Tabete Fukkatsu 2026 - Kawayu Onsen Akkeshi Clam Fair Enjoy Akkeshi clams raised in Akkeshi's rich seas - large, plump clams packed with concentrated umami! Tabete Fukkatsu! This March, three inns belonging to the Kawayu Onsen Ryokan Association will host the "Tabete Fukkatsu 2026 - Kawayu Onsen Akkeshi Clam Fair"! We've also featured this in our "Information Bulletin" section, so be sure to check it out ✔︎✨ Let's enjoy lots of big, plump Akkeshi clams! 🌊

16:55 Today’s sunset in Kushiro 🟠 What a beautiful color!

Let’s head to Okhotsk this spring! We present the Spring Flower Tour Campaign at Frespo Suzuran Plaza (Flower Tour Festival). Held at Frespo Suzuran Plaza, which opened in July 2005 in Obihiro City (Inadacho Minami 8-sen Nishi 10-1), Hokkaido, this event brings you the charms of Okhotsk centered on spring flower viewing. The event features plenty to enjoy, including pre-trip information for Okhotsk tourism, the ever-popular mascot gathering, a drift ice exhibit, a prize questionnaire, sales of local specialties, hands-on experience booths, and a coloring corner. Discover the attractions of Okhotsk over these two days. Please come and join us!!

The moment you open the door, a gentle aroma spreads through the lobby. Experience a moment of relaxation as you take in the scenery. Would you like to experience Kushiro at Kushiro Prince Hotel? You can book via the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Open-house-style presentations on the redevelopment of the Kawayu Onsen district will be held. Notice from the Tourism and Commerce Division, Kawayu Onsen District Redevelopment Office In Teshikaga Town, as we promote tourism—the town’s core industry—we have been advancing the redevelopment of the Kawayu area. In October 2023, we adopted the Kawayu Onsen District Town Development Master Plan to guide the revitalization of the Kawayu Onsen district. At the times below, panels and other displays will be available, and staff will be on hand to explain the progress of the Kawayu Onsen district redevelopment whenever you visit. No specialized knowledge is required. Please feel free to drop by! Venue Kawayu Furusato Hall 2-3-40 Kawayu Onsen Dates and times Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday, March 2, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM No advance registration is required; if you wish to attend, please come directly to the venue. The program will be the same on both days. Organizer Teshikaga Town Contact 015-482-2940 https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/news/1034/...

The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced! This time, we present three Special Prize winners and the Executive Committee Special Prize. ✶ Special Prize ✶ Erisa Nitta "The Back of MtKamuinupuri" Takashi Kuroda "Rime in May" Koji Yajima "Standing at Dusk" ✶ Executive Committee Special Prize ✶ Taiga Takahashi "Ice"

The winning entries of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest were announced recently. Here we present the special prize winners 👀✨ Enjoy. — ⋆⋆✶ Special Prize — ⋆⋆✶ Noriyasu Masuda "Overwhelmed by Vast Nature" Nobuyuki Yamamoto "go!go!go!" Takahiro Kori "Intermingling Plume and Cloud" Hieeda Hiromi "A World of Silence" For other winners and winning works, please check Teshikaga Navi. Congratulations to all the prizewinners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who participated‼︎ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi 🙇❣️ https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/...

The winning works of the 15th Teshikaga photo contest were announced recently. Today we present the selected entries for your viewing👀✨ Enjoy. — ⋆⋆✶ Selected — ⋆⋆✶ Shoichi Koike "Rays of Light" Fumiaki Nishikawa "Solitary Thoughts in the Morning Mist" Murakami Grace "Dripping Winter" Urata Marunī "Dragon’s Mist" Rie Ishida "Reflection — Capturing Summer" You can check other winners and winning works on Teshikaga Navi. Congratulations to all the prize winners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who participated‼︎ We hope you will continue to support the Teshikaga Photo Contest and Teshikaga Navi🙇❣️ https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/...

Signs of Spring at Forest Museum “Mokumu” The temperature has risen suddenly and the sunlight already feels like spring’s warmth… It’s still midwinter, but there’s a place where you can feel spring even more. When you enter Forest Museum “Mokumu,” the first thing that catches your eye is the profusion of blooming cherry trees. All around the museum, various hina dolls smile at visitors. If you’re curious how many hina dolls there are in total, try counting them. A room with large flowers mounted on the wall is also well worth seeing. They’re stylish decorations made using scrap paper 🌸 - SASAKI Craft Exhibition Now On! - Forest Museum “Mokumu” Winter opening hours: 10:00–16:30 Last admission accepted until 16:10 Admission fees: 500 yen for high school students and older 300 yen for 4th–6th graders and junior high students 100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary school Free for children under age 3 #Forest Museum Mokumu #Cherry blossoms #Hina Festival

Spring Star Concert A concert by Erhu and Song artist Rinko Announcement of the concert📢 Rinko visited Nishiokoppe Village last November. In addition to a mini concert, she spent time introducing the erhu to children at the elementary school and nursery. At this upcoming concert, enjoy the erhu accompanied by piano and violin. - Performance date: Saturday, March 21 Doors open: 18:00 / Start: 18:30 Venue: Nishiokoppe Village Community Center Plum Hall Performers: Erhu and vocals — Rinko Piano — Motoki Fukuda Violin — Shota Sakaji Tickets: Nishiokoppe Village residents: Free General (non-residents): 2,000 yen Junior high school students and younger: Free Reservations: Please fill out the form via the QR code or call the phone number below to apply. 090-8904-8798 (Takahashi) *Phone reservations are accepted only between 17:00 and 20:00.* - This concert is part of Nishiokoppe Village’s 100th anniversary celebrations and was planned at the suggestion of village residents. We would be delighted if many people could hear the sound of the erhu. We look forward to your attendance. #Concert #Erhu #Village 100th Anniversary

Now accepting applications for the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady!! ☀️ Applications for Tokachi Blue Sky Lady have been extended!! There are only two days left until the deadline on Friday, February 27!! Would you like to apply to be Tokachi’s PR ladies, the Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies, who promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products by participating in events across Tokachi, taking part in product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, and appearing in media? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your application!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, can agree to all the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program rules and guidelines, and can take part in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or unmarried) 📍Holders of a regular driver’s license who have obtained permission from their workplace and family to participate in activities as a Lady 📌 How to Apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and include information confirming you meet the eligibility requirements, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 27. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

If you stay in Kushiro. A location with views of one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. A port town’s scenery seen from guest rooms. A front-row moment that stretches from dusk into night. A place where the stay itself becomes a travel memory. 📍Kushiro Prince Hotel Reservations available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

🔥 Kawayu Snow Park 2026 is now underway 🔥 We offer a wide range of activities, including cross-country skiing, campfire gatherings in tipis, Siberian fir (Akaezomatsu) distillation experiences, slide talks, snow candle making, and many more — ⋆⋆✶ There are delicious food and drinks, so it’s great for families to join! This is a one-day-only event, so please come and take part today‼︎ ☃️💕 Time: 10:00–21:00 Location: In front of Kawayu Visitor Center We look forward to welcoming you.

Kawayu Snow Park 2026 is underway. We offer many activities, including cross-country skiing, campfires in tipis, Siberian fir distillation workshops, slide talks, snow candles… and much more— ⋆⋆✶ There are tasty food and drinks, so it’s great for families to join! This is a one-day-only event, so please come and take part today‼︎☃️💕 Time: 10:00–21:00 Location: In front of Kawayu Visitor Center We look forward to welcoming you.

Drifting ice off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) is home to drift ice and Steller's sea eagles. When dozens of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles gather, their large size creates a truly dramatic sight.

Off the coast of Shiretoko (Rausucho) Here are the drift ice and a Steller's sea eagle. This weekend it was warm in Hokkaido and a southerly wind blew, so I was worried the drift ice might be pushed away, but the ice band remained. The drift ice will be gone next month, and from late April you can see orcas and whales.

Notice: Local junior high students made POP displays and recycled bags ✨ Second-year students from Iwanai Daiichi Junior High School brought handmade POPs, posters, and recycled bags to the Roadside Station as part of their Integrated Studies project — “A Plan to Revitalize Iwanai-cho.” For the POPs and posters, they asked themselves, “What information do customers really want?” They researched popular products and created the materials accordingly ✨ The illustrations and English labels show lots of thoughtful touches, and everything is very easy to read! And here’s a highlight 🐟 The Tarumaru illustration on the recycled bags is a work by Idobata, who won the Kida Kinjiro Prize at the ongoing “Hometown Children’s Art Exhibition” held at the Kida Kinjiro Museum of Art ✨ These limited special-design bags are not to be missed! 🎉 If you visit the Roadside Station, please pick one up and take a look 😊

The Otaru Canal in winter’s magic hour. On the right bank, stone warehouses weigh down with snow in silence, while on the left bank the warm glow of gas lamps lights the snow white. Countless candles floating on the water trail long tails of light across the cold surface, gently swaying. People strolling along the promenade, captured in long exposures, become blurred light afterimages, visualizing the dense passage of time within the still scene. The cold air and the fires that seem to melt it coexist, etched together in vivid contrast.

Notice of Reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail We would like to inform you about the reopening of the Ponpon Mountain Trail. The Ponpon Mountain Trail, which is currently closed, will reopen on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Please note that the Doba area connected to the trail will remain closed to private vehicle parking until December 30, 2026, because it will be used for forest maintenance work. Please check nearby public parking lots and use those facilities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Konsen Western Forest Management Office, Kawayu Forest Management Office Tel:015-482-2469

Notice on the reopening of the MtPonpon trail. The MtPonpon trail, which is currently closed, will reopen on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Please note that Doba, which connects to the trail, will remain closed to general vehicle parking until December 30, 2026, because it is being used for forest maintenance work. Please check nearby public parking and use those facilities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Contact: Kushiro Western Forest Management Office, Kawayu Forest Office Tel:015-482-2469

Saijo Shibetsu Store 29th Anniversary Birthday Festival 🎉 Saijo Shibetsu Store celebrates its 29th birthday with a special festival! During the two days of the festival, we hosted a Nishiokoppe Village booth where children could play with wooden toys. Kids enjoyed wooden sandboxes, the Miracle Korokoro Tower, wooden cars, and many other playthings brought from the Forest Museum “Mokumu.” In a corner of the play area, we ran a Setoushi‑kun coloring activity and a castanet-making workshop! Children colored with the original Nishiokoppe Village crayons created as souvenirs for the village’s 100th anniversary—did everyone enjoy them? The castanets were simple in structure: two wooden boards smoothed by the village’s woodworking instructor are stacked and tied together with elastic cord to finish. After decorating their own castanets, participants took their finished instruments home as gifts. Some children played with their homemade castanets right at the booth, filling the air with pleasant wooden tones. Setoushi‑kun seemed delighted to mingle with many children and other local mascots. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! - From the 21st to the 23rd, the birthday festival offers even more exciting events. Check Saijo Shibetsu Store’s account for updates 👀 Come do your shopping at Saijo Shibetsu Store this weekend! #Saijo Shibetsu Store #Birthday Festival #Setoushi‑kun #Forest Museum Mokumu

<Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu is coming!> Scenic Night 2026 in Kimobetsu, an event that lights the town with snow candle glow, will take place. We have planned children’s games, snow candle making, and a midwinter fireworks display, so please come dressed warmly! At the midwinter food court we will sell pork miso soup and takoyaki, and at the midwinter beer garden we will offer draft beer, pork skewers, chicken skewers, and more. We look forward to seeing you. Date and time: Saturday, February 21, 2026 13:30 Children’s games registration 15:00 Snow candle making, midwinter food court, and midwinter beer garden open 17:00 Snow candle lighting 18:30 Midwinter fireworks display 20:00 Scheduled end (Program may change due to weather or other reasons) Location: Around Hotto Kimobetsu Roadside Station, Kimobetsucho Organizer: Kimobetsu Scenic Night Executive Committee, NPO Kimobetsu WAO

🎎 Mini Exhibition at the Local History Museum: Hina Doll Festival The Local History Museum presents a full display of its hina dolls collection. With support from the Michikusa Tsurushi Hina Group, hanging tsurushi hina will also be exhibited. Please come and see for yourself 🎎݁˖ . ݁✶ Dates: Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Tuesday, March 2, 2026 Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Closed: Tuesdays Venue: Local History Museum inside the Kushiro Area Mashu Tourism and Culture Center Admission: Free; no advance reservation required

🏅 The winners of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced!! We accepted entries from November 1, 2025 through January 20, 2026, and this year’s contest attracted more submissions than last year. A panel of 15 judges, including contest chair Takeshi Mizukoshi and Takayuki Watanabe, President of the Lake Mashu Tourism Association, reviewed the entries and selected the winning works 📸🖼️ [Grand Prize] "Colors of the Earth" Etsuko Yamamoto [Excellence Awards] "Listening to Ice Patterns" Shinmen Yasushi "Bare Mountains and the Milky Way" Yoshikazu Jimbo "The Cosmos of Lake Kussharo" Daisuke Utsumi [Tourism Association President’s Award] "Capturing Sheer Impact" Isao Nagaya See other winning entries and details on Teshikaga Navi. (Check the link in our Stories‼︎🔗) Starting today, we will gradually share the winning photos on Instagram and X (Twitter), so look forward to it 🤩 *This post’s fifth image: Grand Prize "Colors of the Earth" by Etsuko Yamamoto* Congratulations to all the winners‼︎ Thank you to everyone who entered‼︎ We appreciate your continued support for the Teshikaga Photo Contest and for Teshikaga Navi 🙇❣️

Onsen website “From the Information Desk” updated 📝🆙 Announcement from the Tourism and Commerce Division, Kawayu Onsen District Development Office: We will hold open-house style briefings about the Kawayu Onsen district redevelopment. The sessions will take place at Kawayu Furusato Hall on March 1 and March 2. No specialized knowledge is required. Feel free to join us! Location Kawayu Furusato Hall 2-3-40 Kawayu Onsen Date and Time Sunday, March 1, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday, March 2, 2026 — 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM No prior registration is required; please come directly to the venue if you wish to attend. The content will be the same on both days. Organizer Teshikaga Contact 015-482-2940

🎎The Hina Doll Festival is on now at Fashion Mail Plaza in front of Tomakomai Station!🎎 Around 800 hina dolls are praying for world peace and recreating scenes such as the Sapporo Olympics (1972) and a moment from the film "National Treasure."✨ Location Fashion Mail Plaza (Omotemachi 3-chome, Tomakomai City) Dates Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 until Sunday, March 15 (closed Wednesdays)

[Gems Found in Kushiro💎] While the "jewelry ice" seen in Toyokorocho, Tokachi is very famous, you can find similar ice on Kushiro’s shores during the bitter cold from late January through February. These photos were taken last week at Otanoshike Coast. The light brings out even more beauty, making it truly lovely✨ By the way... can you read the name of the beach? It’s pronounced "Otanoshike" 😙 Not "Dairakke"!

Introduction to hot spring inns in Teshikaga ♨️ Teshikaga has two hot spring areas, Mashu Onsen and Kawayu Onsen. The water quality and healing benefits vary by spring and by inn, so be sure to explore a variety of ryokan and hotels. 😉🔥 Next time, we will introduce an inn located in Mashu Onsen—stay tuned!! *Services and offerings may change depending on the season. Please check directly with the accommodation before booking.*

-11°C early morning walking tour on February 16! With winds of 5 m/s, the perceived temperature fell below -15°C, offering an extreme cold experience. Pale morning sunlight peeked through the clouds, and a magical view unfolded from the hot spring pools where steam rises. You can reserve the early morning walking tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... ※This winter has been unusually warm, and for safety reasons due to lake ice conditions the tour route or end time may be changed. ※Depending on temperatures and other conditions the day before the tour, we may cancel the tour for safety reasons. Thank you for your understanding.

A very warm early-morning walking tour on February 15 at −5°C! (A wild world where subzero temperatures feel warm 😆) I was able to see Unryu for the first time this season. The inverted frost flowers forming in the cracks of the ice were in top form again today ❄✨️ You can book the early-morning walking tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... ※Because this winter has been unusually warm, please understand that the tour route and end time may change depending on lake ice conditions for safety. ※Please also understand that we may cancel the tour for safety reasons depending on temperatures and other conditions the day before the tour.