26/06/2022 / Last updated : 26/06/2022 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Bense wetlands-yellow Nikko Kisuge and Takayama Inari Shrine　ベンセ湿原、高山稲荷

May 31st. Bense Wetlands and Nikko Kisuge We leave michi no eki Namioka on a cloudy but dry morning, heading for the Bense Wetlands. On arrival, we are pleasantly surprised to find, that the Nikko Kisuge are in bloom. D. thought it would be too early in the year. Nikko Kisuge are a yellow, wetland flower that romantically bloom at dawn and die at day’s close; to be replaced by another bloom the following morning. They are June /July flowers but were well established and beginning to form an expanse of yellow here at the end of May. They are normally followed by irises that change the carpet from yellow […]

17/05/2020 / Last updated : 31/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

The Hakusan White Road – scenic driving　白山ホワイトロード

June 12th. Hakusan White Road A peaceful night at Hida Hakusan as the rain eases and gives way to a morning of patchy sunlight. I make use of the Ashiyu, or hot spring foot-bath, before we set off for the Hakusan White Road. This is a toll road through the mountains from Shirakawago in Gifu over to Ishikawa pref. We have limited expectations, as we know the road is closed, due to a landslide, on the Ishikawa side. We also know it is possible to go as far as the onsen and nature centre. The toll, at 3200-yen return, is a bit steep. In the event, as the way through […]

22/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

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

June 19th. 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 : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Ura Bandai, Nihon Kitsune　裏磐梯

June 20th. 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 […]

14/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

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

June 17th. 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 The coast, we find, is rocky and wild. The road is known as Ogondoro or […]

11/02/2020 / Last updated : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

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

June 14th. 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 : 14/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Cape Kiritappu, Tsuruimura　霧多布岬、鶴居村

June 13th. 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 […]

30/01/2020 / Last updated : 15/10/2021 d.d Early Summer Flowers Road Trip '19

Wakkanai to Asahikawa, Scenic Drive　　稚内から旭川

June 9th. 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 […]

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