Tomakomai City's unexplored area "Shichijo Otaki"

Shichijo Otaki is located in the national forest of the Maruyama district near the border between Tomakomai City and Chitose City, and is a spot where you can see a large waterfall 16m high and about 2.3m wide up close!

Shichijo Otaki, with its deep green trees and majestic waterfall, is a spectacular view.

In order to enter the national forest where Shichijo Otaki is located, you need an application for approval from the Eastern Iburi Forest Management Office, so please check with the Eastern Iburi Forest Management Office below for details.

【Eastern Iburi Forest Management Office】
Address: 3-4-1 Hinode-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido
TEL：0144-82-2161

Nice to meet you, Omu Town Tourism Association!
Hokkaido Omu Town faces the Sea of Okhotsk.
The sunrise from the horizon is also a symbol of the town.

In COOL JAPAN VIDEOS's first post, we will introduce you to Omu Town and the highlights of Hokkaido Omu Town where you can enjoy delicious food.

There are no trains Omu Town, so you can get there by car, rental car, or bus.
It takes about 4 hours 30 minutes ~ 5 hours 30 minutes by expressway from Sapporo.
If you are traveling by air, please use Asahikawa Airport or Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport.
It takes about 3 hours by car from Asahikawa Airport Omu Town and about 1 hour Omu Town from Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport.

The climate weather in Omu Town is cool throughout the year, especially from January to March, when drift ice docks in the Sea of Okhotsk, so the temperature is low.
In winter, the temperature may drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius on some days, so be careful about the cold when visiting.

Next, we will introduce the representative sightseeing spots of Omu Town.
The recommended base for sightseeing in Omu Town is "Roadside Station Oumu" in the center of Omu Town city.
You can also sell Omu Town specialties, look for souvenirs, and enjoy local gourmet foods such as "Dattan Soba".
Dattan soba Dattan Soba is also called "bitter soba noodles" and contains about 100 times more "rutin", which is a type of polyphenol and the source of bitterness, about 100 times more than normal soba noodles, but now it is easy to eat because we have planted a variety called "Manten Kirari" that softens the bitterness and retains the nutrients.
Rutin has a powerful antioxidant effect, so it can be expected to prevent weekly illness and improve blood sugar and blood pressure, making it a soba noodle that has been attracting attention due to the health boom in recent years.

There is also an observation deck modeled after an airship 24 meters above the ground, and it is also a spot where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Obu.

Located about 12 minutes by car from downtown Omu Town, Cape Hinode is a superb view point of sunrise.
On the small hill of the cape, there is also the all-glass "Cape Hinode Observatory La Luna", and there are binoculars that can be used free of charge at the observatory. "La Luna" means "moon" in Italian.
It is said that it was named "It seems that the moon floats above the cape."
You can enjoy the scenery of the Sea of Okhotsk in summer and the panoramic view of over 180 degrees in front of you during the drift ice season in winter.

There is "Omu Town Cape Hinode Campsite" about 7 minutes on foot from Cape Hinode.
It consists of a free site and bungalows, and is bustling during the summer camp every year.
You can spend a comfortable time surrounded by nature.

There is also Hotel Cape Hinode around this campsite where you can take a day trip, so please use it when sightseeing Omu Town.

Here, we will deliver information on Omu Town's specialties and recommended gourmet food!
The specialty of Hokkaido Omu Town is delicious seafood nurtured by rich nature.
Among seafood, fresh scallops, hairy crabs, and salmon are gaining popularity.
Since you can fully enjoy the bounty of the sea, processed products are also recommended as souvenirs!

Hokkaido Omu Town's hometown tax payment offers thank-you goods that take advantage of these rich nature and local specialties such as delicious marine products.
The popular "saltwater sea urchin Ezobahun sea urchin" 2023 has already ended is grown by eating the nutrient-rich Rishiri kelp that grows in Obu, and is characterized by its rich taste.
In addition, the mineral-rich scallops caught in Omu Town, where scallop fishing is popular, can be grilled, fried, and of course sashimi.

Omu Town, the breeding and production of "Angus beef" is also thriving.
In general cattle barn, they are raised on high-calorie food, but Angus cows are raised on large pastures and are characterized by relatively low fat and a lot of redness.
As a gift in return for hometown tax payment, "Angus beef set frozen" is also available, so please enjoy it.

Please experience the charm of Omu Town in your own way, such as superb scenery rich in nature, gourmet food, and outdoor activities.
In the future, COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will continue to deliver fascinating Omu Town information.
Thank you very much!

Nice to meet you all! Kumejima Visitor's Bureau.
Kumejima, Kume Island a remote island in Okinawa with a population of about 7,300, is home to beautiful nature and rich culture.

The Kume Island is located 100 km west of the main island of Okinawa, and access to the Kumejima is about 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport on the main island of Okinawa to Kumejima Airport 7 flights a day.
Kumejima Airport from Haneda Airport takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes.

In addition, the ferry can be taken from the main island of Okinawa "Naha Tomari Port",
Via Tonaki Island, it takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to Kume Island Kanegusuku Port or about 3 hours by direct Kume Island flight.
There are 1~2 ferries per day, so please be careful when using them.

There are four ways to get around the island: town buses, rental cars, taxis, and bicycle rentals.
You can rent a car from the airport if you make a reservation, and please check the reception desk of each company in the airport arrival lobby.
There are town buses that go around the island clockwise and counter-clockwise, the Airport Line, the Shimajiri Line, and the Kagiyama Line, and the Airport Line mainly operates according to the flight time, so you can easily use it.
The Kume Island is about 23km and can be circled in about 3~4 hours by bicycle.

The Kumejima has a number of fascinating sights.
In this post, we will introduce some of them.

The ruins of the Gusuku period scattered throughout Okinawa are called "Gusuku castle".
Chinese ceramics are sometimes unearthed from Gusuku, and it is a spot where you can feel the remnants of the era when trade with overseas was thriving.
Located at the top of Mt. Uejodake, "Uegusuku Castle Ruins" is the ruins of a castle built at the highest point in Gusuku. From the summit, you can see the entire Kume Island and it is also a superb viewing spot.
"Gushikawa Castle Ruins" is a gusuku located on a limestone hill along the coast. It is also a nationally designated historic site, and Gusuku is characterized by a castle wall that mixes limestone and andesite.

Next, we will introduce the beaches where you can enjoy the beautiful sea of Okinawa.
"Ara Beach" is a hidden gem spot like a private beach surrounded by mountains.
There is no doubt that you will be impressed by the beauty of the mysterious sunset as well as in the daytime!
Shinri Beach, a beach with gentle waves, has an atoll right off the coast, and you can see the atoll up close at low tide.
Since it is close to the airport, it is possible to watch airplanes take off and land.
In addition, if you apply to the town environmental conservation division, you can use it as a campsite for free.

"Mifuga Rock" on the shore of Yamatodomari is a tourist destination that means "female rock" in dialect.
There are strangely shaped rocks created by the wind and tide, and it is a popular spot that is said to be a blessing for children.

At Kumejima Tsumugi no Sato Yuimaru-kan, you can observe the dyeing techniques and works of traditional Kume Island pongee, and you can also enjoy weaving and dyeing Kume Island pongee.
The Kume Island Museum is a museum where you can experience the history and culture of Kume Island, and holds permanent exhibitions of "Kume Island Nature and Culture" as well as special exhibitions.

Next, we will introduce information on activities that you can enjoy in the Kume Island full of nature.
The "Maine Beach", "Nakano Beach", and "Hatinu Beach" floating in the northeast of the Kume Island are collectively called "Hatenohama", and you can enjoy various marine activities!

There are plenty of diving spots in the Kume Island for beginners to intermediate divers and above.
Recommended for beginners, "Manta Station" is a popular manta ray encounter spot. You can enjoy Black Manta watching up close.
In addition, the diving spot "Tombara", which is representative of the Kume Island with a huge rock height of about 50 m, has a maximum depth of 30 m, which is suitable for intermediate skiers and above, and the tide is strong, but it is also an attractive spot because there is a possibility of encountering schools of migratory fish, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, etc.

You can also explore the beautiful ocean world on a snorkeling tour.
You can also enjoy the charm of Kumejima by strolling along the coastline in a "sea kayak" where you can enjoy the surrounding scenery while paddling on the sea.
There is also a two-seater kayak, so you can enjoy it even with children.

At the "Kume Island Horse Farm" where you can enjoy interacting with the horses, you can enjoy horse play that can only be experienced here!
You can also use the "Umi Uma Asobi" to enter the sea while riding a horse, as well as your favorite horse play and a back menu on request.

Yajiyagama Cave, the longest limestone cave in the Kume Island, which is about 800 meters long, offers year-round exploration programs.
Depending on the program, you can explore the mysterious limestone cave in about 1 and a half ~ 2 hours.

Don't miss the gourmet food of Kumejima!
Kumejima is also famous as a shrimp farming pond.
The quality is highly evaluated by the industry, and it is also certified as a "base production area" by Okinawa Prefecture. The season is December ~ May.
In addition, sea grapes and awamori are also delicious specialties. It is also a perfect souvenir for Kume Island.

Kumejima is a place where you can spend a rich time through contact with nature and cultural experiences.
We will give you the best information to make your trip to Kumejima enjoyable.
Thank you for your continued support!

Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video!
I’m Kurashima, Tourism Officer with the Community Revitalization Team of Nishiokoppe Village.

I’d like to share lots of enticing tourist information about Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido. I look forward to your interest.

Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido, lies inland from the Sea of Okhotsk in Eastern Hokkaido. The population is 1,002 (as of the end of July, Reiwa 5), and about 90 percent of the village area is covered by forest.
The contrast between the forests and snowy landscapes is beautiful, and many public buildings are unified by orange-colored walls.

The village experiences large temperature swings: winter can reach minus 20 degrees Celsius and summer can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
Despite the harsh natural conditions, the area is rich in nature and full of remote, scenic spots and waterfalls to explore.

Now, here are some of the attractive sightseeing spots in Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido.

At the foot of Mount Wenshiri, the “Ice Tunnel” offers a mystical, ice-filled world and is a popular destination.
The tunnel, formed by water flowing from spring snowmelt, sits in a mountain valley so the ice remains even in summer, creating a mysterious scene.
Because of collapse risks it is usually closed, but this July it was opened for one day for the first time in four years.

Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu blends a flower park with a roadside station.

Inside the roadside station you can find a rare wooden mechanical organ called Oto-Ki-Bayashi that plays music using wind. The shop sells dairy products such as soft-serve made with Nishiokoppe-produced grass-fed milk, and processed Ezo deer products (leather goods, pet food, etc.).

The adjacent flower park features a garden designed around a “natural garden” concept that recreates plants suited to Nishiokoppe Village’s climate and landscape.

About a 10-minute drive from Roadside Station Nishiokoppe Kamu, the Komu Museum of Art, “Komu,” follows the concept of seeing, touching, playing, and creating.
It exhibits about 3,000 wooden toys and works, and large wooden play structures are available for visitors to touch and play with.

One especially popular attraction is the wooden sandbox filled with 160,000 wooden balls, where you can enjoy the scent of wood and a kind of woodworking bath.
You can also take part in hands-on woodcraft workshops to make things yourself.
Enjoy a luxurious time experiencing art in the forest.

Gyōja Falls, a 20-meter waterfall where you can feel the power of nature, is another highlight.
The falls began to be called Gyōja Falls after a woman in the late Meiji period repeatedly stood under the waterfall praying for her parent’s recovery from a serious illness.
Upstream from Gyōja Falls are Akaiwa Falls, with a beautiful brick-colored riverbed, and Kuroiwa Falls, which flows through a primeval forest of Ezo spruce; you can enjoy all three falls along a single route.

Next, here are campgrounds where you can enjoy wide-open nature and outdoor activities.

Forest Park underwent major renovations over two years in Reiwa 4 and 5, preparing tent site improvements and new playground equipment for a renovated reopening in Reiwa 6.
In Reiwa 5 the tent sites are available until October 15, but playground equipment is not usable.
The park also has paid log houses available year-round and a BBQ house for day-use barbecues.

Surrounded by primary forest, Wenshiri Campground has no cooking facilities and is recommended for a wild camping experience.
Like the Ice Tunnel, it is located on Mount Wenshiri and offers one free bungalow that can accommodate up to ten people.
Note that the area around the primeval forest may have bear sightings, so caution is required when using the site.

Nishiokoppe Village is also known for its guitar factory, Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry Co. Ltd., where beautifully sounding instruments are made.
Founded in a way that succeeded a lumber company, Okhotsk Musical Instrument Industry now produces 20,000 guitar bodies annually.
A separate building on the factory grounds houses a free showroom open to visitors for casual tours.

Access to Nishiokoppe Village:
From Haneda Airport to Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
From the Osaka area, you can fly from Kansai International Airport or Osaka International Airport to New Chitose Airport (about 1 hour 50 minutes), take JR to asahikawa station (about 2 hours 10 minutes), transfer to a JR limited express and get off at Nayoro (about 1 hour), then take a bus to Nishiokoppe Village (about 1 hour).
A bus from Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport to Nishiokoppe Village takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.

From the Ice Tunnel to other beautiful landscapes and delicious local food, Nishiokoppe Village offers a variety of experiences.
We will continue to share the charms of Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido, so please stay tuned!

Nice to meet everyone who watched the COOL JAPAN VIDEOS!
This is the Okhotsk Ozora Town Tourism Association that disseminates attractive information about Hokkaido Ozora Town.

Ozora Town is a town located in the east of Hokkaido and was formed in 2006 by the merger of Memanbetsu Town and Higashi Mokoto Village.
In this first post, we will introduce the highlights of the Ozora Town. Enjoy!

We will introduce how to access Hokkaido Ozora Town.
【Access by plane】
◯ Tokyo Haneda Airport 〜 Memanbetsu Airport ... Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
◯ Sapporo New Chitose Airport 〜 Memanbetsu Airport ... Approx. 50 minutes
◯ Osaka・Kansai International Airport 〜 Memanbetsu Airport ... Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes

【Access by train】
◯ JR Sapporo Station 〜 JR Memanbetsu Station ... About 5 hours 30 minutes by "Limited Express Okhotsk" / JR Asahikawa Station ~ JR Memanbetsu Station...About 3 hours 30 minutes by "Limited Express Oyuki"
◯ Sapporo 〜 Memanbetsu ... Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes by intercity bus "Dreamint Okhotsk" reservation required

Hokkaido Ozora Town has a climate with a large temperature difference, so it is recommended to check the weather forecast when planning a trip.
Since there is little precipitation throughout the year, there are many sunny days, making it perfect for sightseeing!
In summer, the average temperature is around 20°C, making it a comfortable climate.
Snowfall in winter is from late October to late April. The minimum temperature can be -27°C, and the cold is severe in the region.

A Ozora Town where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons!
From here, we will introduce the sightseeing spots.
With the arrival of warm spring, the Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park Higashimokoto moss phlox Park, where the beautiful pink carpet of the moss phlox spreads, is a popular moss phlox spot.
The park has an observatory, a pink torii gate, and a sightseeing wheel.
The picturesque scenery in the vast park is a must-see! Flowering time around May ~ early June

In summer, the vast sunflower field is in full bloom, and yellow flowers spread out like the sun.
"Tomap River Park" is the earliest sunflower field in the Ozora Town.
It is located about 10 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport and has good access. Flowering time: mid ~ late July

Asahigaoka Park, which is famous for enjoying sunflowers for a long time, is a popular spot for the superb view from the observatory.
From the observatory, you can overlook Lake Abashiri, Mt. Shari, and the Shiretoko mountain range. Flowering time: late July ~ mid-September

The sunflower field next to Memanbetsu Airport is a hot place in social media where you can take pictures of airplanes and sunflowers!
You can enjoy about 400,000 sunflowers. Flowering time: early ~ late August
Since it is located next to Memanbetsu Airport, you can take pictures as if an airplane is taking off and landing in a sunflower field.

"Roadside Station NonkyLand Higashimokoto" with a hotel is also a popular spot!
At the shop, you can enjoy local flavors such as souvenirs, local specialties, "juicy meat buns" of Hokkaido beef and long potatoes.
It is also possible to stay at "Hotel Higashimokoto" in the Roadside Station. You can choose from twin, DLX twin, and Japanese-style rooms. There are no hot springs in the hotel, but there is a hot spring facility "Fureai Center Phlox" about 2 minutes by car from the hotel or about 9 minutes on foot, equipped with a whirlpool bath and sauna. You can slowly heal the fatigue of traveling.

Located about 10 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport, "Meruhen no Oka" is also a popular tourist destination that cannot be missed.
It is a famous spot for its fairytale scenery lined with seven larches.
The vast countryside spreads out and you can enjoy the picturesque scenery.
One of the highlights is the nearby Roadside Station "Meruhen no Oka Memanbetsu"!
There is a corner selling freshly caught locally and a local product corner, and you can enjoy gourmet food using local ingredients such as "Ozora pork shabu long modon" at the on-site restaurant.
There is also a free "dog run" where dogs can easily play.

Mt. Mokoto, where you can enjoy the rich nature, is also a recommended tourist destination.
It has been selected as one of the national "Nature 100 Selections". The altitude is about 1000m, so you can easily enjoy trekking!
One of the highlights is the spring water near the 8th station, the famous water "Ginrei Water".

Next, we will introduce the hot spring facilities in Ozora Town.
If you want to enjoy hot springs in Ozora Town, we recommend the town-run public bath facility "Memanbetsu Agricultural Structure Improvement Center Himawari Onsen"!
You can easily enjoy the hot springs flowing directly from the source with a day trip bath.
The hot water is abundant and the spring quality is sodium bicarbonate chloride spring, which has effects such as neuralgia, sensitivity to cold, and recovery from fatigue.

We deliver essential gourmet information for your trip to Ozora Town!
Ozora Town's proud local gourmet "Ozora pork shabu long modon" is a must-eat! At Nagashimaya, you can enjoy a bowl with an original kimchi-flavored sauce based on the return of soba sauce.

Ozora Town's two major summer events ♬♬ are "Memanbetsu Sightseeing Summer Festival" and "Nonkeyland Furusato Festival"
This year, the Tourism Summer Festival was held from July 29 Sat to 30 Sun, 2023.
The summer festival, which was held for the first time in four years, was a great success with fireworks on the water!
The Hometown Festival was also held for the first time in four years. The race to roll large grass rolls and compete was a great success.

In Hokkaido Ozora Town, there is still plenty of recommended information such as beautiful nature, sightseeing spots, and fresh seafood gourmet.
We will continue to introduce the charm of Hokkaido Ozora Town, so thank you!