The Shinto Shrine at the entrance !

by Kazu

At  the entrance of the trail to the peak of Mt. Iwaonupri, there is a small Shinto Shrine to pray for the safety of the trekkers. Every trekkers go through the gate of the shrine. 

The skyline of the mountains was so clear around Goshiki Onsen on that day. The beautiful blue sky was so clear and refreshing.

The chilly breeze went through the surface of the hillside. The outside hot spring spa in that season was also nice. Please try it!  

 

Mt. Neseko Annupri could be seen !

by Kazu

The peak of Mt. Niseko Annupri could be seen from the hillside of Mt. Iwaonupri. On the opposite side of Mt. Neseko Annupri, there are some downhill ski courses.

The two mountains were divided by the road. Many people visit this area every year but the place is very calm now. 

I love the scenery of this area including that from the peak of Mt. Iwaonupri but we could not reach there that time.

 

Mt. Iwaonupri in June 2 !

by Kazu

Different from the trail in summer, we had to crawl up the steep and slippery hillside of Mt. Iwaonupri. Chilly breeze went down the surface of the hillside and blew our cheeks so kindly.

The upper side of the stairs were covered with snow but some footprints could be seen on the surface of the hillside.

Some trekkers seemed to have gone farther and might have reached to the peak. The approach road to Goshiki Onsen from the lower hollow could be seen from the entrance of the trail. 

 

Mt.Iwaonupri in June !

by Kazu

We walked up the stairs from the entrance of the trail to the peak of the mountain. But the trail on the upper hillside was covered with snow.  So we could not find the appropriate route to the peak. 

The surface of the hillside was slippery and the snow was deeper on the upper side. We had to give up to reach the peak. 

We had the attachment to avoid to slip but even in June, we have to prepare enough for winter trekking in Hokkaido. Please be careful when you plan to climb the mountains in Hokkaido in June. 

 

Mt. Iwaonupri in spring !

by Kazu

Niseko Goshiki Onsen is one of our favorite hot spring spa in Hokkaido. Beautiful scenery of autumnal foliage can be seen from the outside bath of the spa.

Mt. Iwaonupri is the most familiar mountain in Hokkaido for us because it is comparatively easy to reach the peak and the hillside is not so steep.

To be short, it is a mountain for novices. But the scenery from the summit is so nice to see the Sea of Japan and the agricultural area between the mountains. It might be a little bit too early to try trekking there. 

 

Rokkatei Campana 2021！

by Kazu

It was plus five degrees in Celsius. It was a little bit too cold for a jogger with only T-shirt and shorts. The grapevine of "Rokkatei Campana" was in silence and cold air.

The land power of this hollow had been damaged by the eruption Mt. Tokachi-dake many years ago but the efforts exerted by the people living there. 

This hollow produces a variety of agricultural produce every year. That is the fruit of the persistent efforts of the people. The land rose again ! 

 

Japanese Soul !

by Kazu

I am very happy to see the beautiful cherry blossoms again even though the party under the cherry trees are prohibited. After the long cold white winter, we can really appreciate the gift of spring.

These cherry trees are on the premises of Sapporo Horse Race Park. Jogging around the park early in the morning, I can smell the aroma of the  beautiful blossoms. Thanks God, spring has come ! 
 

Sapporo Prince Hotel Supremacy!

by Kazu

The beautiful scenery of Sapporo City and Mt. Ohkura was the value added of the afternoon tea set in Sapporo Prince Hotel. 

To be honest, I love chocolate cakes but I don't choose them when I buy cakes for my wife and for myself. It's very difficult to select in cake shop but such kind of set menu is very useful, I think. 

 

Sapporo Prince Hotel Supreme !

by Kazu

One month after our happy time of "afternoon Tea" in Hotel Nikko Sapporo, we enjoyed the one in Sapporo Prince Hotel.

The cakes were so different from the ones of Hotel Nikko Sapporo but the level of happiness was almost the same. Please give yourself a gift of happy time in this stressful state of emergency.

I was so happy to see my wife enjoying the art and the taste of the sweets and smiling.

 

Exotic Town Niseko !

by Kazu

On our way to Niseko Town, we dropped by a Hamburger restaurant. Before the pandemic of Covid-19, most of the guests in the restaurant had been foreigners such as Australian people. 

It was as if we were visiting other country on the other part of this globe. The taste of the dishes are so nice and energizing.

I love the quality of the bread in this restaurant as well as the ham, veggies and cheese sourced locally in this area.

 

From the east end to Mt. Yotei !

by Kazu

Nemuro City and Kushiro City are connected by this railway five or six trains every day. it is very tough to maintain this railway but we must do that for the people living in this area.

Mt. Yotei is also called "Ezo Fuji" because its beautiful shape of "Konide" is like that of Mt. Fuji even though the height and the size are so different. 

International popular ski resort Niseko is in this direction. We have to deliver the tourists currently concentrated to Niseko area to other attractive area of Hokkaido.