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 […]

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 […]

01/02/2020 / Last updated : 20/03/2023 d.d Arts / Places of interest

The Taushubetsu Rail Bridge emerges from the water　タウシュベツ橋梁

June 2019, Minami Furano michi no eki is a good place to stay. The parking is flat, the toilets are modern and clean, and it is away from the main road. It is busy in the morning and there are no rubbish bins, but a good place nevertheless.. Shikaribetsuko – Lake Shikaribetsu　　然別湖 We head off to Shikaribetsuko but on the way we run into fog at the Karikachi-pass on R.38 and when we drop down to the lake it is mostly covered in mist. The only access to the lake, we find, is by a large hotel. There is a jetty with boats to hire for fishing but little else. […]

31/01/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Asahidake-summer snow　旭岳

June 2019, Higashikawa michi no eki turns out to be an ok place to stay. Even though the parking is a little separate from the michi no eki building and, therefore, the toilet, it is closer than many. It is also busy with buses in the morning and has no rubbish bins. On the other hand, it is quiet and handy for Asahidake which is our first objective for the day. The weather is debatable, so we decide to drive to the ropeway station and check the weather at the summit from there. On the way, we see another Northern Fox (Kitakitsune). Asahidake At the ropeway station, we learn that, […]

30/01/2020 / Last updated : 19/03/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Wakkanai to Asahikawa, Scenic Drive　　稚内から旭川

June 2019, Cold and windy night in Wakkanai, but warm enough in the car. By morning, the breeze is still chilly but the clouds are breaking up and the sun is making the effort to break through. By the time we are ready to leave, it is a warm, sunny day. Sarobetsu wetland by Ororon line We take the coast road – Ororon line (R.232) back towards Sarobetsu. This is a great road, following the coast with splendid views of Mt. Rishiri and with flowers busting through the sasa on either side. As we head south, we can see the array of wind turbines standing tall and hazy in the […]

06/01/2020 / Last updated : 18/03/2023 d.d Hiking / Walking

Lake Kutcharo and Wakannai　クッチャロ湖から稚内

June 2019, Kutcharo Kohan Campsite The Kutcharo Kohan campsite stands the test of an overnight stay. In the morning, we look at the nature centre. This has a wide selection of stuffed bird and animals. Not hunter’s trophies, I hasten to add, but rescue animals that didn’t make it. From bears to weasels from Stella’s Sea Eagle to Goldcrest. It is the wrong time of year for most of these species, unfortunately. It was also the wrong time of year for the famous Lake Kutcharo swans. These throng the lake in spring and autumn. ＊Lake Kutcharo Waterfowl Observatory ; free Wakkanai From the campsite, we make our way to Wakkanai […]