autumn leaves of beech forest
12/09/2018 / Last updated : 07/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Mt.Hakkoda, Sukayu and Tsuta Onsen　八甲田

Day 42, October 2016, Another beautiful morning, a little cold but bright and clear. There has been a slight frost.　After breakfast, we walk to the nearby Sukayu onsen shop and buy onigiri, boiled eggs and tea for lunch. Then start our climb to Kenashitai wetland on Mt.Hakkoda. Mt. Hakkoda Kenashitai Actually, the start is a little delayed as we are not sure where the start is. Sorted, we are on our way. The first kilometer or so is rather a scramble through beech woods but the tree leaves shining, golden brown against the bright blue sky is recompense enough. As we clear the trees, the going is smoother and the […]
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 […]
Showa Shinzan
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 […]
Takkobu campsite
21/04/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Takkobu-Kushiro Wetlands　逹古武湖

Day 24, October 2016, Kottaro viewing point　　コッタロ展望台 The hotel breakfast is a self-service buffet which, for the price, is not at all bad so we leave our first Super Hotel with a positive feeling. Our next destination is Lake Takkobu, where we planed to go canoeing but, on arrival, we discover that canoeing is over for the season. The campsite, at the same location, is very good so we decide to make this our place to spend the night. Thus decided, we drive to a viewing point to see the Kushiro wetlands. The final stretch of road, to the viewing spot (Kottaro viewing point), proves to be 5 kilometres or […]
15/04/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Kiritappu – Kombu – Kushiro City　霧多布

Day 23, September 2016, Cape Kiritappu Wake up to a bright, sunny morning in Cape Kiritappu with panoramic views of the beautiful, blue bay dotted with small boats harvesting Kombu (Kelp seaweed). After breakfast (coffee, toast and yogurt – what else would you want?) We walk to a nearby lighthouse where the view of the ocean from the cliffs is magnificent. Rakko sighting – sea otter There are lots of cormorants and gulls but we are amazed to see a Sea Otter (Rakko). At first, we thought it was a seal but on closer inspection, through binoculars, we could clearly see it clashing shells together on its chest in classic […]
12/04/2018 / Last updated : 19/05/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Shunkunitai-Cape Nosappu-Cape Kiritappu　春国岱

Day 22, September 2016, Shunkunitai From Betsukai-cho we travel on to Shunkunitai. After parking in a nondescript car park, we find a nature centre hidden in the trees. It’s a tourist spot, but they don’t seem encourage casual visitors. At the nature centre, which has a view out over the salt marshland, we get directions on how to get to the place clearly visible below us. This clear, we retrace our steps, a little, and set out along the inevitable wooden walkway over the marsh. We have a large expanse of open water on our left and, across the sea of reeds and sandy scrub, to our right the sea itself. […]
Shiretoko Lake
07/04/2018 / Last updated : 05/02/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Shiretoko 5 Lakes Ground Pathways-Brown Bears　 知床五湖

Day 20, September 2016, Breakfast in the sunshine. Our folding camping table (Camper’s Collection) has proved itself perfect for our purpose. It folds neatly, to slip under the seat during the day; outside it is a good height and size to cook on or eat off and it fits easily inside the car to serve as a reading table or more importantly, a bar. Once all is packed, a daily task that takes about 30 minutes, we head for the Shiretoko 5 Lakes. Shiretoko-Goko Lakes Field House Our aim is to walk in the natural forest and enjoy the scenery around the lakes. To enter the heritage forest, it is […]