Japanese Traditional Tea Cafe "Ujien" in Sapporo !

by Kazu

Near the northern end of the premises of Hokkaido University, there is a branch shop of the confectionery "Rokkatei", one of the most famous and popular sweets creators and happiness givers headquartered in Obihiro City of Tokachi Region.

We had a breakfast in the branch cafe & shop before leaving Sapporo for Niseko/Kutchan. The croissant from the oven was much more delicious than we expected. My wife smelled what other client ordered and became to eager to eat one. 

The other day, we explored the eastern part of Sapporo City and dropped by the cafe directly run by the most famous green tea seller "Ujien" to try the patissier's signature parfait made of chest nut paste like vermicelli flavored with green tea powder "Matcha"and a whole chest nut. Crisp fried rice and whip cream were under that.    

 

The Materials of Constructions !

by Kazu

This is the sand and stones taking site near the west coastline in Ishikari City. If the land was dug several meters, tons of water emerge like a spring. It is pure water not salty. Such site should be well-managed and controlled to limit off the kids and animals.    

I was remembering the beautiful sunrise at the beginning of that day and contemplating the next step of my way.  After reaching sixty years old, the path ahead may not be accompanied with the power we had before. 

 

The Rising Sun!

by Kazu

On a certain morning at the end of summer. 2026, I witnessed the beautiful sunrise from the northern end of the premises of Hokkaido University. The gray and violet clouds nicely reflected the orange color of the sunshine. I could see the rising sun moving ahead gradually.

It was only a few minutes that I stood still watching the east but I could feel the movement of the earth so vividly. The contrast of  the orange color of the sunshine, the black silhouette of the trees and pale blue color of the sky was breathtaking. 

Soon the orange color of the sunshine would turn to bright yellow and the sky strong blue. The perquisite  of early birds seemed to be guaranteed all the year round. I kept my fingers and tows crossed praying for the end of the greedy people such as warmongers.

 

Having a rest in Cafe Mutekirou !

by Kazu

The ice tea and cheese cake set of the Cafe Mutekirou run by Miyakoshiya Coffee in Muroran gave me enough power to drive back to Sapporo City. My buddy on that day seemed to be so satisfied with the chocolate cake and ice tea set. 

The scenery on the White Swan Bridge "Hakchou Oohashi" was like this. It must be so tough and expensive to keep the whole bridge beautiful white. It must not devalue the landscape of the mountains and ocean.  

 

The Cake Set in Cafe Mutekirou !

by Kazu

I've never seen the kitchen that has so nice ocean view. I visited the Cafe Mutekirou in Muroran City again and again but I recognized what the cafe had and the value of the design for the first time.  The object called "Neko" that meant "cat" was still in front of the huge speaker on the west end of the cafe.

I've never seen the fireplace was used but in winter, the cafe must burn lot of logs or kerosene to make the building made of sheet glasses warm and comfortable. I've not tried the cafe in winter but it must be worthwhile.

 

Muroran City has a beautiful white bridge !

by Kazu

The White Swan Bridge "Hakuchou Oohashi" could be seen under the gray clouds so clearly from the cafe on that day. Every time we visit the cafe, the fine weather and bright sunshine welcome us so kindly. We are so lucky I believe. 

The separated room in The Cafe Mutekirou run by Miyakoshiya Coffee was not used on that day too. We've never used the room before but it must be worthwhile to spent time there with the friends or family member.

 

Cafe Mutekirou in Muroran again !

by Kazu

It was so fine and the surface of the ocean was shining on that day. The white clouds were away from the coast and the Eruption Bay was so calm that the small island offshore showed us only its silhouette  under the sunshine.

On the opposite side of the ocean, gray clouds were waiting for their turn to cover the ocean and island again. Actually, a little bit before our visit to the area, a landslide took off the soil under the railway that connected Hakodate and Sapporo and all the trains were cancelled on that day and until October 10. 

 

Business Jaunt to Date City and Soubetsu Town !

by Kazu

I visited Sobetsu Town to discuss the most appropriate procedure to rebuild the slope of the mountain made of the dehydrated debris of the wastewater form the abolished sulfur mine. I had worked on this matter since  last November but the way to the goal may be long.

The still-growing volcano Mt. Showashinzan could be seen on our way to Date City. We were lucky enough to enjoy the beautiful landscape around the Eruption Bay and Lake Toya on that day. 

 Usually, we have lunch in a pastoral Italian Restaurant "Bokka" in Date City to buy their own Yogurt my wife loved but after buying two packs of Yogurt we headed to a buckwheat noodle bar in the residential area of the city on that day.  Deep-fried octopus was the chef's signature lunch set of the bar.  

 

Autumn in Niseko 2026 !

by Kazu

Takahashi Ranch in Niseko seemed to have expanded their business at the foot of Mt. Niseko Annupri because the inbound tourists increased so much to take photos on their premises where it kindly provided them with so nice photo spot and some items against the backdrop of Mt. Yotei.

This cultivating tractor gave the image of pastoral area and their daily work on the agricultural field surrounded by mountains. I am not sure if the tourists imagine the lives in the pastoral area actually or not but the ranch had created competitive and beautiful collaboration of nature and their products that made the visitors so happy.

Besides, we have to try the new lines of frappuccino made of so sweet sweet potato  beniharuka in Starbucks Coffee chain as soon as possible to savor the seasonal taste amply. My favorite seasonal frappuccino is peach, strawberry and mango&orange but the sweet potato frappuccino must be irresistible. 
 

The Photo Spot beside Hirafu Slope !

by Kazu

This is one of the most popular photo spot beside Hirafu Slope in Kutcha/Niseko area other than the one on the premises of Takahashi Ranch. On the Mt. Yotei side in Hotel Skye premises, another photo spot was arranged but that is in front of the restaurant "Kumo" in the hotel.  

So the people taking photos must be observed by the guests of the restaurant at meal times. Even now, some areas are developed and changing. Swallowing many tourists from other area of Japan and other countries, Kutchan/Niseko area will have to solve the new problems and conflicts forever. 

We do not use the accommodations in the area in winter because the staying cost splurge in winter and sometimes they require over consecutive three-night stay. Heavy snowfall also discourage us to visit there because my wife do not enjoy skiing nor snowboarding in cold temperature.

 

The Cheese waiting for their turn !

by Kazu

Experimentally, unmanned bus is carrying the tourists in the area of Kutchan and Niseko Area for free of charge but it must be tough to use the system in winter season with heavy snowfalls. 

Taking off the heavy snow from the railway is so tough in unmanned station and the mountain course may be abolished after the railway for bullet train is built from Hakodate to Sapporo through Oshamanbe, Muroran, Tomakomai, Chitose, Eniwa and Kitahiroshima.

Some accommodations provides the guests with the transportation service from their facility and Kutchan/Niseko but I am not sure if the service is available to this unmanned station in winter.  

 

Hirafu Train Station at the bottom of the valley !

by Kazy

Some families were enjoying downhill bicycle ride on the downhill ski course of Mt. Niseko Annupri in the afternoon on that day. I recognized the number and ratio of the Caucasians increased so much  . 

A the bottom of Hirafu Valley, unmanned train station was breathing so calmly and waiting for the arrival of the new comers. Some houses are near the station and abolished Japanese inn was in front of the station.

A red  post was in front of the entrance and a snow shooter was having long rest in the station. It must work hard in winter. It may be tough to use the station in winter ski season but the station has to function even in the heavy snowfall.