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 […]
22/03/2018 / Last updated : 04/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Bihorotoge and Lake Mashu-Mt.Io　美幌峠、摩周湖

Day 17,  September 2016, Bihoro toge (pass) The weather is much improved, if fact it is a beautiful day. After a short walk along the river near the michi no eki Mashuonsen, we drive back to Bihoro toge (pass) and its famous panorama. Approaching the car park of Gurutto Panorama Bihoro toge, from the other direction this time, we see our first Kita Kitsune (Hokkaido fox). It is trotting along the side of the road towards us, but on the opposite side. It appears quite unconcerned by the, admittedly, light traffic or even by the work crew doing some road maintenance. Lake Kussharo　屈斜路湖 The panorama view of Lake Kussharo and […]