Hokkaido & Beyond: Summer Flowers & Nature

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The Hill of the Buddha is a Buddhist shrine and scenic monument in Sapporo. A massive stone statue of the seated Buddha is surrounded in a giant stone rotunda and preceded by a large reflecting pool. Designed in 2005 by modernist architect Tadao Ando, the Hill of the Buddha was constructed outside the Makomanai Takino Cemetery. The rotunda is covered in over a hundred thousand lavender flowers, one of the symbols of Hokkaido. Far from being the only monument at this unique cemetery, other picturesque points of interest include replica models of the Moai Heads of Easter Island, as well as the UK’s Stonehenge.

The Historic Village of Hokkaido is a restored area based of what remained from the Meiji era and Taisho era. It is now an open-air museum with shops, households, and horse-drawn trams that run through the village. It displays various buildings and shops that were once constructed during Hokkaido’s growing development, including 60 different buildings from all over this northern island. It is also a place where many who lost their positions in the Edo Shogunate went to start their lives anew, especially samurai. It is located in the suburbs of Sapporo. It consists residential, mountainous, fishing, and agricultural zones.

Located in Sapporo, Shiroi Koibito Park is a factory for confectionaries and a theme park. It is known for its white chocolate and its famous souvenir cookies in Hokkaido. There are various indoor and outdoor activities and places to visit. Guests can enter the factory and see how cookies and candy are made by the Shiroi Koibito employees. The factory tours also include a hands-on experience for guests to create and design their own cookies. The park is opened year-round, including its seasonal rose garden, which is said to be at its best during summer seasons.

The Sapporo Clock Tower is a museum and a symbol of Sapporo’s city. Once used as a drill house for physical education and military training for the students in the Agricultural College, it now holds small displays of the origins of Sapporo’s development and local history. The clock itself was bought in 1881 from Boston, Massachusetts. Its appearance now consists of red roofs and white walls that stand out to people passing by this historical monument. It was once the tallest building when it was constructed, but is now overshadowed by the taller business buildings around it.

Located in the center of Sapporo, running from east to west is Odori Park. It was supposed to be the main street separating Sapporo north from south as a fire break, but now represents the area holding the annual Snow Festival events. It has 92 types of trees and many flowerbeds, enough to attract tourists and locals for a relaxing time in its vicinity. For guests wishing for good views and photographs, there is the Sapporo TV Tower’s observation deck available to the public for a fee. The deck is especially popular during the Snow Festival’s events held every February.

Nightlife plans for guests in Sapporo might include activities like hitting the pachinko machines, nightclubs, bars, karaoke, and restaurants. If that is the case, it will probably lead them to Sapporo’s biggest entertainment neighborhood, Susukino, which is similar to Shinjuku’s Kabukicho red light district. As such, it should not come as a surprise that expenses might run a little higher here than in other parts of the city. Susukino is one of the sites that hosts the annual Snow Festival held every February in Sapporo. Genghis Khan nabe, or Susukino’s Ramen Yokocho are local foods recommended to all.

Home of the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics, the Okurayama Ski Jump is a 90 meter high skiing structure that is still used today. Since it is an all- weather structure, it’s still used not only during winter seasons, but summer as well. However, it is not open to the public when there are special events in progress. The public can enter the museum at the bottom of the Okurayama Ski Jump structure. There are also exhibits, documents, and general Olympic Winter Sports information displayed in the museum for guests to enjoy.

Sapporo is considered the birthplace of beer in Japan since it started manufacturing beer in the Meiji Period. The building for the Sapporo Beer Museum was originally used as the Sapporo Sugar Company around 1890. Then, it was employed as a location for the cleaning process of barley leaves that were used to make beer in 1965. Finally, it was made into a brewery and, then, the museum that now has two neighboring beer gardens. There are tasting lounges and tours offered at the Sapporo Beer Museum for a fee, though there are few signs containing English for foreign guests.

The glass made in Otaru is refined and is made in many workshops that also offer hands-on experience for guests who take interest in making their own glassware for a fee. Otaru is located in the prefecture of Hokkaido, neighboring the city of Sapporo. Aside from glass workshops, there are also many cafés, restaurants, and other shops that also allow guests to admire and purchase their artistic glass.

Among the many shops found on Sakaimichi Street is the Otaru Music Box Museum. It not only displays various objects, but also sells a wide range of music boxes, some of which are more elaborate than others; some move and others light up along with their melody. Midst the various types of music boxes are some made from glass, wood, or even traditional Japanese fabric, some are fashioned after sushi or Western-themed concepts. These music boxes also carry different songs according to a collection that the establishment has at their disposable.

The Otaru Canal was employed by businesses to transport their merchandise to warehouses with smaller ships since the bigger ships could not directly unload their goods to their destinations. However, eventually there was no use for the smaller vessels when the facilities were modernized, making the use of canals less necessary. Now the area is a tourist attraction, during the day people take leisurely walks about the scenic route where there are museums, restaurants, and shops. Furthermore, Otaru Canal is the main site of the Snow Light Path Festival which is celebrated annually during February as a winter festival.

Otaru has been a thriving fishing town since the Edo period, when its network of canals allowed for easy unloading of fishing boats. Years later, though the canals are now a local promenade and tourist hotspot, the fishing industry survives, finding fresh appeal by supporting the city’s top sushi restaurants now lining the Otaru Sushi District. A couple of these restaurants have earned Michelin Stars, and some require a reservation in advance. Some of these restaurants are native to Otaru, but many are more widely established, with branch restaurants all over the world. Otaru has over a hundred sushi restaurants scattered throughout the city, offering a broad variety of sushi dishes to choose from. Select sushi, including the shrimp and sea urchin, are praised as Otaru’s finest offerings.

Hokkaido is famed for its fresh and creamy milk-based products – cheese, butter, and ice cream. A popular notion of Hokkaido ice cream production is the blending of their soft cream base with a variety of local flavors that Hokkaido is proud of. Not only fruity flavors like cherry, strawberry, grape, or peach, but vegetable flavors like asparagus and corn are sold – they even have really strange flavors like lavender, sunflower, kelp, and squid ink! A workshop in Furano offers visitors the chance to make their own sweet cream concoction using creamy Hokkaido milk – and you never know what interesting flavors they may have to try!

Among the various summer lavender fields to visit in Furano, Farm Tomita is one of the best known and oldest lavender farms in the region of Hokkaido. The Hanabito House has a souvenir shop where you can buy various lavender goods as well as cafes nearby to try lavender flavored goods. The museum is on the upper floor of the Hanabito House and on the same floor is the scent testing room, where you can compare different types of lavender fragrances.

The Blue Pond is located in the center of Hokkaido near Biei right outside the Shirogane Onsen. Many people that own Apple computer products will recognize this location from the Apple screen savers images. This pond gives off a deep rich blue color because of the natural minerals dissolved in the water. It was not until recently that this location started to become a popular tourist destination, so this location is still a little underdeveloped compared to popular locations. Besides the pond there is not much else to do, but to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

In Panorama Road there is Shin’ei Hill Observatory Park a popular tourist spot, which has a great view of the area, and is famous for the sunset view. Then East of Shin’ei is the San’ai Hill Observatory, which is closer to Mount Tokachidake and provides more of a panoramic view.

Panorama Road is also known for Hill of Shikisai. Hill of Shikisai is a flower garden with over seven dozen varieties of flowers, which are lined up separately. It is seven hectares of flowers, which look like a rainbow. The name Shikisai uses the kanji for four seasons and coloring. There is a tractor bus you can ride that will take you to these popular viewing areas.

There is a famous photo gallery by Shinzo Maeda, opened it in 1987, called Takushinkan. Shinzo Maeda was a well-respected landscape photographer whose photos put Biei on the map as one of the best sightseeing spots in Hokkaido back in the 1970s. His photos of Biei were used in photo collections, posters, postcards, films etc. A former elementary school exhibits his landscape work of Biei as well as the photos done by his son Akira Maeda.

Hokkaido has some of the sweetest corn in Japan, and summer is the perfect season to enjoy this native treat. Certain corn and vegetable farms in the Asahikawa area offer travelers a rare local experience – the opportunity to pick and enjoy your own sweet corn! Out in the country, the rural farming life offers visitors a homegrown taste of a more authentic Japan. This activity is especially popular with children, who can enjoy the taste of raw sweet corn out in the fields. Corn is a popular summer treat all over Hokkaido, and stalls selling baked, boiled, of fried cob corn can be found in many towns on the island, but especially in Sapporo. It is commonly enjoyed with rich Hokkaido butter – another local specialty.

Asahikawa is famous for its ramen. Whereas Sapporo is known for its miso based broth and Hakodate for its salt based broth, Asahikawa is known for its shoyu (soya sauce) based broths. Shops serving shoyu based ramen can be found throughout the city. The broth of Asahikawa Ramen is also known for being quite oily, and there is often a thin layer of oil on top of the soup. Another characteristic of the local ramen is the generally thin, hard and wavy noodles. The range of toppings is quite typical and includes green onions, pork, bamboo shoots and eggs. On the outskirts of the city there is an interesting collection of ramen shops called the Asahikawa Ramen Village. Eight famous ramen restaurants from Asahikawa have opened small branch stores besides one another in the complex alongside a gift shop and a small ramen shrine.

The Otokoyama Sake Brewery and Museum provides a variety of information and displays for its guests. Mount Taisetsu produces the water used by Otokoyama to produce sake; it is said that the water from Mount Taisetsu will bring longevity to whomever drinks from its spring waters. Sake tastings are also offered as part of the experiences that this sake brewery can offer to guests. Otokoyama’s sake is not only known throughout all of Japan, but also internationally known; it won its first gold medal in 1977 at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, and has won several awards throughout the years.

The Hokuryu Sunflower Festival is a summer festival celebrated at the Hokuryu Sunflower Village in Hokkaido from late July to early August. While there are a number of smaller sunflower festivals to appreciate in Japan, this one is by far the largest, where you can view around 2 million sunflowers in fields roughly covering 23 hectares. Walking and looking around and the staggering number of sunflowers is one way to enjoy the festival, but you can also find various sunflower-themed foods (including sunflower soft-serve ice cream). There are also local sunflower mazes that make you feel even more immersed in a world of delightful sunflowers.

Among the various waterfalls found in the Sounkyo region, but the most notable ones are the Ginga and Ryusei Waterfall. Apart from sightseeing, tourists and other visitors usually climb the frozen waterfalls during winter to make their way to the peak atop the then frozen columns of ice. They both flow opposite opposite each other at different angles and appear to fall differently from one another; the Ginga Waterfall produces a more elegant fall with a gentler touch than the Ryusei Waterfall, which produces a more jet-like rush of water crashing down along the side of the cliff.

The Ezo red fox, or “Kitakitsune”, is an animal that is endemic to Hokkaido, an island which was once known to the mainland as “Ezo”. Nature-loving travelers on tour in Hokkaido hope for a glimpse of these adorable foxes, popular for their cute faces and fluffy winter coats. In the city of Kitami, the Kitakitsune Farm cares for around 50 foxes, giving them a safe place for them to roam free. Visitors to the farm can watch them wander without fear of disturbing them, since these foxes are especially comfortable around human guests. The fox is an inseparable part of Shinto mythology, appearing in folklore as spirit tricksters, guides, and even romantic partners. They are especially connected to Inari – the Shinto deity of rice and agriculture – as heavenly messengers, and are represented as stone statues to guard Inari’s shrines.

The Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum is located at the top of Mount Tento and exhibits materials related to the drift ice that comes to Abashiri. One of the exhibits provides a drift ice experience where you can actually touch the frozen clumps that came from the Sea of Okhotsk. The room is consistently set at -15° Celsius, which is 5° Fahrenheit. There are creatures that appear when the drift ice comes and one of the most popular species is the Cliones. The Cliones are transparent sea slugs that are more known by their nickname sea angels.

The Shiretoko Peninsula is one of the most majestic regions on earth, featuring a long chain of rugged volcanoes, verdant green forests, pristine lakes, and waterfalls, with drift ice off the coast in winter. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also inhabited by an impressive variety of animals, some of which can only be seen in this untouched wilderness. Shiretoko National Park boasts an exceptionally high population of Ussuri brown bears, and those who travel in the area stand a good chance of seeing one. However, an encounter with a bear on land can be dangerous, as bears can be overcurious and fiercely protective of their cubs. On a Shiretoko Bear-Watching Cruise, visitors can observe this Shiretoko native in safety as they prowl the woodlands and coastline looking for food. The Ussuri brown bear (or Ezo brown bear) is considered a brown bear by zoologists despite some of their fur appearing nearly black in color, leading to the nickname “black grizzly”. These bears can grow to be far larger than the small Asian black bear, nearly reaching the size of the Alaskan Kodiak bear.

Oshinkoshin Falls is located on the UNESCO World Heritage-inscribed Shiretoko Peninsula, which is protected for its breathtaking natural beauty and the depth of its biodiversity. On the northwest side sits the Oshinkoshin Waterfall, beside the coastal road that winds up to the top of the peninsula, making it easy for visitors to access. An easy wooden walkway leads up to the falls, which spread out over a rocky hillside like countless strands of thread in a long silvery-white blanket. Near the top of the falls is a small outcropping of stone and wild green growth that divides the falls neatly in half, leading to the name Oshinkoshin, which in the Ainu language means "beautifully forked". When you take in the surrounding woodland area together with the waterfall, it presents a different profile of beauty in each season. In addition to the picture-perfect spot in front of the waterfall, there are also a set of stairs leading to the top of the hill, presenting a spectacular view of the Sea of Okhotsk. Along the path you can find a sign describing the waterfall in Japanese and English.

Lake Mashu is located in the Akan National Park and is known for having the clearest water in the world. The lake’s water is ranked as one of the clearest in the world. The color of the water in the lake is referred to as Mashu blue. Lake Mashu is covered in fog for a good portion of the year earning the nickname Foggy Lake Mashu. The urban legend claims that the fog is there to conceal the kamui (god) while they swim.

The Lake Akan Ainu Kotan is a traditional Ainu village beside Lake Akan in Hokkaido. Kotan means “settlement” in the native language of the Ainu, and this Kotan is Hokkaido’s largest Ainu village. The village reflects ancient Ainu culture and spirituality, which respected much of the natural world, including various animals, as “kamuy” or “powerful spirits”. This belief led to a reverence for nature displayed in art, music, dance, and other elements of Ainu life. A special part of this heritage is a ceremonial dance that is often performed in the community. Additionally, a small museum full of Ainu implements and other native items is a popular attraction among visiting travelers. The Ainu people have lived in Hokkaido since before the Yamato (Japanese) first traveled there, and although they have been largely assimilated into Japanese society, they still some small communities where their way of life lives on.

Lake Akan is one of the most popular lakes in the Akan- Mashu National Park. The lake is the habitat of marimo algae, which grows in large, fluffy green balls. Some of them can grow to be a big as a soccer ball! Visitors come to the lake to stay at a hot spring ryokan in Akanko Onsen, climb to the top of Mount Oakan for an impressive view, and cruise around the lake in a sightseeing boat. Many of these boats stop at an island in the middle of the lake, where they have an informative museum devoted to studying marimo algae. In winter, the surface of the lake freezes over and allows for ice fishing. In March and April, the ice becomes thin enough to allow ice-breaker cruises, with ships cracking through the drifting surface ice. On still nights, when the temperature reaches -15 degrees Celsius, the fog freezes to the surface of the lake, creating delicate “frost flowers”.

Lake Akan is a clear lake located within the Akan-Mashu National Park in Hokkaido. This lake is one of Hokkaido’s natural treasures, and travelers come at all times of the year to admire the gorgeous scenery. A summer cruise around the lake offers travelers the opportunity to see the natural surroundings of Lake Akan at one of its best times. Surrounding the lake are lush forests of various green trees including fir, spruce, oak, and linden, below tall Mount Oakan. One may be lucky enough to spy Yezo deer or the Ezo red fox peeking out from under the branches. Lake Akan is famous as the protected habitat of marimo algae, which grow in fluffy green balls the size of a volleyball. Some cruises stop at the Marimo Observatory where visitors can observe this rare wonder of nature.

The red-crowned crane is so important and rare a fowl that it has its own recognized international center located in the city of Kushiro, Hokkaido. This bird is even said to be a harbinger of good luck in general Japanese beliefs, even the indigenous people of Hokkaido said that they were marsh gods of the land. Within the Akan International Crane Center’s vicinity also holds a museum displaying information about the ecosystem and the crane’s life, a crane sanctuary, a breeding center, and also a feeding ground.

The first marshland internationally sanctioned for habitat protection in Japan is the Kushiro Marshlands in 1987, when it was made into a national park. One of the main features of these wetlands is birdwatching where the rare red-crowned crane is among the most favorites to see. This endangered species is unique to Japan and was once thought to have been extinct because of the destruction of the land and due to excess hunting of their kind. Now, the cranes can be seen in every season of the year in the marshlands where they reside.

The Kushiro Washo Market (Kushiro Washo Ichiba) opened in 1949 a short distance from Kushiro Station and is one of the three big markets that can be found in Hokkaido. There are about 60 stalls selling fresh seafood, dried products, meat and vegetables. A popular meal at the market is "Kattedon", a donburi dish where diners can personalize their rice bowl with seafood bought from the vendors.

Rinnoji Temple is the family temple of the Date Clan, who ruled Sendai for many generations until the Meiji Restoration. The outer appearance of the entrance is not too spectacular, which is odd since Date Masamune favored the Momoyama style. Appearances can be deceiving because once you pass the main hall you will be greeted by Japanese style garden and three story pagoda. Visitors can stroll around the garden taking in the quiet serenity and sit on a few of the benches to relax. The trees, flowers, and plants have been meticulously maintained and the koi adds to the picturesque scenery.

Nikko is famous for the Toshogu Shrine, which holds the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled for over 200 years (1603-1868). The original resting place for Tokugawa Ieyasu was much simpler in design that it is today. The construction was carried out in accordance to his father’s will by Ieyasu’s son, Hidetaba Tokugawa, in 1617. However, it was later expanded to its modern size by Ieyasu’s grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu. The dozens of buildings were built with grandiose designs, unique with its brightly- colored carvings of animals and various types of images.

Kegon Waterfall is listed as one of the three most beautiful falls in Japan along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located in Nikko and is the most famous waterfall out of the many in the area. Kegon Waterfall is about 100 meters high and is the only exit for the waters of Lake Chuzenji to exit from. The best time to see the waterfall would be in the autumn season. The surrounding foliage of Kegon Waterfall painted in fall hues is a sight not to miss.

Lake Chuzenji is located in the mountains near Nikko at the foot of Mount Nantai and is beautiful around the autumn season. On the eastern side of the lake is a small hot spring town called Chuzenjiko Onsen. From mid to late October the nature around Lake Chuzenji is very attractive. It is around this time that the autumn colors of the trees reach their peak. Since Lake Chuzenji is a scenic body of water there is a hiking trail that goes around the entire area. It is also possible to enjoy the scenery by going on a sightseeing boat that departs from the onsen town.

Shorinzan Daruma Temple is located in the city of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. What the temple (and the city) is most noted for is the creation and dispersal of the Daruma doll, which has gained widespread popularity throughout Japan. The image of the Daruma is based on the Buddhist sage Bodhidarma, who founded Zen Buddhism. The dolls are associated with perseverance in pursuing goals and good fortune. Daruma dolls are regularly sold with no eyes. One eye is painted on the doll with the declaration of a goal, the other is painted when the goal is achieved. The dolls are then burned at a local festival held there every year, and new dolls are purchased to commemorate the formation of new goals. In history unrelated to Daruma dolls, the Shorinzan Daruma Temple grounds were also the onetime residence of German architect Bruno Taut, who briefly lived in a building on the outskirts of Shorinzan in the 1930s.

In the city of Takasaki, near Shorinzan Daruma Temple, you can learn the history of the famous Daruma dolls, and try to paint one for yourself. The Daruma Doll originated at the temple, and was made in the image of the Buddhist sage Bodhidarma, who founded the Zen school of Japanese Buddhism. Daruma dolls have become associated with ideals of perseverance in working to achieve goals and of good fortune in general, and the typical painting of a Daruma doll begins with meditating on the goal you are working towards, and painting in a single eye to signify your commitment to achieving success. The other eye is then painted on when the goal is achieved. Some workshops in the area have classes where you can paint the entire face instead of just the eyes. A broad range of colors of dolls may be offered to symbolize different goals, although red is the standard color for Daruma. It is also not uncommon to see female versions of Daruma dolls, known as "Hime Daruma", though workshops may only have you painting the standard male representation of Bodhidarma.

The Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church was designed by American architect Kendrick Kellog and built in Kanazawa. This magnificent building was commissioned by the followers of Uchimura Kanzo, a Christian spiritual leader, evangelist, author, and founder of the Japanese “Non-Church Movement”. Though unopposed to congregational places of worship in general, Kanzo was dissatisfied with how Christianity had developed in the West, and the building reflects his more “natural” philosophies in its curved arches, ribbed skylights, and more organic layout.
This church is especially popular with young couples who desire a Western-style wedding, and marriage services are held here often throughout the year. The natural and verdant aesthetic to the church makes ceremonies especially memorable.

The Karuizawa Museum of Contemporary Art is a modern art museum in Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture. The museum focuses on exhibitions from Japanese artists that have gained fame abroad. The museum opened in 2008 and has since been dedicated to sharing these artists’ creative genius with their visitors. The hope of the museum is that their galleries will inspire future artists who will start new movements and carry them abroad. Many types of artworks can be found in their collections, such as oil paintings, 3d art, and sculpture. Popular contemporary artists on display there include Yayoi Kusama, Shusaku Arakawa, Ayako Rokkaku, Yukimasa Ida, Nara Yoshitomo, Io, and many more. The museum contains multiple galleries, including one for special exhibitions centered on more specific themes, and there is even a museum shop that sells artbooks, stationery items, and other merchandise connected with popular artists and their works.

Probably one of the most famous monkey parks in the Japan and in the world is the Jigokudani Monkey Park. The park hosts a number of Japanese Macaques (also known as the snow monkeys), and many visitors can observe them up close. There is one large hot spring pool where the monkeys gather, but visitors can still see many groups on the walk over to the pool. Guests are not allowed to touch or feed the monkeys for their own safety.

Matsumoto is home to one of Japan’s four National Treasure Castles, the Matsumoto Castle. This castle is one of the most beautiful, and complete original castles in all of Japan compared to the other four National Treasure Castles. During the spring season, Matsumoto Castel is a very popular location to view the cherry blossoms.