22/02/2020 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Fukidashi Koen and Nakayama Pass, Ferry from Hokkaido 　ふきだし公園、中山峠

June 2019, Fukidashi Koen Michi no eki Meisui no Sato provides a quiet night but, by 8.30 am the tour buses are arriving. I was surprised to meet a lady cleaning the toilet at 5am but, sadly, by 9 her work has been undone. We walk around Fukidashi Koen, the small ponds below the springs and the dinky waterfall. I am surprised when a tiny fledgling comes straight at me, in tenuous, wobbling flight, to land on my shoulder. It perches there for a while, as D. struggles getting out her camera, then flutters off into the bushes before she succeeds. Later, by the largest pond, we disturb a mother […]

16/02/2020 / Last updated : 31/01/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Ura Bandai, Nihon Kitsune　裏磐梯

June 2019, Ferry to Sendai After a smooth night on the Taiheiyo ferry we arrive in Sendai at 10am. We carried our food and beverages (Thank you Seicomart) but this ferry line, I think, offers a better food selection than the Maizuru line. There is boiling water and a microwave available if you want to avoid the pricey restaurants. Shichikashuku and Tsuchiyu michi no eki Once off the ferry, we make for Shichikashuku on Route 113. This is a pleasant enough michi no eki, but it is not exactly on the dam lake as we were expecting. There is an adjoining park plus a park golf course and at the […]

15/02/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Utonai and around Mt.Yotei ウトナイ湖、羊蹄山

June 2019, Lake Utonai The morning in Mukawa Shiki no Sato breaks bright and warm. We are near the ferry port but our ferry leaves tomorrow night. So, with two days to fill we head inland towards Sapporo, or at least Chitose, to Lake Utonai. This lakeside boasts six walking courses and a bird sanctuary. Lake Utonai is apparently a stopover for migratory birds and over 250 different species can be seen, during presumably in spring and autumn. As we approach Chitose along R.36 in rush hour we meet more traffic than we have seen in weeks. Eventually, we arrive at the michi no eki Lake Utonai. Here we find […]

14/02/2020 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Cape Erimo and “Thoroughbred Ginza”　襟裳岬とサラブレット銀座

June 2019, We were the only people to spend the night at Sarabetsu michi no eki which is a fine place to stay, very quiet despite the proximity of ‘Tokachi Obihiro airport’. The morning is bright and sunny with a stiff breeze, so we take the opportunity to air the car a little before setting off for Cape Erimo. After leaving Sarobetsu, but before hitting the coast, we spot a pair of Tsuru in a meadow. This is a surprise as we are some distance from the Kushiro wetlands and Tsuruimura. Ogondoro or Gold Road　黄金道路 The coast, we find, is rocky and wild. The road is known as Ogondoro or […]

12/02/2020 / Last updated : 20/03/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Hosooka Viewing Point, Rokka no Mori 　細岡展望台と六花の森

June 2019, Hosooka Viewing Point The morning at Takkoku Campsite is damp and blustery but the only rain is an intermittent sprinkle borne on the wind. For an overall, last look at the wetlands, we set off for the Hosooka Viewing Point. From here there is a good scenic vista of the marshes and the meandering Kushiro River. There is a visitor centre near the viewing point, but parking is limited so it is better to park in the much larger parking area a little lower down. This large car park serves the tiny Kushiro Shitsugen station. The visitor centre is large and provides comfortable armchairs around a huge wood […]

11/02/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Toro, Onnenai Visitor Centre at Kushiro Wetland 　塘路湖、釧路湿原

June 2019, Takkobu Auto Camp A good night at Takkobu Auto Camp. This is an excellent campsite with good cooking facilities but nothing fancy. In the morning, when we emerge, we are virtually alone. All the other campers have left. The weather is still murky but not actually raining. A chill wind is blowing. Early in the morning, the sky was alive with swallows and swifts. By the time we leave however only a few stray birds are still swooping about. Over the speaker system comes an announcement that a bear has been sighted in some area. The police, local officials and hunters are searching for it. Please be careful. […]

09/02/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Cape Kiritappu, Tsuruimura　霧多布岬、鶴居村

June 2019, Kiritappu A cold, grey, cloudy morning but no real rain. Our plan is to visit Kiritappu. Due to the weather, we avoided the campsite for last night but still want to revisit this headland. On our way to Kiritappu, we spot several deer on a hillside and a very pretty young fox on the road ahead. This small fox abandons the middle of the road at our approach and hides under the large Fuki leaves on the verge. We can see its nose and bright eyes as we crawl past. We stop at Akkeshi Gourmet michi no eki which is apparently famous for its food – number one […]

07/02/2020 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Lake Mashu, Mt.Io and Kami no ko Ike　摩周湖、硫黄山、神の子池

June 2019, Lake Mashu A peaceful night at Mashu Onsen michi no eki but it becomes noisy around 5am., as the various shachuhaku (sleep in the car) vehicles prepare to leave. We sleep later, have a leisurely breakfast, and leave around 9. First, we make for Mashuko or Lake Mashu. This lake is famous for its magnificent blue and, equally famous, obscuring fog. On a previous visit, we were lucky to catch it on a day of serene blue sky so arrive with limited expectations as the day is overcast and grey. In fact, the lake is still a sight to behold. It is neither a piercing blue nor a […]