Yesterday it dropped to minus 26 degrees, so the water vapor in the air froze on the tree branches, creating beautiful hoarfrost. Hokkaido, Sarabetsumura.

Otowa Bridge in Tsuruimura, Hokkaido It is a famous spot for photographing the red-crowned cranes.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s Christmas Everyone was making snowmen and enjoying snowball fights.

[About the operation of tourist and bathing facilities] Information on the New Year operating status of tourist and bathing facilities is available at the linked "Teshikaga Navi". Please note that hours and days of operation may differ from the usual schedule. Some bathing facilities may be temporarily closed, so we recommend contacting each facility directly before you go. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/20251226/...

Popular!! Recruiting participants for a bus tour [A journey to meet Sarurun Kamuy (God of the Marsh) and the red-crowned crane] At Grus, the Akan International Crane Center, the birthplace of artificial feeding, we will hold a day-trip bus tour to watch the cranes arrive, guided by Director Kawase ☺ This rare tour lets you see red-crowned cranes spread their great wings and take flight against the early morning sky ✨ Please join us! Operation dates: Sunday, February 8, 2026 and Sunday, February 15, 2026 Time: 7:00 AM–10:25 AM *Meet at 6:55 AM / KKS Convention Center (Kushiro City Tourism and International Exchange Center) Participation fee: JPY 5,500 (tax included) Capacity: 20 people per tour For details and to apply, please see the website. https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/overview/19962/...

A luxurious gift campaign is starting🎁 Enjoy winter in the Kushiro region and win fantastic local specialties! Just share the winter charms of the Kushiro region on Instagram, and you’ll have a chance to win wonderful local products! The Kushiro region is full of winter-only vistas such as Lake Akan Onsen in Kushiro City, Hosooka Observatory in Kushiro Town, Otowa Bridge in Tsuruimura, Lake Mashu in Teshikaga, and Tawahei Observatory in Shibecha—refresh your mind and body at hot springs and nature-rich spots! Check the details at the URL below▼ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/22082/...

A luxurious Instagram giveaway is starting 🎁 Enjoy winter in the Kushiro area and win premium local products! Just share the winter charms of the Kushiro area on Instagram for a chance to win wonderful local specialties! From Lake Akan Onsen in Kushiro City to Hoso-oka Observatory in Kushiro Town, Otowa Bridge in Tsuruimura, Lake Mashu in Teshikaga, and Tawa-He Observatory in Shibecha, the Kushiro area is full of winter-only spectacular views. Relax your mind and body at hot spring resorts and nature-rich spots! Check the website for details! https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/22082/...

Forest Museum Kimu From Sunday, January 4 the Forest Museum Kimu has opened. ※The museum will be closed on Tuesday, January 6. We look forward to your continued support this year. With the new year, the displays inside the museum have been refreshed. A large sun shines beyond the Red Fuji 🌞 The reddish branches in the foreground are mizuki that were grown at the Flower Park of Roadside Station Kamu. As a memento of your visit, please take a photo holding a hagoita (decorative wooden paddle) 📸 Also, starting today a special exhibition has opened. - SASAKI Craft Exhibition - Works by Sasaki Kogei, a wooden craft maker based in Nagayama, Asahikawa City, are displayed in the museum showcases. The exhibition runs through Friday, March 20. On the final day of the exhibition we plan to hold a woodworking workshop and a shooting gallery event. For details, please see the Mokumu HP. - Forest Museum Kimu Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission is accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: 500 yen for high school students and older 300 yen for 4th–6th grade elementary and junior high school students 100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary Free for children under 3 Contact: 0158-87-2600 #Forest Museum Kimu#New Year #2026 #We look forward to your visit #Special Exhibition #Sasaki Kogei #Setoushi-kun #Mascot

Happy New Year! This is the first sunrise of 2026 as seen from Bansei Onsen. May many people visit Taiki Town again this year!

From Kushiro, Happy New Year again for 2026! The long New Year holidays have ended. How has everyone been? In Kushiro City the red-crowned cranes have arrived for the season, and 100 to 200 birds are currently being observed at the feeding station 😊 Also, from Saturday, January 17, the SL Winter Marsh Train began operating, ushering in the best time to enjoy winter sightseeing! On cold mornings you might see lotus-leaf ice or ke-arashi (steam fog) over the Kushiro River⁈ Viewed from around Nusamai Bridge, the scene becomes even more magical. You can also enjoy winter canoeing on the Kushiro River as it flows through Kushiro Shitsugen! Thanks to the clear winter air, the sunset in Kushiro—hailed as one of the world’s three great sunsets—shines with even more vivid colors, and Kushiro offers many sights and experiences you can only encounter at this time of year. Please come visit us✨ The official Kushiro and Akan tourism site, super fantastic, is here https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com// Wishing everyone a great year again this year (^^)

Even after Lake Akanko begins to freeze, the ice remains very thin! It can be hard to see, but hot springs bubble up from the lakebed in places, making the ice dangerously thin. When people work on the ice, they do so only after taking safety precautions. Even with warning signs and ropes to keep people out, local residents sometimes report those who try to venture onto the ice. Going onto the ice at this time of year is a life-threatening risk. Do not go onto the ice under any circumstances.

Roadside Station Iwanai Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2026 🐴 We look forward to your continued support this year 🎍 Roadside Station Iwanai is open from today, Sunday, January 4th! We look forward to welcoming you 😆 Please note that we will be closed on Monday, January 5th This year we tried letting the trendy AI generate images for us 🐟

A modern lounge floating on a pond. A romantic evening at La Gloriette. Enjoy renowned spirits from around the world and original cocktails. Hours: 6:00 P.M. – 9:45 P.M. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

New Year Greetings and Information on the Operating Status of Tourist and Bathing Facilities Happy New Year. I pray that 2026 will be a wonderful year for everyone. We will continue working to ensure that everyone spending time in Teshikaga this year can enjoy memorable moments, and we appreciate your continued support. (New Year’s Day, 2026) Information about the operating status of tourist attractions and bathing facilities during the New Year period is available on Teshikaga Navi. Please note that hours and opening days may differ from the usual schedule. Also, some bathing facilities may be closed temporarily, so we recommend contacting each facility before you go.

Melted Gouda cheese served right before your eyes 🧀 Thanks to the open kitchen, you can enjoy it freshly made. You may find yourself reaching for another plate… You might feel that way. Of course we offer Hokkaido’s signature soup curry. Kussharo Prince Hotel makes food as much a star as its natural setting. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

☆Notice of Closure☆ ⁡ We will be closed from December 31st to January 1st. We will resume normal business hours from January 2nd for the New Year period!

Notice of an illumination event 📣 The illumination at Hiroo Santa Land in Hirocho runs through January 4, 2026 😊 Lights are on from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM ✨✨ The park glows with illumination and wood lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere 😍 Please consider stopping by during your New Year holidays outing 🤗 https://www.santaland.or.jp//

Kushiro, famed as one of the world’s top three sunset cities, actually offers unmissable sunrises as well. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, you can enjoy a luxurious sunrise and a sumptuous morning meal at the top-floor restaurant. Using kombu from the Nemuro Strait, the light soy-flavored Kushiro ramen and the fresh seafood rice bowl come with unlimited servings. Even Kushiro’s indulgent gourmet offerings include plenty of lighter options for morning diners who prefer a milder start. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Here are the main spots in Tomakomai to watch the first sunrise of the year 🌅 The sunrise is expected at 7:03 AM. Please refrain from idling near private homes or any other behavior that might cause a nuisance. ● Roadside Station Utonai Lake ● Tarumae Shrine ● Midorigaoka Park Observatory ※Temporarily open from 11:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 AM on January 1 ● the beaches of Itoi and Tarumae ● Yufutsu Marina Waterfront Breakwater and others

Light-up Color Schedule for Nusamai Bridge in January, R8🌈// Nusamai Bridge is Kushiro City’s landmark. From the bridge you can enjoy views of the Kushiro River and its estuary, Kushiro Port, and sunsets over the pacific ocean. After sunset the bridge is illuminated. During local events and social occasions, the lights shift through a special pattern of 14 colors. Enjoy January’s light-up display🌈 *Note: Nusamai Bridge is read as Nusamai.* Kushiro and Akan Tourism Official Site SUPER FANTASTIC https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/13397/... 📍kushiro city kita odori 1-1

Announcement of the illumination event 📣 "Sara Illumi" will be held in Sarabetsumura through Saturday, February 16, 2026 (planned) 😊 Lights are on from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. A workshop for local residents shaped the designs, which are expressed with about 40,000 bulbs 🎵 Handmade village lights brighten the freezing winter nights with vivid color 🤗 https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/illumination/...

A direct service from Kushiro Airport to Kushiro Prince Hotel. Choose from a variety of room types, and this time we introduce the Twin Room. Every room offers sweeping views of Kushiro. With well-equipped amenities and facilities, you can relax with peace of mind. At Kushiro Prince Hotel, come experience a time that soothes the heart. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

I visited CAPO Ooyachi! Ooyachi sits in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City. A shopping complex directly connected to Ōyachi Station sits there. Its name is CAPO. From Friday, December 12th to Monday, December 15th—a four-day span— a market gathered delicious foods from around Hokkaido. Nishiokoppe Village took part during the first two days. Across from us, Rankoshi-machi displayed tempting rice. When I cooked the rice I bought and tried it at home, its sweetness filled my mouth and I smiled. Staff from neighboring Shikaoicho offered samples of kiriboshi daikon (dried daikon) and yogurt, making our booth a soothing spot. What proved popular at the Nishiokoppe booth was, of course, wild mountain vegetables. Murata Foods, Nishiokoppe’s mountain vegetable factory, removes bitterness and pre-cooks mountain vegetables harvested in the village, so they’re ready to use in dishes right away—an attractive feature. Canned venison and bear meat also drew customers’ interest. They are seasoned, so you can simply place them over rice and eat, making it easy to enjoy venison and bear meat. In the refrigerated case, dairy products from Milk Design used grass-fed milk produced in Nishiokoppe were on show. We also displayed standard souvenirs and wooden toys brought from the forest museum Mokumu, offering a wide variety of items across the booth. I especially feel happy when visitors pick up villagers’ handmade wooden cars or pinecone Christmas trees. One of the joys of these kinds of events is encountering tasty and interesting products from other towns and villages. The Naumann Elephant was adorable. Thank you to everyone who visited the Ōyachi CAPO Marche! #Ōyachi CAPO #CAPO Marche #Delicious

[Nishiokopper Live] Friday, December 19 A Christmas live held at Nishiokoppe Guest House GA.KOPPER. From the smallest villagers to the biggest villagers everyone performed their chosen acts, watched, and enjoyed the evening.☆ The venue was the dining room warmed by a wood stove. Many paintings decorated the stage window and the corridor windows, and festive lights twinkled here and there. At Nishiokopper Live, as usual, homemade sweets were on sale, and food like tacos and okowa (steamed glutinous rice), drinks, and desserts were served, so our stomachs were treated as well. People danced, played kendama, did readings, conducted experiments, and made music…. The night closed with samba. - Did everyone receive a present from Santa? Setoushi‑kun received a lovely present and somehow his fur looks shinier. #Christmas Live #GA.KOPPER #Nishiokopper #Live #homemade sweets

Komu Museum of Art Christmas Festival Thank you to everyone who visited the Komu Museum of Art Christmas Festival! 🎄🧑‍🎄 Although the planned performance by the Nishinaka High School brass band was canceled, we enjoyed a warm Komu time listening to a reading by Sumikko Sumi-chan and a live set by Riku Nakanishi. Sumikko Sumi-chan read many Christmas and winter picture books and kamishibai in her clear, pure voice. She changed her tone for each character, and children who had been absorbed in block play were suddenly captivated. Riku Nakanishi has visited Nishiokoppe several times through connections with Local Friends. Alongside original songs, he mixed in Christmas tunes, letting his gentle voice and guitar fill the space with a Santa-world atmosphere. Setoushi‑kun also appeared that day, giving visitors sweets and handmade keychains as gifts! The Christmas decorations placed throughout the museum were lovely. - There are about ten days left in the year. Komu is open through Monday, December 29. The museum reopens on Sunday, January 4. We look forward to your visits on event days and any other days. #Komu Museum of Art #December 6 #Setoushi‑kun #Riku Nakanishi #Sumikko Sumi-chan #Board of Education

Mayu Kondo — Introduction Video to Nishiokoppe Village [②] - The second introduction video of Nishiokoppe Village is now available - Mayu Kondo, a singer-songwriter who also works as a YouTuber. Her first trip to Hokkaido was, surprisingly, to Nishiokoppe Village!? From Haneda Airport in Tokyo to Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport. A one-hour drive from the airport brings you to Nishiokoppe Village. Her first stop was Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co., Ltd., which manufactures electric guitar bodies. In Kondo’s video, she gives a detailed report on the factory work and the body manufacturing process🎸 The video also showcases Forest Park, where you can bat and go bouldering; Komu – Forest Art Museum, an indoor facility with wooden playground equipment and toys; Kuuraku, a dining spot inside Forest Park; and Nishiokoppe Guest House GA.KOPPER. Soothing narration from Kondo carries you through a video full of highlights to the end. Mayu Kondo Thank you for visiting Nishiokoppe Village! #Settlement Promotion #Introduction Video #Mayu Kondo #Influencer #Singer-Songwriter #Eat #Stay

Illumination Event Announcement📣 Roadside Station Nakasatsunai hosts the "Roadside Station Winter Night Garden" through February 28, 2026 😊 The lights come on from around 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the event ✨✨ Colorful illuminations sparkle across the snow, creating a vividly lit, dreamlike space for you to relax and enjoy😍 Please enjoy this together with Tokachi's snowy landscapes🤗 https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/spot/spot-75/spot-3242/...

Winter at Lake Kussharo, the resort hotel on the Lake Kussharo shore The view from the guest room…a breathtaking panorama

Announcement for the illumination event📣 Now in its 24th year, the Obihiro Illumination Project lights up obihiro station’s landmark Harunire Tree, the street trees in Station Square, and a heart-shaped LED installation. This year we’ve added 2,000 bulbs with icicle-style lights to the tunnel illumination as well😊 The illumination runs through February 23, 2026. The gentle lights warm the heart in Obihiro’s crisp, clear winter✨✨ Please stop by and take a look when you’re nearby🤗 🔷The Obihiro Illumination Project is made possible by sponsorships from local businesses and by the Illumination Tentou Fund, which requests donations of 100 yen per bulb. https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/tourism/kankouchi/1005842.html...

A restaurant offering Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes side by side. The chef’s recommended roast beef is — “Yamakou grape salt” ✨ Made using Yamakou, a Hokkaido-grown grape cultivated for winemaking at the caldera winery right in front of the hotel, the grape is repurposed and finished into a wine-infused salt. It deepens the flavor not only on meat but also when served with tempura. 【Instagram】 https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...