Sapporo Clock Tower! This time, we'll introduce the video "Sapporo 'Sapporo Clock Tower,'" a video tour of Sapporo City Clock Tower, a popular tourist attraction in Sapporo City (札幌市, Sapporo-Shi), Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaido)! The Sapporo Clock Tower is a distinctive building with a large clock on a triangular roof in Sapporo City, Hokkaido. The Sapporo Clock Tower is the oldest existing clock tower in Japan and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In this article, we introduce the Sapporo Clock Tower alongside the video. What Is the Sapporo Clock Tower? Photo：Hokkaido・Sapporo Clock Tower The Sapporo Clock Tower is a historical building built in 1876 as the former Sapporo Agricultural College's (currently Hokkaido University) martial arts dojo (enbujo). As you can see from 1:50 in the video, the signboard that says "enbujo" is still there. This mechanical clock tower was installed in the building in 1881. The clock is a pendulum-type tower clock made in the United States. The clock tower was purchased by the Sapporo City Government in 1896, and the building was used as a library and public hall before being used as an exhibition hall. More About the Sapporo Clock Tower Source :YouTube screenshot The area where the Sapporo Clock Tower is located is also known as the birthplace of Hokkaido University. Many documents from the Hokkaido University Library are displayed at the Sapporo Clock Tower as well. As you can see from 2:41 in the video, a photo of "Bell of Clock Tower," a song written by Tetsuo Takashina in 1922, played on the violin, is displayed in the exhibition room on the first floor. Additionally, from 4:11 in the video, you can see a reproduction of the auditorium on the second floor of the Sapporo Clock Tower and the inner workings of the clock. Sightseeing Around Sapporo Clock Tower Photo：Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill・Clark Statue In the vicinity of the Clock Tower in Sapporo City, you can see the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building (Red Brick Office Building), and also Hokkaido University, known for the famous words of Dr. Clark, the first vice principal of the university, who said "Boys, be ambitious!" The former Sapporo Agricultural College's dojo was constructed based on the concept that Dr. Clark produced, and in 2017, a statue of Dr. Clark was installed in the Sapporo Clock Tower. You can also enjoy other local delicacies in Sapporo, such as ramen and seafood bowls. There are also many places where you can buy souvenirs nearby. The Sapporo Clock Tower also hosts concerts and events, so be sure to check out their schedule when visiting. Summary of the Sapporo Clock Tower Photo：Hokkaido・Sapporo Clock Tower This video captures the charm of the Sapporo Clock Tower in Hokkaido. The Sapporo Clock Tower underwent a renovation in 2018 and now looks refreshed and beautiful. Unfortunately, the Sapporo Clock Tower is surrounded by buildings and is unfortunately one of the "three most disappointing spots in Japan" due to its less-than-ideal view. However, if you actually visit and tour the museum, you'll be able to enjoy a facility that gives you a sense of Japan's history and culture. If you're looking for places in Hokkaido that are perfect for your Instagram, Sapporo Clock Tower is the place to go! ◆Sapporo Clock Tower Facility Information◆ 【Address】Kita 1-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-Ward, Sapporo 【Access】A 10-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, a 5-minute walk from Odori Subway Station 【Hours】8:45～17:10 【Admission Fee】Adults: 200 JPY, Free for high school students and younger 【Parking】None 【Telephone】011-231-0838 【Official Website】Sapporo Clock Tower：HOME http://sapporoshi-tokeidai.jp/english/ 【Tripadvisor】Sapporo Clock Tower https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298560-d319830-Reviews-Clock_Tower_Tokei_dai-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

Makomanai Takino Cemetery’s "Hill of the Buddha" in Sapporo, Hokkaido "Introduction to the Hill of the Buddha" (頭大仏の紹介), is a video about the Hill of the Buddha, a symbol of Makomanai Takino Cemetery where you can see the head of the Great Buddha. At Makomanai Takino Cemetery, you can also see a vast landscape of lavender hills with more than 15 thousand lavenders. This dramatic Hill of the Buddha, standing at the top of a dome-shaped slope, was designed by Ando Tadao, a famous architect, in 2016 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Makomanai Takino Cemetery. It is made up of 57 parts, which were selected and processed from 4,000 tons of unpolished stones. It is 13.5 meters high and weighs 1,500 tons. Initially, it was called “Mitama Kuyo Daibutsu.” You can see the Great Buddha in its entirety from 0:08 in the video. The construction of the Hill of the Buddha began in October 2013 and finished in 2016. As you can see from 0:56 in the video, the hardest part of this project was growing the 15 thousand lavenders. With the advice of lavender farmers and the help of volunteers, they succeeded in growing the lavenders from seed. It took about three years to build the Hill of the Buddha, and the construction process can be seen from 1:31 in the video. Makomanai Takino Cemetery's Hill of the Buddha Source :YouTube screenshot The Hill of the Buddha at Makomanai Takino Cemetery, Sapporo, Hokkaido, features the Great Buddha poking his head out from the lavender hill. According to the architect Ando Tadao, the purpose of this is to emphasize the gratitude of the Great Buddha as “that which you cannot see stimulates the imagination.” As you can see from 4:07 in the video, there is an approach with lavenders when entering Makomanai Takino Cemetery. There is also a water garden, which is a bypass of the pathway behind the approach. The water is a boundary to purify mind and to awaken the extraordinary. After going through the water garden, there is a tunnel that goes through the hill, which is shown at 4:25 in the video. The tunnel represents the womb and is lined with concrete folds. You can see the Great Buddha as you pass through the tunnel, and the panoramic view of the Buddha, which you can see along the 135-meter walk, is even more impressive. The light from the sky lights up the Buddha and surrounds you with artistic scenery. Learn About the Construction Process at the Gallery and Café Source :YouTube screenshot Next to the water-basin, there is a gallery where you can see the construction process of the Hill of the Buddha. Here, you can find out what the famous architect Ando Tadao had in mind when he designed the project. Across the gallery, lays the “Rotunda Café and Store.” You can enjoy snacks and tea and buy original merchandise and souvenirs here. It was opened in 2018 as a rest station, due to the increase of foreign tourists. Also, there are replicas of Easter Island’s Moai statues, which carry the meaning of “living into the future,” as well as a replica of Stonehenge. Information About Makomanai Takino Cemetery Photo：The Great Buddha Access to Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo City, Hokkaido is 20-30 minutes from Makomanai Station by bus from the Namboku Subway Line. Times may vary by season, so check out the homepage for more details. If you are driving, you can use the free parking areas in the south and north. The lots have a capacity of 245 cars, so be sure to check the map if you're planning on driving. There is a 300 yen (~$3 USD) "lavender maintenance fee" you must pay if you want to see the Hill of the Buddha. It is open from 7 am to 7 pm during summer, and 7 am to 6 pm during winter. Enjoy Art at Sapporo's Newest Spiritual Site! Source :YouTube screenshot Are you interested in visiting the Hill of the Buddha? The Hill of the Buddha is a new sightseeing spot in Sapporo, Hokkaido, not only for its powerful atmosphere, but also for its refreshing and beautiful scenery. If you're thinking about visiting Hokkaido, be sure to stop by! ◆Information◆ 【Address】2-3 Takino, Minami, Sapporo, Hokkaido 005-0862 【Access】20 to 30 minutes by bus from Metro Namboku Line, Makomanai Station 【Admission Fee】~300 yen lavender maintenance fee 【Hours】 7 am to 7 pm during summer. 7 am to 6 pm during winter 【Parking】Available 【Phone number】 011-592-1223 【Official Website】Makomanai Takino Cemetery https://www.takinoreien.com/ 【Tripadvisor】Makomanai Takino Cemetery https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298560-d12597229-Reviews-Makomanai_Takino_Cemetery-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

The Sapporo Snow Festival, One of Hokkaido's Most Popular Winter Festivals This article features a video from nippon.com, titled "Hokkaido Sapporo Snow Festival: Colorful snow and ice art with digital technology" (北海道「さっぽろ雪まつり」：雪と氷の芸術がデジタル技術で色彩豊かに). The Sapporo Snow Festival shown in the video is a large-scale event that represents the long, harsh winter in Hokkaido. In fact, it is one of the three largest snow festivals in the world and is very popular overseas, attracting many visitors to Japan every year. It's a winter festival that truly represents Japan and is also recognized around the world. Odori Park, on the main street of Sapporo, is lined with snow sculptures of various sizes, and in recent years, a new way of exhibiting them together with projection mapping has become incredibly popular. At night, the streets of Sapporo are lit up with snow sculptures, and during the festival, the city is covered with the colors of the Sapporo Snow Festival. An Overview of the Sapporo Snow Festival, Its Features, and Highlights! Source :YouTube screenshot This video shows the 2019 Sapporo Snow Festival, named "Susukino Ice World 2019." The Sapporo Snow Festival is an event with a long history that celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019. What makes the Sapporo Snow Festival so special is that it has the snow sculptures of people who stood out from the crowd that year, such as Naomi Osaka, the first Japanese athlete to achieve such incredible feats in tennis. There's also Helsinki Cathedral and other large-scale snow sculptures. The biggest highlight of the 2019 Sapporo Snow Festival was the artworks made with AR (Augmented Reality) and other digital technology. The large horse racing snow sculpture (5-chome East Snow Square), which can be seen from 0:47 in the video, and at 1:12 of the video, you can see a collaboration snow statue of Hatsune Miku and Kasumi Toyama (4-chome STV Square). Let's now take a look at some of the highlights of other venues in the order they appear in the video. [0:22～] Shiroi Koibito PARK AIR Jumping Hill [0:31～] Food stalls at the 6-Chome Citizens' Square Food Park [0:40～] RED BEAR (a popular freight train of Muroran Railway) at the 8-chome snow HTB Square [1:00～] Skating rink in front of 1-chome J:COM Square [1:29～] Susukino Site illuminated with lights As shown in the video, the Sapporo Snow Festival takes place at several venues simultaneously. There are also various other snow attractions and Hokkaido gourmet treats to be found around the venue! In addition, from early February every year, tours of several snow sculptures across Japan are organized. The History of the Sapporo Snow Festival, a Popular Event With Overseas Travelers Source :YouTube screenshot The Sapporo Snow Festival is said to have started in 1950, when local students from middle school and high school made six snow sculptures. It attracted huge attention as a very popular event with approximately 50,000 people coming to see the snowball fight and carnival, and it has become a regular winter event in Sapporo, growing larger with each passing year. In 1959, the Self-Defense Forces participated for the first time. 2,500 Self-Defense Force personnel were mobilized to create a large and elaborate snow sculpture. The sculpture was entered in the International Snow Sculpture Contest and received coverage from foreign news outlets, which led to the Sapporo Snow Festival being recognized as a global winter festival. Nowadays, the charm of the Sapporo Snow Festival is widely known in English through video sites such as YouTube, and it has become a major event that attracts many international visitors every year. The history and materials related to the Sapporo Snow Festival are displayed at the Sapporo Snow Festival Museum located at Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill in Sapporo. Summary of the Sapporo Snow Festival, a Winter Tradition in Sapporo, Hokkaido Source :YouTube screenshot In 2019 and 2020, efforts to introduce the culture and history of the Ainu, an indigenous originating in northern Japan, began. The 1.5-kilometer-long Sapporo Snow Festival 2019 featured a traditional Ainu food experience restaurant and FEEL AINU STAGE, where visitors could dress up in traditional Ainu clothing. For the latest information about the upcoming Sapporo Snow Festival, please visit the official website of the Sapporo Snow Festival at the Tsudome (Sapporo Community Dome) website. ※The above information is based on information from the website as of 2020. 【Official Website】Sapporo Snow Festival Official Website https://www.snowfes.com/english/ 【Tripadvisor】Sapporo Snow Festival https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298560-d8820354-Reviews-Sapporo_Snow_Festival-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

Sapporo Teine Ski Resort: Video Introduction This video, titled "2018-2019 SAPPORO TEINE PV," was uploaded by "TEINE CHANNEL - Sapporo Teine Official" (TEINE CHANNEL ～サッポロテイネ公式～). Sapporo Teine Photo：Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido Sapporo Teine is a ski resort located on Mt. Teine, 1,023 meters above sea level, in Teine, Sapporo, located on Hokkaido, Japan's Northernmost Island. The summit overlooks the city of Sapporo and Ishikari Bay, making it a popular destination due to its splendid scenery. Sapporo Teine Ski Resort features 15 courses, with a total of 9 lifts and gondolas, and offers courses for beginners and advanced skiers alike. This popular ski resort is located approximately 15 km (~9 miles) from downtown Sapporo. 2 Zones Used as Venues During the Sapporo Winter Olympics Sapporo Teine is characterized by its division into two zones: "Highland" and "Olympia." The Highland Zone has hosted four technical alpine skiing events (slalom and giant slalom) during the Sapporo Olympics, while the Olympia Zone hosted the torch stand and five bobsledding and luge events. Sapporo Teine's 'Highland Zone' Photo：Snowboarding The Highland Zone features a total of seven courses. The City View Cruise allows you to enjoy skiing while looking out over the city of Sapporo. You can enjoy high-quality powder here until spring. [Video] 0:03 - Highland Zone This video shows snowboarders and skiers enjoying the powdery snow at Sapporo Teine. The conditions are perfect! [Video] 0:19 - Snowboarders and Skiers Enjoying the Powdery Snow Kitakabe is one of Sapporo Teine's most difficult courses and is loved by advanced skiers. It's full of steep slopes and uneven planes, making it challenging but enjoyable. At the Yuichiro Miura & Snow Dolphin Ski School held at the Highland Zone, staff members who know the snow well at Sapporo Teine will teach you not only skiing and snowboarding techniques, but also the charm of the snowy mountains. Olympia Zone: Great for Beginners and Families Photo：Sapporo Teine Ski Resort, Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido The Olympia Zone, with its many gently sloping courses, is recommended for beginners and novice skiers. The popular Rainbow Course is 1,700 meters long! Beginners can enjoy skiing here at their own pace. The Teine Olympia Ski School, accredited by the Professional Ski Instructor’s Association of Japan (SAJ), allows both kids and adults to learn how to ski, so people of all skill levels can take lessons appropriate for their level. The advanced course in the Olympia Zone, the Olympic Cauldron Ocean Dive, allows you to ski steep slopes while enjoying the view of Ishikari Bay, so if you're a confident skier/snowboarder, you should definitely give it a try! The Olympia Zone's Dinosaur Kids Park! Dinosaur Kids Park is recommended for those with kids. You can enjoy the Triceratops slide, sledding, tubing, and more. Sleds and snow tubes can be rented free of charge. The 116-meter-long wind-shielded snow escalator allows visitors to easily climb gentle slopes without being hit by snow or wind. Access to Sapporo Teine Photo：New Chitose Airport Sapporo Teine is located approximately 60 minutes from New Chitose Airport and 40 minutes from central Sapporo by car. The resort features 2,800 parking spaces available for use free of charge. If you're coming from far away, be sure to check out their special rental car plans and taxi packages. Summary of Sapporo Teine Ski Resort Sapporo Teine is a ski resort with a wide variety of courses that can be enjoyed by beginners and advanced skiers alike. If you get tired from skiing, take a break at the rest house North Maple or the cafeteria Skadi in the Highland Ski Center, which seats up to 650 people. If you plan on doing some sightseeing in Hokkaido as well, we recommend making hotel reservations as early as possible. Last-minute reservations might not be possible. Sapporo Teine is a ski resort where both national and international competitions have been held. It's a place where you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at the same venue where high-level competitions have been held. During the warmer months, the golf course offers three courses. Visitors can enjoy golfing in a place surrounded by the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. Mountain climbing is another popular activity for experiencing the outdoors of Hokkaido, and the waterfall Heiwa no Taki (平和の滝, lit. "Peace Falls") is a popular place for it. Sapporo Teine is a leisure facility that can be enjoyed throughout the year! 【Official Website】Sapporo Teine - Sapporo Teine Golf Club 【TripAdvisor】Sapporo Teine

Introducing SDG Initiatives by Companies in Hokkaido via Video This video, titled "Recycling Scrap Tires to Make New Products! From Hokkaido SDGs to the Future｜WEEK⑤ Broadcast on December 3, 2021" (廃タイヤをリサイクルで新たなモノへ！ＳＤＧｓ北海道から未来へWEEK⑤ 2021年12月3日放送), was uploaded by "HBC News Hokkaido Broadcasting Co." (HBCニュース　北海道放送). This news program introduces companies in Sapporo, Hokkaido that are working on SDGs, in 7-minute video. This article will explain SDGs and introduce the technology to transform scrap tires into a resource, as seen in the video. Learn about the future SDGs through the efforts of a company that has been developing technology to treat scrap tires as a resource for the past 22 years. What Are SDGs? Photo：SDGs The term SDGs refers to "Sustainable Development Goals." They are international goals that aim for a sustainable and better world by 2030, and there are 17 major goals in total. This time, the video introduces goal number 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production," which aims to "ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns." In other words, it is an initiative to reuse scrap tires, which are disposed of in large quantities, by converting them back into recyclable resources. The Sapporo Based Companies That Have the Technology to Turn Scrap Tires Into a Resource Photo：Scrap tires Introduced at the beginning of the video is the aquarium tank at Sunpiazza Aquarium in Atsubetsu, Sapporo. The aquarium's purification system contains special anti-algae/anti-mold pouches that inhibit the formation of algae and mold, which can be seen at 1:13 in the video. The anti-algae pouches make it easier to keep the aquarium clean and reduces the frequency at which they need to be cleaned. The anti-algae pouches are made of crushed anti-bacterial plated film, and this technology originated from the crushing technology of scrap tires. The company that developed the anti-algae pouches is Kotobuki Sangyo of Sapporo, Japan. Kotobuki Sangyo's core business is the manufacturing of roller guides, which are auxiliary devices used in steel mills to stretch steel heated to over 1000℃. The company's roller guides account for about 80% of the domestic market share, but 22 years ago the company decided that it could no longer rely solely on these roller guides and began exploring new avenues of business. The largest percentage of scrap tires are recycled for thermal use as fuel (65%), while repurposing (reuse of rubber) accounts for only 17%. Kotobuki Sangyo has taken on the challenge of recovering scrap tires and recycling them back into useable materials. The tires contain steel wires and mesh, so it was very difficult to develop a technology to remove these and crush the resilient rubber. Kotobuki Sangyo developed a machine specialized in recycling scrap tires, believing that recycling was absolutely necessary to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Made With Rubber Chips From Recycled Scrap Tires Source :YouTube screenshot Rubber mats (water-permeable rubber sheets) and rubber boots made with rubber chips made from crushed scrap tires are introduced at 5:40 in the video. The rubber boots are made of ultra-fine 0.06 mm rubber powder by utilizing this crushing technology. This recycled rubber can also be used to make new tires. Some manufacturers have begun selling sandals and bags made from scrap tires, as well as crepia powder (クレピアパウダー), antibacterial insoles for safety shoes, and crepia fiber, which are made from scrap tires. How Scrap Tires are Currently Disposed of in Japan Photo：A car tire Scrap tires are industrial waste and cannot be disposed of like regular trash; they must be picked up by a disposal company. In addition to being collected free of charge by dealers when new tires are purchased and replaced, used tires can also be purchased if they are still usable. In addition to the method introduced here (turning scrap tires into rubber chips for reuse), there are other methods which include turning them into recycled oil, metal, and rubber. In addition, "recycled tires," in which only the grooves of the tire are re-covered, have been attracting attention as a way to reduce the amount of scrap tires themselves. These recycled tires are subject to Japan's Green Purchasing Law. Summary of Japan's Scrap Tire Recycling and SDGs The above video, "Recycling Scrap Tires to Make New Products! From Hokkaido SDGs to the Future｜WEEK⑤ Broadcast on December 3, 2021," introduces a company with the technology to recycle scrap tires. Approximately 100 million scrap tires, roughly 1 million tons, are generated every year, and the problems surrounding them are becoming more and more serious. Simply burning and disposing of scrap tires is damaging to the environment and a waste of valuable resources. In order to reduce CO2 emissions, save energy, and conserve resources, it's important to use scrap tires as a resource. If you still haven't yet, be sure to check out the video to learn more about companies and their efforts to turn waste tires into resources.

The Basketball Robot, CUE4, in Action! This video, titled "CUE4, a Basketball Robot Powered by Cutting Edge AI Technology, Takes on the World's First 3-Point Contest! B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO" (最先端の AI テクノロジーを結集したバスケットボールロボットCUE4が世界初3ポイントコンテストに挑戦！ B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO), released by "B.LEAGUE," introduces the latest basketball robot. The first thing you see when you play the video is the amazing sight of an AI basketball robot making a spectacular shot. Let's take a look at this basketball robot, which moves with the dexterity of a professional basketball player! The Basketball Robot, "CUE4" Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, the basketball robot sinking shots left and right, was created by a group of Toyota volunteers, and is an AI technology robot filled with the wisdom of its development team. CUE4 is the fourth robot in the CUE series, and joined Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in the B1 professional basketball league, in 2018 as a professional basketball player. CUE4 made a whopping 12 successful shots in the few minutes shown in the video. What Kind of Activities Is CUE4 Used For Source :YouTube screenshot This video shows footage from the B-League All-Star game held at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center. CUE4, a basketball robot wearing a team uniform, makes a spectacular shot at the half-time show, as shown in the video. It uses an avant-garde system in which sensors determine the location of the hoop and artificial intelligence takes a series of shots. In the video, the robot grabs the balls lined up next to it and makes free throws with impressive form. You can also see it smoothly glide across the court at 0:39 in the video, exciting the fans! His fluid movements are like those of a real professional basketball player! CUE4, the first robot to play professional basketball, made headlines when he was loaned to the Levanga Hokkaido in 2020. CUE4's uniform number is "94". CUE4 Certified in the Guinness Book of World Records! Photo：Guinness CUE4 was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records under the category "most consecutive free throws made by a humanoid robot." The previous record was held by his predecessor, CUE3. In the future, the team aims to improve the power, speed and accuracy of CUE4 so that it may take on the 3-point contest. Summary of the Basketball Robot, CUE 4 Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, featured in the video, is a professional basketball robot developed by a team at Toyota. The video, which is only about 2 minutes long, has been played over 1 million times in the months since its release. Check out the amazing skills of CUE4 as he sinks shots left and right! 【Official website】B.LEAGUE https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCBLEAGUE/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.bleague.jp/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XJSID=0

Autumn Leaves at the Hoheikyo Dam in Sapporo, Hokkaido: Video Introduction This video, titled "A Place to View the Autumn Leaves｜Hoheikyo Dam｜Jozankei, Sapporo, Hokkaido｜4K" (紅葉スポット 豊平峡ダム　北海道札幌市定山渓　Hoheikyo Dam　4K), was uploaded by "M Channel." There are many prominent tourist attractions in Sapporo, Hokkaido, but one famous for its autumn leaves is the Hoheikyo Dam, located on Lake Jozan. This video features the beautiful colors of nature at Hoheikyo Dam in autumn. Be sure to check it out to see the breathtaking autumn leaves of Hokkaido, Japan! Characteristics and Attractions of the Hoheikyo Dam, Where Lake Jozan Is Located Photo：Hoheikyo Dam, Sapporo, Hokkaido Hoheikyo Dam, located in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, is a 102.5-meter-tall arched concrete dam that has been selected as one of the Top 100 Water Resources and Top 100 Dammed Lakes in Japan. Since general vehicles are not allowed to enter, hybrid electric buses operate from the entrance of the dam to Hoheikyo Park. [Video] 0:33 - Hybrid Electric Buses at Hoheikyo Dam The observation deck is a viewpoint that offers breathtaking scenery and spectacular views throughout Japan's four seasons. If the weather is good, you can see a rainbow form in the water released from the dam. The dam discharge times are as follows. [June - Oct.] Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM [June, Sept., Oct.] Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM [July, Aug.] Weekdays: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Hours may vary by season, so please check the website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance. [Video] 2:33 - Water Being Discharged from Hoheikyo Dam When to See the Autumn Leaves at the Hoheikyo Dam Photo：Late autumn at Hoheikyo Dam, Sapporo, Hokkaido The leaves at Hoheikyo Dam usually begin to change color in late September, and the best time to view the autumn foliage is from early to mid-October. However, during peak season, the surrounding roads become congested, parking lots fill up, and one-hour waits become very common. Some places have time limits, so it is recommended to visit first thing in the morning when the autumn leaves are in season. [Video] 1:14 - Autumn Leaves at Hoheikyo Dam A Hoheikyo Onsen Specialty! Delicious Indian Curry! At Hoheikyo Onsen, a 13-minute drive from Hoheikyo Dam, there are day-trip hot springs and campgrounds, as well as canoeing experiences and barbecue facilities. One of the must-try foods at Hoheikyo Onsen is Indian curry. It has a nice texture and delicious flavor! The Indian curry, made with carefully selected naan, dozens of spices, and onions, is a superb dish that once eaten is unforgettable, and many repeat customers come back for more. There are five levels of spiciness to choose from, so you can select the spiciness that suits you best. If you're a fan of spicy foods, maybe try the hottest level? It takes about 80 minutes to reach Hoheikyo Onsen from the Sapporo Station bus terminal, and a free shuttle bus is available from Makomanai Subway Station, making it easily accessible. If you visit Hoheikyo Dam for sightseeing, definitely sit down for some lunch in the area! Summary of Sightseeing at the Hoheikyo Dam Photo：The observation deck at Hoheikyo Dam, Sapporo, Hokkaido Hoheikyo Dam is not only famous for its colorful autumn leaves, but also for the picturesque reflections that can be seen on the lake. They're super photogenic and look great on Instagram as well. The water being discharged from the dam also makes for great photos as well. In addition, there's a free lift car to the rest house, which takes you to the lookout point in just a minute! That being said, it's not that far, so you can go there on foot as well. There's also a well-maintained promenade and a viewing platform, making it possible to enjoy the scenery with a nice hike. Autumn here is spectacular, but consider visiting in other seasons as well! 【TripAdvisor】Hoheikyo Dam https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298560-d14802021-Reviews-Houheikyou_Dam-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park: Video Introduction This video, titled "A Summer Recommendation" (夏のおすすめ), was uploaded by "Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park" (国営滝野すずらん丘陵公園). Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park is located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is known as the only national park in Hokkaido. With seasonal flowers and forests where visitors can stroll and enjoy beautiful natural scenery, the park is a popular spot for the people of Sapporo and tourists alike. Check out the video to see flowers blooming in the short summer season, as well as highlights and things to do at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park - Enjoy Flowers in All 4 Seasons! Photo：Tulips at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park At Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, visitors can enjoy various kinds of seasonal flowers from spring to autumn. Here, we'll introduce the best time to see flowers in the park. Flowers that are at their best in spring (April to May): Pansies, violas, lily of the valley, tulips Among the representative flowers of spring, tulips and lily of the valley are so popular that events are held in conjunction with their blooms. Flowers that are at their best in summer (June to August): Lavender, allium, nepeta, and sunflowers In summer, flowers bluish-colored flowers, such as lavender, Hokkaido's representative flower, can be seen in full bloom. The sunflowers that bloom all over the area under the sunlight are a spectacular sight. Flowers that are at their best in autumn (September to October): summer cypress, dahlias, and cosmos In autumn, white, pink, deep pink, and various varieties of cosmos swaying in the wind are popular among tourists. Visitors can also enjoy many varieties of dahlias in full bloom. Things to Do at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park From Spring to Fall Photo：Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, Ashiribetsu Falls Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park isn't just a place for viewing flowers. Here we'll introduce other ways to enjoy the Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park from spring to autumn. ●Takino Forest Zone: East Area An area where visitors can enjoy playing in a forest. Morimino Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forest, a place to enjoy playing in water, and large playground equipment, makes this area very popular with children. ●Takino Forest Zone: West Area In spring, visitors can observe wildflowers, in summer they can enjoy spotting various wildlife and insects in the rice paddies and streams, and in autumn, based on the theme of "symbiosis between people and nature," they can enjoy the remains of houses and charcoal-making sites. ●Keiryu Zone In the Keiryu Zone, visitors can enjoy cycling while viewing four beautiful waterfalls, including Ashiribetsu Falls, selected as one of the Top 100 Waterfalls in Japan, as well as seasonal flowers. There's also a fishing pond and barbecue area where families can enjoy playing and eating together. ●Central Zone The central zone includes a large flower garden where you can feel Japan's four seasons, 'Kodomo no Tani' (Children's Valley) where kids can play on large playground equipment, and Mori no Sumika, a place to play in the forest. It's also an area where both children and adults can enjoy themselves as there is a secret spot with an viewing platform and an astronomical observatory. Enjoy the Snow at Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park's Snow World in Winter! Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park is a ski slope where visitors can enjoy playing in the snow in winter. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing is also popular, allowing visitors to roam freely on the fresh snow! In addition, you can enjoy a full range of winter activities such as hiking in the snow with walking skis, snow marathons, and snow tubing. Summary of Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park Photo：Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, east entrance If you haven't checked out the video yet, be sure to give it a watch! At Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, you can see wild birds and other wildlife, such as chipmunks, Ezo squirrels, and foxes. You can enjoy flowers throughout Japan's four seasons, and you can take beautiful photos of the autumn foliage during fall. To get to Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, it's a 35-minute bus ride from Makomanai Subway Station, and a 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Parking is available for visitors coming by car. Due to measures against the novel coronavirus, there may be restrictions on facilities, so we recommend checking for up-to-date information in advance. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park is a great place to see, feel, and play in nature throughout the four seasons. Pets are allowed in the park, although they must be leashed. Consider visiting with the family, including the family pet, and enjoying the outdoors together! 【Official Website】Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park – Official Website https://www.takinopark.com/ 【TripAdvisor】Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298560-d1384143-Reviews-Kokuei_Takino_Suzuran_Hillside_National_Park-Sapporo_Hokkaido.html

Autumn Leaves + Sightseeing in Jozankei: Video Introduction This video, titled "Hokkaido's Best Views – Autumn Leaves of Jozankei in 2021" (紅葉2021　定山渓　北海道　　絶景), was uploaded by "GreenNova TV." Jozankei is located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is a popular, remote hot spring resort surrounded by rich valleys and deep forests. Jozankei's vivid autumn foliage is due to the rocky surfaces of the valley having large differences in temperature and the beautifully flowing river. Shikotsu-Toya National Park consists of five areas: the Lake Shikotsu area, Jozankei area, Lake Toya area, Mt. Yotei area, and the Noboribetsu area. In the Jozankei area, the area around Hoheikyo Dam is loved by many tourists traveling in Hokkaido as one of the best places to see autumn leaves. Be sure to check out this enchanting video that captures the autumn leaves at their best. Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort's Autumn Festival! Enjoy a Spectacular View of Autumn Leaves on a Gondola! Photo：Autumn at Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is a ski resort located in Jozankei, Sapporo in Hokkaido. When the autumn leaves are in season, visitors can enjoy stunning colors created by Mother Nature from the foot of the mountain to the summit. The Autumn Festival is held every year when the autumn leaves are at their best, and the "Autumn Leaves Gondola" is a popular event utilizing a gondola. Viewing the autumn leaves while riding a gondola makes for an exciting experience, and the sweeping views of autumn leaves from the picturesque viewing platform at the top of the mountain are nothing short of amazing. There are also stalls serving delicious food and local specialties of Hokkaido, so be sure to enjoy the flavors of autumn to your heart's content! [Video] 0:30 - Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort A Stunning View of Autumn Leaves From the Sapporo Lake Daiichi Observatory The contrast of the autumn leaves from the maples, cherries, and other trees seen from the Sapporo Lake Daiichi Observatory makes it a spectacular place to enjoy the autumn foliage. Usually, the leaves begin to change color in late September, and the best time to view them is from early to mid-October. In addition to the Sapporo Lake Daiichi Observatory, there are four other "Sapporo Lake Observatories" nearby. The first observatory is the best place to view Jozankei Dam, and is also popular among many photographers as an excellent spot to take landscape photos, photos of the autumn leaves, and even photos of the starry sky with little light pollution. [Video] 2:30 - Sapporo Lake Daiichi Observatory Jozankei Dam – Photogenic Autumn Leaves and Breathtaking Starry Skies Photo：Jozankei Dam The Jozankei Dam, along with the nearby Hoheikyo Dam, serves as a water reservoir for the citizens of Sapporo. The lake created by the dam is known as Lake Sapporo. Jozankei Dam is a great spot for viewing autumn leaves surrounded by mountains. The trees are laid out in layers like rice fields on a steep slope, and the colorful autumn leaves are sure to delight. During the daytime, many people visit the park below the dam and the Jozankei Dam Museum. And come nightfall, the star-filled sky and stunning nighttime views from the observatory attract many visitors. In addition, the Hoheikyo Dam, which has been selected as one of the Top 100 Water Source Forests and Top 100 Dammed Lakes, is a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can see water being discharged from the dam. If you're lucky, you can even see a rainbow. Be sure to check discharge times before visiting. [Video] 3:20 - Jozankei Dam Shigure Bridge – A Place for Picturesque Photography! Shigure Bridge, located in Jozankei, Sapporo, is a bridge over the Shirai River, a branch of the Toyohira River, on the way from Jozankei Onsen to Jozankei Dam. The picturesque scenery of the flowing mountain stream and deep red autumn leaves makes for awesome photos on Instagram, and visitors can also enjoy a spectacular view of the autumn leaves in the valley from atop the bridge. Be sure to snap some photos of your own. [Video] 4:10 - Shigure Bridge JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE – An Exciting Event of Illuminated Autumn Leaves at Futami Park Photo：JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE, Futami Park, Jozankei JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE, a light-up event held every year from Jozankei's Futami Park to the Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge area, utilizes the natural beauty of the area. The event is usually held from June to mid-October. The nature trail "Futami Jozan-no-michi" (a course from Futami Park to Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge, Kappabuchi Pool, and Akaiwa no Kan) is a popular sightseeing route along the Toyohira River, and is a walking path where visitors can feel the grandeur of nature. The walking trail is the stage for a light-up performance featuring illuminations and projection mapping to create a unique glow. The smell of the trees, the murmuring of the river, and the chirping of the insects combine to create a magical experience. JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE is an admission-free event, but in recent years, it has become a limited event for Jozankei Onsen guests. If you are planning a trip to Jozankei, consider planning it in combination with a stay at a hot spring inn. [Video] 4:33 - Futami Park Summary of Autumn Sightseeing in Jozankei Jozankei has been designated as a national park and is famous for its autumn leaves. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it can be visited in less than an hour from the Sapporo city center. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, visitors can enjoy Mother Nature just by strolling through Jozankei Onsen, and enjoy the brilliant autumn leaves of fall. When the autumn leaves are in season and the walking trails in Jozankei are crowded, we recommend trying the convenient Jozankei Onsen one-day bus tours. You can stay at a nice hotel, enjoy open-air baths and delicious food, visit Jozankei Shrine to calm your mind, and, last but not least, enjoy the splendid autumn leaves. We hope this helps you make some exciting travel plans so you can enjoy an awesome time in Hokkaido the next time you visit!