Kawayu in focus !

by Kazu

Going through the Sulfur Mountain near Lake Kussharo and the entrance of Lake Mashuu, we always contained the crack of the Sulfur Mountain where various kinds of souvenirs were sold , in the course of cruise. 

We stayed in New Akan Hotel on that day and many tourists were struggling  to check in at around three o'clock. The museum of Akan District in Kushiro City was in front of the hotel and the former souvenir shopping area seemed to have been rearranged.   

The hot spring town facing Lake Akan has this main street with many souvenir shops and eateries run by the indigenous people in Hokkaido Ainu and their relatives. Nowadays, a famous bakery is attracting many tourists and citizens in adjacent areas.  

 

Lake Kussharo from the east !

by Kazu

We drove to Lake Kussharo frommy hometown Kitami  City without going through Bihoro Pass on that day. The lookout is on the eastern side of Lake Kussharo. We had visited the pass and lookout before but I actually forgot our last visit to the place.

This side of the lake also has a drive-in adjacent to the parking lot at the peak of the pass but the traffic flow on the road beside seemed to be less than the west side of the lake.

A few rented cars were parking beside the road and at the lookout to see Lake Kussharo and the landscape including the lake. The landscape in the eastern part of Hokkaido Island seemed to be different from that in the western part.

 

Spear Head of Obsidian !

by Kazu

This is a obsidian spearhead unearthed in Engaru Town on the eastern part of Hokkaido Island, Japan.The spearhead made of obsidian seemed to be so sharp and looked like a glass knife. The same kind of the stone knives, spearheads and hatchets made in Japan thousands years ago were found overseas so frequently.  

My hometown Kitami City was losing its momentum to develop, particularly in  downtown that doesn't have ample space to park the cars and the outskirts on the west side and east side seemed to be flourishing with ample parking lots for the citizens.     

I heard that this Green Center with the Forest Park would be closed because of the accumulated deficit of the municipality of Kitami. The level of the public services in the city would be  lower than before and the payment to use the public facilities would be more expensive than before. It is a pity to hear about the tough situation of the citizens in my hometown. 

 

Naked Poplar Trees !

by Kazu

The rows of naked poplar trees without leaves stood with the backdrop of the rising sun and blue sky with white clouds. A herd of sheep on the green lawn looked like the clouds in the sky.

The buildings of the condominiums looked as if they worshiped the rising sun and prayed for something early in the morning like myself. The agricultural experimental fields seemed to be starting to breath and getting prepared for the new attempt.

The sheep did not eat the grass at that moment and seemed to be starting their activity to live in this world under the bright sunshine. They were sitting on the lawn with cold moist. 

 

Birthday Cake Service in Rokkatei !

by Kazu

The dark color of the wooden shrine and the pale pink cherry blossoms made up so nice contrast even under the bright sunshine and blue sky on that day. The color of red fences and the brown trunk of spruces made us so comfortable on that day.

The spruces on the premises of Hokkaido Shrine in Sapporo made up so subtle backdrops for the pale cherry trees and the Japanese traditional wooden building of the shrine.

Most of the visitors drop by the sweets shop on the premises of the shrine "Rokkatei" headquartered in Obihiro City that provides "Oyaki" to the visitors and we do normally but we went to one of the branch shop and cafe on the east side of the shrine on that day and had so delicious sweets with birthday plate made of white chocolate.

 

Hokkaido Shrine in Spring 2025 !

by Kazu

We visited Hokkaido Shrine to see the cherry blossoms blooming on the premises with the Japanese traditional wooden building and the peculiar sacred atmosphere. The seasonal beauty of the Japanese soul and core part of the mentality after getting over the white cold winter.

We had recognized the increase of the visitors from overseas and were satisfied with their manner to worship and take photos enjoying the atmosphere.

The location of the cherry trees with blossoms  seemed to be perfect under the blue sky. I am not sure if the architect and the gardeners intended to make up this scenery but their plan created much more beautiful than they imagined before, I think.

 

Diplomats, Entrepreneurs, Top Brasses visited there !

by Kazu

Hotel Park Hyatt has its own golf course and clubhouse with high-quality restaurant but the approach to the course was still closed because of the heavy snow on the road.

Most of the staff in the restaurant of the clubhouse were from overseas and had a good command in English. They move from one hotel to another depending on the need of the labor force. 

This is the entrance of Hanazono Golf Course. It will take a few months to open the facility and green golf course. I do not enjoy golfing in Japan but absolutely do overseas. It is cheaper than in Japan and the courses are magnificent.

 

The Real Estate to be developed rapidly in Hanazono, Niseko !

by Kazu

The appearance of Hotel Nikko Niseko Style in Hanazono Area of Niseko is like above. As you see, it is so simple and may be different from your imagination you had beforehand. But it's a reality. 

Jogging around the hotel and the adjacent area, I remembered the article of the local newspaper that reported the new plan to develop Niseko Hanazono Village next to Hotel Park Hyatt and Hotel Nikko Niseko Style.

There seemed to be vast real estate to develop for the increasing tourists to stay and enjoy activities. But the water use and sewage must be tough to arrange avoiding the strong impact to the existing nature in this area. 

 

Dinner in Hotel Nikko Niseko Style !

by Kazu

This is the dinner we chose on that day. We could choose the main dish and and pick up the salad buffet in the restaurant but to be honest, I was reluctant to go to the veggie corner to make up my salad bowl because I had a lot in the special lounge of the htel Nikko Niseko Style.

We make a point of celebrating my wife's birthday, birth week and birth month so that I appreciate my wife's hard works and contribution to my happiness and social contributions.As a result, I gained extra weight and had to shed that every year. 

This is the main entrance of Hotel Nikko Niseko Style even though which entrance should be called "Main" for the skiers and snowboarders as well as other guests o stay in the hotel. 

 

For the skiers and snowboarders !

by Kazu

This is the entrance for the skiers and snowboarders facing the skiing course and Hotel Park Hyatt. It is so huge and bigger than the main entrance of the hotel. Of course, the guests may be able to enter from this entrance but the reception for checking in is on the other side.

The color of this object was changing from blue to green and return. This round-shaped light-emitting object could be seen on each floor of the hotel and may symbolize something special. 

The waiting bar of the restaurant was also designed round shape and open to the guests from all directions. The target strata may be not so high for the hotel. I really appreciate the consideration.