We took a walk to Tsukisamu Park in Sapporo. Are the cherry blossoms about to bloom?　It was about that. There was a pile of what looked like an old lawn. Because there are people who manage the park, I thought I was enjoying it in this way. I'm grateful for that.

[Spring Window Art in Kam] On Saturday, April 13, Roadside Station Kam hosted an event to paint pictures on windows! This time we commissioned a professional artist to create coloring spaces on some of the windows. First, we visited the Flower Park before it opened and observed the crocuses just beginning to bloom and the trails mice likely left after tunneling through the snow. It was heartwarming to see children walking in a line along the stones that border the flower area. The event was themed “Flowers and Animals,” so I was glad we could look at the flowers that are actually blooming as the snow melted before we started drawing. As the windows filled with color, Roadside Station Kam seemed to brim with spring cheer. It was a short one-hour event, but thank you to everyone who participated! The artwork will be on display until mid-May. A Kam Marche is also scheduled from Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5. Please stop by Roadside Station Kam! #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Window Art #Painting #Drawn on windows #Crayons #Coloring #Flower Park #Kam #Roadside Station #Marche from Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5

[Komu Wood's Golden Week Festival] Golden Week is approaching! Have you decided on any outings? This year too, the forest museum Komu will host a Golden Week Festival! [Friday, May 3] 11:00 – Parent-and-child castanet workshop [Saturday, May 4] 11:00 – Parent-and-child castanet workshop 13:30 – Parent-and-child block-stacking contest (free to join) [Sunday, May 5 & Monday, May 6] 11:00 & 14:30 Sakhalin fir distilled water making experience 13:00 Violin and piano recital When we went to see the Sakhalin fir used for the distilled water, its green leaves were sparkling in the sun. Touch the wood, make something, and enjoy music at Komu's Golden Week events. We look forward to your visit. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #GW #Komu #Forest Museum #woodworking #mokuiiku (wood learning) #recital #Sakhalin fir #castanets #building blocks

Nighttime Cherry Blossom Illumination at Shintoku Shrine Hill Begins. From Thursday, April 25 through Wednesday, May 10, about 2,300 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees on Shintoku Shrine Hill will be illuminated, from the area around the shrine office up the stairway to the precincts and nearby grounds. Since last year, we have used ten LED floodlights to reduce impact and make this nighttime cherry blossom event more environmentally friendly. Please note that the event dates may shift slightly depending on the timing of cherry blossom opening and falling, so check the Tourism Association’s social media before you visit. Also on Sunday, April 28 starting at 10:00, the Shintoku Shrine Hill Spring Festival will feature a wind ensemble performance, magic show, food trucks and stalls from local shops, a candy toss, and a raffle. The festival will go ahead in light rain and be canceled in severe weather. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku Hill #Shintoku Shrine #cherry blossoms #Ezo-yamazakura #nighttime cherry blossoms #illumination #event #LED floodlights #environmentally friendly

"Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival" will be held. On Sunday, April 28th at 10:00 AM, the "Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival" will take place on Shintoku Jinja-yama (the event will proceed in light rain and be canceled in severe weather). The day will feature performances by a brass band and a magic show, as well as food trucks, stalls from local shops, a candy toss, and a raffle, so please come and join us. Also, from Thursday, April 25th through Wednesday, May 10th, Shintoku Jinja-yama will host the "Shintoku-yama Jinja Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up," illuminating about 2,300 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees from around the shrine office up the stairway into the precincts and nearby the shrine. The light-up runs daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and we look forward to welcoming many visitors. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku Town #Shintoku Town Tourism Association #Shintoku-yama #Shintoku Shrine #cherry blossoms #Ezo-yamazakura #Shintoku Jinja-yama DE Spring Festival #brass band #magic show #food trucks #stalls #candy toss #raffle #night cherry blossoms #light-up #event

Sahoro Lake Campground opens on Wednesday, May 1! Sahoro Lake Campground, which had been closed for the winter, reopens on the same day. The campground is a free-site area on the shore of Sahoro Lake, created by the construction of Sahoro Dam, and it offers facilities such as cooking areas and toilets. You can relax amid vast greenery or enjoy activities on Sahoro Lake like fishing. Maximum number of tents: 500 Fee: Free #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku #Shintoku Tourism Association #Campground #Sahoro Lake Campground #Canoe#SUP #Fishing #Nature

Horse trekking begins today at Western Village Sahoro, located in Karikachi Kogen Park along Route 38 that connects Obihiro and Furano. Reservations are required. Owners and staff dressed in Western attire will guide you through woods and alongside streams. From horseback, you may encounter Hokkaido’s vast natural scenery and wildlife such as Ezo deer, Ezo squirrels, red foxes, and woodpeckers. #Hokkaido #Tokachi #Shintoku #Shintoku Tourism Association #Route 38 #Hokkaido Garden Path #Karikachi Kogen Park #Western Village Sahoro #horse riding #experience #Furano #Obihiro

Ren: "There's a vacancy next to me."

The Tomakomai Tourism Association will hold the 51st Midorigaoka Park Festival on Sunday, May 5, and is offering an open stage slot anyone can join. We are recruiting performers for singing, impersonations, one‑hit comedy acts, and any other performances. For details, please see the image. One day before

Goryokaku Tower and Cherry Blossoms 🌸 It looks ☀️ great when the weather is good The day before was cloudy, so I wanted to 😆✨ go on a sunny day

[Library Introduction] In a corner of the community center, a sunlit library sits quietly. Right inside the entrance, we showcase this month’s new releases, recommended picture books, and titles listed on the “Children’s Reading Campaign” list. In the children’s area, where shoes are taken off, you’ll find picture books and children’s titles, along with wooden puzzles and stuffed animals. You’ll also spot wooden toys on top of the bookshelves. There is a shelf of books related to Hokkaido as well. Opening hours are shown in the image. On Wednesdays only, the library is also open in the morning. Feel free to drop by. #Nishiokoppe Village #Library #books #reading #Lending period is two weeks #skylight #A book on how to cook wild plants was helpful

Chicken Butchering Gathering Known as the "Bird Gathering," this event was held the day after the screening of "A Butcher Shop Story" as a collaborative program. The event took place at Minami Farm, a dairy farm in Nishiokoppe, and nearly 50 people attended. The plan was to slaughter four chickens and enjoy them as a meal. The first chicken was handled by a professional, and from the second onward volunteers who wished to took part in slaughtering. The birds that were slaughtered were skillfully broken down into parts by experienced hands. Cut into small pieces and placed on skewers, the meat began to resemble the yakitori sold in shops. During the butchering, feathers that had fallen drifted on the wind. Some of the children present held those feathers as if they were precious. In addition to bite-sized pieces and a whole roasted bird, we enjoyed ramen served with a soup made by simmering the chicken with vegetables. Every dish that participants brought to share was delicious. The sweet Filipino-style rice balls were also tasty. There was even a surprise performance of shovel shamisen. It was a day that made us appreciate having such a gathering nearby. Thank you to everyone who helped. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #chicken #butchering #Bird Gathering #Minami Farm #potluck dish #feathers drifting in the wind #feather quill #shovel shamisen #spring weather

Cherry blossoms in full bloom illuminated by street lamps However, the identity is a member of starfish and sea urchins echinoderms "Okinotezuru Mozuru" It's hard to see in the photo, but it's to eat the carcasses of microorganisms floating in the aquarium. Little by little, it is moving slowly. By the way, if you write it in kanji, it will be written as "手蔓藻蔓". #NOBORIBETSU MARINE PARK NIXE #Hokkaido #Aquariums #noboribetsu #hokkaido #aquarium

Matsumae Castle 🏯🌸 It is recommended ☺️ for a walk

I went to the hugely popular Goshun (五春) in Otofuke! ✨🍜 A large slice of chashu lies over the noodles like a cozy blanket 🥓 The thick, chewy noodles were coated in a rich gyokai-tonkotsu (seafood-and-pork-bone) dipping broth, clinging to every strand — absolutely delicious! ✨😋 I also tried the dry (soupless) tantanmen — it had just the right amount of heat and a pleasant kick of sansho, and I couldn't stop eating until the very end. 🤤 They also serve Taiwan mazesoba (Taiwan-style mixed noodles) and chuka soba (classic ramen). Come and give it a try 💓 [Address] 2-1-8 Kitasuzuran Minami, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido, Japan [Hours] 11:00–16:00 [Closed] Sundays - Located in Otofuke in the Tokachi area of Hokkaido, this wildly popular Japanese tsukemen is a must-try ✨🍜 The tsukemen comes topped with a perfectly marbled slice of chashu that looks like a comforter 🥓 The dipping broth is a rich gyokai-tonkotsu (seafood-and-pork-bone) stock; its intensity wraps the thick noodles so that every strand is full of flavour — truly delicious. 😋 I also ordered the dry (soupless) tantanmen; with the perfect amount of spiciness and a noticeable sansho flavour, I couldn't stop taking bite after bite. 🤤 The menu also includes Taiwan-style dry noodles (Taiwan mazesoba) and broth-based ramen — a great reason to visit Tokachi for hot springs and local food! ✨

Notice of lifting and initiation of winter road closures. Regarding Dodo 141 Tarumae Nishioka Line, which had winter closures in effect The section from Maruyama Gate to Nishikioka Gate (total length 15.8 km) will have the closure lifted on April 15, 2024 at 11:00. However, the subsection from Maruyama Gate to the Trailhead (total length 4.0 km) will remain closed for the time being due to unstable road surfaces. (Reopening date to be determined) For details, contact the Iburi General Subprefecture Muroran Construction Management Department Tomakomai Branch Office (0144-32-3171).

Matsumae Park 🌸 Beautiful cherry blossoms! ☺️ It is ✨ recommended for a walk

Tokachi Toteppo Workshop ✨🚃 This popular cafe features a cafe and shop together 🥐☕️ You can enjoy cafe-exclusive menus made generously with ingredients from Tokachi and Hokkaido. 🍓🍰🌸 This time I had a fragrant croissant, a strawberry milk made with 100% Tokachi strawberries, and the signature drinkable cheesecake! Everything was very delicious! 😋 The menu still has many more items, so I will definitely visit again ✨ Please try it yourself too 💓 [Hours] CAFE 10:00–17:00 Last order 16:30 / SHOP 10:00–18:00 [Closed] Irregular holidays; see Tokachi Toteppo Workshop’s website for details - Located in Obihiro in the Tokachi region, Tokachi Toteppo Workshop ✨🚃 It has separate sections for takeout cakes and desserts and for dining in with coffee 🥐☕️ Desserts and drinks are made with ingredients from Tokachi and Hokkaido, and seasonal menus are offered each season 🍓🍰🌸 This time I ordered a croissant, strawberry milk made with 100% Tokachi strawberries, and the shop’s signature cheesecake milkshake — each item was distinctive and delicious 😋 If you visit Obihiro, don’t miss the seasonal limited desserts; it’s highly recommended to stop by! ✨

Cherry blossoms 🌸 at Goryokaku Tower On this day, the weather was good and it was 🥹 a cherry blossom day We took a lot of walks! This year's movie of the Japanese adult anime "Detective Conan" is set in the city of Hakodate, where there are many 👓🎀⌚️⚽️ spring goryokaku I think 🥹 that the number of tourists will increase more and more from this year onwards due to the influence of the movie

A Family That Raises Cattle, Slaughters Them, and Turns Them into Meat A special screening theater was set up in the public hall’s audiovisual room A screening was held on Saturday, April 6. Living cattle and the beef people eat. For some reason, the process between those two seems hard to see. Valuing life and gratefully receiving life as food. For that purpose, a family running a certain butcher shop has passed down their craft and faced life and meat directly. The butcher and the community’s ties. The sound of drums with leather skins thunders through town during the danjiri festival. It was 106 minutes packed with many themes. Across three screenings, about 60 people in total attended—thank you. #Nishiokoppe Village #Public Hall #Audiovisual Room #Screening #The Story of a Certain Butcher Shop #Yashio Film Company #Scattered Children’s Handwriting #Free Admission #Thanks for the Sound System #Block Play Behind the Scenes of the Screening

It’s a heartwarming festival that welcomes spring with the blooming of the cherry blossoms. Date and time: Sunday, May 5, 2024 (canceled in case of rain) Location: Midorigaoka Park, around Kintaro Pond (Shimizu-cho 3, Tomakomai) ※Further details will be posted later.

"Michi-no-Eki Otofuke Natsuzora no Furusato" 🌾✨ As the weather in Tokachi gradually warmed, I was tempted by the soft serve at CHA-YA GREEN and enjoyed it deliciously 🍦😋 With its vast grounds and a range of events, dining, and shopping facilities, it offers visitors many experiences and a lively atmosphere 🥐🍜🍚🌽🥔🥬🎹 There is also a bicycle parking area available for visitors who arrive by bike 🚲 You can also spot Otofuke Town’s cute mascot "Oosode-kun" everywhere ✨ He’s a slightly chubby, clumsy fellow inspired by the Otofuke Oosode Furi soybeans 😊 [Hours] 9:00–18:00 [Closed] Monday from November through March; if Monday is a public holiday, closed the following day Year-end and New Year holidays: December 30–January 2 [Food and drink outlets] Hours 10:00–18:00; last order 17:30 [Natsuzora Market — Agricultural and livestock products sales area] 9:00–18:00 - At Michi-no-Eki across Japan’s prefectures, towns, and cities, local agricultural products and famous local foods and goods are gathered. Otofuke’s Michi-no-Eki features dining, activities, and shopping where you can enjoy many local specialties of Otofuke 🥐🍜🍚🌽🥔🥬🎹 Bicycle parking facilities are also well equipped for visitors arriving by bike 🚴 🔎Please check the above information again for details on business hours and related information.

Cherry blossoms 🌸 in Goryokaku Park When the weather is good, the cherry blossoms shine ☺️ Recommended 🎵 for a walk

The birch sap collection experience at Karikachi Kogen Park will end this weekend on the 14th. We received more applications than expected, so it’s been a cycle of preparation, experience, preparation, experience. Since weekend slots are fully booked except for the Sunday afternoon session, we are inviting people who would like to simply observe the birch sap collection. There is no application or participation fee; you can just watch how surprisingly easy the collection process is. If you happen to be nearby, please drop by to observe if you have time. ● Saturday, April 13 Around 10:00–11:00 and around 14:00–15:00 (two sessions) ● Sunday, April 14 Around 10:00–11:00; the 14:00 session will go ahead only if there is a reservation, otherwise it will be canceled. ※We are also recruiting participants for the afternoon session. This is an experience we hope not only residents of Hokkaido but also visitors traveling to Hokkaido will come and see!

Finally, the snow was gone from the fields. The farmer's field work has begun Also the green color of autumn sown wheat under the snow It's going to get darker and darker from now on.

Higashimokoto Moss Phlox Park 🌸 A truly colorful moss phlox carpet 🩷 It's a happy space! The tree in the back also gives a 🌳 good atmosphere It is recommended 🎵 to go early in the morning

The cheerfulness of spring! 🌸 One-year-old bears are taking a nap together 🐻💤

We share a paper cutout shuin stamps with the motif of Kushiro Marshland. From April, the lower paper has been changed to a gradation.

***Fukujusou Have Bloomed*** When it gets warmer, the first flower to bloom is said to be the fukujusou. I found them near Satoyume and managed to capture both buds and blossoms with my camera. These plants open their flowers as temperatures rise and close them on cool mornings and evenings. #Nishiokoppe Village #Fukujusou #Fuku-koku-sou #Heralds of spring #Flowers #Be careful not to confuse them with butterbur scapes (fukinotou)

Shidarezakura weeping cherry blossoms at Hokame 🌸 Temple lit up My last post was a daytime photo, so I chose a photo with the same angle! It's even more beautiful when it's 🥹 lit up