Just After the Sunrise !

by Kazu

The deep blue sky peculiar to the northern region on this globe was getting brighter and the reflection from the agricultural experimental field of Hokkaido University made a beautiful contarst of winter.   

The silhouette of the buildings in downtown of Sapporo City could be seen far away but they were only one kilometer away from this point on my way of routine jogging early in the morning everyday.

The rows of poplar trees lost their leaves and were ready to get over the cold winter. Jogging around under the blue sky and bright sunshine is really refreshing for me. 

I ran out of the photos of Hokkaido to post on this blog. It will take a while for me to take photos to post.

See you again !  

 

Just before the sunrise !

by Kazu

It was so calm and sacred in a sense.The Holy Night had gone and the bright sunshine was rising with the prelude of hope and beauty. It was really a privilege for the early birds. Changing my jogging course everyday brought me such opportunity to encounter. 

The workers in Sapporo Central Whole Sale Market had already started their bidding and conveying the produces and fresh seafood. The beautiful city also activated its function following the market. It is getting cold day by day in Hokkaido including Sapporo. Please take care and stay fit. 

 

Hokkaido University at the crack of dawn !

by Kazu

The gray clouds started to cover the sky by the strong wind. The twilight before sunrise could be seen from the southern sky over the city. Against the backdrop of the orange and pale blue twilight, the silhouette of the buildings made a black shade on the ground. 

The gray cloud progressed to the south and cover the sky and twilight. The spectacular landscape may be the perquisite of us early birds. Nobody was on the pavement other than myself. 

During my routine jogging, the twilight was hidden  and the sky was covered with gray cloud.  Sapporo Central Wholesale Market had already started its bidding. What are the much earlier birds' perks ?  

 

Winter has come!

 

by Kazu

The agricultural experimental field of Hokkaido University has some rows of poplar trees to protect themselves from the northwest wind. It seemed that the students or tourists made a Japanese style snowman beside the trail. 

The rising sun went up to above the downtown of Sapporo City at that time. Even in the central area of Sapporo City, we can see such kind of  scenery every day. The area makes me feel some kind of privilege to live in the area.   

The poplar trees had grown up enough to protect the agricultural field and they are still strong and flexible enough to play their original role expected. The trail led to the main street of the university.

Soba Bar Naritaya in Niki Town, 2024 !

by Kazu

It was our last visit to the Buckwheat Noodle Bar "Naritaya" in Niki Town, Hokkaido. To savor enough the taste  of buckwheat from the field, we reserved three serves of soba noodle made from one hundred percent of buckwheat flour without wheat flour.

The owner of the soba bar also sells bottles of wine brewed by the adjacent winery. The vineyard in front of the soba bar had no grape for making ice wine. 

My wife chose cold buckwheat noodle topped with deep-fried aubergine and radish pulp with perilla(Japanese herb) leaf.  I chose a bowl of buckwheat noodle and hot soup made of soy sauce, dried and fermented bonito, dried kelp and something mysterious. Three or four slices of wild duck meat and grilled leek were boiled with the soup. 

 

Before Sunrise in the Midst of November 2024 !

by Kazu

I change the route of my jogging course almost every day depending on the timing of the traffic signs on my way. On that day, the traffic signs led me to this scenery with mysterious fog on the ground.

The poplar trees on the premises of Hokkaido University seemed to lost some of their leaves and be preparing for getting over the cold winter. The breathtaking poplar wall have played the role of defense barrier to protect the cattle and plants of veggies and fruits for a long time.

In the city planning arranged over one hundred and fifty years ago, the trees of poplar were made the most of to protect the lives of the citizens and livestock as well as public transportation.

 

Just before Cold Winter 2024 !

by  Kazu

I really appreciate the opportunity to see this scenery of the sunrise and the mysterious fog on the agricultural experimental field of Hokkaido University. This phenomenon occurs several times a year.  

The experimental field of the covered with the mist drifting on the ground. Soon the mist would disappear after sunrise. The moist in the ground evaporated to the air and the low temperature kept it covering the plants.  

The mist disappeared as I went to the row of poplar trees. The air temperature was going up with the weak sunshine just before the sunrise. It was so fine on that day. 

 

"Chuk Festival" in Shiraoi Town !

by Kazu

Japanese Ninja experience corner provided the visitors with trying to throw iron para-knives called shuriken. The visitors threw the iron pieces toward the bulls eye. 

The slackline experience seemed to be so tough for the novices but the lines were set very low and some people were trying to go across the rope with the instructors.  

To be honest, I am not so familiar with the sport Molkky but I think I heard that it was from Scandinavian countries. please correct me if i am wrong. The omnibus type of attractions were conducted at the same time in the public hall and gymnasium on that day. 

 

Intercultural and Sports Experience Festival in Shiraoi Town !

by Kazu

Some sports experience corners were also set in the gymnasium next to the public hall of Shiraoi Town. What grabbed my heart the most was Brazilian martial arts Capoeira conducted by many local citizens. 

Other than that, table tennis,handball,SHiraoi original game Ga-ling, Molkky, slack-line and Japanese Ninja experience were performed and providing opportunities to experience to the audience.

The Brazilian martial arts Capoeira was developed by the slaves in Brazil who were caught and put the chain with iron ball to regulate their freedom. The iron ball was used as an arm to fight against the rulers of the plantation.

American Indians' and Ainu's Traditional Music !!

by Kazu

An Andean Music performance group Apurunasu made of the citizens of Shiraoi Town, mainly the members of the NPO Utekanpa that arranged the total event with Hokkaido International Exchange and Cooperation Center, played some Andean tunes. 

After that, the indigenous people of Hokkaido Ainu group performed their traditional dance on the stage. I am not sure how deep and wide their history and culture were understood by the people of foreign countries. 

The audience on the floor were invited and jumped on the stage. They seemed to be enjoying the traditional dancing   of Ainu people. I wish I could see the foreign residents joined the dancing on the stage.