Signs of Spring at Forest Museum “Mokumu” The temperature has risen suddenly and the sunlight already feels like spring’s warmth… It’s still midwinter, but there’s a place where you can feel spring even more. When you enter Forest Museum “Mokumu,” the first thing that catches your eye is the profusion of blooming cherry trees. All around the museum, various hina dolls smile at visitors. If you’re curious how many hina dolls there are in total, try counting them. A room with large flowers mounted on the wall is also well worth seeing. They’re stylish decorations made using scrap paper 🌸 - SASAKI Craft Exhibition Now On! - Forest Museum “Mokumu” Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: 500 yen for high school students and older 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and junior high students 100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary school Free for children under age 3 #Forest Museum Mokumu #Cherry blossoms #Hina Festival

Spring Star Concert A concert by Erhu and Song artist Rinko Announcement of the concert📢 Rinko visited Nishiokoppe Village last November. In addition to a mini concert, she spent time introducing the erhu to children at the elementary school and nursery. At this upcoming concert, enjoy the erhu accompanied by piano and violin. - Performance date: Saturday, March 21 Doors open: 18:00 / Start: 18:30 Venue: Nishiokoppe Village Community Center Plum Hall Performers: Erhu and vocals — Rinko Piano — Motoki Fukuda Violin — Shota Sakaji Tickets: Nishiokoppe Village residents: Free General (non-residents): 2,000 yen Junior high school students and younger: Free Reservations: Please fill out the form via the QR code or call the phone number below to apply. 090-8904-8798 (Takahashi) *Phone reservations are accepted only between 17:00 and 20:00.* - This concert is part of Nishiokoppe Village’s 100th anniversary celebrations and was planned at the suggestion of village residents. We would be delighted if many people could hear the sound of the erhu. We look forward to your attendance. #Concert #Erhu #Village 100th Anniversary

Now accepting applications for the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady!! ☀️ Applications for Tokachi Blue Sky Lady have been extended!! There are only two days left until the deadline on Friday, February 27!! Would you like to apply to be Tokachi’s PR ladies, the Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies, who promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products by participating in events across Tokachi, taking part in product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, and appearing in media? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your application!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, can agree to all the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program rules and guidelines, and can take part in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or unmarried) 📍Holders of a regular driver’s license who have obtained permission from their workplace and family to participate in activities as a Lady 📌 How to Apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and include information confirming you meet the eligibility requirements, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 27. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

If you stay in Kushiro. A location with views of one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. A port town’s scenery seen from guest rooms. A front-row moment that stretches from dusk into night. A place where the stay itself becomes a travel memory. 📍Kushiro Prince Hotel Reservations available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

February 21 Akanko early-morning walk tour at −14°C! Today we had no wind and could watch the sunrise clearly Rime ice and diamond dust formed, letting us forget the cold and enjoy the scenery♪ After the walk I had terrible chilblains (lol)

🔥 Kawayu Snow Park 2026 is now underway 🔥 We offer a wide range of activities, including cross-country skiing, campfire gatherings in tipis, Siberian fir (Akaezomatsu) distillation experiences, slide talks, snow candle making, and many more — ⋆⋆✶ There are delicious food and drinks, so it’s great for families to join! This is a one-day-only event, so please come and take part today‼︎ ☃️💕 Time: 10:00–21:00 Location: In front of Kawayu Visitor Center We look forward to welcoming you.

Kawayu Snow Park 2026 is underway. We offer many activities, including cross-country skiing, campfires in tipis, Siberian fir distillation workshops, slide talks, snow candles… and much more— ⋆⋆✶ There are tasty food and drinks, so it’s great for families to join! This is a one-day-only event, so please come and take part today‼︎☃️💕 Time: 10:00–21:00 Location: In front of Kawayu Visitor Center We look forward to welcoming you.

Drifting ice off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) is home to drift ice and Steller's sea eagles. When dozens of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather, their large size creates a truly dramatic sight.

Off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) Here are the drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle. This weekend it was warm in Hokkaido and a southerly wind blew, so I was worried the drift ice might be pushed away, but the ice band remained. The drift ice will be gone next month, and from late April you can see orcas and whales.

Notice: Local junior high students made POP displays and recycled bags ✨ Second-year students from Iwanai Daiichi Junior High School brought handmade POPs, posters, and recycled bags to the Roadside Station as part of their Integrated Studies project — “A Plan to Revitalize Iwanai-cho.” For the POPs and posters, they asked themselves, “What information do customers really want?” They researched popular products and created the materials accordingly ✨ The illustrations and English labels show lots of thoughtful touches, and everything is very easy to read! And here’s a highlight 🐟 The Tarumaru illustration on the recycled bags is a work by Idobata, who won the Kida Kinjiro Prize at the ongoing “Hometown Children’s Art Exhibition” held at the Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art ✨ These limited special-design bags are not to be missed! 🎉 If you visit the Roadside Station, please pick one up and take a look 😊

The Otaru Canal in winter’s magic hour. On the right bank, stone warehouses weigh down with snow in silence, while on the left bank the warm glow of gas lamps lights the snow white. Countless candles floating on the water trail long tails of light across the cold surface, gently swaying. People strolling along the promenade, captured in long exposures, become blurred light afterimages, visualizing the dense passage of time within the still scene. The cold air and the fires that seem to melt it coexist, etched together in vivid contrast.

Notice of Reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail We would like to inform you about the reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail. The Ponpon Mountain Trail, which is currently closed, will reopen on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Please note that the Doba area connected to the trail will remain closed to private vehicle parking until December 30, 2026, because it will be used for forest maintenance work. Please check nearby public parking lots and use those facilities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Konsen Western Forest Management Office, Kawayu Forest Management Office Tel:015-482-2469

Notice on the reopening of the MtPonpon trail. The MtPonpon trail, which is currently closed, will reopen on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Please note that Doba, which connects to the trail, will remain closed to general vehicle parking until December 30, 2026, because it is being used for forest maintenance work. Please check nearby public parking and use those facilities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Kushiro Western Forest Management Office, Kawayu Forest Office Tel:015-482-2469

Saijo Shibetsu Store 29th Anniversary Birthday Festival 🎉 Saijo Shibetsu Store celebrates its 29th birthday with a special festival! During the two days of the festival, we hosted a Nishiokoppe Village booth where children could play with wooden toys. Kids enjoyed wooden sandboxes, the Miracle Korokoro Tower, wooden cars, and many other playthings brought from the Forest Museum “Mokumu.” In a corner of the play area, we ran a Setoushi‑kun coloring activity and a castanet-making workshop! Children colored with the original Nishiokoppe Village crayons created as souvenirs for the village’s 100th anniversary—did everyone enjoy them? The castanets were simple in structure: two wooden boards smoothed by the village’s woodworking instructor are stacked and tied together with elastic cord to finish. After decorating their own castanets, participants took their finished instruments home as gifts. Some children played with their homemade castanets right at the booth, filling the air with pleasant wooden tones. Setoushi‑kun seemed delighted to mingle with many children and other local mascots. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! - From the 21st to the 23rd, the birthday festival offers even more exciting events. Check Saijo Shibetsu Store’s account for updates 👀 Come do your shopping at Saijo Shibetsu Store this weekend! #Saijo Shibetsu Store #Birthday Festival #Setoushi‑kun #Forest Museum Mokumu

<Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu is coming!> Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu, an event that lights the town with snow candle glow, will take place. We have planned children’s games, snow candle making, and a midwinter fireworks display, so please come dressed warmly! At the midwinter food court we will sell pork miso soup and takoyaki, and at the midwinter beer garden we will offer draft beer, pork skewers, chicken skewers, and more. We look forward to seeing you. Date and time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 13:30 Children’s games registration 15:00 Snow candle making, midwinter food court, and midwinter beer garden open 17:00 Snow candle lighting 18:30 Midwinter fireworks display 20:00 Scheduled end (Program may change due to weather or other reasons) Location: Around Hotto Kimobetsu Roadside Station, Kimobetsucho Organizer: Kimobetsu Scenic Night Executive Committee, NPO Kimobetsu WAO

🎎 Mini Exhibition at the Local History Museum: Hina Doll Festival The Local History Museum presents a full display of its hina dolls collection. With support from the Michikusa Tsurushi Hina Group, hanging tsurushi hina will also be exhibited. Please come and see for yourself 🎎݁˖ . ݁✶ Dates: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Tuesday, March 2, 2026 Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Closed: Tuesdays Venue: Local History Museum inside the Kushiro Area Mashu Tourism and Culture Center Admission: Free; no advance reservation required

🏅 The winners of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced!! We accepted entries from November 1, 2025 through January 20, 2026, and this year’s contest attracted more submissions than last year. A panel of 15 judges, including contest chair Takeshi Mizukoshi and Takayuki Watanabe, President of the Lake Mashu Tourism Association, reviewed the entries and selected the winning works 📸🖼️ [Grand Prize] "Colors of the Earth" Etsuko Yamamoto [Excellence Awards] "Listening to Ice Patterns" Shinmen Yasushi "Bare Mountains and the Milky Way" Yoshikazu Jimbo "The Cosmos of Lake Kussharo" Daisuke Utsumi [Tourism Association President’s Award] "Capturing Sheer Impact" Isao Nagaya See other winning entries and details on Teshikaga Navi. (Check the link in our Stories‼︎🔗) Starting today, we will gradually share the winning photos on Instagram and X (Twitter), so look forward to it 🤩 *This post’s fifth image: Grand Prize "Colors of the Earth" by Etsuko Yamamoto* Congratulations to all the winners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who entered‼︎ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and for Teshikaga Navi 🙇❣️

Onsen website “From the Information Desk” updated 📝🆙 Announcement from the Tourism and Commerce Division, Kawayu Onsen District Development Office: We will hold open-house style briefings about the Kawayu Onsen district redevelopment. The sessions will take place at Kawayu Furusato Hall on March 1 and March 2. No specialized knowledge is required. Feel free to join us! Location Kawayu Furusato Hall 2-3-40 Kawayu Onsen Date and Time Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday, March 2, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM No prior registration is required; please come directly to the venue if you wish to attend. The content will be the same on both days. Organizer Teshikaga Contact 015-482-2940

🎎The Hina Doll Festival is on now at Fashion Mail Plaza in front of Tomakomai Station!🎎 Around 800 hina dolls are praying for world peace and recreating scenes such as the Sapporo Olympics (1972) and a moment from the film "National Treasure."✨ Location Fashion Mail Plaza (Omotemachi 3-chome, Tomakomai City) Dates Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 until Sunday, March 15 (closed Wednesdays)

[Gems Found in Kushiro💎] While the "jewelry ice" seen in Toyokorocho, Tokachi is very famous, you can find similar ice on Kushiro’s shores during the bitter cold from late January through February. These photos were taken last week at Otanoshike Coast. The light brings out even more beauty, making it truly lovely✨ By the way... can you read the name of the beach? It’s pronounced "Otanoshike" 😙 Not "Dairakke"!

Introduction to hot spring inns in Teshikaga ♨️ Teshikaga has two hot spring areas, Mashu Onsen and Kawayu Onsen. The water quality and healing benefits vary by spring and by inn, so be sure to explore a variety of ryokan and hotels. 😉🔥 Next time, we will introduce an inn located in Mashu Onsen—stay tuned!! *Services and offerings may change depending on the season. Please check directly with the accommodation before booking.*

-11°C early morning walking tour on February 16! With winds of 5 m/s, the perceived temperature fell below -15°C, offering an extreme cold experience. Pale morning sunlight peeked through the clouds, and a magical view unfolded from the hot spring pools where steam rises. You can reserve the early morning walking tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... ※This winter has been unusually warm, and for safety reasons due to lake ice conditions the tour route or end time may be changed. ※Depending on temperatures and other conditions the day before the tour, we may cancel the tour for safety reasons. Thank you for your understanding.

A very warm early-morning walking tour on February 15 at −5°C! (A wild world where subzero temperatures feel warm 😆) I was able to see Unryu for the first time this season. The inverted frost flowers forming in the cracks of the ice were in top form again today ❄✨️ You can book the early-morning walking tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... ※Because this winter has been unusually warm, please understand that the tour route and end time may change depending on lake ice conditions for safety. ※Please also understand that we may cancel the tour for safety reasons depending on temperatures and other conditions the day before the tour.

Event Announcement 📣 On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Makubetsucho will host “2026 Makubetsu Tsunagu Lantern” at Akenogaoka Park 😊 Each handmade lantern created by local residents has its own unique design, and they are delightful to admire 🎵 Please come and see the magical world lit by the lanterns’ gentle glow ✨ Be sure to dress warmly for the event 🧤🧣🧥 📍Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 ※In case of severe weather, the event will be postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026 ※If postponed, an announcement will be posted on Instagram. 📍Venues and Times 🔸Akenogaoka Park 17:30–19:30 🔸Makubetsu Park Plaza 17:30–19:30

A walk tour on the early morning of February 14 under thin clouds with drifting snow! Through gaps in the clouds we saw the rising sun, creating a magical view♪ It was a relatively mild −13°C, but we still observed rime ice and red fox paw prints 🐾🦊♪ We even spotted an inverted frost flower emerging from a crack in the ice ❄ You can book the early morning walk tour from the following URL. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... ※This winter has been warm, so for safety reasons the tour route or the tour finishing time may change depending on the condition of the lake ice. Please understand. ※Depending on temperatures and other conditions on the day before the tour, the tour may be canceled for safety reasons. Please understand.

The moment silence takes shape. A frozen lake—the winter-only Lake Kussharo. Enjoy this view from your room. Reservations are available via the profile URL. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Recruiting the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady ☀️ There is one week left until the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady application deadline!! We are seeking Tokachi PR ladies called Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies to promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products through events within Tokachi, product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, media appearances, and more! Would you like to brighten Tokachi’s tourism with your cheerful smile? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your applications!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, agree to all the provisions and guidelines of the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program, and can participate in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or single) 📍Holders of a valid ordinary driver’s license who have obtained approval from their workplace and family for Lady activities 📌 How to apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and provide information verifying that you meet the eligibility criteria, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 20. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

A long-tailed rosefinch nibbling on seeds. This charming wild bird is slightly smaller than a sparrow and is notable for the reddish coloring on its head. The bird in the photo is male, since both its head and chest are red. (Females have a white chest and only a red head.) (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

On Saturday, February 21, the Forest Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen will take place in front of the Kawayu Visitor Center. With the theme "Play in Kawayu's Winter," a variety of activities and events will be offered again this year. There are plenty of experiences for adults and children alike, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, campfires in tipis, Sakhalin fir (akaezomatsu) distillation workshops, wooden coaster making, and slide talks. Hot milk and homemade cookies prepared by students from Teshikaga High School will be available in the tents on site. Please come with friends and family. Forest Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen (Event Overview) Date and Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00–21:00 Venue: Kawayu Visitor Center and surrounding area (Kawayu Onsen 2-2-6, Teshikaga) Admission: Free (All programs are free to enjoy.) ※ Food and drinks are sold separately. Activities <10:00–16:00> ● Cross-country skiing　● Ski-shoe experience　● Snowshoe experience <Ongoing> ● Snow play area　● Campfire in a tipi Events ● Forest stories and a forest walk　13:00–14:00 ● Sakhalin fir distillation experience　10:00 / 11:00 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 ● Wooden coaster making　10:00 until supplies run out ● Slide talk "With Reverence for the Brown Bear"　15:30–17:00 ● Free talk session　17:30–19:00 ● Stargazing　18:45–19:30 ● Snow candles　17:00–21:00

😉Come hear presentations by high school students from Kyoto😉 Students from Ritsumeikan High School in Kyoto will visit Kushiro next month, March☺ They will present what they felt while touring and learning about Kushiro over several days! How does Kushiro look through the eyes of high school students from outside Hokkaido? These students, who study in a completely different environment, investigated Kushiro’s tourism and industries and will offer proposals for Kushiro’s future as the result of their findings. ✨ This is a very valuable opportunity, so please come and join us(^^)/ ● Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026 ● Venue: Kushiro Lifelong Learning Center meeting room 705 and 706 ● Time: Registration 9:00, starts 9:15, ends 10:45 No prior registration required ・ Free admission