Nice to meet you! We are the Kimobetsu Tourism Association.
We would like to share the many charms of Kimobetsucho in Hokkaido with everyone watching Cool Japan videos.
This is our first post, so we will briefly introduce Kimobetsu’s history, sightseeing spots, and local specialties.
In future posts we will provide detailed information on events and hidden gem attractions, so please stay tuned.

Kimobetsu has a long history and retains strong influences from Ainu culture.
The town’s name comes from the Ainu word Kim-o-pet, meaning “river with many mountains.”
As the name suggests, Kimobetsu is crossed by 41 rivers of various sizes, including the Shiribetsu River and Kimobetsu River. The town lies at the foothills of MtYotei, a 1,898-meter peak nicknamed Ezo Fuji for its resemblance to Mt. Fuji, and is a nature-rich town about a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Sapporo City.

The annual average temperature is a relatively cold 5.9°C, and the area receives heavy snowfall—sometimes nearly 150 cm. The large day–night temperature swings create a fertile environment for agriculture, and crops grown here are shipped across Japan. Kimobetsu has developed into one of Hokkaido’s leading agricultural regions.

In particular, asparagus is known as one of the places where commercial cultivation began in Japan. Its generous size, crisp yet tender texture, and natural sweetness are exquisite, so be sure to try it.
Other recommended souvenirs include high-quality Baron potatoes and sweet corn.

At Nakayama Pass, Roadside Station Boyou Nakayama offers specialties like age-imo (deep-fried potato) and a restaurant serving dishes made with local ingredients, as well as a shop selling regional products.
From Kimobetsu Town Park you can view both MtYotei and MtShiribetsu and fully experience Kimobetsu’s great outdoors.

Kimobetsu also actively operates an empty house bank as part of municipal initiatives to encourage relocation.
This program makes effective use of vacant homes in town and is available to people hoping to move here, settle permanently, or stay regularly, contributing to local revitalization.
If you are considering relocating to a place with abundant nature, please check Kimobetsu’s official website.

Kimobetsu combines rich nature, tourist attractions, and history, and offers a sense of slow, peaceful time.
You can find a pleasant respite away from the daily hustle and bustle.

Unknown beautiful landscapes, new experiences, and fresh encounters await you in Kimobetsu, Hokkaido.
We will continue to share Kimobetsu’s charms, so please come and visit Kimobetsu!

Hello COOL JAPAN VIDEOS viewers.
This time Shakotan we would like to introduce Cape Kamui at the tip of the peninsula.

Cape Kamui, located a little over one and a half hours by car from Otaru, is designated as a Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park and is the only marine park in Hokkaido.

Just as the Ainu words "Shaku = Summer" and "Kotan = Village" came to be called "Shakotan", the summer scenery is wonderful, and the vivid blue sea has come to be called "Shakotan Blue".

If you walk along the 770-meter-long promenade "Charenka Path" from the parking lot of the cape, you can reach the tip in about 30 minutes, and you can see the surroundings 300 degrees from near the tip.
On the promenade "Charenka's Path" there is the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

~Charenka Legend~
Charenka, the daughter of the chief who has strong feelings for Yoshitsune.
However, Yoshitsune left for the continent, and Charenka followed him to Cape Kamui, but Yoshitsune's ship went far offshore.
Charenka, who was grieving, threw herself into the sea with words of resentment, saying, "If you pass through here with a Japanese ship and a woman on board, you will capsize."
With sorrow and resentment, Charenka's body turned into Kamui Rock, and since then, whenever a ship carrying a woman approached the vicinity, it capsized, making Cape Kamui a place forbidden to women.
This rule continued until the early Meiji period.

There is still a "gate forbidden to women" on Cape Kamui, but now women can also go through that gate to the tip.
However, since Cape Kamui is originally a windy area, on days when winds of 13 meters or more blow, the gate forbidden to women is closed and it is not possible to go to the tip.

From June ~ July, the Ezo daylily flowers are in full bloom, and on foggy days, you can see a very fantastic scenery.

The cape, named Kamui, which means "god" in the Ainu language, has a very beautiful sunset and a superb view where you can feel the presence of the gods.

In 2004, the Shakotan Peninsula and Cape Kamui were selected as Hokkaido Heritage Sites.

Hi everyone! This is Touma Promotion Corporation!

Toma-chō, Hokkaido is a town with a population of about 6,500 located in Kamikawa District Ishikari Province in central Hokkaido.
It is 30 minutes by car from Asahikawa Airport, and 30 minutes by train from JR Asahikawa Station to Toma Station, making it easy to access!

It is a town where agriculture and forestry are thriving, and agriculture is an excellent rice production area that represents Hokkaido, and it has won first place in Hokkaido's rice ranking for 12 consecutive years.

The annual climate and weather of Toma Town is characterized by a large difference in temperature between winter and summer, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the four seasons.

This is my first post to COOL JAPAN VIDEOS, so I will introduce some of the main sightseeing spots in Toma Town.
"Roadside Station Touma" is a popular spot that handles fresh local ingredients and specialties and is appreciated not only by locals but also by tourists visiting Tomamachi.
At "Kuruminano no Kiyukan", you can feel close to wood produced in Tomamachi by experiencing lumber, making wood, and exhibiting and selling wood products.
Please experience the "tree culture" of Toma Town with your children.

Next, I would like to introduce the Toma Bell Cave.
Toma Bell Cave is a 132-meter-long limestone cave that was built 150,000 years ago and was discovered in 1957 1957 Showa 32.
It was designated as a Hokkaido Natural Monument in the 1961 Showa 36.
The mysterious limestone cave will tickle your sense of adventure, and you will be impressed by the magnificent natural beauty that stretches deep underground.

"Toma Dam" overwhelms people with its magnificent appearance. In harmony with nature, the area around the dam has a beautiful landscape and is loved by visitors as a great place for walks and picnics.

"Toumayama Park Golf Course" is a golf course that can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced players, and you can spend a luxurious time enjoying sports in the magnificent scenery of Hokkaido's beautiful nature.
If you want to feel the nature of Toma Town with your children, friends, and family, we recommend field athletics and campsites!
You can spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and become one with nature.

We will also introduce the specialties of Toma Town!
Speaking of special products of Toma Town, "Densuke Suika" is famous.
The watermelon is pitch black and has a powerful appearance, but the flesh is bright red and has a sweet and juicy taste.
It is a brand watermelon from Tomamachi that is full of sweetness, and in the first shipment, the maximum celebratory price was 750,000 yen per ball.
"Densukesuika" has many fans nationwide and is very popular as a gift in return for hometown tax payment.
In addition, the "roses" of Toma Town are also known as a special product, and have won numerous awards at rose competitions in Japan and overseas.

Various events and festival are held in Toma Town throughout the year, but you can't miss the "Banryu Festival" held on the first Sunday of August every year.
Various programs such as the local performing arts "Ryu Taiko" and the powerful "Ryu Odori" are prepared, and the fireworks festival that decorates the finale of the festival brightly colors the night sky of Toma Town.

A town in harmony with nature, Toma Town in Hokkaido.
It is full of attractions from sightseeing spots to local specialties and events.
While feeling the atmosphere of the four seasons, please enjoy an experience that can only be experienced in Tomamachi.

We will continue to send out more charms and the latest information of Toma Town, so please look forward to it!