hokkaido
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Hoppogensei Flower Garden: Horses and Hokkaido Flowers
Near Japan’s easternmost point on the Nemuro Peninsula lies Hoppogensei Flower Garden. I recently visited it during my trip around the peninsula. Hoppogensei Flower Garden is a relatively untouched area of land that features two things: horses and plants native to Hokkaido. In Japanese, “Hoppo” means northern, precisely what you will find here. While many…
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Oronko Rock: Overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk
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Furetoi Observation Deck: Over the Okhotsk Coast and Shiretoko Peninsula
Just down the road from Koshimizu Genseikaen lies the Furetoi Observation Deck. As the name suggests, here you are able to observe something: Japan’s Okhotsk Coast and the nearby Shiretoko peninsula. Without further ado, please feast your eyes on these sights: Side note, the mascot for this area is a seal because this is where…
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Koshimizu Genseikaen: One of Hokkaido’s ‘primeval flower gardens’
If you visit the Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido in the east, one of the best places to go is the Genseikaen, or “primeval flower garden”, near Koshimizu. Koshimizu Genseikaen is a beautiful natural park that stretches on a thin piece of land between Lake Tofutsu and the Okhotsk Sea. A genseikaen (原生花園) is an area…
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Farm Tomita: Hokkaido in Bloom
When you hear the name Hokkaido, what do you think of? Milk? Cheese? Ice cream? Vegetables? Skiing? Mountains? Snow? Do you think of the summer flowers? If you want to go somewhere where there are fields upon fields of blooms in summer, look no farther than Farm Tomita in Nakafurano. Farm Tomita: A Working Flower…
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R Hotels Inn: Review of a Japanese Business Hotel (Asahikawa, Japan)
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Almaz #205: A private, quiet place in Sapporo (Japan)
About Almaz #205 Almaz #205 is an apartment in Sapporo’s Higashi-ku Kita 23-jo area. This flat is one of about 13 apartments in the building, although only #205 is available for rent from Booking.com. As the number suggests, the room is on the second floor at the end of the hallway. You check in on…
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Okhotsk Taisetsu: Asahikawa to Abashiri by train
The Okhotsk Taisetsu is an express train that runs between Asahikawa Station in central Hokkaido and Abashiri Station on the Okhotsk coast in eastern Hokkaido. The Okhotsk Taisetsu also calls at Memambetsu Station, Bihoro Station, Kitami Station, Rubeshibe Station, Ikutahara Station, Engaru Station, Maruseppu Station, and Kamikawa Station. This runs three or four times per…
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Cape Nosappu: Japan’s easternmost point
Located on the far eastern side of Hokkaido, Cape Nosappu is Japan’s easternmost point. One of my missions during my year-long trip of Japan is to visit all of the most extreme geographical points in the country. As of writing I have been to the northeasternmost point. Nemuro The largest town and gateway to Cape…
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Aurora Cruise: Cruising to Japan’s Northeasternmost Point
Shiretoko peninsula, home to the Shiretoko UNESCO Natural Heritage site, is Japan’s northeasternmost point. There are no roads or other ways to get there, so the only way to see that is by taking the Aurora Cruise from Utoro. Getting a ticket at the Aurora Cruise Ticket Office Aurora Cruises is a tour company that…
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Shiretoko Village: Hotel Review (Utoro, Japan)
About Shiretoko Village Shiretoko Village is a ryokan-style (Japanese inn) hostel and hotel with an onsen approximately 1 km from the centre of Utoro, a village in the Shiretoko UNESCO Natural Heritage Park. It sits partially up a hill in a forest away from other buildings and hotels. Shiretoko Village offers beds in dorms, individual…
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Lake Abashiri: A Haven for Hikers and Birdwatchers
Nestled in the captivating landscape of eastern Hokkaido’s Okhotsk subprefecture, Lake Abashiri offers an idyllic retreat for nature enthusiasts. This stunning lake, surrounded by lush greenery and scenic beauty, is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking tranquillity and adventure. Renowned for its hiking and birdwatching trails, Lake Abashiri promises a delightful experience for both seasoned…
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Dormy Inn (Abashiri, Japan): Reviewed
About Dormy Inn Dormy Inn is a chain onsen hotel found across Japan. While it describes itself as a business hotel (no doubt to attract Japanese businessmen travelling for work), it is unlike other “business hotels”. Dormy Inn focuses on the natural hot springs that each Dormy Inn has and the services that come with…
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Tokiwa Park: Exploring the Serenity of Asahikawa’s Green Oasis
Nestled in the heart of Asahikawa, Tokiwa Park offers a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This beautiful park, known for its lush greenery and serene ambience, is a favourite spot for locals and visitors seeking peace amidst the hustle and bustle of Hokkaido’s northernmost city. My video above captures the essence of…
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Japanese Farmland: Exploring the Bounty of Hokkaido
In mid-July, the Japanese farmland (especially in Hokkaido) comes alive with vibrant colours and the promise of abundant harvests. As a travel writer exploring this picturesque region, I recently had the pleasure of walking through some fertile fields of eastern Hokkaido, capturing the essence of its agricultural bounty in the video above. This area is…
