Aomori The Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE is a facility that introduces the history and charms of the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Conveniently located near JR Aomori station. https://www.nebuta.jp/warasse/foreign/english.html

Hakodate, Sapporo, Kushiro 2024 February Ramen "Ajisai" in Hakodate Ikameshi (Squid Rice) near Mori station Pastryy at Rokkatei Goryoukaku cafe Seafood grill at "Noah's Arc" in Sapporo Sweets, rice cracker and cafe at Kitakaro, Sapporo Miso ramen, Kushiro A Japanese confectionery called "Hougan sama" only sold at Rokkatei Hokkaido Jingu cafe "Haskapp Jewelry" cookie recommended by a Sapporo local Scallop butter rice ball sold at the train station "Morihiko" coffee and much mo

Hokkaido Along the way - looking out from the car (sightseeing taxi in Kushiro) and JR local train (Hakodate - Sapporo - Kushiro) February, 2024

Sapporo, Hokkaido Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine) in Sapporo is Hokkaido's most important Shinto shrine , enshrining deities of land development, including Emperor Meiji, offering spiritual support, good fortune, and beautiful cherry blossoms in Maruyama Park, especially popular for New Year's and spring festivals. It's a significant cultural site with natural beauty, wildlife, traditional rituals, and opportunities to buy amulets, serving as a spiritual heart for the region

Hokkaido February 2024 The Sapporo Snow Festival ( Sapporo Yuki Matsuri ) is a massive annual winter event in Sapporo, Japan, held for about a week in February, featuring spectacular, large-scale snow and ice sculptures at three main sites: Odori Park (giant sculptures, illuminations), Susukino (intricate ice sculptures), and Tsudome (family snow play) . Originating in 1950 from high school students building snow statues, it has grown into a world-famous festival attracting m

Hokkaido Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, JR Sapporo station, Susukino at night (February 2024) Sapporo (札幌, "important river flowing through a plain" in Ainu language) is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan's fifth largest city . In the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the development of Hokkaido started on a large scale, Sapporo was chosen as the island's administrative center and enlarged according to the advice of foreign specialists. Sapporo became

Hokkaido The Akanko Ainu Kotan is one of the largest Ainu kotan (settlements) in Hokkaido, inhabited by about 120 people. It is a place where Ainu culture is shared through the experience of interacting, making, eating, inheriting, unleashing and living with nature, based on the Ainu belief that souls reside in all things.

Hokkaido Sunayu, located on the eastern shore of Lake Kussharo, is a unique open-air hot spring experience. The area around Sunayu is a year-round attraction. In summer, visitors can swim in the lake and go camping, while in winter, a whooper swan colony comes to Lake Kussharo from Siberia, attracted by the geothermal activity. Sunayu is a popular spot for photographers to capture shots of whooper swans against backdrops of fresh snow and frozen water. There are shops, toilet

Hokkaido Lake Mashū is an endorheic crater lake formed in the caldera of a potentially active volcano. It is located in Akan Mashu National Park on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. It has been called the clearest lake in the world. You are lucky if you have a clear view of the lake, since it is often not possible due to the fog.

Hokkaido, Kushiro Kushiro Marshland (Kushiro-shitsugen) in Eastern Hokkaido, Japan, is the country's largest wetland, famous for its vast reedbeds, meandering Kushiro River, and as the vital habitat for the iconic, endangered Japanese red-crowned crane (Tancho) . Designated as a National Park, it offers year-round nature experiences like canoeing, snowshoeing, and birdwatching, showcasing diverse wildlife and stunning seasonal landscapes from lush green to snowy silver.

Hokkaido, Kushiro Tanchozuru (Red-crowned Cranes) in Kushiro, Hokkaido, refers to the famous Japanese cranes that thrive in the Kushiro Marshlands , a key habitat where they are resident year-round and a major draw for birdwatchers and photographers, especially at spots like the Otowa Bridge and Tsurumidai.

Kushiro, Hokkaido Sailors who traveled the world’s oceans created a top three list of places to watch the sunset. The first two locations are Bali in Indonesia, and Manila in the Philippines. The third is none other than Kushiro. Sunsets are most beautiful from autumn to winter when there is often clear skies and clean air. The number one spot in Kushiro to check out the sunset is Nusamai Bridge, which is considered to be one of the three most picturesque bridges in all of Ho

Hakodate, Hokkaido Located in the historic Daimon district near Hakodate Station, this lively yatai (food stall) village captures the nostalgic charm of old Hakodate, a town once thriving with the Seikan Ferry and the northern fisheries. Over 20 small eateries line the narrow alleyways, each offering its own take on Hokkaido cuisine.

Hakodate, Hokkaido The Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse is a commercial complex consisting of four facilities, which were built after renovating an old red brick warehouse built in 1909.

Hakodate, Hokkaido Rokkatei is a famous pastry shop started in Obihiro, Hokkaido founded in 1933. It is a chain, and I visited one near Goryoukaku, Sapporo. There is a cafe inside the stor. https://rokkatei.us/pages/about

Hokkaido, Hakodate 2/1/2024 Fort Goryokaku (五稜郭, Goryōkaku) is a massive, star-shaped, Western-style citadel, which was built in the last years of the Edo Period (1603-1868) for the defense of Hakodate against the imperialist threat posed by the Western powers. A few years later, the fort became the site of a civil war between an army of the shogunate and the superior troops of the newly established Meiji government . After the fort had lost its military importance, it was

Hakodate, Hokkaido My first visit to Hokkaido (2/1/2024) The northern peoples, rooted in the northern climate, have their own traditional and unique culture. Among the few northern people materials in the world, those formerly held at Hakodate Museum and those collected by Baba Osamu and Kodama Sakuzaemon, Hakodate-born authorities in anthropology, archaeology, and ethnology, are widely known both in Japan and abroad as masterpieces that tell the story of northern culture. Ba