to bloom.

Japanese red violet maple trees were giving a twist to the scenery of the park. The citizens of Sapporo City visit the park every spring. 

Some condominiums were built beside the park. The residents of the condominiums can enjoy a variety of countenances of the park every season. It's a kind of distinctive privilege. 

 

Yoichi Town to Sapporo Tenjinyama !

by Kazu

On the banks of Yoichi River, cherry blossoms were blooming and fully flourished on that day.The place of the beautiful blossoms beside Yoichi River seemed to be so famous and providing with the minerals conveyed from the mountains. 

After coming back to Sapporo City, we headed to Tenjinyama where so many citizens and tourists were dropping by and exploring.

So many cherry trees were started to bloom on the top at the park. Some cherry trees and Japanese apricot trees were still holding the buds and ready to  flourish.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Niseko to Yoichi !

by Kazu

The courtyard of the accommodation developed for the high-end customers, Setsu Niseko, seemed to be well-trimmed and -maintained.

The very nice courtyard of the hotel mainly used to shortcut the way to the spa and the relaxation room. Soon The peak of Mt. Yotei started to be covered with thick clouds. 

After leaving our favorite hotel Setsu Niseko, we dropped by Kakizaki Seafood Restaurant in Yoichi Town. My wife chose the cousin rice bowl topped with salmon roe and salmon fish slices on that day.

 

Setsu Niseko like a Village!

by Kazu

I've never been discouraged by the rooms of Hotel Setsu Niseko. All the types of the room in the hotel provide the guests with satisfaction more than expected. 

But we could not manage to make the most of the IH heater of the kitchen in our room.We could use only the micro wave oven to make our dinner on that day.

This is the courtyard of Hotel Setsu Niseko. It seemed to be a village on the highland.We could shortcut the way to the gym, hot spring spa and relaxation room in the hotel by going through this courtyard.