Afuri the Ramen Noodle Soup Bar in Setsu Niseko !

by Kazu

This is the chef's signature Ramen Noodle Soup flavordd with Yuzu citrus an Japanese pepper. It cost approximately twenty US Dollars but may cheeper than the prices in North America and Europe.

I heard that the flagship Restaurant of Afuri was located in Tokyo but I am not sure the prices of the dishes in the headquarters. The difference of the economy in the countries where the guests come from might have pushed up the prices in Japan too. 

We chose pan-fried dumplings and grilled pork as well. Many guests from overseas may buy the foods in the supermarket in Kutchan or the convenience store LAWSON in front of the hotel because each room has so nice and functional Kitchen and dishwasher.

 

Arriving in Hotel Setsu Niseko !

by Kazu

Just before the sunset, some white and gray clouds started to change the countenance mf the landscape of Mt. Yotei and surroundings.It was like a dancing in the blue sky.

We arrived at our favorite Hotel Setsu Niseko again and the cozy fireplace hall welcomed us so comfortably as usual. The fireplace didn't keep the flame on that day.

I've never seen many people were chatting around the fireplace but in winter, the cozy place may be filled up with many foreign people who love and have got used to the flame.6

 

Back to Mt. Yotei !

by Kazu

On our way back to Kutchan/Niseko Area, we could get the fine view of Mt. Yotei and the agricultural fields at the foot of the mountain. A few hours were left before the sunset but the shades on the hillside of Mt. Yotei did a good job to create a great landscape.

A Chinese developer commited a violation of the law that regulated the development not in order by cutting down the trees at the

foot of Mt. Yotei without getting a permission of the central Government of Japan and local authority.

I hate to lose the beautiful scenery and landscape mf Hokkaido Island but it may have been conquered by the greedy private companies and nation already. 3

 

Long long Freight Train !

by Kazu

The long freight train was continued to pass by under the bridge that I stood on. It took a few minutes to pass by Kitafunaoka Station.

Compared to that in North America, it may be short but in Japan, it's long enough to irritate the drivers of the automobiles waiting for the timing to get across the railway.

After enjoying the scenery 2and landscape in Kitafunaoka, we headed to Kutchan/ Niseko Area to stretch our legs and bodies..Particularly, my wife needed a big blast to refresh herself.

 

Freight Train went through !

by Kazu

I walked across the bridge over the railway and waited for train coming. Soon the announcement of the passing-by of the freight train came automatically from the speaker on the platform.

A long freight train was coming from the direction of Muroran, the City of Iron. The railway may be vulnerable to Ohtsunami but so far, I've never heard of such natural disaster that damaged the railway and transportation system. 

The freight train would go to Tokyo through Hakodate, Aomori, Morioka, Sendai and Saitama., Its long journey had begun several hours before and continue for a day or more. 

 

People waiting for the Train !

by Kazu

After the rainfall several hours before seemed to have make the water rippling to the beach brown. Some citizens living near the Station actually take and get off the train. We found a shelter for the users and washing room newly built.

Before the Japan National Railway Company had  split into several independent private companies,  the transportation system was maintained by hundreds of thousands of railway keepers but most of them got pinkslips.

I am wondering if JR Hokkaido retained enough railway b keepers to cover the vast area of Hokkaido or not. The railway keepers of each block of Hokkaido had competed each other on the quality of railway maintenance but now, it will have to recruit the foreign workers to keep the railway in good condition.

 

Kitafunaoka Train Station facing the Gulf !

by Kazu

It had been a while since we had visited this surreal Railway Station in Kitafunaoka, when we visited there last time. But we visited there twice in two months this year. It is our favorite Station with no director.

The stairs that connected the platforms stood still against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds as well as shining ocean. Some tourists were taking photos and others were waiting for the train coming to take.

Fortunately,  we were lucky enough to see this beautiful scenery created by the collaboration of the nature and the artificial products. Not so strong wind blowing made us so refreshed and happy.