The Kindergarten and Museum in Arte Piazza !

by Kazu

This is one of the objects designed by the artist Mr. Kan Yasuda. The water flow from the upper side of the hill seemed to be appear from the object made of stone. It was like a gate of water in the green. 

The old gymnasium is also used for the special events and display of the artistic works. A small pond was displayed in the green lawn.The bed made of white stones made a bright contrast with the green lawn, blue sky and red roof of the kindergarten.

 

Arte Piazza in Bibai City !

by Kazu

The wooden building is used as a kindergarten and art museum on the premises of Arte Piazza in the outskirt of Bibai City. It had been an elementary school until decades ago. The kindergarten is very popular for he parents who recognize the importance of the art and nature in raising their kids.

The objects created by the artist Mr. Kan Yasuda could be seen here and there on the premises of Arte Piazza. Some families with kids were romping around this area. This place may be only one place to hear the kids laughing and running other than the schools.  

 

Carillon in Bibai Tomei Park!

by Kazu               

I could find the bells set on the top of the carillon tower in Tomei Park, Bibai City. The design of the tower has a concept of something like astronomical equipment. The mayor who decided to build this tower seemed to be interested in responding to the sign from other planet. 

The beauty of the cherry blossoms is blooming its sensitive pale pink color without green leaves. It seemed that the people from overseas started to understand and appreciate the delicate and meaningful expressions of the nature.

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Tomei Park in Bibai Town !

by Kazu

Some citizens of Bibai City were stretched their legs in Tomei Park of Bibai City. They seemed to be really enjoying the scenery with pale pink color of cherry blossoms.                                        

The carillon tower in the park has a lookout on the top. I've never gone up to the lookout of the tower but some kids seemed to be crawling up the stairs on that day.   

 

Bibai Town Overview !

by Kazu

We went up to the lookout of the mountain from where the whole city of Bibai could be seen. The popular and renown edible buds of trees "Tara-no-me" with typical seasonal taste were started to appear on the end of each branch.                    

The buds of Tara trees should be deep fried limke Japanese Tempra and green-tea salt. Even though I had been working Sorachi Sub-prefectural government, I had never been to this lookout during my mandate in Iwamizawa City.                                                                                                                                                      

 

Episcopal Church of Hakodate!

by Kazu

Other than Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate, there is Episcopal Church of Hakodate near Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church at the foot of Mt. Hakodateyama. The bright white color of both church made a nice contrast with the blue sky.

We've came back to Sapporo City from the Port City Hakodate and had a ample rest and hard work on weekdays. After pondering on the next destination for coming weekends, we headed to Niseko for trekking. 

If you use lift on the east hillside of Mt. Niseko Annupri, it is much easier to reach the peak of the mountain. But we went up the trail from Goshiki Onsen Side on the west side of the mountain on that day.

 

Bright Former Public Hall in Motomachi, Hakodate City !

by Kazu

It was very fine early in the morning on that day. The former Public Hall in Motomachi, Hakodate City seemed to be shining against the backdrop of Mt. Hakodate-yama colored strong green.

The bright white color of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of Hakodate also looked shining with the reflection of the sunshine. 

The church seemed to be well-maintained with the donation from the citizens and supporters. I love to visit the port city at this season of the year. 

 

Mt. Yotei in Magic Hour !

by Kazu

The beautiful silhouette of Mt. Yotei appeared on our way. The typical shape Konide looked so beautiful against the backdrop of the layers of blue and pink.  

I cant remember how many times I have jogged to the former public hall in Motomachi, Hakodate. It had been being refurbished for a decade ago. It regained the same level of beauty as it had been founded. 

Every time I went there, I imagined the parties thrown for the high-end citizens and their guests from overseas. The citizens might be proud of the western-style building and their skill to made it.

 

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.