Golden Imperial Jewel from Kumamoto !

by Kazu

Have you ever heard of the special water melon produced in Kumamoto "Konjiki Raou" ? Hokkaido has also produced such yellow water melon for decades but the citizens of Kumamoto Prefecture seemed to be proud of the yellow water melon so much.  

Actually it has special and wonderful sweetness and taste but the degree of sweetness was 15-17 based on the description on the message card inside the box. I am not sue why the color is yellow but the heavy weight of the watermelon was so different for m other kinds. After savoring the fruit, we went to the Italian Restaurant Mia Angela to indulge in the cold spaghetti topped with the seasonal taste of the ocean sea urchin form the Sea of Japan. 

 

Treatment of the Wastewater from the Abolished Mine !

by Kazu

In order to treat the wastewater from the abolished mine, pure water should be  taken in a most effective way without much cost. The water intake point should be at much higher altitude than the wastewater treatment unit.

In case of taking in the pure water from the river flow, some kind of sift should be put on the water intake point to avoid stuck in the pipelines. Once a week, the sift should be cleaned up because the leaves of plants will cover the sift and prevent the water flow from going through the pipe. 

The maintenance of the pipeline seemed to be so tough and sometimes dangerous because at least three brown bears were strolling around the area in the morning of the day of our visit. No machine can reach the water intake point on the upper side of the river. It requires so much money, labor force and long time to keep the water flow clean.  

 

The Mountain of Precipitate !

by Kazu

Even after abolishing metal mines, the wastewater from the shaft or gallery will continue to flow out. Most of them are acidic and contains arsenicals. They affect the environment including ocean and prevent rice crops from growing.

The wastewater should be neutralized with calcium carbonate and dehydrated precipitate will be carried to the mountains. The drain system should be arranged around the mountains of debris to avoid the rainfall eroding the accumulated debris and damaging the water flow of lower side. 

The accumulated debris will soon covered with plants and become more stable as long as the artificial drain systems work well. But once the U-shaped gutter was broken, the rainfall and drain water will erode the debris. It takes so long time and much money to treat the wastewater after a mine is developed.   

 

Kitafunaoka Station in gray !

by Kazu

Nobody was waiting for the train when we visited  Kitafunaoka Station because the Express Trains wouldn't stop by the Station. Only train manias and the local residents use the snail trains. 

The surface of the ocean, precisely speaking, The Eruption Bay, was not reflecting the sunshine as usual on that day. But we had to enter the habitat of brown bears aft we left the Station. 

We should keep on our toes to avoid bear attack in the Mountain that produced sulfur until decades ago. In order to neutralize the wastewater from the abolished mine, calcium should be added and the mud dehydrated would be carried to the Mountain. That made some new peaks and flat. Soon some plants and trees cover the surface of the new peaks and hillside.

 

 

Kitafunaoka Coffee Roaster House 2026 !

by Kazu

I could not find any progress in the backyard of Kitafunaoka Coffee Roaster House. The master and his wife lives on the second floor of the roaster house. They might want to keep the scenery from the window.

The master's signature cheese cake and blended coffee "Sky" were so nice to have after having cream spaghetti in Italian restaurant "Bokka" next to Bikkuri Donkey. They put a new sign of the cafe when we arrived there.

It was not cloudy on that day. The gray sky and ocean were not so beautiful as the day before when the blue sky and shining ocean were giving the landscape the best lighting and twists. Some express train were passing by when we leaving there.

 

So Bright, So Beautiful !

by Kazu

It was so bright and beautiful sky that was waiting for me in that morning. The countenances of this landscape with the city view inspire me almost every morning. Depending on the time of jogging, the impression differs.

I've never seen the city that has such extended green field in the central area other than Sapporo City. It is the experimental agricultural field of Hokkaido University. It may be prohibited to enter this field but we can walk around the area as we like.

It is getting hotter before the peak season of summer when the phenomenon of El Nino will occur on the opposite side of Pacific Ocean. The poplar trees seemed to be getting more power and stretching their branches and leaves. Beautiful ! 

 

The Day of Sheep !

by Kazu

A herd of sheep seemed to have got up earlier than me in that morning. They were eating grass single-mindedly. I'd never seen their sweet home where they had good night sleep but they seemed to have started eating before the crack of dawn.       

Different from the other day, no cows could be seen in my sight on that day. It might be the sheep's turn to pig out the grass under the clouds and rising sun. They looked so hungry. It takes long time to digest grass in their organ. 

I am eager to see this splendid landscape every morning forever. To be honest, I love jogging around my condo. but don't like walking around for long time. I think imbalanced walking form may hurt my ligaments, joints and muscle.   

 

The Sunrise with poplar trees !

by Kazu

Some cows were eating grass in the experimental agricultural field of Hokkaido University early in the morning. Different from the other day, no sheep could be seen there. The two species may not co-exist on the same field.  

Wet grass early in the morning may be good for them to take in the moist to help the digesting system. The tall buildings seemed to be wearing a white veil and they would be swamped by many workers about three hours later.  

We have to wait a few days to experience the hottest season this year. Hyper El Nino will occur on the other side of Pacific Ocean. The conflicts among the Middle East seem to continue because of the intention to avoid indictment on the Prime Minister of Israel but I hope no more innocent citizens would be killed just for money and greed.  

 

Aburiya Lunch !

by Kazu

As the celebration lunch for my wife's birthday weeks, we went to one of our favorite Japanese Bistros in Sapporo "Aburiya" . Japanese Tempra ricebowl lunch set was my choice and needles to mention, my wife's favorite fried shrimp went to her dish.

My wife's choice was beefsteak ricebowl lunch set. Both of choices were accompanied with buffet -style salad bar, drinks and a variety of sweets Japanese and occidental.

After the season of cherry blossoms, Lirac seemed to take over the city. The color of flowers were much stronger than Pink cherry blossoms and smelled so nicely early in the morning.

 

The Season of Lilac in Sapporo !

by Kazu

At the end of the season for pretty and overwhelming pink cherry blossoms, beautiful double-petal cherry blossoms play the role of protagonist that connect spring and summer. I love their role to wrap up the party. 

The don't bear the fruits but they bring a variety of happiness to the people every year. They can be seen on the premises of Hokkaido Prefectural Government and Hokkaido University, particularly, in front of the Faculty of Medicine. 

The old Government building cal "Akarenga" which means Red Bricks was renovated and reborn as a so attractive sightseeing spot that had bigger souvenir shop, sweets shop, Restaurant and Museum. It allures much more tourists from the world.