Signs of spring in Miyanomori A friend called me, so I wandered behind the shrine. At my feet, small blue flowers were blooming. Ezo-engosaku (erythronium-like spring flower) They say they also bloom around Kōrakuen. Climbing the steep slope of the ski area you find white Kita-kobushi blossoms in full bloom. At eye level I found buds that hadn’t opened yet. A fuzzy, downy flower bud had fallen to the ground. When I put it in my palm, it felt somehow cute. When the Kita-kobushi blooms, cherry blossoms are said to begin opening before long. #Nishiokoppe Village #Hokkaido #Four seasons #Miyanomori #Kita-kobushi #Ezo-engosaku

[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

[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

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

***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)

Camellias Blooming in the Greenhouse When I visited Roadside Station Kam at the end of March the greenhouse was filled with camellia blossoms. Even while the flower park lay blanketed in snow, it felt wonderful to find a space where you can enjoy bright, colorful flowers. At this time of year, potted orange kaffir lilies (clivia) liven up the area around the mechanical organ. If you stop by during a drive to rest, I hope you take a moment to see the flowers and relax. #Nishiokoppe Village #Roadside Station Kam #greenhouse #Roadside Station #camellia #pot #flower #the scent is also soothing

How to Harvest Sap and Make Chiffon Cake Held as a winter nature-watching event A project to collect sap from white birch trees. Participants gathered in front of the community center and rode a bus to the collection site. “Do you know what sap is like?” In response, one elementary school student gave a detailed explanation, prompting cheers of “Oh!” from the group. At the site, an outdoor lesson began on how to drill holes to collect sap and on the tools used for harvesting. Because temperatures had dipped in the days just before the event, no sap could be collected, but using sap gathered last year, participants also made chiffon cake. They mixed the batter and poured it into molds. Both children and adults worked with lively expressions. The baked chiffon cake was fluffy and disappeared in no time. Chiffon cake is sold irregularly at Yumemura Mori no Garden during events, so if you see it, please consider buying one! #Nishiokoppe Village #birch sap #mokuiiku (wood learning) #chiffon cake #Yumemura Mori no Garden

Screening in Nishiokoppe We will screen the documentary film “A Story of a Butcher Shop” in Nishiokoppe. The film follows a family who raise their own cattle, carry out slaughtering and butchering themselves, and sell the meat they process. Admission is free and open to everyone. This is a film we hope you will watch through to the end. Date and time: Saturday, April 6, 2024 10:00~, 13:30~, 18:30~ (running time: 106 minutes) Venue: Nishiokoppe Village Community Center, Audiovisual Room Please join us along with the related event the next day. #Nishiokoppe Village #Community Center #Audiovisual Room #Screening #A Story of a Butcher Shop #Butcher Shop #Cattle #Beef #Yashiho Film Company #Free Screening

Bring Spring to the Windows with Paintings Days with highs above 0°C are gradually increasing. At Roadside Station Kam in Nishiokoppe Village we will hold a painting event in April! This time’s theme is “Flowers and Animals.” We are eagerly recruiting children to paint together! Feel free to contact us. Date and time: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00–11:00 Who can join: Junior high school students and younger (capacity about 20) Fee: Free Contact: 0158-85-7125 Application deadline: Friday, April 5, by 5:00 PM We have tasty gifts prepared, so look forward to it! #Nishiokoppe Village #Roadside Station #Kam #painting #window art #Flowers and Animals #Welcoming spring #Young children also very welcome

Koppe Mother Has Debuted Usually, she’s the village’s only supermarket cheer, calling out brightly at Q‑Mart. Yet she also gives the impression of running around the region with a shovel shamisen in hand. That very “Koppe Mother” has made her singing debut in Nishiokoppe! She stood between two artists and sang boldly to the end. It seems the recording finished smoothly, and we can’t wait for the CD release. May the song that holds her life reach many people. #Nishiokoppe Village #Koppe Mother #LIVE #GA.KOPPER #Birthday #Congratulations #Singer Debut #CD Release Is Almost Here #Delicious Pizza #Girls at the Reception

"Savoring Shirakaba Sap" How do you collect sap from trees? When you think of sap, maple syrup and lacquer might come to mind. This wood-education event not only gathers sap but also uses the collected sap to bake chiffon cake! Adults and children are welcome. Capacity is 20 people, so please book early. #Nishiokoppe Village #Wood Education #Shirakaba Sap #Collection #Yume-mura Forest Garden #Chiffon Cake #Reservation Required

[Let's dig up some treasures!] This is an announcement from the puppet theater circle Doremi. On Wednesday, March 20th, a public holiday, we will hold a Treasure-Finding Market instead of a flea market! Everything is free!! At this event you can take home any items you like. We plan to unload the flea market inventory that was at the Nishiokoppe Marche! Tableware, toys, clothes, stuffed animals, books… you’ll find a wide variety of items. Next door to the Treasure-Finding Market, we’ve prepared a room where you can enjoy indoor games, so feel free to drop in! Venue: Community Center (Meeting Room & Daycare Room) Time: 10:00–15:00 What to bring: Your own bag #Nishiokoppe Village #Puppet Theater Circle Doremi #Flea Market #Treasure-Finding Market #Free #Big Clearance #Community Center #Hotel Morimu

Snow Drawing After an unusually warm spell, snow is falling across many areas again. In Nishiokoppe, snow has once more covered the ground. On the wide white canvas, we used colored water made with food coloring to draw pictures and write words! We prepared three food-color shades: red, yellow, and blue. The children mixed them to create greens, browns, and even blacks. They scooped up the colored snow and showed it to us. By the way, the temperature was minus 7°C. Even with a fire going, you can’t hide the cold in your feet… Thanks to the bonfire, we could also enjoy roasted marshmallows, so that made it all worth it.

Snow-Covered Miya-no-Mori The third Wildlife Class for the village elementary school students This time, the theme was “Let’s Search for Treasures in the Winter Forest!” The highlight was a snowshoe treasure hunt through Miya-no-Mori, which spreads across and above the ski area. Each treasure had a transmitter attached, so using a tool called a Yagi antenna, the children traced signals while climbing up and down the slopes. When listening to the sound from the receiver, everyone focused and strained their ears to find the direction with the least noise. The weather was clear. With the air so crisp, it was an ideal day for walking through the snowy Miya-no-Mori. The kids seemed a little disappointed that the many treasures they found were not food or warm drinks, but they did take home venison stew as a souvenir. On a personal note, I was also happy to reunite with the university student I met during the summer camp session.

"Washed Setoushi-kun" He should have fit snugly in the jacket pocket, but Setoushi-kun accidentally fell onto the road. He was dirtier than ever before, so we decided to wash him right away. When we put detergent on him and tried to soak him in water, he seemed to be made of a material that floats, and he bobbed up and down as he surfaced. It takes time for him to dry. We decide to wait patiently.

Snow Falling from the Roof My first winter spent in a snowy region. I was surprised by the thick blanket of snow on the roof, and it felt fresh to watch that snow slowly shift and fall. When it falls, the flakes are soft and float down gently. But the accumulated snow on the roof makes a heavy "thud" as it comes down. I heard that if it hits a car directly, it can dent it badly. As temperatures rise, falling snow becomes a hazard, so please take great care.

Deer Stew and Bread Making On a certain holiday, I heard that a dozen or so elementary school students had gathered. When I peeked in, some children were measuring flour and butter and mixing, while others were simmering something in pots. They were making a stew with venison and baking croissants! The stew started from scratch with a homemade brown sauce. The bread used a recipe said to be for advanced bakers, so they kneaded the dough carefully. In the spare moments, they played games like Old Maid with a deck of cards. I forgot to take a photo of the finished dishes, but everyone enjoyed the meal together.

Tsudome Lunch Today is the monthly community cafeteria day. The place is written as Shumu but called Tsudome It is held in the Social Welfare Council building and beloved by the nickname Tsudome Lunch. Today's menu is tsukemen (dipping noodles)! Thick noodles catch the savory broth perfectly. For dessert we served chocolate brownies in honor of Valentine’s Day. Next month is Wednesday, March 13! Thank you, as always, for the delicious lunch!

Ski Class In Hokkaido, there are regions where students have ski lessons during physical education class. At the elementary and junior high schools in Nishiokoppe Village, teachers and students come here together to ski. They leave their skis at the ski resort lodge. The lifts in Nishiokoppe use a slightly tricky style: you hold the handle with one hand and press the bar against your waist as you go up. It’s surprising to see some elementary school students riding them smoothly. Inside the lodge, there is an attendant who operates the lift and handles other duties.

Wood learning at the nursery! At the end of January, we held a wood-learning program at a nursery. Previously, we published an experimental report about making crafts from milk carton paper fibers. Here is a quick look at the children's creations. Simply touching the fluffy paper fibers floating in the water filled the room with joyful laughter.

Melting Milk Cartons The other day I happened upon an experimental setup. Many milk cartons sat submerged in a pot. A staff member promoting wood education was peeling them off. At first I wondered what they were peeling. They were removing only the plastic film from the outside of the milk cartons so they could use the inner fibers. They silently peeled the warmed, water-soaked cartons and tore them into small pieces. The torn paper fibers went into a blender with water to be broken down even further. It looked a bit like porridge... Then, they took a handful of the pulpy fibers soaked in plenty of water and scooped them up with a poi net like those used for goldfish scooping. After scooping, they removed the excess water and gave the poi a sharp shake, causing the pulp to come away cleanly from the net. Once dried, the result is a perfectly round piece. You can also press in yarn, leaves, or other materials to create an original work.

[Okhotsk Fair Held at Chikaho] In 2024, my constant companion, the Setoushi-kun doll, made its Sapporo debut! Over two days on January 24th and 25th, the Okhotsk Fair took place in the Sapporo Station Underground Walkway (Chikaho). Municipalities and shop owners from various Okhotsk regions set up booths and exhibited. From Nishiohkobe Village, Milk Design Co. came to Chikaho. Although the weather was stormy across both days, foot traffic at Sapporo Station never dwindled, and visitors from abroad made purchases as well. Those two days were supported by neighboring booth exhibitors. Thank you very much!

Screening and Donut Sale We used Guesthouse GA.KOPPER in Nishiokoppe Village to hold film screenings on January 19 and 20. Photographers captured Hokkaido’s wildlife. Set to music and shown on a grand scale, the film offered about 80 minutes of close attention to their lives and deaths. After the screening on the 20th, we held a sale of handmade sweets, including donuts. Hot drinks such as bamboo-grass chai and royal milk tea were also very popular. Donuts, chocolate, bagels, and cookies— the handmade, charming treats sold out in no time as people hardly had a moment to admire them. Thank you to everyone who came out!

New Year Mochi Pounding The annual mochi pounding event said to take place at Guesthouse GA.KOPPER! It was held on January 2nd! Guests staying at the guesthouse and village residents gathered around a single mortar to pound mochi, while those who wanted to relax sipped sweet sake in the dining room. White mochi and mochi with beans or brown rice were lined up, and everyone enjoyed them with nori, grated daikon, nameko mushrooms, sweet red bean paste, or roasted soybean flour to their liking. A hit with the children was chocolate! Eating mochi with chocolate was an idea we had never seen before! Timed with the mochi pounding, the sight of watching children jumping with serious faces made for a heartwarming day. #Nishiofuke Village #GA.KOPPER #New Year #Mochi pounding #Mochi and chocolate #Nameko mushrooms and grated daikon were delicious

Ski Area Open The ski area in Nishiokoppe has opened on January 13th! It looks like local children were quick to hit the slopes 😆 On nights when the lifts operate, why not stop by for a run after work?

[Screening and Homemade Sweets Sale] The documentary film "Ikitoshi Ikeru Mono", which has previously been shown in cinemas, captures wild animals living in Hokkaido. By chance, we will hold a screening in Nishiokoppe Village in January. The venue is Guesthouse GA.KOPPER in Nishiokoppe Village. The screening schedule is as follows: Friday, January 19th, 18:00–20:00 Saturday, January 20th, 10:00–12:00 On the 20th, homemade sweets such as donuts will also be on sale. We look forward to your visit to the screening.

Nishiokopper Live On the night of December 25 last year, Christmas night. One after another, cars began to stop in front of Guesthouse GA.KOPPER. When I opened the entrance, the first thing that caught my eye was the Christmas market. Handmade cookies and bagels were lined up in a row, and a few children were helping out at the stalls. In the dining hall that served as the venue, decorations sparkled. The windows filled with visitors’ drawings and writings had their own charm. While watching the performances by “Nishiokopper,” we relaxed and enjoyed food and drinks that night. We saw many sides of Nishiokopper: instrumentals and singing with dancing, a video presentation, and a reading set to koto music as background. The pumpkin parfait I had after my turn was very delicious. I’ll patiently wait for the day when Nishiokopper gathers again.

Happy New Year! The year has begun, and today is the first workday of the year. Here are photos from a midnight Hatsumode shrine visit and from a sunny New Year’s Day walk. I look forward to another year together!