The Jazz Festival in Hotel Setsu Niseko !

by Kazu 

The annual ? music event was held in the courtyard of Hotel Setsu Niseko on July 19(Sat.) and 20(Sun.), 2025.

I heard that the Japanese diva Ms. Yasuko Yagami had shown her best performance as she had done decades ago last year.

A Jazz Festival invited many famous players such as the Orchesta de la lus and other popular performers this year and the courtyard was filled up with the guests enthusiastic.

 

Japanese Green Tea Set in Lupicia Restaurant !

by Kazu 

I chose Grilled Curry topped with melted cheese and my wife did gril Pork with plenty of fresh veggies as well as Japanese Green Tea Set.

The Tea menu seemed to be developed mainly for the guests from overseas and required the guests to make a cup of tea by themselves.

The maitre'D said it had been not so popular for the International guests and had been ordered for a few times.

 

Niseko Lupicia Restaurant!

by Kazu

The rays of sunshine from the crack of the clouds looked like a guide of the divine and godsend early in the morning on that day.

It was the first day of a little bit long weekend. We would stay in our favorite Hotel in Niseko/ Kutchan Area on that day and the next.

Before checking in, we had lunch in Lupicia Restaurant near the hotel we would stay.We could savor amply the delicious veggies sourced locally and the chef's signature " Grilled Curry" topped with cheese that made us so happy.

 

Kitaichi Glassware Shop in Otaru!

by Kazu

After the worship in Sumiyoshi Shrine on the hill, we had nice lunch in the restaurant run by the glassware shop " Kitaichi".

The building of the restaurant had been used as warehouse and was refurbished like other buildings of Kitaichi shops.

Even in daytime, the natural darkness of warehouse made of stones created the atmosphere of night that played up the lamps made by Kitaichi. 

 

Worship in Sumiyoshi Shrine in Otaru !

by Kazu 

We make a point of praying for the deceased who lost their lives in the ocean and World War Ⅱ at Sumiyoshi Shrine when we visit Otaru City.

We took ou guest from Korea to the Shrine and worshipped in fron of the sacre alter together. It was not so hot and humid on that day. 

Even without turning on the air-conditioner , it was comfortable with bright sunshine and sea breeze that blew up from the ocean.

 

Otaru Sumiyoshi Shrine with Korean Guest !

by Kazu 

We visited Sumiyoshi Shrine in Otaru City with our guest from Korea on her second day of her stay in my  condo. .

The hand-washing area beside the main road for worship was decorated with small sunflowers and green cauliflower-like plamts.

The main road for worship from the Port through "Torii" gates was well- maintained and the trees seemed to be well-trimmed. The reflection of sunshine from the white stones was too bright for females. 

 

It will be fine tomorrow!

by Kazu

Even after the sunset, many visitors stayed on the lavend hill near Horomi Pass on that day. 

We had to take our guest from Korea to our condo. and let her have enough and comfortable rest ther, talking a lot about ourselves and our own culture each other. 

On top of that, we had to fill her up with culinary delight sourced locally and the actual experience of typical Japanese culture.

 

The Sunset at the Lavender Garden !

by Kazu

Our guest from Korea seemed to be pleased and satisfied with the scenery of the lavender field because she did not expect such landscape without visiting Furano Area but she could see in Sapporo.

The flowers of lavender seemed to be more flourish than we visited a week ago.

The number of the ball flowers blooming  seemed to have increased than before. The management of the schedule was crucial to maximize the delight of our guest, I thought.

 

As we planned beforehand !

by Kazu 

 

The skyline could be seen so clearly on the first day of receiving a guest from Korea that we took many photos with our guest at the lookout at the peak of Mt.Moiwa, explaining her on the geographical situation around Sapporo and my hometown Kitami City approximately 300 km east ofSapporo City.

After leaving Mt Moiwa, we headed to the lavender garden near Horomi Pass as we planned before. 

Fortunately, we managed to arrived in the garden before the sunset and watched around the lavender hill and took photos with the weak sunshine. 

 

On The First Day: Jenesis Program !

by Kazu

 

It was so fine on the first day of receiving a guest from Korea as a part of Jenesis Program arranged by Hokkaido International Exch and Cooperation Center and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

We made a poin of taking our guests to the peak of Mt. Moiwa and giving them the overview of the city. We could get the nice city view before the sunset on that day too.

The spectacular landscape of the city and t adjacent area with the collaboration of the blue sky and white clouds was so impressive on that day.