2016-08-31

From Lookout to Kawayu Onsen !


by Kazu

The lower peak in front of the lookout did not seem to be a cozy space to have lunch early in spring.
Going down to the lakeside of Lake Kussharo, we dropped by the hot spring foot-bath in Kawayu area.
The temperature of the foot bath varied depending on the length from the source. It was so comfortable to recharge our batteries after the long drive.
This place is surrounded by the hotels and the museum of the area. The quality of the hot spring is one of my favorites in Hokkaido. Would you try that ?

2016-08-30

From the lookout on the east 4 !


by Kazu

These are the photos taken from another lookout near Lake Kussharo. It is on the hillside on the way from   "Highland Koshimizu Camping Site" to Lake Kussharo.
The white gas from the crack of Sulfur Mountain could be seen even from the lookout. No smell of sulfur I could feel.
It seemed to be so easy to reach the top of the hill close to the lookout but no nicer landscape could be expected than that from the lookout because of the trees around the peak, I thought.

2016-08-29

From the lookout on the east 3 !


by Kazu

At the beginning of the touring season, the contrast of white snow and dark green of spruce was so impressive in Hokkaido.  
The clear view can not be savored in summer because the green leaves and expanding branches hide the landscape to some extent.
 Of course, each landscape show its countenances changing as time and season goes by and the green foliage in summer, colored foliage in autumn captivate us tourists so much. Please stroll around the deep east of Hokkaido this year.

2016-08-28

From the lookout on the east 2 !


by Kazu

Lake Kussharo could be seen from the lookout on top of the hill but this is the entrance of the trail to the peak of Mt. Mokoto. This is "Highland Koshimizu Camping Site."
 The trail was still covered with snow but some trekkers seemed to have come back from their trekking and headed to hot spring area around Lake Kussharo.
This is the northern end of Lake Kussharo. I do not think that tourists of so-called bulk-tour drop by this lookout because of efficient course arrangement. Would you try this route and lookout in the private individual tour ?

2016-08-27

From the lookout on the east !


by Kazu

Our next target to conquer the peak, Mt. Shari(dake) still could be seen even from the plain. I hope I will be able to take enough leaves to do that next year.  
 When we trekked around the peak of Mt. Tokachi(dake), Mt. Nokogiri(dake) and Mt.Biei(dake), it took ten hours. We had sore calves and thighs for a week in spite of enough rest in the hot spring spa after the trekking.
We have to put a bell on our sacs to avoid bear attack during trekking. I am not sure if Mt. Shari(dake) is for the novices like as or not but it seems that my wife started to adjust the schedule.  

2016-08-26

Moss Phlox Park in Ozora Town 4 !


by Kazu

There was a small shrine on top of the hill. The gate was colored with pink, the same color as moss phlox flowers, my wife's favorite color.
I am not sure if the white flowers and pink ones are the same precisely the shape of flowers, stems and leaves seemed to be the same.
Before the leaves of green get the power to cover the hillside, the pink and white flowers draw the picture like an illusion.

2016-08-24

Moss Phlox Park in Ozora Town 3 !


by Kazu

Mt. Shari(dake) could be seen away from the hillside of the park. The peak was still covered with white snow on that day.
This area and angle was the best in the park on that day.White and pink colors allured visitors and was shaped like waves on the hillside.
My wife and I are planning to reach the peak of Mt. Shari(dake) next year but it is the habitat of brown bears that we do not like to encounter in the forest.

2016-08-23

Moss Phlox Park in Ozora Town 2 !


 by Kazu

This park had been run by Higashimokoto Village that merged with Memanbetsu Town. The merged municipalities was named Ozora Town.
The most beautiful season of the Moss Phlox Park seemed to be delayed than usual. The color of moss phlox is not so vivid. That makes the world like a dream.
This hillside is covered with the flowers of moss phlox every year and insects such as bees and butterflies contribute to keep the beauty of the park. Please enjoy the mild color of the park at
http://www.town.ozora.hokkaido.jp/#.

2016-08-22

Moss Phlox in Town of Ozora !


by Kazu

After having lunch in  BBQ restaurant TAMURA in Bihoro Town, we headed to the Moss Phlox Park in Ozora Town. The road went on and on to the east.
 Moss phlox flowers were blooming on the hillside of the park but it was almost 30% of the hillside.The beauty of moss phlox would peak out in a week.
The sign shows that ice cream colored with the moss phlox are sold at the vendor. So many tourists and citizens of the town visit there every year. How many people visited the park this year ?

2016-08-21

Changing Landscape !


by Kazu

I could not imagine the total plan of this public work but due to the greenhouse effect and global warming, the precipitation might have increased and so called "Guerrilla Intensive Rainfall" occurs here and there even in Hokkaido nowadays.
Public works for land restoration may increase or have to be change the way and plan.
This is the landscape from the southern hill of Kitami Hollow.
Skiing and snowboarding gelande can be seen from the top of the hill near the graveyard where my ancestors are sleeping.
We headed to Bihoro Town to have lunch at a BBQ restaurant headquartered in the town.