【ICHI LIVE】 ICHI LIVE is happening! Kids and adults alike, come to the South Pasture🐄🐑 Wednesday, August 13 Live starts at 10:30 AM Adults 2,000 yen Ages 6– 500 yen Venue: South Pasture, Nishiokoppe Village Everywhere is filling up with summer plans. We hope everyone has a wonderful summer. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #ICHI #LIVE #Summer #South Pasture

Culture Night Friday, July 25 At the Forest Museum Komu, the yearly Culture Night took place. Normally Komu closes at 5:00 PM, but for this night only it stayed open until 8:00 PM. Since people usually visit Komu during daylight hours, entering the museum at night felt like sneaking into school—full of excitement. That evening, not only the young children who often use Komu but also middle school students who came to see their friends from the brass band and many adults arrived one after another. For some locals who live nearby but rarely stop by these days, it was a rare chance to step into Komu again. Inside the building, the Nishiokoppe Junior High School brass band performed, and the puppet-theater group Doremi staged “The Mischievous Ghost Kenmun.” Among the performances, a trio by three third-year brass-band students left a strong impression. Trumpet, horn, and euphonium. Each instrument had its highlight passages, and their overlapping harmonies were very beautiful. The puppet show put on by village volunteers collaborated with lighting to create a vivid, immersive performance. After the shows, there was time to interact with the puppets and instruments. The children who played until they were drenched in sweat likely slept soundly that night. We look forward to next year’s Culture Night. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Museum Komu #Culture Night #mokuiiku (wood learning) #brass band #puppet theater

[Wood Play Experience Market] Komu Museum of Art Saturday, August 2, 10:00–16:00 We present the “Wood Play Experience Market”! ※Museum closing time is 17:00 See it, touch it, make it—fun wooden workshops await you. [Workshop Highlights] 〇 Wooden keychain and brooch making Artist: tek Tanno Yuri Fee: 500 yen each Duration: about 30 minutes 〇 Make a wooden kaleidoscope or clock!! Artist: Do mono Fee: Kaleidoscope 1,000 yen / Clock 500 yen Duration: about 30 minutes 〇 Wood-nut BUG BUG Wood education meister: Erika Murai Fee: 300 yen Duration: about 30 minutes 〇 Mushroom magnet making Uenshiri and friends (taiko drum team) Fee: 500 yen (for two pieces) Duration: about 10 minutes ※Admission fees apply as usual High school and older 500 yen / Grades 4–6 and junior high 300 yen / Ages 3 to Grade 3 100 yen / Under 3 free ※Residents of Nishiokoppe Village are free of charge that day To mark the village’s 100th anniversary, the first 100 visitors will receive a free workshop ticket! Every craft is adorable—you’ll have trouble choosing which to make. Come make a lovely piece and create a summer vacation memory. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Komu Museum of Art #Summer #Wood Play Experience Market #Hands-on #Workshop #Woodworking #Woody Summer School #August 2

[Feel the Festival Atmosphere at Kimu!] When I visited the Forest Museum Kimu after a long time I found festival booths spreading out! Handmade by Kimu staff, there were goldfish scooping, a shooting gallery, and a fishing corner, with stuffed animals welcoming visitors. With temperatures in Hokkaido topping 30°C, don’t forget to stay hydrated while you play. ***** Friday night, July 25th, is Culture Night! The museum stays open late from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free for everyone during these hours. At 5:30 PM there will be a concert by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School brass band. At 6:30 PM the puppet-theater group Doremi will perform. For inquiries, contact the Forest Museum Kimu. TEL: 0158-87-2600 We look forward to your visit. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Museum Kimu #Summer #Festival booths #Culture Night

The music never stops At the guesthouse GA.KOPPER in Nishiokoppe Village This week’s music events continue to take place🎉 ○ Puukichi’s Guitar Concert Thursday, July 24, 8:00 PM Enjoy the sound of acoustic guitar ○ Ni Tete Boy Live and Session Saturday, July 26 Afternoon session 2:30 PM–3:30 PM Evening session 6:30 PM–9:00 PM We’re excited to hear music and drum performances from Ghana😆 ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ Both events are free to enter They are tip-based free live shows🏋️ Visitors who are not staying overnight are very welcome! We ask that you order at least one drink, such as a beverage🍺 At Ni Tete’s evening session you might be able to try the event’s special menu item, “white curry”!? Please come with friends and family, we hope to see you there! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #music #Live #Puukichi #guitar concert #acoustic guitar #Ni Tete Boy #drums #Ghana #GAKOPPER

[Kimu Culture Night] On Friday, July 25 the Forest Art Museum Kimu will be open until 8:00 PM! On this day, called Culture Night, the museum extends its hours from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free for everyone! In addition to exploring the galleries, there will be fun programs. From 5:30 PM a concert by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School Wind Ensemble From 6:30 PM a puppet show by the Doremi Puppet Theater Circle will take place. Both events will be held on Kimu Island inside the museum. It seems there will even be lighting staff, so we look forward to the day. For inquiries, contact the Forest Art Museum Kimu. TEL: 0158-87-2600 We look forward to your visit. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Art Museum Kimu #Extended hours #Nishiokoppe Junior High School Wind Ensemble #Doremi Puppet Theater Circle #July 25

[Ice Tunnel Open Again This Year!] Has June always been this hot? June, which seems to get hotter every year, has rushed by and the ice tunnel opening day is nearly here. 🕙️ 🕑️ The event runs on Sunday, July 13, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. 🥾💦🥾💦🥾 The area around the ice tunnel is muddy underfoot, so we recommend wearing rubber boots. 🚌 🚌 🚌 To reach the ice tunnel, drive to Wenshiri Campground or use the single shuttle bus that runs from the town center. Shuttle bus times are as follows: Outbound Around 10:00 Kamikoppe Bus Stop Around 10:10 Nishiokoppe Bus Stop Around 10:15 Hotel Morimu Around 10:35 Ice Tunnel Return Around 11:30 Ice Tunnel Around 11:50 Hotel Morimu, Nishiokoppe Bus Stop Around 12:00 Kamikoppe Bus Stop You can watch a route video from Nishiokoppe town to the venue via the QR code in the second image. Drivers should check that video as well. Come cool off near the ice! For inquiries contact Nishiokoppe Village Chamber of Commerce. TEL: 0158-87-2974 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #One-Day Opening of the Ice Tunnel #Nishiokoppe Village Chamber of Commerce #Youth Division #Wenshiri #Summer Cooling Event #July 13

Nishinikarishite Returns Summer 2023 Nishinikarishite took place at GA.KOPPER guesthouse in Nishiokoppe Village. A day of live-noise bon odori echoed through the whole village of Nishiokoppe. For its second edition this year, the festivities span two days. Alongside music, food, and the noise bon odori, the program is packed with ghost stories and shadow puppetry, deer butchering, silk-screen printing and bookbinding workshops, and much more. On day one the venue is the old school building of the closed Kamiokoppe Elementary School, and on day two the event moves to guesthouse GA.KOPPER. Both days open at 10:30 AM, start at 11:00 AM, and finish around 9:00 PM. Admission is free on day one; day two costs 5,000 yen (free for junior high school students and younger). After 7:00 PM on day two, entry is free for everyone. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. You may also pay at the reception on the day of the event. (The price is the same either way.) The gymnasium of the former Kamiokoppe Elementary School will be open as a rest area at night. If you want to attend both days but need a place to stay, please bring a sleeping bag or tent and use the campsite. For details, check the Nishiokoppe Gakkai account. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Nishinikarishite #Nishiokoppe Gakkai #Former Kamiokoppe Elementary School #GA.KOPPER #Bon odori #Noise bon odori #Feast #100th anniversary of the village opening

Our Village Beautification Project Saturday, June 14 We carried out our annual Our Village Beautification Project. Everyone from local businesses to nursery children and adults planted marigold seedlings along the roadside. About an hour before the meeting a heavy rain shower passed, and after it stopped the temperature and humidity gradually rose, so it was the kind of day when you worked up a sweat. Some people dug holes, some placed pots, and some buried the seedlings… we divided the tasks and diligently planted flowers in our assigned areas. Under the flag celebrating the village's 100th anniversary, neatly planted marigolds and pansies are once again brightening the road this year. May they grow tall and strong. #Nishiwakkanai Village #Hokkaido #Our Village Beautification Project #Flower Planting #Marigolds #Pansies #June 14 #Flowers #Nature #Setoushi-kun Polo Shirt

Planting in a Large Pot In Nishiokoppe, Sato Yuka of onesmanorgarden, who has become a familiar face here, was invited as the instructor for a container-planting workshop! This time, the plan was to display the arrangements at village facilities, so we planted as many as 15 kinds of flowers and foliage in a large pot. Unlike the gathering-style design we learned last year, container planting simply involves removing plants from their pots, arranging them in the planter, leveling the soil, and the arrangement is finished in no time. Before taking them out of their pots, we first laid them out to expand our ideas. Because the pot has a pattern, we imagined which side might be the front and how to make the arrangement attractive from every angle, then decided on the placement. Once the image was clear, we planted from the center outward and built the surrounding heights to match. If the soil surface is not even, water will collect in the low spots when you water, or so we were told. As I planted each one, I filled gaps with soil as needed and continued working. Experienced participants, even with large pots, finished their arrangements in about 30 minutes with a flurry of activity. (Too fast…!) The finished pots are installed in both Kamiokoppe and Nishiokoppe. Although each pot used the same materials, individual personalities shine through, so it might be fun to compare them. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Container-Planting Workshop #Village in Full Bloom #Kamu #Flower Park #Flowers #Nature

[Sunday, July 13] is the day the Ice Tunnel opens A popular spot in Nishiokoppe Village —The Ice Tunnel— This hidden gem can only be seen in summer. Because there is less snow than usual this year the opening will be held not on the final Sunday of July but on the mid-month date of Sunday the 13th! However, sightings of bears or other unavoidable reasons may force the event to be canceled. Last year, although heavy snow had already melted and the tunnel-shaped ice could not be seen, visitors were able to go farther inside than usual and enjoy a special experience. What kind of ice formations will we see this year? We will announce event details on the village website and this account, so please check for updates. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Ice Tunnel #Opening Day #July 13 #Summer

Introduction to Flowers at Kamu June 6 (Friday) The rain from the previous day had cleared, and the sun showed its face. I went to take pictures of the flowers at the Roadside Station Kamu Flower Park. Hellebores and pulsatillas that bloomed a month ago were bearing fruit, and I spotted buds that are about to open. The park manager kindly told me the names of the flowers, and I created a flower description display. It is posted at the entrance of Kamu, so please take a look! If you want to see the real thing, by all means step into the Flower Park. Strolling while enjoying a soft-serve made from grass-fed milk is also recommended for this season. Roadside Station Kamu Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a national holiday, closed the following day) Admission: Roadside Station – free Flower Park – 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kamu #Flower Park #June 6 #flowers #nature

June 16 (Monday): Yukimichi Bookshop on a pop-up visit Starting this month, Yukimichi Bookshop will come to Nishiokoppe Village on the third Monday of each month📖 Until now their pop-ups were often on Wednesdays, so if that timing didn’t work for you, please drop by for a quick look. The location is Pomu. It’s the building between Nishiokoppe Village Office and Kikuchi Shoten that at first glance looks like a private home. Look for the “We’re Open” sign the children made a little while ago. Yukimichi, which has a shop in Shimokawacho, brings a carefully selected range of books from their large stock each time, so we’re excited to see what treasures appear this month! We welcome visitors from the village and neighbors alike. #Nishiokoppe Village #Yukimichi Bookshop pop-up #Shimokawacho #Pomu #June 16 #Third Monday

Setoushi-kun Pochi Bags New Setoushi-kun goods have arrived! Pochi Bags These are small envelopes for a little tip, a celebratory gift, or pocket money. In Nishiokoppe Village, some people often use them to give pocket money to their grandchildren. Formed last year, the Nishiokoppe Uenshiri Taiko drumming group wanted to liven up the village and thought about ways to raise activity funds, which led to this product. From cutting the paper to packing the bags, members handle everything by hand. We offer a colorful five-piece set and a three-piece set of poche bags printed with the words "Just a little". 3-piece set 250 yen 5-piece set 350 yen They are sold at Roadside Station Kapomarché, Hotel Morimu, and Mori Art Museum Komu. If you’re interested, please pick one up and take a look. Thank you. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Setoushi-kun #Goods #Nishiokoppe Uenshiri Taiko #On Sale

Outdoor Screening and Star‑Gazing Night On Saturday, May 24th, we spent an evening of film and stargazing at the Forest Park. That said, the sky was unfortunately cloudy that night. It was also a bit chilly. We couldn’t look up at the stars, which was a shame, but the talk given by staff from Nayoro Municipal Observatory Kitāsubaru was fascinating, and they kindly opened their observatory vehicle for about 30 minutes. How long would it take to fly from Earth to the Sun by plane…? They explained the universe in a very easy‑to‑understand way, and both children and adults were captivated. While promoting this event, we discovered that far more people than expected are actually interested in the stars, which was a pleasant surprise. We’d like to create another opportunity to invite the observatory vehicle Polaris No. II again. (Nayoro Municipal Observatory website below) https://www.nayoro-star.jp/kitasubaru/... For the screening, we showed the Japanese‑dubbed version of the French animated film Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! Amid the absurd twists and turns, I kept mentally reacting to the antics while enjoying a delightful 76 minutes. For movie snacks, Cafe Granch and Nishiokoppe Uenshiri Taiko offered food stalls. Coconut dumplings, pudding, popcorn, mamecha (roasted soybean tea), and hojicha chai. Although the stalls were run by village residents, they offered some rarely seen menu items, and thanks to that the event was a big success. This was Nishiokoppe Village’s first outdoor screening. Despite weather concerns and other uncertainties, we managed to hold the event. Alongside this program, we inflated the bouncy dome until 9:00 p.m., and the children kept jumping for a long time—apparently bouncing at night feels different from daytime. Thank you to everyone who came, and to everyone who lent their support to make the event happen! #Nishiokoppe Village #Forest Park #Hokkaido #Outdoor Screening #Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! #Stargazing #Nayoro Municipal Observatory #Kitāsubaru #Observatory Vehicle Polaris No. II #Cafe Granch #Nishiokoppe Uenshiri Taiko

[Campsite Now Open] Thank you for waiting, the Nishiokoppe Village campsite is finally open! Season: From May 31 to October 19 Fee: 500 yen per site per night ※Additional charges may apply depending on the number of sites Reception hours: From 9:00 to 16:30 After 16:30, check-in will be processed the next day or via unmanned reception Guests who complete reception will receive a registration tag. Please return it at check-out. We also sell 20L trash bags. (3 for 300 yen, 5 for 500 yen) If you would like trash collection, please purchase at the management office when you check in. A trash bin will be placed beside the management office, so please put your sorted trash there. (Sorting: burnable waste, non-burnable waste, food waste, plastic containers and packaging, cans, PET bottles, glass bottles) The campsite is a free-site, so reservations are not required. For other campsite rules, please see the village website. https://www.vill.nishiokoppe.lg.jp/feeuub0000001a7a.html... We look forward to many visitors again this year! For inquiries, contact the tourism information center Rizumu (Rizumu). TEL: 0158-85-7125 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Campsite #Forest Park #Now Open #Free Site

Playing with Kendama Ken-chan From Atsuma Town Kendama Club Kendama Ken-chan, also known as Mr. Retsu Saito, came to visit us! Kendama fun isn’t just about placing the ball on the cups or spearing it on the spike. A unicorn balancing the kendama on its forehead. Stacked kendama play with multiple kendama piled up. Of course, it’s not only solitary play. One game challenges you to keep your ball on your cup while trying to knock other people’s balls off. Two players sit facing each other and gently tap the balls together to see if they collide—this play reads like a little fortune-telling game. There are many ways to play. We also saw lots of different kinds of kendama! Some have many balls, some have square balls, and they range from large to small. Just getting the ball to land on the cup made adults put on proud faces or smile with delight— it was a moment that revealed their innocent side. Kendama Ken-chan Thank you for making everyone laugh, from little kids to grandmothers, with your kendama!! Please come again—😆 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #kendama #Atsuma Town #Kendama Club #Community Education Course #Council of Social Welfare #Community Revitalization Support Center

[Forest Park Is Open] Forest Park in Nishiokoppe Village opened with the start of Golden Week. The event was packed with activities. Food trucks and vendors came from various places, making the Golden Week period lively. Thank you to everyone who visited! Here’s a closer look at the playground attractions. Batting: 20 pitches per turn 200 yen Strikeout game: 12 pitches per turn 200 yen (The first home run of the year was apparently hit by a village resident!) Battery cars: Airplane and sheep shapes 1 ride 100 yen Dinosaur shape 1 ride 200 yen Go-karts: Single-seat 1 lap 300 yen Two-seat 1 lap 400 yen (This go-kart course has many curves and tricky spots for a thrilling ride) Bouldering: Shoe rental 1 session 100 yen *No use with outdoor shoes or socks* *Use with indoor shoes you bring is OK* (You’ll use your arms and legs—your whole body!) Other free play equipment includes a bounce dome, a Tarzan rope, spring riders, swings, and more. Relaxing on the lawn is also recommended. Please wait a little longer for the tent site to open. For meals, please visit Ku-raku inside the park! Takeout is available, so feel free to ask. We look forward to many visitors again this year! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Park #Open #Playground attractions #Come and play

Flower Dream Marche a Big Hit! May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon) The spring Nishiokoppe Village Marche ran for three days. As expected this time too, the Roadside Station parking lot filled with cars 🚙 When I arrived, I started by savoring venison with Ezo deer balls and red wine stew. A bowl of soba or udon topped with spring mountain vegetable tempura slid down smoothly. The mountain vegetables were yomogi (mugwort) and gyoja garlic (wild garlic). I felt the spring and replenished my energy. For souvenirs, I took home Setoushi-kun yaki and a chiffon cake. I had been looking forward to the fluffy chiffon cake, so I was glad to get one before it sold out! The children’s festival booth buzzed with candy fishing and a lottery to win toys. Booths selling plums, garlic, and tea added to the scene, and the vendors looked friendly and cheerful. There were moments when strong winds threatened to disrupt things, but the three days concluded safely. Thank you very much to everyone who visited! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Flower Dream #Nishiokoppe Village Marche #Ezo deer balls #Yumemura Mori no Garden #Baishin #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi

Grass Roll Painting Returns! Last year, we painted Setoushi-kun on a pair of stacked grass rolls, and the result proved more popular than expected, so we decided to do it again this year! Grass Roll Painting This year’s installation is in front of the management building at the Forest Park. If you spot a large orange object from around the intersection by the post office, that’s the grass roll. Using oil-based paint and markers, and with help from children visiting the park, we finished the painting. There’s even the autograph of that person who visited during Golden Week! The display will remain until around autumn. If you pass by, please come and take a look. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Forest Park #Grass Roll #Painting #Orange cow pattern #No face #Setoushi-kun

[Outdoor Screening & Star‑Gazing Night] Saturday, May 24 Would you like to watch a movie and the stars in Nishiokoppe Village? We will set up a screen at the Forest Park and show the French animated film Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! Japanese dubbed version. Running time: 76 minutes. This colorful film tells the story of a mother and daughter who chase the taste of memories. Look forward to it. 🌃After the movie, it’s star time🌃 The mobile observatory vehicle Polaris No. II will come from Nayoro Municipal Observatory Kitāsubaru. After a 20‑minute talk about the stars, you can use Polaris No. II until around 9:00 p.m. Whether you usually look up at the night sky or you rarely have time to see the stars, let’s all gaze at the same sky together that night. ☂️In case of rain☂️ The venue will move to the Community Center (Hotel Rimu) large hall, where we will hold the screening and the star talk. [Event Details] Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Venue: Forest Park ※In case of rain: Community Center large hall Fees: High school students and older: 700 yen Junior high school students and younger: 300 yen Preschool children: Free Snacks and drinks will be sold at the venue. Restaurant Ku‑raku offers both dine‑in and takeout options 🤤 For event inquiries, contact below ↓↓ Tourism Information Facility “Sato‑zum” 0158-85-7125 ※Phone hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Please bring mats or chairs. Nights are still chilly, so dress warmly. We look forward to seeing you there. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Event #Screening #Linda Wants to Eat a Chicken! #Star‑gazing #Nayoro Municipal Observatory Kitāsubaru #Polaris No. II

Kam Flower Park Snow still paints the surroundings white, but flowers that welcome spring have begun to show their faces. The flower park attached to the Roadside Station "Kam" had been closed for winter, but it opened on Saturday, April 26. The park is free to enter through Golden Week. After that, normal admission fees apply. Here are a few flowers photographed on Friday, April 25. azumaichige ezōengosaku katakuri kibananomana Christmas rose daffodil chionodoxa puschkinia (white, blue) European katakuri (still in bud. The yellow flowers will bloom in a little while) When you stop by Kam, why not take a short walk out to the flower park? Roadside Station "Kam" CAPO Marche in Nishiokoppe Village runs May 3 (Sat) to May 5 (Mon)! Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, closed the day after the holiday) Admission: Roadside Station ⇒ free Flower Park ⇒ 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kam #Flower Park #flowers

[Kamu hosts a Marche!] The Nishiokoppe Marche takes place every spring and autumn. It’s happening again this year! May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon) 10:00–15:00 Enjoy foods like Ezo venison balls and udon or soba, plus a children’s fair. Since last year, umeboshi and candied sweet potato sticks have been added to the lineup. There are plenty of events across the village during Golden Week. After playing at Komu Forest Park, relax with a break at Kamu (*^-^*). [Roadside Station "Kamu"] May 3 (Sat) – May 5 (Mon): Nishiokoppe Marche! Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Tuesdays *If Tuesday is a public holiday, the following day is closed. Admission: Roadside Station ⇒ Free Flower Park ⇒ 200 yen for high school students and older Contact: 0158-87-2333 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Roadside Station #Kamu #Nishiokoppe Marche #Ezo venison balls #Yumemura Forest Garden #Doremi Puppet Theater Circle #Baishin

[Kimu’s GW Festival] Golden Week is just around the corner. We recently announced an event at the Forest Park, and this time we’d like to introduce the Golden Week festival at the forest art museum Kimu. The festival runs for three days from Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5. 〇 Saturday, May 3 Singer-songwriter JUN will perform live! He will play both original songs and covers. Performances are from 13:00–13:30 and 15:00–15:30. 〇 Sunday, May 4, 13:00 Join the Mölkky knocking contest, where you throw wooden pins (Mölkky sticks) to topple wooden skittles. The first 10 people to arrive can participate. There are participation prizes, so please join in. 〇 Monday, May 5 Why not try decorating a wooden castanet? This popular workshop is becoming a regular feature. The fee is 200 yen per item. Workshop times are 10:00–11:30 and 13:00–15:00. Each session is limited to 20 groups. Both the Mölkky contest and the castanet decorating workshop take registrations on the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Please enjoy the exhibits inside Kimu as well as the events! ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ Because a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the museum’s closed days before and after Golden Week differ from the usual schedule. Please check the opening schedule before visiting. [Forest Art Museum Kimu] Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 Admission: 500 yen for high school students and older / 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and junior high students / 100 yen for ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary / free for under 3 Inquiries: 0158-87-2600 #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Event #Forest Art Museum Kimu #GW #JUN #Mölkky #Decorating wooden castanets

Hydrangea Wreath Thursday, April 10 From Onesmanorgarden We invited garden planner Instructor Sato to lead a hydrangea wreath-making lesson. How to make the wreath: Attach dried hydrangeas and other flowers, berries, and leaves to a base. It sounds very simple in words, but dried flowers crumble easily, and the attaching work requires a lot of technique. It’s hard to handle them gently while securing them firmly… Looking at the other participants, they used a unified color palette for their materials and arranged them thoughtfully. They balanced areas with abundant, soft volume and places made sleek and tidy. I just attached things as they came and barely finished, but seeing the completed piece still filled me with joy. I also learned how to make a stylish ribbon. Thank you, Instructor Sato, and everyone who joined the lesson! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Spring #Wreath making #Hydrangea

Window Art at KAMU Saturday, April 5 Children and adults gathered at KAMU, picked up crayons, and painted pictures on the windows. Being able to freely draw on the windows of a public building has become a regular event in Nishiokoppe Village, but it may still be a rare opportunity for many. From large panes to narrow ones, the windows filled up with drawings. Some people focused on a single window by themselves, while others created collaborative works with friends next door. One great thing about window art is you can capture both the artwork and the artist’s expression from across the way in a single photo. Photos posted on social media often hide faces, but we still managed to take many lively shots this time. Midway through the event, shadows of the drawings and the artists appeared on the floor, so we snapped a photo. We were also happy that a parent and child who happened to stop by KAMU joined in the drawing. The window art will be on display until around the end of Golden Week in May. If you’re nearby, please come and see the artwork. The five windows beside the mechanical organ are adorned with works by volunteer villagers, so don’t miss them. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Spring #Roadside Station KAMU #Window Art

Full Bloom Could this be the earliest in Hokkaido…? The cherry trees have bloomed earlier than usual this year. Inside the Forest Museum Kimu. The Kimu staff worked together to create the tree, grow its branches, and bring the flowers to life. Mornings and evenings are still chilly, but seeing the cherry blossoms makes us feel spring is drawing near. When you visit Kimu, please enjoy the cherry trees in full bloom! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Earliest Bloom #Cherry Blossoms #Forest Museum Kimu

Fire in the Snow Late March during spring break. Just when it seemed to be warming up, Nishiokoppe Village experienced unsettled weather, feeling a bit chilly with snow flurries in the sky. Still, the children who gathered despite the cold built bonfires and played in the snow, showing lively energy. The children started the bonfires themselves. They practiced using matches and thought about how to arrange the wood so it would catch fire easily. Once the bonfire was burning well, the smoke completely hid the faces of those standing on the far side. Beside the fire, adults and children alike engaged in a wholehearted snowball fight. The roasted sweet potatoes turned out warm and delicious. The season when you can see both snow and bonfires may be coming to an end soon. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #winter #snow #spring break #bonfire #roasted sweet potatoes #snowball fight

Marigold Dyeing On an unspecified day in March, a wood-learning activity for preschoolers included a dyeing experience. As the marigolds simmered, the clear water gradually took on color. The children twisted bottle caps into the fabric and tied them tightly with rubber bands. They then dropped the mysteriously shaped bundles of cloth into the pot one after another. After some time, they took the cloth out of the pot and dipped it into a liquid with “magic powder” dissolved in it… The cloth came out dyed a gentle yellow. The marks from the caps and rubber bands formed pleasing patterns, creating original dyed fabric. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #flowers #dried flowers #dyeing #wood learning

Make a wreath using dried hydrangea! On Thursday, April 10th, a wreath-making workshop will be held! The instructor is garden planner Yuka Sato. Last year she led a gathering design class and a workshop on New Year’s straw-decoration–style arrangements. As you work while listening to Sato’s little stories, you get absorbed and time slips away before you know it. We’re as excited to hear what she’ll talk about this time as we are about the workshop itself! Date and time: Thursday, April 10th, 2:00 p.m. ※About two hours Participation fee: 3,000 yen Venue: Tourism information center Rizumu (Rizumu) Apply: Rizumu 0158-85-7125 Deadline: Thursday, April 3rd, by 5:00 p.m. We know weekdays during the day can be hard for many to attend, but if this time works for you, please feel free to get in touch. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Flowers #Dried flowers #Wreath making