Bihoro Pass !

by Kazu 

It may be so nice to have less trees on the hillside surroundings the peak or pass to get clear and fine view as well as the perspectives in the area. 

The spectacular landscape around Bihoro Pass made us satisfied and happy on that day as usual. 

The central island in Lake Kussharo could be seen clearly and even the peak of Bihoro Pass from the opposite side of the lake.

 

The Beginning of the Season of Tourism !

by Kazu

The lakeside of Hotel New Akan has large dining room with this huge window made of the tall sheet glasses. The pier of the boats for sightseeing is just in front of the hotel well-established. 

I could not see many tourists on the boat leaving the pier but nowadays, the number of the tourists who explore the sacred lake for the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu by kayak or canoe in order to watch the round  algae called "Marimo" in Hokkaido closely. 

On our way back to my hometown Kitami City, we dropped by and went through Bihoro Pass that had so nice spot to get the perspectives of the surrounding area including Lake Kussharo below. 

 

The Deities of Lake Akan !

by Kazu

The clouds of white, gray and silver seemed to be indicating the uncertainty of the future and weather itself in the eastern part of Hokkaido Island.

At the beginning of the season of tourism in the Eastern Hokkaido, very few inbound tourists from overseas could be seen in the sacred area of the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu.

The Pier for the boats of sightseeing was very calm just after the departure of the ship. The sacred area should be kept calm but at the peak of the tourism season decades ago, the pier and the beach was swamped by so many tourists from other parts of Japan without the ones from overseas. 

 

The Sacred Lake for the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu !

by Kazu 

The municipality of Akan was acquired by Kushiro City and is promoted with the Marsh of Kushiro that is listed in the Ramsar Treaty as the sacred area for the migrant birds and other creatures. 

Lake Akan is also the sacred area for the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu as well as the various kinds of creatures. 

Lake Akan was created by the volcano activities and naturally, it has so nice hot springs and  fabulous hotels beside. 

 

Kawayu in focus !

by Kazu

Going through the Sulfur Mountain near Lake Kussharo and the entrance of Lake Mashuu, we always contained the crack of the Sulfur Mountain where various kinds of souvenirs were sold , in the course of cruise. 

We stayed in New Akan Hotel on that day and many tourists were struggling  to check in at around three o'clock. The museum of Akan District in Kushiro City was in front of the hotel and the former souvenir shopping area seemed to have been rearranged.   

The hot spring town facing Lake Akan has this main street with many souvenir shops and eateries run by the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu and their relatives. Nowadays, a famous bakery is attracting many tourists and citizens in adjacent areas.  

 

Lake Kussharo from the east !

by Kazu

We drove to Lake Kussharo frommy hometown Kitami  City without going through Bihoro Pass on that day. The lookout is on the eastern side of Lake Kussharo. We had visited the pass and lookout before but I actually forgot our last visit to the place.

This side of the lake also has a drive-in adjacent to the parking lot at the peak of the pass but the traffic flow on the road beside seemed to be less than the west side of the lake.

A few rented cars were parking beside the road and at the lookout to see Lake Kussharo and the landscape including the lake. The landscape in the eastern part of Hokkaido Island seemed to be different from that in the western part.

 

Spear Head of Obsidian !

by Kazu

This is a obsidian spearhead unearthed in Engaru Town on the eastern part of Hokkaido Island, Japan.The spearhead made of obsidian seemed to be so sharp and looked like a glass knife. The same kind of the stone knives, spearheads and hatchets made in Japan thousands years ago were found overseas so frequently.  

My hometown Kitami City was losing its momentum to develop, particularly in  downtown that doesn't have ample space to park the cars and the outskirts on the west side and east side seemed to be flourishing with ample parking lots for the citizens.     

I heard that this Green Center with the Forest Park would be closed because of the accumulated deficit of the municipality of Kitami. The level of the public services in the city would be  lower than before and the payment to use the public facilities would be more expensive than before. It is a pity to hear about the tough situation of the citizens in my hometown. 

 

Naked Poplar Trees !

by Kazu

The rows of naked poplar trees without leaves stood with the backdrop of the rising sun and blue sky with white clouds. A herd of sheep on the green lawn looked like the clouds in the sky.

The buildings of the condominiums looked as if they worshiped the rising sun and prayed for something early in the morning like myself. The agricultural experimental fields seemed to be starting to breath and getting prepared for the new attempt.

The sheep did not eat the grass at that moment and seemed to be starting their activity to live in this world under the bright sunshine. They were sitting on the lawn with cold moist. 

 

Birthday Cake Service in Rokkatei !

by Kazu

The dark color of the wooden shrine and the pale pink cherry blossoms made up so nice contrast even under the bright sunshine and blue sky on that day. The color of red fences and the brown trunk of spruces made us so comfortable on that day.

The spruces on the premises of Hokkaido Shrine in Sapporo made up so subtle backdrops for the pale cherry trees and the Japanese traditional wooden building of the shrine.

Most of the visitors drop by the sweets shop on the premises of the shrine "Rokkatei" headquartered in Obihiro City that provides "Oyaki" to the visitors and we do normally but we went to one of the branch shop and cafe on the east side of the shrine on that day and had so delicious sweets with birthday plate made of white chocolate.

 

Hokkaido Shrine in Spring 2025 !

by Kazu

We visited Hokkaido Shrine to see the cherry blossoms blooming on the premises with the Japanese traditional wooden building and the peculiar sacred atmosphere. The seasonal beauty of the Japanese soul and core part of the mentality after getting over the white cold winter.

We had recognized the increase of the visitors from overseas and were satisfied with their manner to worship and take photos enjoying the atmosphere.

The location of the cherry trees with blossoms  seemed to be perfect under the blue sky. I am not sure if the architect and the gardeners intended to make up this scenery but their plan created much more beautiful than they imagined before, I think.