A Look at the Japanese Badger This video, titled "[Japan's Wildlife] the Ecology of Badgers｜A Cute Animal That Looks Like a Bear but Isn't (Japanese Badger)" (【日本の動物】アナグマの生態〜クマのようで熊ではない可愛い動物〜(Japanese badger)), introduces the Japanese badger. Japanese badgers look like bears, but as you'll see in the video, they are actually quite different. Let's take a look at Japan's native badger species! About the Japanese Badger Photo：Japanese badgers Japanese badgers belong to the family Mustelidae and order Carnivora. The scientific name of the Japanese badger is "Meles anakuma." The Japanese badger is 40 to 60 centimeters in length and weighs about 12 kilograms. They're light brown in color, similar to that of bears. A characteristic of the Japanese badger is their sharp claws. Japanese badgers are nocturnal and omnivorous animals and live in units called "clans." When the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius, they enter hibernation. They inhabit forests in Honshu (本州), Shikoku (四国), and Kyushu (九州). The average lifespan for a wild Japanese badger is 10 years. In the video you can see two cute Japanese badgers playing, running around, and taking naps. Japanese Badgers - Viewed as Pests Photo：A badger walking on snow Japanese badgers have warm personalities and do not scare easily. Unfortunately, because they often feed on the crops of farmers, they are seen as pests. Some restaurants in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Kyoto actually serve badger meat as game dishes. The Diverse Wildlife Found in Japan Photo：Japanese weasel There are other animals similar to the Japanese badger, such as the raccoon dog (tanuki), masked palm civet, raccoon, and the Japanese weasel. There's a Japanese proverb that goes "Onaji ana no Mujina" (同じ穴の狢), which, translated to English, goes "Badgers of the same hole." It basically expresses that while seemingly unrelated, these animals are of the same type. It's similar to "birds of a feather" or "villains of the same stripe." Breeding Japanese Badgers? Source :YouTube screenshot Japanese badgers are quite friendly. Even when people come close to it, it sometimes moves closer to them, albeit with their tail between their legs like a cat. However, if they are provoked, they may threaten other animals with fierce warning calls. They are not prohibited from being kept as pets, but it's a bit difficult to actually keep them, as you won't be able to bring them to an ordinary vet if something happens. Summary of Japanese Badgers In this article we gave a quick overview of the Japanese badger. Recently, Japanese badgers have been featured on news broadcasts as they've been seen coming down to towns for food, due to increasing deforestation. We'll have to do our part to preserve the forests so that humans and animals can coexist.

Ayatori! This video was created by "Ayatori Dekita!" Fun Lessons From Baaba!" The title of the video is "[Ayatori Shapes] Cradle, Rice Field, Diamond, a Japanese Hand Drum, a Ship, and a Rope Bridge. Slightly Difficult Techniques of Ayatori for Adults [Audio Commentary] String Figures / Baaba's Ayatori" (あやとりできた! ばぁばが楽しく教えるよ」が制作した『【あやとり連続技】ゆりかご・田んぼ・川・ダイヤモンド・つづみ・船・つり橋　ちょっと難しい変身あやとり　大人向け【音声解説あり】String figures / ばぁばのあやとり). The video explains advanced level Ayatori for adults, in a slow, easy-to-understand format. Be sure to check it out! What is Ayatori? Photo：Ayatori Ayatori is a game where you make different shapes with a string looped around your fingers. It's basically the same as cat's cradle, but the shapes/names are different due to cultural differences. Ayatori is also called "Itodori" and "Chidori," in different regions of Japan. It's a very popular game played by children all over the world. It is said to have a great effect on children's intellectual development because of the use of hands and fingers and using one's imagination to think of shapes and understand how to manipulate the string. Ayatori can be played with multiple players by taking turns and transforming the string into different shapes, or it can be played solo, as shown in the video. There are also people who do magic tricks that involve ayatori. The origin and the history of ayatori is unknown, but there is a theory that it started around the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. Unfortunately there is no proof to back this theory. Basic Techniques and How to Play Ayatori Source :YouTube screenshot This video gives an easy to understand commentary on how to make different shapes for solo play ayatori. The video starts with a single string sitting in a loop on a table. From there, Baaba teaches viewers how to hold the string, and then how to make a cradle (3:04), a rice field (5:21), a river (6:09), a diamond (9:47), a Japanese hand drum (12:46), a ship (13:20), and finally a rope bridge (14:03). This video also gives tips on how to hold the string on your fingers and how to remove it from your fingers. There are a lot of cool techniques you can learn by watching it. Some other techniques, not shown in the video, include "rubber," broom, ladders, turtles, bridges, stars, and even Tokyo tower! Rubber and broom are relatively easy to make, so these are perfect for beginners. Overview of Ayatori Photo：A parent and child playing Ayatori Ayatori is a fun game that can be enjoyed with just a single piece of string! Be sure to watch the video to learn about some cool shapes that you can practice. It's also great for kids, so if you have some little one's of your own, be sure to try it together!

The Shiro-bai Police Officers' Performance at the Motor Sports Festival! This video, titled "HSR Kyushu Motor Sports Festival, Shiro-bai vs CB750F②, The godlike driving techniques of the shiro-bai police officers!" (HSR九州 モースポフェス 白バイvs CB750F② 白バイ隊員の神業的ライテク), shows the incredible skills displayed at the Honda Safety & Riding Motor Sports Festival in Kyushu. Many riders gather at this big event that features motor sports from all over the world, driving motor sport fans wild. In this MO-SPO Festival, one category in particular is grabbing peoples’ attention: the godly performance by the shiro-bai police officers. Firstly, take a look at the video to see the awesome techniques of the shiro-bai police officers that protect Japan. More About Japan's Shiro-bai Photo：Shiro-bai and police officers In Japan, since 1918 (when shiro-bai (white motorcyles) were first introduced to the metropolitan police department), police officers have used shiro-bai to enforce traffic regulations. In addition to traffic regulation enforcement and patrols, shiro-bai is used as a leading vehicle in marathons and long-distance relay races. The shiro-bai at the imperial guard headquarters however, is used exclusively to escort and protect important figures. The shiro-bai has various equipment such as a “speed-measuring indicator” that measures the speed of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. Some other features of the shiro-bai is a siren and a speaker used for voicing warnings. Training and Improving Shiro-bai Techniques Photo：Shiro-bai and police officer Shiro-bai police officers belong to the Traffic Police Force and gain the right to be trained to ride a shiro-bai only after they have passed the required examinations. The Traffic Police Force devote tremendous effort to their shiro-bai training in order to prevent accidents. The large motorcycle used as a shiro-bai is very big. In order to drive freely on public roads, police officers repeatedly undergo training such as figure eight runs and wheelie tests in addition to daily practice routines such as acceleration and corner turning. The "CB750F" Shiro-bai Photo：Shiro-bai Honda’s CB750F is one type of shiro-bai used by the Japanese police. The CB750F used by the Traffic Police Force is highly popular among motorcycle fans and is the focus of many MO-SPO Festivals. As you can see in the video, their performance in the MO-SPO Festival is very graceful and thrilling to watch. Check Out the Various Performances Shown in the Video Source :YouTube screenshot At the start of the video, you can see 6 shiro-bai chasing a single motorcycle fleeing at high speed. They finish going around the HSR Kyushu course, the venue of the MO-SPO Festival, in an instant, and arrest the mischievous runaway driver in front of the audience. You can observe the arrest from 1:00 in the video. Next, we see the graceful performances of the shiro-bai from 2:11 in the video. In the figure eight run, they brilliantly control the large motorbike, showing off incredible techniques such as wheelies and exciting the crowd. Many audience members can be heard gasping in amazement at the magnificent techniques of the shiro-bai. Summary of the Driving Techniques of Japan’s Shiro-Bai Police Officers Source :YouTube screenshot It takes intense training to be able to freely control the motorcycle at will and perform such incredible, "godlike" techniques like you saw in the video. The Japanese shiro-bai police officers brush up their driving techniques daily in order to prevent accidents. Please enjoy the fruits of their daily training and practice through this video! ◆information◆ 【Address】1500 Tairagawa, Ozu Town, Kikuchi County, Kumamoto Prefecture 【Address】From Hohi Main Line Ozu Station, about 10 minutes by taxi and about 30 minutes by foot 【Parking Facilities】A parking space is provided 【Telephone No】096-293-1370 【Official Website】Motorsport Festival http://www.motorsport-japan.com/en/

An Introduction to Northern Pika! This is a video on the ecology of Northern Pika, an endangered species in Hokkaido. The video, titled "Keep it up! Northern Pika - He can do his best. Pika" (頑張れ！エゾナキウサギ　He can do his best. Pika), was released by "Shinji Kawamura." The Northern Pika, is a small mammal of the ochotonidae family, and its identifying characteristic is its high pitched cry. In Japan, they only live in high lands like Mt. Daisetsu, Mt. Yubari, and Mt. Hidaka in Hokkaido. Their distinct high pitched cry can be seen in the video from 1:09. The Northern Pika is said to have arrived in Japan from the Siberian continent during the ice age. In this video, you can see the lives of cute, wild Northern Pika. Please enjoy the video showing the ecology of Northern Pika. What is the Northern Pika? Photo：Northern Pika The Northern Pika is also called the "God of Rocky Lands" due to its habit of running around the rocky land of their natural habitat. Hokkaido’s aboriginal Ainu people used to call the Northern Pika "Cicit Cu Kamuy" (チチッ・チュ・カムイ, roughly "The Cheeping God") in Ainu language. The mouse-like Northern Pika is very small, weighing only about 60-150 grams, with a length of 10-20 cm, and a lifespan of about 4-5 years, which is shorter than most pika. They are full of curiosity but very timid, so they are very rarely seen in public. Their natural habitat is the cold wind caves of the Daisetsuzan mountains located high above sea level that don't freeze during the winter. In Japan, these critters are also known to only inhabit Hokkaido. Their breeding period is once a year from spring to summer, and they give birth to 1 to 5 kittens at a time. How Northern Pika Survive Winter The Northern Pika is entirely vegetarian, feeding on every plant in the mountains and is sometimes called "the pacifist of the mountains." In the video from 0:42, there is a scene of an Northern Pika with leaves in its mouth. Northern Pika do not hibernate so they must make winter preparations before the snow piles up. This involves stocking their houses with food. They have the intelligence to dry plants such as leaves, turning it into a dry-grass-preserved food which allows them to survive up to 6 months of harsh winter. They store about a bucketful of food in each of the several locations in their territory. You can see this in the video from 1:49. Where Can I See Northern Pika? Photo：Beautiful Autumn Leaves at Daisetsuzan Northern Pika live in only limited parts of Hokkaido, so the possibility of encountering them is very low. If you do mountain climbing or participate in nature tours and go to photo points, you may have a chance to see them. Northern Pika only live in the wild, and it is said that they cannot be raised in zoos and laboratories. It is also impossible to keep them as pets. If you are attracted to the cute Northern Pika, we recommend that you buy a plush toy or photo book as a souvenir of your trip to Hokkaido. Summary of the Northern Pika In the introductory video, you can see scenes of Northern Pika running around busily searching for food. There's something soothing about looking at this little critter squeaking about. These animals are hard to find in the wild, so be sure to take the time to check out the videos and enjoy their cuteness!

What is Battojutsu? This video, titled "Kazaana/Battojutsu version," was uploaded by "Takayuki Kanayama." If you're a fan of manga or anime, you've probably seen or heard of battojutsu, a martial art using a Japanese sword. Yes, battojutsu is the sword art used by Kenshin Himura (Battousai the Manslayer), the main character in the popular anime/manga, "Rurouni Kenshin." If you want to know more about battojutsu, this is a video you don’t want to miss! Battojutsu, as the name implies (抜刀術: 抜/ba - Draw, 刀/tou - Sword, 術/jutsu - Technique), is the art of cutting down an opponent with a single blow by drawing a sword from its scabbard when attacked by an enemy. It's a one-hit kill sword technique, but in the unlikely event that you're attacked again, you can make sure that you kill your would-be-assailant by dodging his sword and hitting him with a second strike. You can see the two opposing swordsmen dueling at 0:40, 1:01, 1:52 and 2:12 in the video, and see just how effective battojutsu is. The History of Battojutsu Photo：Japanese sword・Battojutsu Battojutsu has a long history and is said to have been systematized approximately 400 years ago during the Muromachi (1336-1573 AD) and Edo (1603-1868 AD) periods. It's a traditional Japanese martial art and was considered to be an essential sword technique for samurai. There are a number of schools, the most famous of which are Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu and Tatsumi-ryu. At the end of the Muromachi Period, the Hayashizaki style emerged, including schools such as Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu, which was derived from the school established by Hayashizaki Shigenobu (Jinsuke), who specialized in battojutsu. Even today, there are dojos all over Japan where you can learn battojutsu, so if you're interested, consider trying it out! The equipment needed for practicing battojutsu is a dojo uniform, a practice sword, and a kaku obi. The Differences Between Battojutsu and Iaijutsu Photo：A Japanese sword・Battojutsu One of the most famous martial arts that uses Japanese swords is iaijutsu. In fact, iaijutsu is also a form of battojutsu. In the Edo Period, drawing a sword from a seated position was called iai, and drawing a sword from a standing position was called tachiai. Battojutsu is also known as iai (居合), iaijutsu (居合術), nukiai (抜合), iai (居相), saya no uchi (鞘の内), bakken (抜剣), etc. depending on the region or school. It is said that kendo developed from tachiai as a practice martial art, without the use of serious weapons and with protective gear. Battojutsu techniques include koiguchi wo kiru, putting one's hand on the hilt of the sword, drawing the sword, brandishing the sword, downwards slashes, zanshin, chiburi (flicking blood off one's sword), and returning the sword to its scabbard. Koikuchi wo kiri (鯉口を切る) is a technique before drawing the sword, in which you push the katana out of its saya (scabbard) by its tsuba. This action can be seen at the start of sword fighting scenes in historical dramas. In iaijutsu, this technique indicates that you are in a "fighting stance." Summary of Battojutsu, a Sword Fighting Technique of Japan's Samurai Photo：A Japanese sword・Battojutsu In Japanese martial arts, techniques that do not use weapons are called taijutsu (体術), while those that use bladed weapons, such as katana and naginata, are called kenjutsu (剣術). Battojutsu is a type of kenjutsu that does not use as much power as taijutsu, but it is said to be one of the most advanced forms of kenjutsu because it requires intense concentration. Matches are decided in the instant the sword is drawn, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats!

Nippon Sports Science University's Shudan Kodo This video, titled "Nippon Sport Science University Shudan Kodo 2017" (日体大 集団行動2017), is a recorded video of shudan kodo, uploaded by “nogutan2.” Some people might have heard or seen shudan kodo on TV or on a news website before. Shudan kodo is synchronized movements performed by students from Nippon Sports Science University. Students make perfect lines and march while changing formations and crossing paths without disturbing the lines. Check out the video of the world-class beautiful performance. Nippon Sports Science University's Historic Shudan Kodo Source :YouTube screenshot It all started about 40 years ago when the idea of shudan kodo was brought up at Nippon Sports Science University. Shudan kodo was started to practice disciplined movement, and every year the quality of the performance increases. You can hear the audience cheering during this beautiful performance of high quality shudan kodo. Several reactions from both Japan and different countries after they have seen the performance of shudan kodo. Many people say it's impressive, and some people even mention getting goose bumps from the performance. It's also very reminiscent of precise military marching. The Rigorous Practice of Shudan Kodo Source :YouTube screenshot Shudan kodo is not forced on students at Nippon Sports Science University. Students who are willing to participate gather and practice on a daily basis. There are actually too many students who are willing to join the club, therefore, auditions are held in order to decide who can participate. The current coach of shudan kodo at Nippon Science University is Nobuhiko Kiyohara. Since Kiyohara became coach 5 months ago, the total length of walk in the practice is said to have increased to over 1,000 km. Recently, more research towards the performance of shudan kodo is being conducted, and it has been evolving and becoming more precise and beautiful. At Nippon Sports Science University, a sports research presentation is held every other year to show the audience the results of practice. The performance of shudan kodo is one of the most popular performances at this demonstration. There is a world tour of shudan kodo as well, and it has become very popular globally. The Highlight of Shudan Kodo Source :YouTube screenshot You can see the beautiful performance born of the hard work of the students in this video. Make sure to also pay attention to 0:40 in the video to see the walking performance. The movement of the arms and swinging of the legs is perfectly aligned. Also, don't miss the skill of the performers crossing paths with each other while at a trot. There are so many more impressive performances in this 10 minutes video, so we recommend not skipping anything. Find your favorite performance! Summary of Shudan Kodo Shudan kodo continues to gain attention, as some other schools have already started new club activities like shudan kodo, such as Shudan Taisou (Gymnastics), and mass games. The presentation of Nippon Sport Science University's shudan kodo has been very popular and it's very difficult to purchase tickets. If you wish to watch the live performance of shudan kodo, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. If you still haven't yet, be sure to check out the video to see the amazing performances of shudan kodo!

A Japanese DJ wins the World Championship! This video, publicized by "ANNnewsCH’, is entitled ‘“Unique” Japanese DJ Tops, Wins World Championships (19/09/29)（“独創的”日本人DJが頂点に　世界大会で優勝(19/09/29)）". DJ Matsunaga won ‘Battle for World Supremacy 2019’ of ‘DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS’, one of the biggest DJ championships in the world which decides the top DJ in the world, held in London in September 2019, showing off his incredible techniques. ‘DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS’ is a competition where DJs from all over the world compete with their techniques within a time limit. DJ Matsunaga had earlier won the Japanese competition ‘DMC JAPAN FINAL’ and had procured the right to represent Japan. At such a prestigious competition, DJ Matsunaga beat K-Swizz, the defending champion from New Zealand, enchanting the entire venue with his unique and funky style, despite it being his first time competing. In the interview after becoming the new champion, which can be seen from 0:25 in the video, DJ Matsunaga says “I’m yet to accept this as a reality, so I guess, for now, I’ll prepare to appreciate the feeling when it comes.” From 0:08 in the video, watch the performance that gave him the victory. Who Is DJ Matsunaga, Now a World-Champion DJ? Source :YouTube screenshot DJ Matsunaga’s full name is Kunihiko Matsunaga. He was born in August 1990 and he is 29 years old as of April 2020. His blood type is B. He participated with a casual outfit in this competition, but his characteristic is that he wears suits even during his performances. The reason for this he says, is that he is in his most perfect form when wearing a suit. He is very well-humored and when being introduced as the DMC Champion, he was mistakenly called as DJ Nakamura by the MC but spun it in a humorous light. ‘Creepy Nuts’, a DJ hip-hop unit of 1MC1 to which he belongs, has a regular radio program despite being a group of musicians, and open up an exhilarating talk with ‘R-Shitei (R-指定, R-Shitei)’, the other member. DJ Matsunaga as a DJ Source :YouTube screenshot What’s surprising about DJ Matsunaga’s career is that he accomplished the feat of becoming a champion of the DMC DJ Championship in Hokkaido in 2010, only 3 years after he embarked on his journey of becoming a DJ. Until 2016, he was simultaneously working as a TOC live DJ for the hip-hop unit Hilcrhyme. And in 2019, as mentioned earlier, he topped at DMC JAPAN, which is also a qualifier for DMC WORLD, and he was given the title of ‘Japan’s Number 1 DJ’ on his official profile. His title eventually changed to ‘World’s Number 1 DJ’ after being crowned as the champion at DMC WORLD. Success with Creepy Nuts Source :YouTube screenshot In the hip-hop unit Creepy Nuts, DJ Matsunaga unleashes his worlds-best technique as a trackmaker and turntablist. ‘R-Shitei’, the other member, topped at free-style rapping in a program called Free-Style Dungeon, and together they light up the hip-hip world. Having showed a formidable presence in clubs and live-houses, they participated in the large-scale rock-festival ‘Fuji Rock’ in 2014, and debuted on a major label in 2017 with the single ‘High School Debut, Uni Debut, We Failed All but Major Debut. (高校デビュー、大学デビュー、全部失敗したけどメジャーデビュー。, Koko-Debyu, Daigaku-Debyu, Zenbu Shippai Shita-kedo Meja-Debyu.)’. Check out the Worlds-Best-Performance of DJ Matsunaga! So what did you think? Do you feel like listening to the world's best DJ, DJ Matsunaga? DJ Matsunaga can be described as one of few people that changed the prevailing perception of the hip-hop world being formidable and distant, into a more familiar, pop-like image. Enjoy the techniques of the world’s best DJ. 【Official Website】DMC World DJ Championships - The Home Of The Worlds Biggest DJ Competition http://www.dmcdjchamps.com/

Table of Contents Introduction Why Does Staying Inside a National Park Make a Trip to Kussharo So Special? What Makes Its Location Beside Lake Kussharo and Akan-Mashu National Park So Special? Why Does a Stay That Lets You Savor "the Luxury of Nothing" Leave Such an Impression in Kussharo? All Rooms Face the Lake—What Kind of Time Can You Share with Lake Kussharo? What Makes Rooms Overlooking Lake Kussharo, Japan's Largest Caldera Lake, So Special? Why Do Guests Want to Stay Longer, Gazing at Lake Kussharo? Around Lake Kussharo, What Differences in Scenery Await from Place to Place? Sunayu: How Can You Enjoy a Hot-Spring Experience Unique to Lake Kussharo and the Sight of Whooper Swans? Wakoto Peninsula: How Can You Savor the Quiet Time Created by Forest and Lake Kussharo? Walking the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail: How Do You Feel the Charm of Old-Growth Forest and Lakeshore? Why Is the Panorama of Lake Kussharo Seen from Bihoro Pass So Special? Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum: How Can You Learn About the Culture Passed Down Alongside Lake Kussharo? A Location That Lets You Get Moving from Early Morning: How Can You Make the Most of Kussharo's Nature Experiences? The Kushiro River Headwaters and the Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe: What Waterscapes Await? Sea of Clouds and Birdwatching: What Can You Meet That Only an East Hokkaido Morning Offers? Cycling and Glamping: What Stay-and-Play Time Can You Enjoy in Kussharo? After a Day Spent in Nature, What Awaits at Kussharo Onsen? What Are the Characteristics of the Kussharo Onsen Spring Water? The Open-Air Bath: How Can You Savor the Forest Air and the Quiet? With a Barrel Sauna, How Does Lakeside Rest Change? What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Enjoy at the Kussharo Prince Hotel? Restaurant "Loupeigne": What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Discover? Including the Surrounding Food Scene, How Far Do Hokkaido Flavors Reach? How Does Good Access Connect to How Easily You Can Plan Your Kussharo Sightseeing? Broaden Your View to All of East Hokkaido and Kussharo Sightseeing Gets Even More Interesting How Do You Put Together a Manageable Model Course for Kussharo Sightseeing? In Summary: To Travel Kussharo Is to Enjoy the Time You Spend at the Kussharo Prince Hotel, Too What Are the Facility Details and Access for the Kussharo Prince Hotel? Read More Introduction Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island. Spread across its eastern side, East Hokkaido holds quiet, spectacular scenery that many travelers have yet to discover. At its heart lies the town of Teshikaga. Cradled by the magnificent nature of Akan-Mashu National Park(one of the national parks designated by the Japanese government to protect the natural environment), this town is dotted with Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake (0:00); Lake Mashu, famed for its mysterious scenery; Mt. Io, where volcanic steam rises; and steam-wreathed Kawayu Onsen. Here, lakes, volcanoes, and hot springs come together in a single journey. Standing on the shore of Lake Kussharo in Teshikaga is the Kussharo Prince Hotel. (0:20) Photo: The full view of the Kussharo Prince Hotel standing on the shore of Lake Kussharo, an all-lake-view resort hotel Every Western-style room faces the lake, and the hotel offers Kussharo Onsen hot-spring water welling up from 1,000 m underground, a buffet showcasing Hokkaido ingredients, and experiences unique to the area, such as morning canoe tours and sea-of-clouds tours.For this article, we spoke with Kitazawa-san, who welcomes guests at the hotel every day, to share ways of enjoying the area that only someone working on-site would know. By the time you finish reading, you'll have a clear picture of a stay that may well make you want to choose the Kussharo Prince Hotel as your base for exploring East Hokkaido. Why Does Staying Inside a National Park Make a Trip to Kussharo So Special? Lake Kussharo is Japan's largest caldera lake, roughly 57 km in circumference and about 79.5 square kilometers in area. A caldera lake forms when rainwater and groundwater collect in the basin left after a major volcanic eruption causes the area around a summit to collapse. Scattered around the lake are sightseeing spots such as "Sunayu," where you can dig a little into the sand to enjoy a natural foot bath; the "Wakoto Peninsula," cloaked in old-growth forest; and "Tsubetsu Pass," known for its sea of clouds. There are also plenty of experiences whose appeal shifts with the time of day, from canoeing at the headwaters of the Kushiro River to sea-of-clouds tours. Photo: Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, boasting a circumference of about 57 km When enjoying Kussharo this way, your choice of lodging has a big impact on how satisfying the trip feels. As the only hotel on the lake shore within the caldera, the Kussharo Prince Hotel draws the quiet of Akan-Mashu National Park right into its rooms. Kussharo Prince Hotel is a resort hotel that serves both as a base for sightseeing and as a place where the stay itself becomes the point. What Makes Its Location Beside Lake Kussharo and Akan-Mashu National Park So Special? The Kussharo Prince Hotel stands right on the lakeshore. A Lakeside Garden spreads across the grounds, with the surface of Lake Kussharo visible just beyond it and a range of mountains lining the far shore. Photo: The Lakeside Garden on the grounds of the Kussharo Prince Hotel Set between lake and forest, with no major shopping areas nearby, the sky fills with glittering stars after dark. Sleeping inside a national park, waking, and heading out to the lake again in a setting where hardly a man-made structure intrudes on the view is something few places in Japan can offer. Teshikaga sits within easy reach of three national parks: Akan-Mashu, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, and Shiretoko National Park, making it a convenient base for touring East Hokkaido. Repeat visitors from around Hokkaido often say things like, "The scenery never gets old no matter how many times I come," and "It makes me want to visit in a different season and a different time of day each time." Why Does a Stay That Lets You Savor "the Luxury of Nothing" Leave Such an Impression in Kussharo? Many long-stay guests at the Kussharo Prince Hotel talk about "the comfort of doing nothing." Even without packing your schedule with sightseeing spots, you can gaze at the lake, soak in the hot spring, stroll through the garden, then return to your room to read. The setting is built for exactly this kind of stay.In fact, thanks to the comfort of the rooms, the quality of the hot spring, and above all the view of Lake Kussharo, which never grows tiresome even over a long stay, many guests from outside Hokkaido enjoy long stays of around ten nights. Guests describe it less as ‘travel’ and more as ‘living in Kussharo for a while.’ Rather than racing from one attraction to the next, you settle into one place at a relaxed pace and take in the air of the region. For anyone seeking that kind of unhurried travel, the Kussharo Prince Hotel makes an ideal base.Because it lies within a national park, development is restricted, so there are no flashy tourist facilities around. That very "nothingness" turns out to be the greatest luxury of all. All Rooms Face the Lake—What Kind of Time Can You Share with Lake Kussharo? Its expression changes with the season and the weather, but morning on Lake Kussharo shifts color little by little from the hours when the light is still soft. Open the curtains, and on some mornings mist drifts across the water; as the sky brightens, the mountains on the far shore and the look of the lake's surface slowly transform. Being able to watch that change from inside your room is a pleasure unique to a room facing Lake Kussharo. (0:26) Photo: Lake Kussharo surrounded by nature and the exterior of the Kussharo Prince Hotel on its shore When you return from sightseeing during the day, a completely different scene awaits. Around midday, Lake Kussharo catches the sun from directly overhead and its surface glitters blue. After 4 p.m., the lowering western sun begins to dye the water gold, and between 5 and 6 p.m. the lake's color drifts from gold to deep indigo.After 8 p.m., once the sun has fully set, it's the stars' turn. Switch off the room lights and open the curtains, and a sky brimming with stars spreads out before you. With so few artificial lights nearby, even the Milky Way is clearly visible.What sets the Kussharo Prince Hotel's rooms apart is that they face Lake Kussharo, letting you feel the lakeside nature up close throughout your stay. Whichever room you choose, open the curtains in the morning and there is Lake Kussharo; come back at midday and there is Lake Kussharo; and there it is again before you climb into bed at night. Because the lake is visible from every room, the sense of being connected to it lasts your entire stay. What Makes Rooms Overlooking Lake Kussharo, Japan's Largest Caldera Lake, So Special? The guest rooms are Western-style and fitted with large windows. Below the windows are wooden louvers (slatted vents), so on fine days you can open up and let the lakeside air into the room.From May into June, the breeze off the lake is pleasantly cool; in July and August a refreshing wind passes through the room. By September, a touch of cooler air mixes in, and you can feel the change of seasons on your skin. As a rough guide, temperatures in the East Hokkaido area run about 5–13°C in spring (April–May), about 15–21°C in summer (June–August), and about 6–18°C in autumn (September–October). Even in summer it is cooler than Honshu, Japan's main island, so it's wise to bring long sleeves or a light layer.Room types are wide-ranging: Twin Rooms, Lake View rooms, Family Rooms, Superior Double Rooms with a jet bath, Corner Triple Rooms, and Heartful Rooms designed with wheelchair users in mind. Photo: A Western-style twin room with a large window overlooking Lake Kussharo The top-floor Lake View rooms in particular are designed so that nothing blocks the view, letting you take in the lake to the fullest. The lineup suits all kinds of trips, from solo travel to family and group journeys.Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and the lobby, so international travelers can stay with peace of mind. Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 11:00, letting you savor Lake Kussharo in the morning before you set off. Why Do Guests Want to Stay Longer, Gazing at Lake Kussharo? There's a reason so many guests stay multiple nights: the appeal of an extended stay gradually becomes apparent. On your first day, you’re struck by the sheer scale of Lake Kussharo. Photo: The view of Lake Kussharo and the Kussharo Prince Hotel that never grows tiresome even over consecutive nights On the second, you begin to settle into its quiet rhythms, with its fresh morning and shifting breeze. By the third, you notice details you might otherwise have missed, such as the changing angle of the light, the shifting of the clouds, and even the changing patterns of the stars overhead. It looks like the same view, yet it differs a little each day. Enjoying these subtle changes is the real reward of an extended visit. One repeat long-stay guest told us, "The lake wears a different face every morning, so I never tire of it. Some mornings are misty, others perfectly clear. And on rainy days, just watching the ripples spread across the water is enough to make the hours slip by."Simply having Lake Kussharo spread out before you the moment you rise from bed changes how the day begins. Rooms where doing nothing never feels tedious are surprisingly rare. The guest rooms at the Kussharo Prince Hotel are spaces made for long stays and unhurried travel. Around Lake Kussharo, What Differences in Scenery Await from Place to Place? Lake Kussharo isn't a lake you take in from a single spot and call it done. Its north, south, east, and west shores each have spots with a different character, and just a short drive from the hotel brings you to an entirely different Kussharo.Whether you come to take photographs or simply to relax while taking in the views, there's a way to enjoy it that suits you. This flexibility is part of the charm of this area. Sunayu: How Can You Enjoy a Hot-Spring Experience Unique to Lake Kussharo and the Sight of Whooper Swans? About a 30-minute drive from the hotel, Sunayu is one of Lake Kussharo's signature sightseeing spots. True to its name (literally "sand hot water"), dig a little into the lakeside sand and hot-spring water wells up. Scoop down about 20 cm and warm water gently seeps in, an experience that delights children and adults alike.You can dig out your own foot bath and warm your feet while gazing at the lake. Even on a cold winter's day, soaking your feet while watching the swans makes for a lasting travel memory. Photo: "Sunayu" on the shore of Lake Kussharo, where hot-spring water wells up when you dig into the sand In winter (November to March), Whooper Swans can be seen arriving around Lake Kussharo to overwinter. Note, however, that the Kussharo Prince Hotel sets winter closure periods or limited-operation periods that vary by year, so if you plan to stay in winter, you'll need to check the operating status on the official website in advance. In winter, East Hokkaido often drops below freezing from November to March, to roughly −8°C to −2°C, so it's reassuring to pack proper winter gear such as warm clothing, gloves, and insulated boots. The sight of the swans that have traveled several thousand kilometers from Russia floating on the water is breathtaking. Between 6 and 7 in the early morning, with mist rising off the lake, swans glide gracefully across it: a scene known as one of the defining winter landscapes of East Hokkaido.Swans are wary, so take care not to get too close, but even from about 20 m away their graceful form is easy to enjoy. In the early-morning stillness, listening to the beat of the swans' wings and the sound of them pushing across the water is a luxury unique to Kussharo. Photo: Whooper swans arriving to overwinter on Lake Kussharo in winter The pairing of lake and swans makes an appealing subject for photography lovers and is popular with international travelers as well. Walking the shore while slowly following the swans is a far cry from rushing around famous sights, and a quintessentially Kussharo way to spend your time. Wakoto Peninsula: How Can You Savor the Quiet Time Created by Forest and Lake Kussharo? About a three-minute drive from the hotel, the Wakoto Peninsula is a small peninsula jutting into Lake Kussharo. The whole peninsula is covered in old-growth forest, and the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail, a loop of about 2.5 km that takes around an hour to walk, is well maintained.Walk out to the tip of the peninsula and you reach an open spot with a 360-degree view of Lake Kussharo. From here the lake looks less like a lake and more like a calm inland sea. On days with almost no waves, when the surface is as still as a mirror, the boundary between sky and lake blurs and you feel as if you're floating in the sky. Photo: The Wakoto Peninsula, covered in old-growth forest and jutting into Lake Kussharo There's something to enjoy in every season: autumn foliage in fall, appealing white blooms of Asian skunk cabbage and rows of cherry trees from spring into summer. From late May to early June, Sargent's cherry (ezoyamazakura) blooms in profusion, tinting the lakeshore pink. Walking the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail: How Do You Feel the Charm of Old-Growth Forest and Lakeshore? If you'd like to take in the Wakoto Peninsula a little more deeply, we recommend walking the nature trail at a leisurely pace. Along the way you're greeted by forests of Yezo spruce and Sakhalin fir, lakeside wildflowers, and the soothing chirps and warbles of birdsong. Partway along is the open-air bath of Wakoto Onsen, an outdoor hot-spring bath (free, mixed bathing, swimwear permitted), where you can enjoy the luxury of soaking in a hot spring within the forest. Photo: The open-air bath of Wakoto Onsen along the Wakoto Peninsula Nature Trail Reading the interpretive signs as you walk through a forest of delicate wildflowers and trees, home to a variety of wildlife, feels less like sightseeing and more like melting into nature itself.Along the trail, a sign explains how the Wakoto Peninsula came to be. It is a lava dome formed by volcanic activity around 6,000 years ago and is considered a geologically valuable site within Lake Kussharo. Knowing this background adds a new layer of enjoyment: not just walking, but walking while feeling the history of the land.As you walk through the forest, you may spot a Hokkaido squirrel leaping from tree to tree or a wild bird perched on a branch. Stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of the forest: the wind stirring the trees, birdsong, waves lapping at the lakeshore. These small sounds layer together to make up the forests around Lake Kussharo. Photo: A Hokkaido squirrel you can encounter in the old-growth forest of the Wakoto Peninsula It's a place for sitting quietly with nature, and letting time pass you by without hurry. Why Is the Panorama of Lake Kussharo Seen from Bihoro Pass So Special? Bihoro Pass, about a 15-minute drive from the hotel, is a lookout with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo. Seen from the pass at roughly 525 m above sea level, the lake is a spectacle that looks almost like looking down at a map. Photo: Bihoro Pass, with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo from about 525 m above sea level It's also known as a place where, with a bit of luck, you can encounter a sea of clouds in the early morning. A sea of clouds is a natural phenomenon in which mist or low-lying clouds, viewed from a high vantage point, look like an ocean of cloud. In the early mornings from June to October (especially the morning after a clear day), a sea of clouds can spread over Lake Kussharo. Nakajima Island floating above the clouds with the blue of the lake glimpsed through their gaps makes for a scene you carry with you for a lifetime.At the pass is the "Michi-no-Eki Gurutto Panorama Bihoro-toge" roadside station, with an observation deck, a restaurant, and a shop. A michi-no-eki, or roadside station, is a rest facility set along major roads throughout Japan, where you can also enjoy local ingredients, souvenirs, and light meals. The restaurant serves ageimo, a Bihoro Pass specialty. It's a simple dish of deep-fried Hokkaido potatoes, crispy on the outside and fluffy within, that warms you after standing in the cold mountain wind. Photo: The "Michi-no-Eki Gurutto Panorama Bihoro-toge" roadside station overlooking Lake Kussharo It's a place to feel the sheer scale of the sky spreading above the lake, and a spot worth visiting if you'd like to take some striking photos. Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum: How Can You Learn About the Culture Passed Down Alongside Lake Kussharo? On the south side of Lake Kussharo, about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, is the Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum. Kotan is an Ainu word meaning a settlement or village. The Ainu are an Indigenous people who have lived in Hokkaido and northern Japan since ancient times. The name "Kussharo" itself derives from the Ainu word "kutcharo" (the throat or outlet of a marsh), which shows how deeply this lake has been tied to Ainu life since long ago.The museum displays traditional Ainu household tools, clothing, and crafts. The dugout canoes and fishing implements are especially interesting. On Lake Kussharo, the Ainu used dugout canoes to catch kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) and carp, living on the bounty of the lake.The beauty of the garments and embroidery bearing Ainu patterns is another highlight. Traditional motifs such as the spiral "moreu" and the thorn-like "aiushi" each carry meanings, from warding off evil to praying for a bountiful catch.Outside, a traditional dwelling called a "chise" (the Ainu word for "house") has been reconstructed, and you can tour its interior. With its thatched roof, an irori (a traditional sunken hearth set in the floor that serves as both fireplace and cooking spot), and an altar shelf, it lets you experience how the Ainu people lived.Touching not only the scenery but also the history and culture of the land changes the depth of a trip entirely. Once you know that Lake Kussharo is not merely a "big lake" but "Kutcharo," deeply bound up with people's lives, the way you look at it changes too.For fiscal 2026, the museum is open from April 10 to November 30. It's open every day during that period, but it's reassuring to check the latest opening status before you head out. A Location That Lets You Get Moving from Early Morning: How Can You Make the Most of Kussharo's Nature Experiences? Kussharo's appeal can't be captured by its daytime scenery alone. The early-morning lake, misty dawns, starlit nights: each part of the day offers scenery you can meet only then.One of the great advantages of staying at the Kussharo Prince Hotel lies in this location that lets you get moving from early in the morning. The Kushiro River Headwaters and the Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe: What Waterscapes Await? The Headwaters of the Kushiro River The Kushiro River's headwaters begin at the southern end of Lake Kussharo. The lake is also the source of the Kushiro River, which runs about 154 km before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. With no large dam on its main stream, the Kushiro is a rare river you can paddle by canoe all the way from source to mouth. Photo: The Kushiro River, about 154 km long, originating at Lake Kussharo and flowing into the Pacific Ocean The headwaters canoe tour, descending the roughly 3 km from Lake Kussharo to Midori Bridge, lets you feel how the lake, the forest, and the river connect, and it's popular with international travelers too. As your canoe leaves the lake, the river quickly narrows and the trees press in from both banks.The current is gentle, so even first-time canoeists can relax and enjoy it. Drifting slowly down a quiet river ringed by forests of Yezo spruce and Sakhalin fir, you feel completely cut off from the bustle of everyday life.With a little luck, you may encounter wildlife such as Hokkaido sika deer, Ezo red fox, and white-tailed eagles. On guided tours, you'll also learn about the plants and animals and the history of the Kushiro River. The Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe Tour The Lake Kussharo Morning Canoe Tour is an experience we especially recommend. You leave the hotel before dawn, while it's still dim, and head to the lakeside canoe station. Photo: An image of Lake Kussharo and a canoe Between 5 and 6 a.m., as the sky gradually begins to lighten, you paddle out onto the lake.With morning mist hanging over the water, you ease the canoe forward until the world narrows to just you and the sound of your paddle. From beyond the mist, the mountains of the far shore slowly emerge, and the eastern sky begins to glow orange.Before long, the sun peeks over the ridgeline and the lake's surface bursts into gold all at once. Witnessing that moment from out on the water evokes emotions that can’t quite be conveyed by words.For travelers who want a trip where they take the photos themselves rather than just look at them, it's an unbeatable spot for photography. On the morning lake, the angle of the light shifts moment by moment, showing a different face each time you press the shutter.The morning canoe takes about 30 minutes, so you can build a day around returning to the hotel for breakfast and then heading out sightseeing again. Sea of Clouds and Birdwatching: What Can You Meet That Only an East Hokkaido Morning Offers? Lake Kussharo Sea-of-Clouds Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass About a 90-minute drive from the hotel, Tsubetsu Pass is known as a spectacular sea-of-clouds spot with a sweeping view of Lake Kussharo. When the lake, seen from the pass at roughly 947 m above sea level, is blanketed in a sea of clouds, it looks like an island floating on an ocean of cloud. (0:22) Photo: The sea of clouds covering Lake Kussharo, seen from Tsubetsu Pass at about 947 m above sea level Created by the unique combination of the distinctive weather conditions and caldera terrain around Lake Kussharo, the early-morning sea of clouds is a scene you'll remember for a lifetime. It's most likely to form in the early mornings from June to October, especially the morning after a clear day when radiative cooling has occurred.On the Lake Kussharo sea-of-clouds tour, an expert guide judges the likelihood of the phenomenon and leads you up to the pass at the best timing. The first thing that meets your eyes on arrival is an ocean of cloud stretching as far as you can see. Through gaps in the clouds, the blue surface of Lake Kussharo peeks out, with Nakajima Island floating above the clouds.Your guide brews morning coffee, so you can savor the golden, glowing sea of clouds with a warm cup in hand. The clouds change shape moment by moment, swirling or parting as the wind moves them. Just watching that transformation, you lose track of time. Lake Kussharo Stargazing Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass At night, there's also the Lake Kussharo Stargazing Guided Tour at Tsubetsu Pass, where an expert guide introduces a sky full of stars. With almost no artificial light around, Tsubetsu Pass is ideal for stargazing. Photo: A stargazing guided tour enjoying a sky full of stars at Tsubetsu Pass, where artificial light is scarce Pointing out constellations with a laser pointer, the guide shares the myths behind them. You can enjoy a different night sky each season: the Milky Way in summer, Orion in winter, the Big Dipper in spring. And the wonder of catching a shooting star is like nothing else. Wildlife to Find Around Lake Kussharo In winter, following animal tracks left across the snowfields is a popular experience. From prints in the snow left by Hokkaido sika deer, Ezo red fox, mountain hare, and others, you read which animal headed in which direction. Walking while listening to the guide's explanations, the snowy forest comes to look like a completely different world.Watching a small wild bird called the shima-enaga (long-tailed tit) is another winter pleasure. About 13 cm long, these tiny birds move in flocks in winter. Watching them peck at berries and flit from branch to branch never gets old. Photo: The shima-enaga (long-tailed tit), a small wild bird seen around Lake Kussharo in winter Birdwatching is at its most rewarding in the stillness of early morning. Birdsong, the beat of wings, the crunch of snow underfoot: time spent listening closely to such small sounds lingers as a memory of the trip. Cycling and Glamping: What Stay-and-Play Time Can You Enjoy in Kussharo? Lake Kussharo Cycling Tour Around the hotel are cycling courses for both beginners and the more athletic, including a Kussharo cycling tour that takes in Lake Kussharo and Mt. Mokoto on an electric-assist E-bike. (0:43)Choose a flat lakeside route and you can ride at a relaxed pace, enjoying the scenery. Between the exhilaration of cutting through the wind, the flowers blooming along the shore, and the mountains across the water, there's a side of Kussharo you can only experience by bicycle.There's also a course that stops at the Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum along the way and returns by motorboat, so you enjoy different scenery on the way out and back. Lake Kussharo seen from a motorboat has a force all its own, quite different from viewing it from land. In Summer, Enjoy Glamping on the Kussharo Prince Hotel Grounds In summer (June–September), a glamping facility called Hokkaido Nature Village in Kussharo appears within the Lakeside Garden, where you can enjoy a tent sauna and a barbecue dinner in the garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo. (0:39) Photo: The glamping facility that appears in the Lakeside Garden for the summer season only Each glamping site comes with a tent, table, chairs, and a fire pit, so you can enjoy it with no equipment needed. At the barbecue dinner, you grill Hokkaido meat and vegetables over charcoal while gazing at the lake. A meal eaten while watching the sun go down is incomparable.After working up a sweat in the tent sauna, cool down in the lake in place of a cold plunge. Whether you want to sway in a hammock on the terrace, or take in the seasonal flowers in the Lakeside Garden, there's everything you need for a fulfilling day even without venturing far.*The availability of the glamping facility and activities may change depending on the season. Please check the official website for the latest information. After a Day Spent in Nature, What Awaits at Kussharo Onsen? From morning onward, you’ll be out exploring, gazing at the lake, walking the forest, paddling a canoe, taking photos, riding a bike, and more. A day in Kussharo uses your body more than you'd expect. What rounds off such a day is Kussharo Onsen, welling up from underground. An onsen is a uniquely Japanese bathing culture in which you soak in natural water warmed by the earth's heat.Sinking a body tired from a day of sightseeing quietly into the bath, and letting it restore itself, makes your stay even more rewarding. It's precisely because you have both time to take in the scenery and time to rest your body that a trip to Kussharo gains real depth. What Are the Characteristics of the Kussharo Onsen Spring Water? The Kussharo Prince Hotel has a spacious communal bath where many people can bathe at once. At Japanese onsen hotels, some properties provide a large public bath, separate from the bathroom in your room, that can accommodate many guests. No swimwear is needed; you use a towel. The Kussharo Onsen water here is a sodium–calcium sulfate/chloride spring (a neutral, hypotonic, high-temperature spring), welling up from 1,000 m underground at a spring temperature of 45.0°C and a flow of as much as 280 liters per minute. Photo: The open-air bath of Kussharo Onsen, welling up from 1,000 m underground Rich in salts and carbon dioxide gas, it's expected to help retain moisture, support the skin's metabolism, and stimulate the work of the capillaries.As general onsen benefits, it's reputed to be effective for promoting health, as well as help relieve a wide range of conditions, including neuralgia, joint pain, fatigue, poor circulation, and muscle stiffness, among others. It's a welcome kind of water for warming the body after sightseeing.The large bath is open from 14:00 to 24:00, and again from 5:00 to 10:00 the next morning. Once in the afternoon when you return from sightseeing, once more after dinner, and once again after you wake: At Kussharo Prince Hotel, the luxury of bathing in the hot spring several times a day is yours.Please note that many onsen facilities may decline entry to guests with tattoos. Be sure to check with each facility.Bathe at 5 in the early morning and you can watch the sky begin to brighten through the rising steam. Greeting the start of the day amid the stillness unique to Kussharo is something truly special. The Open-Air Bath: How Can You Savor the Forest Air and the Quiet? The open-air bath has a roof and is designed so you can ease your travel fatigue while looking out over the garden. A dedicated elevator lets you come straight from your room in your yukata and sandals, so after your bath you can head right back to relax in your room.In the open-air bath, you can rest your body at leisure while feeling the forest air on your skin. At the end of a day spent on the move, sinking into a quiet bath gently wraps the afterglow of your travels.Soak in the open-air bath at night and look up, and you'll see the stars. Bathing while gazing at a starry sky spread out beyond the steam is a luxury unique to Kussharo. Taking a moment to relax while looking over the garden after your bath is a luxury too. With a Barrel Sauna, How Does Lakeside Rest Change? Don't overlook the guests-only private barrel sauna, either. In a reserved barrel sauna set within the Lakeside Garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo, with the lake right before you, you can reach the deeply relaxed state attained by repeating sauna, cold plunge, and open-air cooling (in Japan, this is expressed as "totonou," getting into balance). Photo: The private barrel sauna set within the Lakeside Garden on the shore of Lake Kussharo It's available for private use, one unit at a time, from May 7 to October 31. Operating hours are split into two sessions: a morning session from 8:00 to 10:00 and an afternoon session from 15:00 to 17:00.A barrel sauna is a small sauna shaped like a wooden barrel, suitable for about two to four people. Warmed by a wood stove, the sauna room gradually heats your body from its core. Photo: The interior of the barrel sauna, which warms your body from its core with a wood stove After you've worked up a sweat, step straight into Lake Kussharo right in front of you. The lake water is cold and cools your sauna-flushed body all at once. Once you're out, settle into a deck chair for the open-air cool-down. Gazing at the lake, you slowly steady your breathing.Repeat this "sauna → lake → open-air cooling" for about three rounds and you'll loosen up from the core, wrapped in a pleasant tiredness. For sauna lovers, time spent feeling completely refreshed while gazing at the lake will surely make for an unforgettable night.Combined with the hot spring in the large bath, it makes for a stay that tunes your body from the core.*Sauna availability may change depending on the season. Please check the official website for the latest information. What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Enjoy at the Kussharo Prince Hotel? Once the hot spring has set your body right, it's time to eat. One of the joys of travel is, after all, the food. At the Kussharo Prince Hotel, the restaurants let you enjoy both the scenery and the cuisine. Restaurant "Loupeigne": What Hokkaido Flavors Can You Discover? Restaurant "Loupeigne" is a glass-walled space surrounded by a large pond and greenery, with star-inspired lighting glittering across a soaring ceiling ten meters high, a restaurant with a dreamlike atmosphere. (0:31) Photo: The glass-walled, open and airy restaurant "Loupeigne" Hours are 7:00–9:30 for breakfast (last order 9:00) and 18:00–21:00 for dinner (last order 20:30). Certified as the very first "Kita no Megumi Aishoku Restaurant" (a Hokkaido program promoting locally sourced dining), it serves dishes that make a point of using Hokkaido ingredients.Dining while looking out through the glass at the forest and pond, you really feel that you're at a table inside a national park. In this open, airy space, a meal taken while sensing the nature of Kussharo broadens the pleasures of your stay even further. A Japanese–Western–Chinese Buffet to Suit Every Appetite What you'll enjoy at Loupeigne is a varied buffet of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. A lineup of dishes prepared in the chef’s own style lets you choose to match your mood that day. Photo: A Japanese-Western-Chinese buffet showcasing Hokkaido ingredients Photo: [Top left] fragrant, flavorful hanasaki crab; [Top right] the No.1 most-repeated ramen — Japanese-style soy sauce ramen, miso ramen, salt ramen; [Bottom left] Gouda cheese melted at high heat; [Bottom right] perfectly cooked roast beef Being free to decide your own pace and combinations is the beauty of a buffet. On a day you've been active since morning, lean toward the meat dishes; on a quieter day, center your meal on fish and vegetables. You can choose to suit how you feel.For those who prefer a set menu, there are Western-style courses: YAMANAMI (¥11,000), SORA (¥13,000), and CALDERA (¥16,000). If you stay multiple nights, you can alternate between the buffet and a course from day to day. "Lakeside Breakfast" on the Shore of Lake Kussharo The Lakeside Breakfast, where you enjoy a lakeside morning meal in a picnic mood, is a popular breakfast offering; in 2026 it runs as a seasonal, reservation-only plan from June 1 to September 30. A morning spent opening a basket while gazing at Lake Kussharo stays with you as a special memory. Photo: The Lakeside Breakfast, savoring a picnic mood on the shore of Lake Kussharo At Night, Savor the Afterglow of Your Travels at the Modern Bar-Lounge "La Gloriette" On the first floor is the lounge "La Gloriette." (0:46) It's open from 20:00 to 22:00 (last order 21:45). With the atmosphere of a modern bar floating on the pond, you can enjoy fine spirits from around the world and original cocktails.Enjoying a quiet drink at the end of the evening is the perfect way to linger over the lakeside atmosphere. Including the Surrounding Food Scene, How Far Do Hokkaido Flavors Reach? After getting a taste of Hokkaido ingredients through the hotel's meals, you'll want to venture out to the local food scene nearby. A short drive opens up a treasure trove of regional cuisine: oysters from Akkeshi, cheese from the Konsen region, and fresh dairy delivered from neighboring farms.Being able to enjoy both the meals at the hotel and the local restaurants and specialties nearby is one of the real pleasures of a stay in Kussharo. Akkeshi oysters are known as a high-quality brand shipped year-round thanks to proprietary techniques. There are three major brands: "Kaki-emon," marked by a rich sweetness; the large, milky "Maru-emon"; and the rare premium oyster "Benten-kaki". Because they grow slowly in the cold waters off Akkeshi, their flavor is exceptionally rich and concentrated. Photo: Akkeshi oysters, an East Hokkaido brand marked by a rich sweetness About an hour and a half by car from the hotel, it is close enough to combine sightseeing toward the Kushiro Wetlands or Nemuro with great food. Eaten raw or grilled, Akkeshi oysters are one of the pleasures of an East Hokkaido drive. How Does Good Access Connect to How Easily You Can Plan Your Kussharo Sightseeing? The Kussharo Prince Hotel sits in a convenient location as a base for touring East Hokkaido. Looking at access not as mere directions but together with how easily you can build an itinerary, you start to see why this hotel gets chosen. Easy to Get Around Lake Kussharo, So Trip Planning Is Simple The hotel sits right on the shore of Lake Kussharo, with good access to major spots such as Sunayu, the Wakoto Peninsula, and Bihoro Pass. Sunayu is about 30 minutes away by car, the Wakoto Peninsula about 3 minutes, and Bihoro Pass about 15 minutes, each being within easy reach for a casual visit.A free shuttle bus runs between JR Mashu Station and the hotel, making the trip between the hotel and the station smooth. You can check the schedule on the hotel's official website. Photo: JR Mashu Station, where the Kussharo Prince Hotel's free shuttle bus arrives and departs From Memanbetsu Airport it's about an hour by car under normal conditions, and from Kushiro Airport about an hour and 45 minutes. If you rent a car, you can go straight from the airport to the hotel and head out to explore the surroundings from there. From Tokyo (Haneda Airport), it's about an hour and 45 minutes by air to Memanbetsu Airport and about an hour and 40 minutes to Kushiro Airport. Visitors from overseas typically connect to a domestic flight in Tokyo or Sapporo. To rent a car you'll need an International Driving Permit, and remember that Japan drives on the left. From around November to March in winter, roads can become snowy due to snowfall and ice, so choose a car fitted with studless (winter) tires or check with each car-rental company.Even on a short two-day, one-night stay, it's entirely possible to cover the main spots around Lake Kussharo. With three days and two nights, you can also work in hands-on programs such as the morning canoe, a sea-of-clouds tour, and cycling.Stay several nights and you can even set aside a day without venturing far, to spend leisurely at the hotel. An East Hokkaido Base That's Easy to Extend Toward Lake Mashu, Abashiri, and Shiretoko The Kussharo Prince Hotel is convenient not only for the area around Lake Kussharo but as a base for sightseeing across all of East Hokkaido. Lake Mashu is about 30 minutes away by car and Mt. Io about 30 minutes, putting the main spots of Akan-Mashu National Park close at hand.It's about an hour and 20 minutes by car toward Abashiri and about two hours and 10 minutes toward Shiretoko, close enough for day trips. You could build an itinerary like the first night around Lake Kussharo, the second around Lake Mashu and Mt. Io, and the third venturing out toward Shiretoko.Precisely because there's the reassurance of returning to the hotel to rest, it becomes easier to widen the range of your sightseeing.The Kushiro Wetlands are also within day-trip range at about an hour and 20 minutes by car. Using the Kussharo Prince Hotel as your base, you can put together a trip that efficiently takes in all three national parks. Broaden Your View to All of East Hokkaido and Kussharo Sightseeing Gets Even More Interesting Rather than wrapping things up around Lake Kussharo alone, use the Kussharo Prince Hotel as a base for wider-area sightseeing that also takes in the Kushiro Wetlands and the Nemuro direction, and the scope of your trip expands dramatically.By planning your itinerary around the hotel, you can fully savor the charms of East Hokkaido for a trip that doesn't end with Kussharo alone. An East Hokkaido Drive That Extends to the Kushiro Wetlands, Notsuke Peninsula, and Shari Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is about an hour and 20 minutes from the hotel by car. As Japan's largest wetland, it's known as a habitat for red-crowned cranes and other wildlife. From the Kushiro Marsh Observatory and the Hosooka Observatory, you can take in the vast wetland at a glance. Photo: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, about an hour and 20 minutes by car from the hotel Venture toward Nemuro and you'll find the Notsuke Peninsula. At about 26 km long, it's one of Japan's largest sand spits (a peninsula of sand), with a distinctive landscape that feels almost otherworldly. The scenery of standing dead Sakhalin firs known as "Todowara" is popular as a photogenic spot. It's a bit of a distance at about two hours by car from the hotel, but it's well worth working in as a destination on an East Hokkaido drive.Go further to Shari Town and there's a straight road called the "Road to Heaven." Running dead straight for about 28 km, it's a spectacular spot that creates the illusion of being drawn up into the sky. Photo: The "Road to Heaven," a spectacular straight road in Shari Town Widely shared on social media, it’s a destination no photography-minded traveler should pass up. How Do You Put Together a Manageable Model Course for Kussharo Sightseeing? A Two-Day, One-Night Model Course On day one, tour the area around Lake Kussharo (Sunayu, the Wakoto Peninsula, Bihoro Pass); on day two, try the morning canoe and then visit Lake Mashu and Mt. Io for a leisurely route you can cover without rushing. A Three-Day, Two-Night Model Course An itinerary like the area around Lake Kussharo on day one, the Kushiro Wetlands on day two, and the morning canoe plus a sea-of-clouds tour on day three is doable. If you spend the morning of day three relaxing at the hotel and check out in the afternoon, you can finish your trip on a relaxed note. A Four-Day, Three-Night Model Course For a longer stay of four days and three nights or more, you can split the days by area: around Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu, the Kushiro Wetlands, the Shiretoko area, and the Nemuro area, allowing you to keep each day's travel distance short.We also recommend setting aside one day without venturing far, to spend relaxing at the hotel. Whether you are reading in the Lakeside Garden, or simply bathing in the hot spring again and again, a slow day at the hotel often turns out to be one of the most memorable parts of the trip. In Summary: To Travel Kussharo Is to Enjoy the Time You Spend at the Kussharo Prince Hotel, Too Sightseeing in Kussharo isn't only about visiting famous spots; where you stay and how you spend your time greatly change the impression a trip leaves. The Kussharo Prince Hotel is both a base for exploring the area around Lake Kussharo and a hotel where the stay itself becomes the purpose of the journey. Photo: The exterior of the Kussharo Prince Hotel, where the stay itself becomes the purpose of the journey All guest rooms are Western-style and face the lake, Kussharo Onsen springs from 1,000 meters underground, a buffet features Hokkaido-grown ingredients, experiences like morning canoeing and cloud sea tours, and the tranquility of spending time within a national park. All of these make a trip to Kussharo truly special. It is the staff of Kussharo Prince Hotel who make these lakeside moments possible. Sales Manager Yasuaki Kitazawa, who meets guests every day, shares his thoughts: Photo: Mr. Yasuaki Kitazawa, Sales Manager, Kussharo Prince Hotel "Standing on the shores of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake, our hotel is a tranquil retreat enveloped in majestic nature and serene stillness. With scenery that transforms through the four seasons, natural hot springs, and cuisine made with local ingredients, we offer moments that gently ease the heart. Step away from your everyday life and enjoy time that flows at its own unhurried pace." Not just going to see the scenery, but sleeping beside it, waking, and heading out again. If that sounds like your kind of journey, why not make the Kussharo Prince Hotel your base for your next trip to East Hokkaido? What Are the Facility Details and Access for the Kussharo Prince Hotel? Facility Name Kussharo Prince Hotel Address 〒088-3395 北海道川上郡弟子屈町屈斜路温泉 Phone Number 015-484-2111 FAX 015-484-2580 Check-in 15:00 Check-out 11:00 Access (Train / Shuttle Bus) Free shuttle bus available from JR Mashu Station (reservation required) Access (Car) Approximately 1 hour from Memanbetsu Airport Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes from Kushiro Airport Operating Period November 24, 2025 (Mon) – January 16, 2026 (Fri) March 8, 2026 (Sun) – April 24, 2026 (Fri) (Due to peak winter tourist demand, the hotel will also be open from January 17 (Sat) through March 7, 2026 (Sat).) Please check the official website for the latest information on the 2026 winter closure period. *This information is current as of the time of publication. Please check the official website for the latest operating status. Official Website https://www.princehotels.co.jp/kussharo/ Digital Brochure https://www.princehotels.co.jp/file.jsp?id=484857 Reservations Online reservations are available through the official website. Before booking, please be sure to check the official website for the latest rates, plans, and operating status. ※This article is based on information from an interview conducted with Kussharo Prince Hotel as of July 2026. For the latest updates on Kussharo Prince Hotel, please check COOL JAPAN VIDEOS' social media. 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An Eye-Catching Introduction to Japan This approximately 4-minute video, focusing on modern-day Japan as seen by foreign tourists and travelers, boasts a level of quality that has attracted major interest not only in Japan but in various countries throughout the world. This video's footage goes above and beyond other Japan PR videos and keeps viewers glued to the screen. By the video's end, you'll most likely feel an indescribable surge of emotions, such as those experienced after viewing a magnificent movie of epic proportions! Highlights of the Japanese Introduction Video, "in Japan" This video, "In Japan," taken in 2015 by German filmmaker/creator Vincent Urban, is a nearly 4-minute collection of footage of his 3-week journey in Japan to locations including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. In taking a look at images of landscapes and scenery natural and commonplace to Japanese people which are projected from a foreigner’s perspective, even we as Japanese natives can perceive such images as unknown, brand new discoveries and never-before-seen sights and scenes, and this video therefore allows us to learn about the appeal and charm of Japan in a brand new light. Viewers of this video can also agree that its high quality BGM and camera work is yet another reason for its high acclaim both in and out of Japan. This video condenses a wide variety of discoveries in Japan ranging from regularly seen daily scenery and landscapes to famous tourist spots. Examples of such sights include Asakusa Temple in the Shitamachi area of Tokyo, festivals, Kendo (Japanese martial art with bamboo swords), Buddhist temples, Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine as well as convenience stores, Tokyo Tower, street performances, Tokyo Skytree, sumo wrestlers, clubs and idols, in addition to shinkansen (bullet trains), natural landscapes, the Atomic Bomb Domes in Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Mt. Fuji and metropolitan night scenes. Japan as Seen Through Cultural Changes Photo：Sumo Learning about shifts in modern Japanese culture gives us deeper insights into the allure and attraction of Japan as a nation in the present day. Japan of yore once had superb classic culture primarily consisting of artistic traditional crafts, and as you can see in the video, festivals and martial arts passed down to Japan from ancient times have been regarded as symbolizing the very culture of "Nihon no Wa," or "The Spirit of Japan." It is also well-known that Japan is the birthplace of kendo and sumo wrestling which are now sports famous all the world over. In addition, present-day Japan is going through transitions in which its forms of entertainment, such as manga (Japanese comics/cartoons) and anime (Japanese animation), formerly considered to be types of sub-culture, have been disseminated throughout the globe to be cherished by multitudes of people as pop culture. This signifies shifts in the image of "Japan" in the eyes of foreigners abroad from that of a land of ninja and samurai to an anime & manga nation. The Akihabara area, now the "Mecca" of anime and manga which serves as the center of Japanese contemporary culture, has become a well-known tourist location which draws huge numbers of sightseers visiting Japan, and it's also popular as a town for shopping. Japan as Seen Through Tourist Meccas & Architectural Buildings Photo：Sensoji Temple and women If you're watching this video you probably know that Japan, due to its also being famous as a country abound with history and nature, sees immense numbers of foreigners who visit for sightseeing on a daily basis. Locations in Japan shown in the video, such as Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, are highly recommended tourist spots in Japan which are renowned even on a global scale. The existence of temples and shrines in Japan, whose number is too great to mention here, attracts hosts of foreign sightseers day by day, and this is proof of how Japan enjoys deep-rooted popularity as a tourist destination amongst abroad residents all over the world. Japan as Seen Through Nature ©Izu City Modifying The richness and abundance of nature, amongst other aspects, is definitely a thing to behold here in Japan. Japan's largest mountain, Mt. Fuji, and its bamboo forest, also featured in the video, are without a doubt natural tourist spots that represent the glory of Japan. The view from Mt. Fuji's summit, in particular, is easily summed up by the words "magnificent scenery," and once you experience climbing this mountain on your own, you'll be able to appreciate the thrill and excitement of this spectacle all the more. Such natural splendor is just one more example of a globally sought-after sightseeing attraction highly recommended in Japan, a fact testified to by the unceasing droves of tourists from abroad who visit day-to-day without end. Japan Introduction Video Summary We hope you enjoyed this video introduction of Japan with its simple yet profound delivery of information. Year after year, Japan sees increasing numbers of tourists from abroad coming in search of such fascinating sightseeing spots as well as world-renowned gourmet Japanese food. Japan still has yet a great deal of appeal which, unfortunately, we can't completely encapsulate into such a short introductory video on Japan’s culture, history, entertainment, nature and festivals. We truly hope that this video and article have piqued your interest in Japan more than ever before!

Beigoma - Traditional Japanese Tops! This video, titled "[Beigoma- 1. Tie it 2. Wind it 3. Hold it 4. Let it rip! - Tokyo Beigoma]" (「ベーゴマの、1.ヒモの作り方、2.ヒモの巻き方、3.持ち方、4.投げ入れ方　｜　東京ベーゴマ」), is created by "Tokyo Beigoma" (東京ベーゴマ). The video is an introduction to Beigoma for beginners. This video clearly explains how to play with Beigoma and also teaches basic techniques for spinning Beigoma that are often difficult for beginners. After watching the video, you'll be on your way to becoming a Beigoma master in no time! If you're a total beginner, don't worry, this video has you covered! Traditional Japanese Beigoma Photo：Beigoma showdown Koma are ancient Japanese toys said to have originated in Heian period (794-1185) Kyoto when people played by spinning shells with string. Beigoma is a kind of Koma (Japanese spinning top) made of cast metal. It was a popular toy among kids from the Taisho period (1912-1926) to Japan's economic boom. To play Beigoma, you make a playing board by stretching a thick fabric sheet partially over a bucket or a barrel, and players spin their Beigoma onto the surface and have them bang against one another. Although Beigoma is an old toy, there have been many more people playing with Beigoma, Menko (an old Japanese card game), and other old-fashioned toys, due to a revived interest in old‐fashioned goods. Also, there are "new" Beigoma based toys such as Beyblade (ベイブレード) and Beigoma Spin Heat (ベイゴマスピンヒート), which are very popular among kids and sold at toy stores and online. Beigoma competitions are also becoming popular. The smartphone app "Beigoma Stadium" (ベイゴマスタジアム) is popular among adults as well. There are various types of Beigoma. Pecha (ペチャ) is the thinnest Beigoma and is harder to control but quite strong. Pe-oh (ぺ王) is the most difficult to control but is the most powerful. Chu-daka (中高) is short but easy to spin. Maruroku (丸六) is the best for beginners. Kakuroku (角六) is easy to spin and is also quite strong. Taka-oh (高王) is about 1.5 times the size of Maruroku, and Bay (バイ) is easy to spin and lasts a long time. Beigoma players also modify their Beigoma and make their own original versions. How to Play Beigoma Source :YouTube screenshot Now we'll introduce how to play Beigoma. First, make a string to wrap around the Beigoma (video 0:07). Tie the string and make a few knots. Next up is the winding process. There are several ways to wind the string, such as Onnamaki (女巻き), Otokomaki (男巻き), and Jujimaki (十字巻き). In this video, we'll learn Onnamaki. (~2:14). First, make sure the tip of the Beigoma sits between the knots on the string. From here, press and hold the end of the string onto the Beigoma with your thumb, and wind the string around the beigoma while keeping the pointed tip of the Beigoma between the knots. Next, wrap the string counterclockwise around knots while holding the string tightly with your fingers to prevent it from unraveling. Wrap it slowly in a circle, and your done! Next we'll learn how to hold the Beigoma. Hold it with your thumb and index finger, and wrap the rest of the string around your pinky and grab ahold of it. (~3:34) Source :YouTube screenshot Finally, let your Beigoma rip! (~4:11) Make sure not to throw it at an angle when launching it onto the playing board. Place your right foot close to the board, making sure to launch the Beigoma on the board, and as soon as you launch it, pull the string tightly. Summary of Traditional Japanese Beigoma Photo：Beigoma Did you enjoy learning about Beigoma? The video gives simple instructions on how to play with Beigoma, so even if you've never done it before, don't be shy! You'll be able to throw some awesome Beigoma in no time! If you're interested in traditional Japanese toys, be sure to check out the video!

The Traditional Ako Lion Dance! This video, produced by "Ako Channel - The Official Video Channel of Ako City," is an official PR video titled, "Ako Lion Dance - Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society" (赤穂の獅子舞「新田西部獅子舞保存会」). There are various regional events and festivals in autumn every year in Ako, Hyogo in Japan's Kansai Region. The Ako Lion Dance, performed by the members of the Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society (新田西部獅子舞保存会), is especially popular as it is vigorous and has a long history in the area. The Ako Lion Dance parades through the approaches to shrines and temples. Take in the traditional Japanese atmosphere through the video, which shows the lion dance, a traditional cultural event in Ako in the fall. Don't Miss the Dynamic Movement of the Ako Lion Dance! Source :YouTube screenshot The Autumn Festival of Hiyoshi Shrine in Nitta District is held annually in October in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. During this lively festival, the Ako Lion Dance, performed by the Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society, parades throughout the city. The festival begins with the "welcome of the gods"(0:19). A mischievous wild lion is skillfully led by a Tengu, a sort of Japanese goblin often found in folk tales. At 0:41, after “the purification of the lion head and Tengu mask” takes place, it's time to leave for "Hanamai," which parades through the city of Ako (0:53). "Hanamai" continues to visit over 200 places while performing to the sound of the drum. The lion dance at Hiyoshi Shrine is performed by Western Nitta District and Nitta Village alternately each year. The one seen in the video is performed by Western Nitta District. The highlight of the festival is "dochu mai" (1:58); while the rituals are being performed at Hiyoshi Shrine, the lion dance troupe takes its time to move along the approach to the shrine. After the ritual is over, they run up to the worship hall and the dedication dance begins. The Ako Lion Dance is descended from Ako Hachiman Shrine in Ozaki Districtand is characterized by slow movements during "dochu mai" and intense movements during the dedication dance at the main shrine. The Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society performs a dance with a skit called "Niwaka."(2:55). So Much to See and Do at the Ako Autumn Festival! Source :YouTube screenshot In addition to the lion dance dedication by the Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society, various events are held in Ako, such as an exorcism ritual and a children's mikoshi (portable shrine). The Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society is not the only performer of Ako Lion Dance. There are many other organizations, such as Kamihamaichi and the Kizu Lion Preservation Society, that performs the dance as well. The lion dance of the Kamihamaichi Lion Preservation Society, known for its Hanamai and group dances, and the lion dance of the Kizu Lion Dance Preservation Society, which prays for purification and a good harvest, are also worth seeing. During the Autumn Festival in Ako, there are many stalls along the streets of shrines and temples. One of the ways to enjoy Ako's Autumn Festival is to eat local Japanese food at the stalls. Summary of the Ako Lion Dance The Ako Lion Dance is an important traditional ritual, and the Western Nitta Lion Dance Preservation Society has long been honing their skills to preserve the culture. Succession of traditional culture is a significant theme of traditional Japanese festivals. Visit the Ako Autumn Festival and experience Japanese culture through vigorous lion dances! 【Official Website】Ako Tourism - FEEL AKO TIME https://ako-kankou.jp/en/

What Does Top Kendo Athlete, Yukiko Takami, Have to Say About Kendo? In this video "KENDO - Yukiko Takami／Interview - IS JAPAN COOL? DOU (剣道 - 鷹見 由紀子), Yukiko Takami, one of the top Kendo practitioners in Japan, introduces the sport representative of Japanese martial arts. What does this female Kendo practitioner have to say about the sport? About Yukiko Takami Source :YouTube screenshot Yukiko Takami is a Kendo practitioner who has won world championships in both single and group Kendo competitions and is regarded by many to be one of the top Kendo practitioners in Japan. In this video, she talks about the traditional martial art. The Ancient Japanese Martial Art, Kendo Kendo is a Japanese martial art where one fights using a bamboo sword whilst wearing a Kendo uniform which includes protective equipment such as a mask and gloves. The martial Kendo was developed hundreds of years ago (near the end of the Edo era: 1750 AD-1860 AD) in Japan as a way of practicing sword fighting using bamboo swords whilst wearing protective equipment. It has grown in popularity over the years with many competitions being held all over the world. One can compete in Kendo in both single and group competitions, much like other martial arts such as Judo and Karate. One does not simply improve at Kendo by winning matches, training is geared towards improving not just physical strength but also fighting spirit and technique. Moving up the ranks in Kendo also requires more than just strength. There are more than 1.7 million Kendo practitioners competing in Japan, which is more than ten times the number of Judo practitioners currently competing, which number around 160,000. Photo：Kendo The ancient martial art of Kendo is taught to children in Japan as an after-school club activity. There are Kendo halls and classes held all over the country, where one can learn not only technical sword-fighting skills but also about etiquette and Japanese spirit. Yukiko Takami talks in the video of how she used to let her performance in competition affect her emotionally. However, she describes that now, the process is more important than the end result in Kendo, and that learning to respect one's opponent is necessary to grow. From 3:45 in the video, Yukiko Takami talks about the importance of respecting one's opponent instead of focusing on winning or losing. Kendo, the Japanese Martial Art That Begins and Ends With a Bow Photo：Kendo One of the appealing features of Kendo is that it is a martial art one can continue practicing for a lifetime. Yukiko Takami explains that in Kendo, one fights not only using power and speed, but also one's spirit, and that this feature sets Kendo apart from other martial arts such as Karate or Judo. As Kendo is a martial art that wouldn't exist without an opponent, learning to respect each other is a key part of training. In the training hall, known as a dojo, it is custom for students to bow to the shrine and train with their opponents safety in mind. A Top Kendo Practitioner's Thoughts – Summary We hope you enjoyed watching the video of top Kendo practitioner Yukiko Takami! She explains in detail the history of the martial art and also her personal feelings regarding the practice and training. Yukiko Takami also explains in detail the techniques and rules involved in Kendo. We hope you enjoyed learning more about this ancient Japanese martial art.

The Tohoku Shinkansen This video is titled "Max Speed of 320 km/h, Tohoku Shinkansen, Fukushima Station, High-Speed Passage." It's produced by "Tetsudo Yoshi" and shows the Tohoku Shinkansen flying through Fukushima station In Japan, there are 9 lines: “Tokaido Shinkansen,” “Sanyo Shinkansen,” “Kyusyu Shinkansen,” “Tohoku Shinkansen,” “Hokuriku Shinkansen,” “Jyoetsu Shinkansen” “Yamagata Shinkansen,” “Akita Shinkansen,” and “Hokkaido Shinkansen.” These lines connect places all over Japan. Among them, “Hayabusa,” “Komachi,” and “Hayate” of “Tohoku Shinkansen“ are very popular for rail fan or children who love trains. The Tohoku Shinkansen is a railway line operated by the East Japan Rail Company (JR東日本:JR-East). The Tohoku Shinkansen has a ten and twelve-car train called “Hayabusa” and “Hayate” respectively, both with top speeds of 320 kilometers per hour (~200 mph). The sight of the Tohoku Shinkansen passing Fukushima station at such fantastic speed is incredible. What Types of Shinkansen Are There in Japan? Photo：Flower field, Shinkansen, and Mt. Fuji Japan's shinkansen link the major cities throughout Japan. The Tohoku Shinkansen, which operates the trains “Hayabusa,” “Hayate,” “Yamabiko,” “Nasuno,” “Tsubasa,” and “Komachi” link “Shin-Aomori” and “Tokyo.” The Yamagata Shinkansen, or “Akita Shinkansen,” is also convenient for trips in Japan's Tohoku region. Throughout the video we see many shinkansen flash before our eyes at incredible speeds. The latest model of the sleek, aerodynamic Shinkansen is pretty cool! Also you can enjoy the Japan sea area using the Joetsu Shinkansen, with its "Toki" and "Tanigawa" trains, or the recently opened Hokuriku Shinkansen. The Tokaido Shinkansen travels from Tokyo and Shin-Yokohama to Shin-Osaka via stops in Nagoya and Kyoto. Also the Sanyo Shinkansen links Shin-Osaka, Hakata, Kyushu, and Kagoshima Chuo Station. New lines on some of the Hokkaido, Kyushu and Hokuriku Shinkansen lines are also scheduled to open after 2022. How to Book Tickets for Japan's Shinkansen Transportation for tourists in Japan is quite convenient as there are a number of buses and trains available. In particular, the Japanese shinkansen has a beautiful interior design, easy to use facilities, and a comfortable travel experience. For arrival and departure times, you can use the JR timetable, or the online transfer information service. You can also check seat availability and book a ticket in advance online. There are different prices for unreserved and reserved seats, so be sure to reserve the seat that suits your budget. We recommend checking necessary information for your trip, such as transportation fees or routes, in advance, for a smooth, safe trip. Summary of Japan's Shinkansen Photo：The Hokkaido Shinkansen As you can see in the video, the awesome sight of the Tohoku Shinkansen can be seen at many stations in Japan. The Linear Chuo Shinkansen, which will connect Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, is scheduled to open in 2027. This linear Shinkansen has a maximum speed of 500 km, and the travel time between Tokyo and Osaka will be reduced to one hour and seven minutes, compared to the current travel time of three hours and ten minutes. It'll be interesting to see it in action. Take advantage of the Tohoku Shinkansen and other Japanese railway lines to enjoy a comfortable journey through Japan.

Video introduction of "Pedestrian Paradise" in Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo This video is "Walking through Ginza chuo-dori (pedestrian paradise), Tokyo-Long Take [Tokyo / Ginza / Hokoten] 4K"（Walking through Ginza chuo-dori(pedestrian paradise), Tokyo - Long Take【東京・銀座/ホコ天】 4K）. It introduces the pedestrian paradise "Hokoten" in Ginza, Tokyo, and is produced by "NIPPON WANDERING TV." When it comes to shopping, Shinjuku and Ginza are very popular with foreign tourists as the highlight of Japan sightseeing. In this article, we will introduce the Ginza pedestrian paradise, a major shopping and dining location, as well as tourist attractions and other events. This video is shot in beautiful 4K quality, and is shot in just a 1,100 meter space from the Ginza street intersection to the Ginza 8-chome intersection. Although it is a simple video with no background music or narration, it reflects the city scenery realistically, and makes you feel like you're really strolling around the pedestrian paradise. Japan's Top Location for Shopping and Dining! the History of Ginza’s Pedestrian Paradise! Photo：Fifth Avenue Pedestrian paradises are said to have started on Fifth Avenue in New York in the United States during the 1960's and 1970's. In Japan, it's nicknamed “Hokoten” for short. This is an event where a part of the main street, where traffic is usually heavy, is prohibited to vehicles, allowing the public to walk around freely. It is said that Japan's first pedestrian paradise began in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido. Surprisingly, it was in the north, and not in Tokyo. Ginza's first pedestrian paradise happened in 1970 and was very popular. Later they were held in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Asakusa. Shopping is easy because the entire road can be traversed freely, and the pedestrian paradise in Ginza is particularly popular under the nickname “Silver Bra.” The video shows many people enjoying the pedestrian paradise. Shopping & Delicious Food! The Beauty of Ginza's Pedestrian Paradise! Photo：Ginza department store Ginza’s pedestrian paradise closes part of the main street (Chuo Dori), one of Japan's premier shopping districts, and is loved by many people. It is often used for TV interviews, and you can freely walk through the long-established department stores such as Matsuya Ginza, GINZA SIX, Mitsukoshi, and also through the city of Ginza where brand name shops line the streets! It has been introduced overseas as a holiday promenade, and many foreign tourists visiting Japan enjoy pedestrian paradise. Pedestrian Paradise is also a great place to enjoy window shopping at department stores and brand name stores. Of course, you can enjoy not just shopping, but also movies and delicious food. When Does the Pedestrian Paradise Happen Ginza's pedestrian paradise is very lively, gorgeous and popular, as it is performed on the video. Famous, is Ginza's main road, Chuo-dori, which is said to have the highest land prices in Japan. It happens every Saturday, Sunday and on holidays. It runs from noon to 6:00 pm from April to September, and from noon to 5:00 pm from October to March. Around Chuo-dori there are many well-established department stores such as Mitsukoshi, restaurants, brand shops and duty-free shops, and there are also hotels on a separate street. Since it happens on the weekend, it is can be very crowded, so we recommend using public transportation, such as the subway and JR lines. Ginza’s Pedestrian Paradise Event Information Photo：Ginza 3-chome In the area around Ginza, many events are held every week in conjunction with pedestrian paradise. Rest areas are set up around Chuo-dori, so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the middle of Tokyo. In autumn, there's "Autumn Ginza." We recommend checking it out! During the festival, a JAZZ orchestra and brass band team will parade around the pedestrian paradise. Access to Ginza, Japan's Prime Location Access to Ginza's Pedestrian Paradise is as follows: ・ Tokyo Metro Ginza Station ・ JR East Yurakucho Station These two are very convenient. Please note that cars and bicycles are not allowed in the pedestrian zone. Summary of Ginza's Pedestrian Paradise Photo：Pedestrian paradise in Ginza The pedestrian paradise, that monopolizes Ginza, the number one shopping district in Japan, is held every weekend and on holidays. Please enjoy the 4K video that makes you feel as though you're wandering around Ginza, one of Japan's leading shopping spots. If you're going to Ginza for the first time, you may want to take notes while watching the video! 【Official Website】Tokyo Ginza Official https://www.ginza.jp/en/townguide/trafficinfo 【Tripadvisor】Ginza https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g14129573-Ginza_Chuo_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto-Vacations.html

Video introduction of "Basketball Street" in Shibuya Center Street, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo This article focuses on one of the landmarks of Shibuya, "Basketball street"（渋谷の象徴的な通り”バスケットボールストリート”に着目。渋谷駅前交差点からセンター街を散策）. The 4K video navigates us through the famous pedestrian walkway starting from Shibuya Scramble. Shibuya features many shopping attractions such as Inokashira street, Bunkamura street or the Dougenzaka area which is always crammed with people, from shoppers, to teenagers, to tourists. Among them, Basketball street is the central hub for the teenage fashion culture known as "Shibuya Kei"(loosely translated as Shibuya style). The Features of Shibuya Center-Gai Basketball Street Photo：Shibuya Center Street Main Street Shibuya Center-gai Basketball street is a shopping street located in Udagawacho, Shibuya. Walking across the Shibuya Scramble after passing through the hustle and bustle of Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit, you are greeted by the entrance archway of Center-gai Basketball street. In 2011, the main street of Shibuya Center-gai was renamed to Basketball street as part of public safety improvement efforts. The main reason of the name change was to refresh the stereotype associated with the area where juvenile delinquents (known as "Teamer" or "Ganguro") used to roam around in groups. The new name reflects the local aim to develop an ideal, healthy hangout for the youth. The name, however, hasn't really taken off even among Japanese people yet. How to Enjoy Shibuya Center-Gai Basketball Street Photo：109 Shibuya Center-gai Basketball street is probably the busiest street in Japan. Many fashion department stores are lined up in the neighborhood, such as 109, Seibu Department Store, Parco and Tokyu hands. The street consists of a strange mix of shops like fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's, eateries including the ones specialized in ramen or bubble tea, big record stores like TSUTAYA, and entertainment spots catering to teenagers like arcades or photo booth machine stores (known as purikura machines). The Shibuya Scramble appears at the beginning of the video, and from 0:47, viewers are taken to Shibuya Center-gai Basketball street that runs between TSUTAYA and Taiseido Bookstore. Although 9 years has passed since the street was renamed, the entrance archway sign in the video still displays the old name, "Shibuya Center-gai". The video takes for a ride through the lively street. Events at Shibuya Center-Gai Basketball Street! Photo：Watching soccer Shibuya Center-gai Basketball street is filled with energy at the time of event such as Halloween, the New Year Countdown, or during big international sports event such as the World Cup. Some local events like Shibuya Center-gai Nebuta Festival also liven up the area. These events often generate a large amount waste. The local association maintains a clean district through its beautification efforts. The Summary of the Video Introduction of Shibuya Center-Gai Basketball Street Photo：Shibuya Scramble intersection The video introduced in this article portrays the liveliness of Shibuya Center-gai Basketball street. You can explore every corner of the street captured in the video and walk down the streets of Shibuya during your next visit to Japan! 【Tripadvisor】Shibuya Scramble https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066456-d4403399-Reviews-Shibuya_Crossing-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Introducing Kouri Island This video, produced by “Noriyuki Ichikawa,” is titled “[Aerial Footage] A stunning view of Okinawa. The beautiful turquoise of Kouri Island"(【空撮】沖縄の絶景・古宇利島・美しいターコイズブルー Okinawa Aerial Shoot). The aerial footage allows us to fully appreciate the spectacular landscape and blue seas of Okinawa's Kouri Island. This video is less than 3 minutes long, so if you want to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and learn about the attractions in the area, as well as tourist information about Okinawa, take a second to check it out! Enjoy the beauty of Kouri Island, one of Japan's most famous power spots. About Kouri Island Photo：Kouri Bridge Kouri Island is located in Nakijin, Kunigami district, Okinawa, and is praised as having the most beautiful waters in Okinawa. Although it is a remote island, it can be easily accessed via Yagaji Island (屋我地島, Yagajishima) from the the 2,020 meter long Kouri Bridge connecting Yagaji Island and mainland Okinawa. The Kouri Bridge can be seen from the beginning of the video. Enjoy visiting Kouri Island, a remote island only about 90 kilometres from Okinawa Naha Airport. Allow the beautiful, soothing, turquoise blue sea to caress your body. Enjoy Activities in the Beautiful Turquoise Sea! Photo：Marine Sports With its year-round warm weather, Kouri Island is a great place to enjoy Okinawa's unique activities. Enjoying marine sports, such as swimming and snorkeling in the emerald green waters, is hard to beat. You can see some impressive windsurfing on the beautiful turquoise waves at 2:01 in the video. We also recommend stopping by Heart Rock and Ocean Tower, to see some beautiful waves. Don't forget to take some photos for your Instagram! Kouri Island also offers a wide range of accommodations, so you can stay overnight and enjoy a full day of activities while forgetting about the passing of time. Tasty Okinawan Food; Essential to Any Trip to Okinawa! Photo：Sea urchin bowl After sightseeing on Kouri Island, enjoy Okinawan cuisine at one of the cafes or other eateries along the beach. At the Kouri Island Fureai Square near the Kouri Bridge, you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine with plenty of fresh seafood. The fresh sea urchin rice bowl served with a seaside view is superb. There is a large parking lot at the Kouri Island Fureai Hiroba (market), so even if you rent a car, you can visit the island with ease. Summary of Kouri Island in Okinawa Kouri Island is accessible from Naha Airport in 1 hour and 30 minutes via the Okinawa Expressway or 2 hours by public highway. The video of the crystal-clear, turquoise seas, that are hard to believe are in Japan, will leave you wanting more. Enjoy the soothing turquoise waves of Kouri Island! 【Official Website】Kouri Island / KOURIJIMA ~a bridge-connected remote island in Nakijinson in Okinawa http://kourijima.info/

Introducing JAF Tow Trucks and Car Transporters This video, titled "(Vehicle Guide) JAF Tow Truck and Car Transporter" (【のりもの図鑑】レッカー車・積載車（JAFの車）), was broadcast on the t.v. show "Go! Go! Norimono town!" (ゴーゴー！のりものタウン！), on the Kids Station (キッズステーション) t.v. channel. (*Norimono means vehicle in Japanese). JAF's tow truck is used to move broken down vehicles and repair them. They can repair a large range of vehicles as well. The tow truck, made by manufacturers such as Tomica, is a very popular toy with kids. The toy version of the truck also comes with a loading apparatus used to repair and move broken down vehicles. More About JAF Source :YouTube screenshot JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) is an organization that deals with various automobile related requests and problems, including breakdowns. They also hold several sporting events throughout the year. It costs 4,000 yen a year to become a JAF member. If you were to request roadside assistance and were not already a member, you would have to pay the joining fee and membership fee on top of the cost of the repairs at the time of the request. However, If you are already a member, JAF will repair your vehicle at no extra cost, however fuel and battery charges still apply. Tow Truck Breakdown Repair Source :YouTube screenshot From 1:52 in the video, you can see staff at the JAF call center take various requests from customers requesting assistance. As soon as a call comes in, a tow truck is sent to the site. After arriving at the scene, the customer is asked a variety of questions, and if the vehicle cannot be fixed on site it will be towed. At 3:14 in the video, you can see a boom truck lift up a car with its crane. Using the crane, the JAF staff can lift the car and have it ready for transportation in around 20 minutes. A pivot arm is used to lift the front wheels and fix them in place. The rear wheels and steering wheel are then fixed in place, ready to be pulled away by the JAF vehicle. Due to safety concerns, a special license is required to lift and tow vehicles weighing more than 750kg. Types of Tow Trucks Source :YouTube screenshot There are five additional types of tow trucks in addition to the regularly used JAF tow truck. At 4:59 in the video, you can see a car transporter towing away a large vehicle that a regular tow truck would be incapable of transporting. From 6:03, we see a multi-purpose tow truck transporting motorbikes. There are also two trucks capable of driving down narrow roads, two-wheeled vehicles that can filter through traffic, and four-wheel drive vehicles that can traverse through the mountains. The Difference Between a Tow Truck and a Car Transporter Photo：Car transporter The difference between a tow truck and a car transporter lies in whether or not the broken down car is loaded onto the vehicle or towed from behind. A car transporter is capable of loading a broken down car onto the vehicle, reducing any risk of damage to the car and its large size, allowing for multiple cars to be loaded onto the vehicle at one time. Car transporters are often used to transport brand new vehicles or when moving homes. JAF Tow Truck and Car Transporter Summary Source :YouTube screenshot We hope you enjoyed learning more about the JAF tow truck, a vehicle you might see often while you're in Japan. For our readers with cars, we recommend looking up JAF services online for when you find yourself in need of assistance. 【Official Website】JAF Road Service Car (Tow Truck) https://english.jaf.or.jp/?_ga=2.56236011.1793953263.1594781068-1575817741.1593570784

Kamogawa Oyama Senmaida" in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, a one-day trip from Tokyo, video introduction This video, titled "Chiba Hiratsuka terraced rice field - 棚田 - 4K Ultra HD," was released by "TokyoStreetView - Japan The Beautiful." Have you ever seen a terraced rice field? Many people think that you have to go to Niigata or other places in Japan's Tohoku region to see terraced rice fields. The video introduces the beautiful terraced rice fields of Kamogawa, Chiba a place easily accessible from Tokyo. Let's take a look at some of Japan's beautiful landscapes in the video! The Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields Photo：The Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Chiba Prefecture The Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, featured in the video, is famous for being the closest terraced rice field to Tokyo. The area is 3.2 hectares, with more than 375 paddies extending across the hillside. Even today, many rice paddies are used for farming and this scenery can be said to be a classic Japanese landscape. Light-up event “Tanada no Akari” in Oyama Senmaida In addition to rice production, a viewing spot and observation floor are created, and the “Akari in the Terraced Rice Paddies” lighting event using 10,000 LED candles is usually held from late October to January each year. The 2024 event will be held from October 26 to January 13, 2025, from approximately 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. The beautiful scene of a sunrise created between the paddies at 0:31 is something that not even a high-quality video can do justice to. The Terraced Rice Fields Found All Over Japan Photo：Rice fields and mountains in rural Japan Many of Japan’s rice fields are built on an inclination. This has the advantage of allowing for easy water control and improved rice production. One drawback, however, is that these are stair-stepped on steep slopes with land that is difficult to drain due to narrow cultivation units, and there are many places with no successors. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has designated 100 of the 134 terraced rice fields across Japan as the "Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields of Japan" in order to maintain the terraced rice fields and stimulate tourism in those areas. Although the word "terraced rice paddies" is used to describe the fields, the shape and characteristics of each paddy differs from place to place, so traveling across Japan to explore the different scenery of each area can make for a fun road trip! Many of these places have reputations for their Instagrammable and photogenic scenery as well. Famous Places to visit on Chiba Prefecture's Boso Peninsula Photo：Walruses at Kamogawa Sea World, Chiba Prefecture The Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, is home to the Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields. It can be easily accessed from Tokyo by JR limited express trains, express buses, and the Tokyo Bay Aqualine. On Boso Peninsula, many tourists visit Kamogawa Sea World, Mother Farm, and go swimming during the summer. In addition to the Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Boso Peninsula has many other sightseeing spots that make it an excellent travel destination. Summary of the Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields Photo：Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Chiba Prefecture We hope the beautiful scenery of the rice fields in the video provided a relaxing atmosphere. There are many terraced rice fields that can be found across Japan, so be sure to do some research before your trip to find one that you can visit! If you live in Japan you can also use the “owner system” to become the owner of a beautiful rice field and grow your own rice! 【Tripadvisor】The Oyama Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1021271-d1944760-r554882939-Oyama_Rice_Terraces-Kamogawa_Chiba_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Video introduction of "Shojohama Beach" in Mihama-cho, Mikata-gun, Fukui Prefecture This video, titled "Suishohama" was created by "Wakasa Mihama Tourist Association" (一般社団法人若狭美浜観光協会). It contains footage of the beautiful scenery of Suishohama Seaside Resort taken via drone photography. The seaside resort was named Suishohama (水晶, "suisho," means "crystal" in Japanese) after the glistening white sand the beach is famous for. Suishohama was selected as one of the top 88 beaches and top 55 swimming spots in Japan. In this article, we'll introduce the hidden gem that is the Suishohama Seaside Resort. You can take a look at the sandy white beach that stretches as far as the eye can see and the sea floor covered with crystal clear water via aerial photography. It's hard to believe such beautiful scenery can be found near the Sea of Japan! What Kind of Tourist Spot Is Suishohama Seaside Resort? Photo：Suisuihama Beach, Fukui Prefecture Suishohama Seaside Resort, which is located along the west side of Tsuruga peninsula (敦賀半島) in Fukui prefecture, is a picturesque location looking out onto Wakasa Bay (若狭湾) with a great view of Tsunegami peninsula (常神半島) in the distance. The crystal clear, cobalt waters of Suishohama Seaside Resort are also famous for surfing, swimming, and other marine sports, with people visiting early in the morning to enjoy them. Suishohama Seaside Resort is also known as "Sunset Beach" and is a popular spot for couples who come to enjoy star-gazing together. The beach takes on various beautiful forms throughout the day. You are guaranteed to leave with some great photos to share on Instagram! You can check out the sunset at Suishohama Seaside Resort from 1:42 in the video. Suishohama Seaside Resort Tourist Information Photo：Suisuihama Beach parking lot in Fukui Prefecture Suishohama Seaside Resort is easily accessible, taking approximately 15 minutes to reach by car from Wakasa Mihama Interchange (若狭美浜IC) on the Maizuru Wakasa Expressway (舞鶴若狭自動車道). Parking is available next to the beach. For those traveling by train, take the bus headed for "Shiraki" (白木) from JR Tsuruga station (JR 敦賀駅) and get off at "Suishohama." The summer swimming season is from mid-July to late August and is often very crowded with tourists at this time. There are guesthouses, campsites, and barbecue spots in the area as well. If you're planning on staying the night, consider trying some of the delicious local seafood. Near Tsuruga station is the fish market "Nihonkai Sakana Machi" (日本海さかな町) where you can enjoy shopping and also grab a bite to eat! Also, along Tsuruga peninsula you'll find Daiyahama beach (ダイヤ浜) and Takenami Seaside Resort (竹波海水浴場) located adjacent to one another, meaning you can easily spend the whole day enjoying the area without having to travel long distances. Summary of Suishohama Seaside Resort Photo：Suisuihama Beach, Fukui Prefecture The video introduces the beautiful scenery of Suishohama Seaside Resort. Enjoy the sandy white beaches, cobalt blue waters, and large rock formations from the sky. In this article, we introduced tourist information for Suishohama Seaside Resort. We hope after watching the video you're tempted to take a trip to Fukui prefecture! Mihama is easily accessible from Tokyo and the Kansai region of Japan. You can take a look at Suishohama Seaside Resort online 24 hours a day via live camera as well. 【Official Website】Suishohama Seaside Resort｜Tourist Destination｜Fukui Prefecture Tourist Information https://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/ 【Tripadvisor】Suishohama Seaside Resort https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1121171-d1423763-r557541585-Takenami_Beach-Mihama_cho_Mikata_gun_Fukui_Prefecture_Hokuriku_Chubu.html

Introducing Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture! This video, titled “Best Views of Japan – Unexplored｜Searching for Laputa in Aso, Only To Find That Aso Is Laputa!” (日本一の絶景　秘境　 ラピュタの道を阿蘇に探しに行ったら、阿蘇の全てがラピュタだった), was released by “Drone RangerMiura.” It introduces the beautiful summer scenery of Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, in Japan’s Kyushu region. The scenery of Aso Gogaku (阿蘇五岳, The Five Peaks of Mt. Aso), shot via drone, looks just like the world of the Studio Ghibli movie "Laputa: Castle in the Sky." In the Aso area, there are sightseeing spots called "Laputa Road" (ラピュタの道) and "Laputa Modoki" (ラピュタもどき), which have been attracting attention from people who enjoy going on casual drives to enjoy scenic locations. A Look at Laputa Road, Shown in the Video Photo：Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture The official name of “Laputa Road” is “Aso City Road Kario Main Line” (阿蘇市道狩尾幹線). From Prefectural Road 149 to Prefectural Road 339 (a.k.a. Milk Road), which runs over the outer rim of the mountain, a mysterious phenomenon creates a sea of clouds, allowing for breathtaking views. At 0:33 in the video, cows and horses are shown, and at 1:05, a beautiful waterfall can be seen. In the Aso area, you can go for a walk and discover the unexplored natural scenery, as well as enjoy activities, such as horseback riding and stargazing. Popular Spots in the Aso Area Introduced in the Video Photo：Daikanbo Lookout on Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture There are many spots in the Aso area where you can enjoy superb scenery, such as the Laputa Road Observatory and the Daikanbo Lookout (大観峰展望台) on Daikanbo, one of the peaks of the Northern Outer Rim of Mt. Aso. If you visit the Aso area to view the scenery, be sure to stop by the observatory! There are also many park facilities, such as the Oku-Aso Fruit Garden (奥あそフルーツガーデン), Rakunoh Mother's Aso Milk Ranch (阿蘇ミルク牧場), and Aso Farmland (阿蘇ファームランド). Be sure to check out Aso Shrine (阿蘇神社) as well! Points To Note When Sightseeing in the Aso Area Photo：The Nanatsugama Caves, Kumamoto Prefecture In the Aso area, there are many places of interest, such as the Nanatsugama Caves in Saga Prefecture's Karatsu, which is designated as a national natural monument, and Kusasenrigahama. However, due to risk of eruption, the area around the crater has been placed on alert and entry is now restricted. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes also caused some road closures in the Aso area. When visiting Aso, be sure to pay attention to observation information and alerts/warnings. Summary of the Aso Area Photo：Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture Aso is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Kyushu area thanks to the natural beauty of the mountains and sea. If you're looking to experience what it's like to be in the world of "Castle in the Sky," then you should definitely drop by Aso for a visit! 【Tripadvisor】Mt. Aso https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298212-d320703-r710938456-Mt_Aso-Kumamoto_Prefecture_Kyushu.html

Baikamo Blooming on the Takimi River in Hyogo Prefecture: Video Introduction This video, titled "Baikamo｜A Flower Only Found in Japan [Shinonsen] 4K" (バイカモ　日本固有種 【新温泉町】4k), was uploaded by "e production.com" (e映像制作.com). Have you ever heard of the plant baikamo? In this article, we'll introduce an underwater flower that blooms in the Takimi River in Shinonsen, Hyogo. Be sure to check out the video to see the beautiful baikamo blooming in the clear stream. Baikamo – A Look at the Flower Blooming on the Takimi River in Hyogo, Japan Source :YouTube screenshot From the beginning of the video, you can see baikamo growing as birds chirp and the gentle sound of the river plays in the background. The video is very striking, as if it were shot from a bird's eye view. The location shown in the video is Baikamo Park. There are not many areas in Japan where baikamo can be found in such abundance. Baikamo is a plant that grows in tall mountains where the water is very cold, so it's rare to see it growing in clusters. Unfortunately, the baikamo colony on the Takimi River began to shrink in size around 2017, and as of 2022, not many baikamo can be seen anymore. Baikamo, a Flower that Blooms Under Water Photo：Baikamo Baikamo is a species endemic to Japan. The baikamo, which blooms along the Takimi River in Shinonsen, belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, and has the scientific name of Ranunculus Kazusensis Makino. In floriography (the language of flowers) its meaning is "Happiness will come." Just as the language of flowers suggests, the small, pretty flowers blooming on the surface of the water make people happy just by looking at them. There is also a type of baikamo called ginkgo baikamo, which can be seen in some areas of Japan. This flower blooms from early summer to early fall, with white flowers 1-2 cm in diameter. The flowers resemble plum blossoms, and because of this, baikamo is often written with the kanji 梅花藻 (梅, Bai "Plum"; 花 ka "Flower"; 藻 mo "Algae"). It's a perennial flower that grows underwater and is characterized by its evergreen nature. It is also edible as a wild plant. Where Can Baikamo Be Found in Japan? Photo：The Jizo River, Awai, Shiga The baikamo featured in this video can be seen in Japan's Kinki region, such as the Jizo River in Awai, Shiga, and Kamikawa, Hyogo. Other locations include Echizen, Fukui; Mishima Baikamo Park (三島梅花藻公園), Shizuoka; Chokeiji Temple (長慶寺) in Tsuru, Yamanashi; and the Shimizu River in Konan, Fukushima. There is also a baikamo colony in Eniwa, Hokkaido. Summary of Baikamo, an Aquatic Plant That Blooms Only in Clear Streams Baikamo is an aquatic plant that blooms only in clear streams rich in nature. It's a pity that the number of baikamo has been decreasing due to various climate and environmental changes. However, there is good news from the Shimizu River in Tamba, Hyogo. The number of baikamo had been rapidly decreasing due to the decrease in water flow caused by the proliferation of weeds, but thanks to preservation activities by local residents, the baikamo population has been restored. It would be nice to see baikamo blooming beautifully again in the Takimi River like in the video. 【TripAdvisor】Baikamo Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1121310-d8368832-Reviews-Baikamo_Park-Shinonsen_cho_Mikata_gun_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Mishima Skywalk, Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture: Video Introduction Photo：Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture This video, titled "Mishima Skywalk Facility Introduction" (三島スカイウォーク　施設紹介), was uploaded by "[Official] Mishima Skywalk" (【公式】三島スカイウォーク). The video introduces various facilities and attractions at Mishima Skywalk in Mishima, Shizuoka. If you're looking to get active, take a break and enjoy the scenery, or just see what kind of souvenirs you can find when visiting, be sure to check out this video before you go! Home to the Longest Walkable Suspension Bridge in Japan Photo：Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture Located in Mishima, Shizuoka, in Japan's Tokai Region, Mishima Skywalk (officially named Hakone Seiroku Mishima Suspension Bridge) opened in December 2015. Located along Japan National Route 1 leading to Hakone Pass, it's known as a spot with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay on clear days. With easy access to Hakone, Izu, Atami, and other tourist spots, it's one of the best sightseeing courses around Mount Fuji. Ziplines, Outdoor Activities and More! Everything to Do at Mishima Skywalk! Photo：Mori no Kitchen at Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture Mishima Skywalk is located beyond the South Gate. The south area is from the parking lot to the suspension bridge (Mishima Skywalk), and the north area is after crossing the bridge. Here, we'll introduce places where you can enjoy the scenery, delicious food, and souvenirs so you can have fun at at your own pace. At Sky Garden in the south area, you can enjoy a light meal while admiring the flowers blooming all over the ceiling. The original Mishima croquettes from Mori no Kitchen are a popular menu item. [Video] 0:06 - Sky Garden (South Area) [Video] 1:09 - Mori no Kitchen (South Area) From the observation deck in the north area, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the suspension bridge and the majestic Mt. Fuji. In addition, Tree Tree Tree in the north area has a café, a store where you can buy souvenirs, an exhibit about the suspension bridge, and a reception desk where you can sign up for various activities. [Video] 2:04 - Observation Deck (North Area) [Video] 3:22 - Tree Tree Tree (North Area) For those looking to get active and have fun with friends and family, we recommend the Long Zipline. This is a thrilling 560-meter round-trip zipline that takes you downhill in a single bound while enjoying views of the cityscape and Mt. Fuji. [Video] 2:37 - Long Zipline (North Area) In addition, Forest Adventure (North Area), an athletic facility in the forest, offers three courses with varying difficulty levels. Moreover, Cliff Challenger features a 10-meter-tall climbing wall that beginners and advanced climbers can enjoy. [Video] 2:56 - Forest Adventure (North Area) [Video] 3:13 - Cliff Challenger (North Area) Other facilities and activities include Dinosaur Adventure, E-bike trail tours, and more. [Video] 1:54 - Dog Run [Video] 2:27 - Flower Drop [Video] 1:44 - Segway Guided Tours Mishima Skywalk: Hours, Tickets, Parking, and Other Information Photo：Kicoro, the mascot of Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture The Mishima Skywalk suspension bridge takes less than 10 minutes to cross each way, accounting for time spent admiring the scenery and taking photos. In the north area, there's also a walking path called Kicoro Forest, an observation deck, and a number of stores, so it can take more than an hour if you take your time and fully explore the area. [Video] 2:13 - Kicoro Forest If you plan to participate in any of the activities, be sure to plan your schedule to allow for the time required for each activity. The facility also offers discounts for those with disabilities, and package tickets for the suspension bridge and activities in the area, so be sure to check out the official website for details on how to save money. You can also get a discount by showing your Hakone Freepass. A free parking lot is located at the south gate side and can accommodate up to 400 vehicles. Tickets for Mishima Skywalk: Adults - 1,100 yen Junior high school students - 500 yen Elementary school students - 200 yen ※Infants are free of charge ※Prices may change due to events and time of year. ※Other activities in the facility are charged separately. Mishima Skywalk is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily, and is open all year round. ※Hours may change due to events and/or weather. Other Services Available at Mishima Skywalk: Strollers - 500 yen Dog Carts - 500 yen ※Dog rental carts are only available for dogs under 25 kg and of a size that will fit in the cart. You may bring your own cart if it is less than 70 cm wide. Cages, bags, and carrying pets are not allowed. Raincoats - Free Things to Do Near Mishima Skywalk Photo：Mishima Taisha Shrine, Shizuoka Prefecture Here, we'll introduce some things to do near Mishima Skywalk. ※The travel time by car from Mishima Skywalk is listed in parentheses. [Sightseeing spots on the Shizuoka Prefecture side] Yamanaka Castle Ruins (6 minutes) The nearest historical site from Mishima Skywalk. Nearby is the cobblestone path of the old Hakone Highway, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the Edo period (1603-1868). Mishima Taisha Shrine (20 minutes) This shrine is famous as the shrine where Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed for the revival of the Minamoto clan. Kakita River (25 minutes) The Kakita River is one of the three clearest streams in Japan and was selected as one of the 100 Famous Bodies of Waters. It's well worth a visit to see its cobalt-blue water! [Sightseeing spots on the Kanagawa Prefecture side] The Hakone Barrier (15 min.) This is a reconstruction of the Edo period (1603-1867) barrier station, which provides visitors with a glimpse of what travel would have looked like back in the day. Hakone Shrine (20-25 minutes) This shrine was revered by Tokugawa Ieyasu. It's visited by many worshippers every year as a power spot in Hakone. Summary of Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture Photo：Mishima Skywalk, Shizuoka Prefecture We hope you enjoyed this introduction to Mishima Skywalk in Shizuoka Prefecture. Although people tend to focus on the views and activities from the suspension bridge, the park also offers a wide range of facilities to enjoy. Consider taking a leisurely stroll through the park. In 2023, the "Hydrangea Festival" will be held from June 10 to July 14, and there will be night lighting on weekends and Saturdays. Be sure to check the official website for more details. 【Official Website】Mishima Skywalk – Enjoy a View of Mt. Fuji From the Longest Suspension Bridge in Japan 【TripAdvisor】Mishima Skywalk (Mishima Suspension Bridge)

Explore the Ruins of Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture is a slightly mysterious place where the remains of a modern-era fortress still lie quietly in the woods. This featured video takes you along the park’s well-maintained trails and lets you experience moss-covered stones, cool air, and shadowy underground spaces evocative of an atmosphere reminiscent of Laputa from Studio Ghibli's Castle in the Sky. What makes it special is that it is not merely a mountain dotted with ruins, but a park where the ruins blend naturally into the landscape. Since you can encounter them as an extension of a stroll or forest bathing, known in Japan as shinrin-yoku, it feels comfortably approachable even for first-time visitors. In this article, we will introduce the highlights of Ishiharadake Forest Park、including its history, as well as its well-maintained walking paths, restrooms, gazebos, cooking facilities, and camping areas. Photo: Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture Ruins from 125 Years Ago? Ishiharadake Forest Park is a place where the remains of a modern-era fortress seem to melt into the forest itself. The Ishiharadake Battery (Ishiharadake Hōrui) within the park is said to have been completed in 1899. As you walk, you can see that structures once built for defense now stand quietly, embraced by the trees. On paper, it is a “Meiji-era remnant,” but when you stand there, you feel something stronger: the presence of time itself. Moss tracing the edges of stone, the hush of the surrounding woods, the cool, clear air. The Meiji era, which should feel far away, seems to breathe softly deep in the forest. That quiet sense of historical romance is this forest's greatest charm. What Is the Ishiharadake Battery in Nagasaki? As you walk through Ishiharadake Forest Park, you will come across the remains of the Ishiharadake Battery. The term hōrui, often translated as “battery”, is best understood as a defensive position within the larger system of a fortress. The Ishiharadake Battery was one of the defensive installations built to protect the naval port. That is why the stone walls and shaped terrain remaining in the forest look less like scattered rubble and more like structures deliberately built for defense. Photo: Sasebo Fortress remains (Ishiharadake Battery site) at Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture An interesting point is that these defensive facilities did not just consist of buildings. You can see a variety of measures which were used to increase the defensive strength of the battery through the terrain itself, such as raised earthworks, trench lines, and stone-reinforced slopes. there is enjoyment to be found in searching for these traces as you walk. Simply gaining one new perspective makes the same scenery far more fascinating. Highlights of Ishiharadake Forest Park The appeal of this place is that the remnants do not push themselves forward as a “main attraction.” Instead, they blend naturally into the forest scenery. The green of moss, the gray of stone, and the dappled light through the trees. As these colors and textures layer together, it begins to resemble the world of Laputa. Rather than large buildings, what you notice are traces such as stone outlines, steps, and subtle rises and dips in the ground. Because of that, discoveries follow one after the other as you walk: one here, one there, another just ahead. Photo: Sasebo Fortress remains (Ishiharadake Battery site) at Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture The stone surfaces can look softer when covered in moss, and then sharply defined when shadows fall across them. Even in the same spot, the impression changes depending on the time of day. Since the forest is quiet, you can clearly hear your footsteps and the rustle of branches and leaves, which makes the stillness feel even deeper. Around the remnants, the air often feels noticeably cooler、conveying a shift in atmosphere rarely captured in photos. As a result, this is less a place where you “go to see ruins,” and more a place where you “meet ruins while walking through the forest.” That subtle sense of distance is what creates the Laputa-like feeling. What Is the Enpei-bu Shelter Like? The first major highlight of the video starts at (0:30) with the lowest-level enpei-bu shelter. The moment you step into the darkness, the air turns cool, and it becomes strikingly quiet, as if sound is being absorbed. The word enpei (掩蔽) itself means “to cover and conceal.” In modern fortifications, an enpei-bu is often explained as a “concealed protective space,” designed to shelter personnel and supplies from shelling and other attacks. Over time, both structure and materials evolved. In the Meiji period, stone and brick were used, and later the use of concrete became more widespread. That technological shift is part of what defines these shelters. With the Ishiharadake Battery, there is not always enough information to state every detail of the enpei-bu’s original use with certainty. Still, the appeal of this section lies in the fact that the park has been developed to preserve the atmosphere of a fortress site, and that the “underground air” conveyed in the video leaves a strong impression as an experience. The quiet beyond the darkness feels far more intense than it does in photos. To enjoy it safely, bring a light (your smartphone's light is enough) and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. What Can You See at the Gun Battery Site? As you reach the gun battery area, it quickly becomes clear that Ishiharadake Forest Park was developed around the Ishiharadake Battery site. The city of Saikai also introduces it as an atmospheric fortress site, and one of the key charms here is how the outlines of stone structures remain within the forest’s stillness. Photo: Sasebo Fortress remains (Ishiharadake Battery site) at Ishiharadake Forest Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture The key discovery here is that the battery site cannot be reduced to simply “Where the cannons were placed.” On Nagasaki’s tourism websites, the Ishiharadake Battery is introduced as a battery completed in 1899, with remnants still preserved within the park. Once you know that background, walking the battery area makes the structures in the woods look less like mere “scenery,” and more like traces of their original role. When those “outlines of history” connect with the atmosphere of the place, it lingers in your memory in a quiet, gradual way. As you reach the gun battery area, it becomes easy to understand, just by looking around, that Ishiharadake Forest Park is “a place developed by making use of the Ishiharadake Battery site.” The outlines of stone structures remain within the forest’s stillness, and it is a point where you can strongly feel that this was not just a walking trail, but part of a modern defensive facility. How to Enjoy the Campsite Ishiharadake Forest Park is a park with historic ruins where you can also camp. The fee is 520 yen per tent per night, and reservations are required. A good way to spend time here is to take a light walk around the remnants in the late afternoon to get used to the atmosphere, enjoy the forest’s quiet as it is at night, then walk again the next morning when the sunlight filters through the trees. On a day trip, you may only glimpse the atmosphere, but if you stay, you will notice the expressions of the stone and the sounds of the forest gradually changing over time. Access ■ Access from Nagasaki Airport by bus, train, and ferry (approx. 3 hours 10 minutes) Nagasaki Airport (route bus “Nagasaki Airport to Nagasaki Station, via Nagasaki University East Gate and Peace Park”) ↓ Uematsu-higashi ↓ Shin-Omura Station (JR Omura Line and Sasebo Line, “Section Rapid Seaside Liner” bound for Sasebo) ↓ Sasebo Station ↓ Kujirase Terminal (ferry “Sasebo to Yokose-nishi,” bound for Yokose-nishi Port) ↓ Yokose-nishi Port ↓ On foot ↓ Ishiharadake Forest Park Because airport bus operations and arrival times vary depending on the service and road conditions, it is reassuring to check the latest information on the official guidance and timetable for Saihi Bus (Nagasaki Airport Line) before you depart. 【Saihi Bus Official Website】bus.saihigroup.co.jp ■ Access from Nagasaki Airport by car Nagasaki Airport ↓ Car (rental car) ↓ Ishiharadake Forest Park Travel time may vary depending on road conditions. What to See Nearby One of the best things about the area around Ishiharadake Forest Park is how easy it is to combine the quiet of the forest with a different kind of experience on the same day. If you want something more hands-on, the classic choice in Saikai is Nagasaki Bio Park. Official information highlights exhibits with few cages or fences and experiences where you can get close to and interact with animals, so it offers a visit that goes beyond simply looking. Photo: Capybaras at Nagasaki Bio Park in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture Another highlight is that the park offers animal feeding and interaction experiences. Capybara programs are especially popular, and in winter they may hold an event known as the “Capybara Open-air Bath.” Opening hours are 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. The park generally has no regular closing days and remains open over the year-end and New Year holidays. They also note that temporary closures are possible in severe weather, such as typhoons or heavy snow. Since admission fees are listed officially as well, checking the latest details before visiting makes it easier to plan your day. 【Nagasaki Bio Park Official Website】biopark.co.jp If you want to add more of a “travel” feeling, Huis Ten Bosch is another must. Modeled after European streetscapes, the park has an atmosphere you can enjoy just by walking around. In the daytime, you can take in canal-side views and architectural details. At night, the illumination transforms the mood completely. Photo: Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki Prefecture In particular, the illumination event “Kingdom of Light” is promoted as a year-round attraction, with highlights that change by season and area. In winter, there is also a limited-time event called “World of Silver,” which offers a seasonal way to see the entire town in a different light. Since the event period varies by year, please check in advance. For access, it is said to take about 5 to 7 minutes on foot from JR Huis Ten Bosch Station to the entrance, the Welcome Gate, making it easy to include even on a train trip. If you move from the quiet of Ishiharadake to the bright spectacle of Huis Ten Bosch, the tone of the same day’s experiences changes dramatically. 【Huis Ten Bosch Official Website】https://www.huistenbosch.co.jp Conclusion The charm of Ishiharadake Forest Park is that it is an easy place to walk trough as a forest park, yet during your stroll you can suddenly sense the presence of Japan’s modern era. The cool air of the enpei-bu shelter, the outlines left at the gun battery site, and the quiet you can savor at the campsite. Even within the same forest, the density of the atmosphere changes from place to place. It is so interesting that before you know it, your walking pace slows down too. If you watch the video beforehand as a way to preview the atmosphere,　you will notice more moments of quiet recognition once you are there,　and your walk will become even more enjoyable. Whether you simply want to walk in the woods or you are looking for a slightly different destination, this is a place where you can taste a quiet, out-of-the-ordinary experience. It is the kind of spot that makes you think on the way home, “I want to walk through that cool air one more time.” Reference site for Ishiharadake Forest Park: https://www.city.saikai.nagasaki.jp/kanko/theme/spot/1/4942.html .caption-heading-2 { font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.7rem; margin-bottom: 15px; max-width: 800px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 60px; } .mod-article-caption .caption-text { margin-bottom: 40px; } .caption-information-table { background-color: #efefef; margin-top: -20px; margin-bottom: 50px; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; width: 90%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } .caption-information-table.blue { background-color: #fffaef; } .caption-information-table .title { font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.7rem; } @media screen and (max-width: 1024px) { .caption-information-table { width: 95%; padding: 30px 15px 30px 15px; } } .caption-heading-table .caption-text li { line-height: 2.5rem; margin-top: 1.3rem; } .mod-article-caption .caption-heading { position: relative; border-left: 5px solid #ff1300; padding-left: 10px; margin-top: 60px; } .mod-article-caption .caption-text { margin-bottom: 50px; } .mod-article-caption .caption-heading-table { width: 95%; padding: 30px 15px 1px 15px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } .caption-heading-table ul{ counter-reset: listnum; /* カウンターをリセット */ list-style: none; /* 標準のスタイルは消す */ font-size: 1.5rem !important; margin-bottom: 15px; } .caption-heading-table ul.list-style-number-jp>li{ margin-left: 1.1em; text-indent: -1.1em; font-weight: bold; } .caption-heading-table ul.list-style-number-jp>li::before{ counter-increment: listnum; /* counter-resetと同じ文字列 */ content: counter(listnum); /* カウントした数に応じて番号を表示 */ content: counter(listnum) ". 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This video is titled "[4K GoPro] Scuba Diving｜Kushimoto（UnderWater in Kushimoto Wakayama)" (【4K GoPro】スキューバダイビング　串本（UnderWater in Kushimoto Wakayama)). It was released by DIVE ORANGE. The sea in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture is home to a large population of table coral. Due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, the water temperature never drops below 15 degrees Celsius, even in the middle of winter. More than 100 types of coral and tropical organisms live here, making it a popular dive site. Particularly popular are Soshima Oki Ni no Ne (双島沖二の根) and Glass World. Glass World, named for the variety of wrasse species, is famous for the discovery of rare creatures. The entire west side of the rock wall is steeply sloped, and the velvet spiny-headed sycamore grow in clusters, with a distinctive cauliflower appearance.