02/06/2018 / Last updated : 06/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Mt.Esan, Hakodate　恵山

Day 35, October 2016, Dry weather but D. is not in the best of health so we delay our departure. I discover I can view the geyser from a vantage point on the ridge behind the michi no eki without paying an entrance fee. Strangely, I feel no sense of guilt over this clandestine geyser viewing. Mt. Esan D. feeling better, we get under way along the coast heading back towards Hakodate. Here is the very active volcano, Mt. Esan, a very menacing affair. It looms over a fishing village which has its back, very much, to the mountain wall. A steep, narrow road winds to the viewing point for Esan. […]

28/05/2018 / Last updated : 06/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Hokkaido Komagatake　北海道駒ヶ岳

Day 34, October 2016, Kijihiki Height　　きじひき高原 It is a fine morning the rain having been blown away in the night. We drive from the campsite, on a gated road, higher up the mountain to a viewing point of Kijihiki Height that provides a panorama of Onuma Lake and Hokkaido Komagatake volcano. Having gazed from afar, it is now time to make a more detailed acquaintance with Komagatake so we drive down from our vantage point to the lake. Hokkaido Komagatake Skirting the lake shore, we find an unmade-up track heading volcanowards which we follow. This takes us up the lower slopes of the volcano, past signs that say no motor […]

26/05/2018 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Esashi, Kaiyomaru then Hokuto　江差から北斗

Day 33, October 2016, Oshamanbe Park　長万部公園 Wake to another day of uncertain weather but it remains dry enough for us to breakfast next to the stream. We explore Oshamanbe Park finding signs of salmon in the stream some live and still more dead fish. Sadly the trail is closed with yellow do not enter tapes. Typhoon damage, presumably, has rendered it impassable or dangerous. The tent nearest to us on the river bank has a chimney smoking vigorously something I have never seen before. Unseki Pass Leaving Oshamanbe, we cross the mountains to the Japan Sea coast along route 277 through Unseki Pass. This proves to be a magnificent drive […]

21/05/2018 / Last updated : 19/05/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Nishiyama crater and Showa Shinzan at Lake Toya　西山クレーター

Day 32, October 2016, Takarada campground Morning brings a day of very changeable weather, heavy rain and bright, warm sunshine in quick succession. After breakfast we pack up in the intermittent rain. But when we are ready for the road, the bright sunshine encourages us to walk along the lakeshore of Takarada campground. The lake is beautifully serene as we follow the path through the trees along the shore. This path is made of bark or wood shavings, organic material that is soft and springy and with the moss growing on it and the sun shining through the leaves it is a magical, elfin path through an enchanted wood. The […]

18/05/2018 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Michi-no-eki ‘Maoi no Oka’ to Lake Toya

Day 31, October 2016, Michi-no-eki ‘Maoi no Oka’ & ‘Salmon Park Chitose’ We wake to a rather cold morning but we used our new duvet for the first time and very warm it was. The michi-no-eki ‘Maoi no Oka’ is very busy. Cars are constantly pulling in from the main road to take advantage of the incredible vegetable market. Some of the produce on display is extremely large. Huge hakusai (Chinese cabbage), for example, but there are many other fruits and vegetables at what I believe are called “competitive prices”. We had noticed that the pressure looked a little low in the front nearside tyre and, as luck would have […]

13/05/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Moerenuma Park – Noguchi Isamu モエレ沼公園

Day 30, October 2016, Moerenuma Park After Checking out of our better than usual hotel, replete after an excellent breakfast, we set off to investigate ‘Moerenuma Park‘. At first, we don’t understand the place at all but we slowly realize that it is a huge space, housing various, massive artworks, most notably by Noguchi Isamu. Strange at first, but gradually, we approve as we wander between and climb the unassuming exhibits that sometimes are not obviously exhibits at all. Noguchi Isamu, Sea Fountain. As we approach Noguchi Isamu’s Sea Fountain, coincidentally, its scheduled display is beginning, otherwise we would, stupidly, not have made any effort to see it. But […]

12/05/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

Historical Village of Hokkaido and Sapporo Beer Museum 北海道開拓の村

Day 29, October 2016, Wake to a cloudy morning but we prepare and eat breakfast outside before the rain starts in earnest. My back is still bothering me so, to be on the safe side, I pass packing up the bedding duties to D.. I take over the mopping the condensation from the windscreen task from her. We are not sure why the windscreen is so prone to condensation. It has a silvered, quilted cover, in common with the other widows, which are essential for this kind of travel. Commercial products ,for most vehicles that you are liable to sleep in, are available, but they are pricey. D., being practical, […]

06/05/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Yubari, life after coal　夕張

Day 28, October 2016, Michi no eki Shihoro Onsen As expected, it is a cold morning at michi-no-eki Shihoro onsen, though we have no problem as we sleep very cosily. Unfortunately, rolling up our sleeping mats in the cramped confines of the car I hurt my back. This is potentially a major problem as I have a history of back trouble. We are at a bit of a loss for the day as D. has no plan for this area. The typhoon damage has closed off our intended route. A middle aged gent and fellow, dubious, shachuhaku(sleep in a car) character, informs us that the radio is warning people to […]