Dinner in "Freeze" !

by Kazu

Smoking the cheese and sausages on the grill was so interesting and the aroma of cherry wood chips gave a twist to the food materials. They were much more impressive than I imagined before. The lighting for the dinner was also so nice and created the appropriate atmosphere.  

The sound of the creek flow was so comfortable on the backside of the villa. I hoped no brown bears would appear near there. At the foot of Mt. Shari-dake, nobody could could guarantee that. But we could forget the disaster caused by covid-19 from Wuhan, China for a while.  

We did not have to use the stove in the living room but I was tempted to burn the log in the stove even though that was in August. I was not sure until when the facility could be available in that year but I heard that the facility had no damage by covid-19 because of the structure and the stable clients who loved that.  

Water Fall Pool of Kamui Wakka and Dinner !

by Kazu

This pool of the hot spring waterfall is not so hot nor comfortable to use as a hot spring bath. Remembering the scenery of the waterfall, we had a nice dinner in the evening.

The staff of villas accommodation "Freeze" prepared for the dinner. They made the good condition of the grill. It made us so relaxed and warm. It was so nice start of the entertainment.

Atka mackerel, white clam and flat fish were the representatives of the seafood. Venison, pork, beef and lamb also seemed so yam. Veggies were sourced locally around the facility. I was imaging myself on the rocking chair after the dinner.

Walking on the hot spring river !

by Kazu

The acidic hot spring water makes some kinds of metal black. Please be careful of your accessories and belongings. The river bed is not so rugged that you can walk up the waterfall with barefoot.  

At the entrance of the waterfall trail, there is such a post. It is the habitat of wild lives including brown bears. So please do not forget put a bear bell on your body or belongings. 

Jogging around "Freeze" in the morning !

by Kazu

Two pairs of plastic chairs were laid on the lawn in front of the cottages. They were set for enjoying the scenery of Mt. Shari-dake from the premises of "Freeze".  It was fine in the morning on that day. Mt. Shari-dake wore a hat of cloud then.

Small red flowers were blooming near the lodge of the owner.The cottages of "Freeze" were surrounded by potato field and golden wheat field but they were close to the habitat of brown bears in Shiretoko Peninsula.

This is the entrance of the cottage site "Freeze". Coming from this straight road from the downtown of Kiyosato, you can find the sign next  to this golden wheat field. It may be tough to make a reservation for stay. Please get in touch with the facility well in advance.

Hot Spring Water Fall Kamui Wakka !

by Kazu

I was waiting for my wife and aunt in my car until they finished trekking on the spring river and waterfall "Kamui Wakka Yu-no-Taki". My wife gave me the photos to share the current situation of the waterfall. There were so many automobiles near the entrance of  the waterfall but not so many people were on the river on that day.  

Some tourists might be exploring to the higher part of the waterfall. My wife and aunt seemed to use the sandals to walk around the river and waterfall. When we visited the waterfall for the first time, we wore swimsuit to jump into the hot spring pool on the upper side of the waterfall.    

But as you can see on this photo, it is prohibited to enter the dangerous area on the lower side and upper. After Shiretoko Peninsula was listed as one of the World Heritages of UNESCO, many things were changed for the preservation of the area and species. 

Kamui Wakka Water Fall in Shiretoko !

by Kazu

It had been several years since we visited Shiretoko Peninsula last time. Because of the pandemic of covid-19 virus from Wuhan, China, this popular destination as the World Heritage of UNESCO was not swamped with a hectic amount of tourists last summer. The hot spring water fall "Kamuiwakka" was also reachable by individual automobile. Usually the method of the access to the waterfall is limited to the official bus from the Nature Center on Utoro side of Shiretoko Pass. 

Before the landslide that had closed the way to the peak of the waterfall, tourists could go up to much higher place of the waterfall. The slightly acidic hot water prevent moss and plants from growing on the river bed.    

So it is much safer to walk on the center line of the river because the part is not slippery, different from the normal river flow. If you have chaps on your hand or foot, the water bring you pains on the parts. Please do not rub your eyes with your hands while river trekking.   

Bare foot or straw sandals called "Waraji" in Japanese, is recommendable to walk up the hot spring river. Some water pools like bathtubs are on the upperside of the waterfall.  Okhotsk Ocean could be seen from the natural bathtubs before but it is prohibited to go up to the points nowadays. The nature world changes its countenances and shapes. It's true but I wanted to save the attractive actiivity in the natural space.

From the gondola of the ropeway !

by Kazu

After enjoyed the beafutiful scenery of Sapporo City in " the Magic Hour", my wife and I went down the hillside of Mt. Moiwa. The city lights were flickering in the darkness of the evening. It might be the first time for us to take the ropeway of Mt.Moiwas in the evening.       

We are not sure when the pandemic of covid-19 from Wuhan, China will be kicked away from this world but I know that it will take more time for the recovery of the economy of the world.      

Currently, I am in charge of Adventure Travel World Summit 2021 Hokkaido to be held in September of 2021. Hokkaido will be the first place in Asia to host the summit. I hope we will be able to welcome approximately 700 people from the other parts of this globe.