From the peak of Mt. Moiwa in autumn 2022!

by Kazu

As I mentioned before, this is the Fifth Anniversary of the Sister-state Affiliation between Hokkaido and Hawaii. In order to celebrate the anniversary, our friends in Hawaii coordinated a special delegation to Hokkaido. Two of the delegation members stayed longer than other members and strolled around Sapporo and Otaru with me.  

We went up to the peak of Mt. Moiwa in Sapporo City under the clear blue sky on that day. I hope our friends could get the perspective of the beautiful city and enjoy the landscape.

The Sea of Japan could be seen on that day. We were so lucky to enjoy the scenery under the beautiful blue sky.It was not so cold and the comfy wind blew so nicely all day long. Our friends from Hawaii brought us the island breeze and the fine weather, I thought.

 

Hokkaido Canada Association had a great guest !

by Kazu

His Excellency Mr. Ian McKay the Ambassador of Canada to Japan who had a experience to stay in Ikeda Town many years ago visited Hokkaido again to take part in the meeting of Hokkaido-Canada Association and to deliver the speech. 

Affected by the special military operation, energy security got so crucial for each country now. It seemed that Canadian Federal Government seemed to be interested in exporting their natural gas to Japan. Selling the natural gas via pipeline is much easier and cheaper than carry the liquid natural gas by sea. Current situation made a nice occasion to develop the new clients to sell their naturea gas.  

 

Rugby field in Jouzankei, Sapporo !

by Kazu

Every morning in spring and autumn, I can see such beautiful twilight and sunrise and be energize. After inspired by the sunrise so much, my wife and i went to the rugby field in the southern end of Sapporo, Jozankei. 

Many rugby players were running after the rolling rugby ball and competed to get it to carry it to their goal. The rugby fields wee surrounded by the mountains colored with autumnal beautiful foliage.  
 

Dinner in Restaurant "Kumo" , Hotel Skye Niseko !

by Kazu

The spicy pickled cucumber and carrot topped with white sesame showed the some twists added by the chef even though the original recipe is Japanese.

It's nice to have with a variety of Japanese sake and beer.   

The sushi-grade sliced raw fish such as salmon, flatfish and squid were displayed on the wooden cubic cup for drinking sake called "Masu" with bamboo grass leaves.

Grilled Atka mackerel was from Rausu area of the eastern end of Hokkaido Island. Rause Town is at the root of Shiretoko Peninsula. A reliable fish shop in Shiribeshi Sub-prefectural Area delivered all the seafood to Hotel Skye Niseko. 

 

Ohyu-numa hotspring pond in Niseko !

by Kazu

The smell of sulfur might be the main element of the hot spring. It's very healing and refreshing. Beside of this marsh, there is a hot spring spa facility renewed a few years ago.

Before its refurbishing,  there was a hotel with the hot spring spa before but it was so old and shabby,  the municipality rebuilt the new facility for day trip tourists and citizens. After the pandemic of Covid-19, the number of the people inside the hot spring spa has been limited and regulated. 

 

Riverside Park in Kutchan !

by Kazu

The reason why we commute to Niseko so frequently is the enough distance from Sapporo to forget distance to forget daily nuisance and pet peeve upstairs in my condo. and  the appropriate time to require to go back to Sapporo just in case of emergency.   

On the first day of our stay in Niseko, we dropped by the riverside park in Kutchan. It seemed that we were lost near the park. Precisely speaking, the navigation system did not work to reach the park in our first approach.

In our second try, we could find the riverside park beside the public townhouse run by the municipality. The skyline of Mt. Yotei was so clear and beautiful even from Kutchan Town on that day. 

 

Mt. Yotei with diamond sunrise !

by Kazu 

The sky was getting brighter and Mt. Niseko Annupri was colored orange. Mt. Yotei was

wearing a white skirt of cloud. The lowland at the foot of Mt. Yotei was covered with the

cloud. 

A white cap of cloud appeared over the peak of Mt.Yotei. We focused on Niseko area to visit on weekends for stress relief recent years.  The rate for stay in this area gets expensive in winter.

Just enjoy what we appreciated amply in the morning on that day !