Recruiting the 32nd Tokachi Blue Sky Lady ☀️ There is one week left until the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady application deadline!! We are seeking Tokachi PR ladies called Tokachi Blue Sky Ladies to promote Tokachi’s tourism and local products through events within Tokachi, product fairs inside and outside Hokkaido, media appearances, and more! Would you like to brighten Tokachi’s tourism with your cheerful smile? If you’re interested, please feel free to apply 🤗 We look forward to your applications!! 📌 Eligibility 📍Women aged 20 or older living in Tokachi who are physically and mentally healthy, agree to all the provisions and guidelines of the Tokachi Blue Sky Lady program, and can participate in tourism events and product fairs both inside and outside the region (married or single) 📍Holders of a valid ordinary driver’s license who have obtained approval from their workplace and family for Lady activities 📌 How to apply Please attach a photo to your resume, write your motivation for applying, and provide information verifying that you meet the eligibility criteria, then mail or deliver it to the Tokachi Tourism Federation Office by Friday, February 20. https://tokachibare.jp/20506/...

Winter season operations [January 19, 2026 – March 7, 2026] Private winter barrel sauna. Hokkaido’s winter bounty. Gaze at the stars, quietly and slowly. At Kussharo Onsen. TEL 015-484-2111 For details, see the profile URL https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

A long-tailed rosefinch nibbling on seeds. This charming wild bird is slightly smaller than a sparrow and is notable for the reddish coloring on its head. The bird in the photo is male, since both its head and chest are red. (Females have a white chest and only a red head.) (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

On Saturday, February 21, the Forest Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen will take place in front of the Kawayu Visitor Center. With the theme "Play in Kawayu's Winter," a variety of activities and events will be offered again this year. There are plenty of experiences for adults and children alike, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, campfires in tipis, Sakhalin fir (akaezomatsu) distillation workshops, wooden coaster making, and slide talks. Hot milk and homemade cookies prepared by students from Teshikaga High School will be available in the tents on site. Please come with friends and family. Forest Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen (Event Overview) Date and Time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00–21:00 Venue: Kawayu Visitor Center and surrounding area (Kawayu Onsen 2-2-6, Teshikaga) Admission: Free (All programs are free to enjoy.) ※ Food and drinks are sold separately. Activities <10:00–16:00> ● Cross-country skiing　● Ski-shoe experience　● Snowshoe experience <Ongoing> ● Snow play area　● Campfire in a tipi Events ● Forest stories and a forest walk　13:00–14:00 ● Sakhalin fir distillation experience　10:00 / 11:00 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 ● Wooden coaster making　10:00 until supplies run out ● Slide talk "With Reverence for the Brown Bear"　15:30–17:00 ● Free talk session　17:30–19:00 ● Stargazing　18:45–19:30 ● Snow candles　17:00–21:00

😉Come hear presentations by high school students from Kyoto😉 Students from Ritsumeikan High School in Kyoto will visit Kushiro next month, March☺ They will present what they felt while touring and learning about Kushiro over several days! How does Kushiro look through the eyes of high school students from outside Hokkaido? These students, who study in a completely different environment, investigated Kushiro’s tourism and industries and will offer proposals for Kushiro’s future as the result of their findings. ✨ This is a very valuable opportunity, so please come and join us(^^)/ ● Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026 ● Venue: Kushiro Lifelong Learning Center meeting room 705 and 706 ● Time: Registration 9:00, starts 9:15, ends 10:45 No prior registration required ・ Free admission

Everyone come! Teshikaga⭐️Hanabi Village is happening! On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Teshikaga⭐️Hanabi Village will take place on the Teshikaga Junior High School grounds. The event runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features endless handheld sparklers, hot air balloons, food trucks and more. Some activities have limited capacity, so join early. On February 21 and 22, the town venue will host the Teshikaga Town Photo Gallery. Look for a Teshikaga High School × Miyazaki Flower Shop collaboration, food trucks and Teshikaga Marche stalls, plus a small snow slide. Check the flyer for details!! We look forward to seeing you. https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/teshikagahanabimura/...

On Saturday, February 21, “Mori no Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen” will take place in front of Kawayu Visitor Center. With the concept “Play in Kawayu’s winter,” a variety of activities and events will be offered again this year. There will be plenty of experiences for both adults and children, including cross-country ski and ski-shoe trials, snowshoeing, campfires in tipis, Korean fir (Akaezomatsu) distillation workshops, wooden coaster making, and slide talks. Hot milk and handmade cookies from Teshikaga High School students will be available in tents at the venue. Please come together with friends and family. Mori no Snow Park 2026 in Kawayu Onsen (Event Overview) Date and time: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00–21:00 Venue: Kawayu Visitor Center and surrounding area (2-2-6 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga) Admission: Free (all programs are also free to enjoy.) ※ Food and drinks are sold separately. Activities <10:00–16:00> ● Cross-country ski ● Ski-shoe experience ● Snowshoe experience <Ongoing> ● Snow play area ● Campfire in tipis Events ● Forest stories and a forest walk 13:00–14:00 ● Korean fir distillation workshops 10:00 / 11:00 / 12:00 / 14:00 / 15:00 ● Wooden coaster making 10:00 until supplies last ● Slide talk “With Reverence for the Brown Bear” 15:30–17:00 ● Free talk 17:30–19:00 ● Star gazing 18:45–19:30 ● Snow candles 17:00–21:00 Contact Teshikaga Ekoma-chi Promotion Council (Secretariat) Within Teshikaga Town Office, Tourism and Commerce Division 015-482-2940 (Tourism and Commerce Division direct line / Weekdays: 9:00–17:00) Day-of contact: 090-2075-9764 (Person in charge: Fujiwara) https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/snowpark2026/...

Event Announcement📣 On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Makubetsu’s Churui will host the 43rd Nauman All-Hokkaido Sled Competition 😊 Alongside the general division—where participants race on homemade cardboard sleds and are judged on sled craftsmanship and finish time—there will be an elementary school speed division and a parent-and-child speed division 🎵 Other activities include a “Treasure Hunt” inspired by the buried-gold legend of Churui Maruyama and a photo-movie contest for sharing fun memories from the sled competition ✨ 📍Date and Time: Sunday, February 15, 2026 📍Venue: Churui Hakugindai Ski Area 📞Contact: Tournament Office 01558-8-2111 http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/?p=8682...

A place you must visit at least once in your life. A view that makes you want to take a deep breath. Lake Kussharo in winter. At Kussharo Prince Hotel, you can enjoy Lake Kussharo from your room at any time. Reservations are available from the profile URL. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The fisherman fell in love with one of the world’s three greatest sunsets. Enjoy a landscape that changes with the seasons at Kushiro Prince Hotel. Unwind and savor moments that melt your heart, again and again. Reservations are available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Everyone, come on over! Teshikaga⭐️Fireworks Village On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Teshikaga⭐️Fireworks Village will take place on the grounds of Teshikaga Junior High School! The event runs from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features endless handheld sparklers, hot-air balloons, food trucks, and more. Some activities have limited spots depending on the program, so please join early⌚️💦 At the same time, the downtown venue will host the Teshikaga Downtown Photo Gallery! Enjoy a collaboration between Teshikaga High School and Miyazaki Flower Shop, food trucks and Teshikaga Marche vendors, and a small snow slide! Come and join us☃️🎆✨ Check the flyer for details!! We look forward to seeing you☃️💕

●Lotus Leaf Ice on the Kushiro River● On the Kushiro River today, many lotus leaf ice floes were drifting. This phenomenon occurs when several conditions line up, so you might not see it at certain times of day, and finding it always brings a smile☺ It feels like I’ve seen more of it this year than usual. You’re more likely to spot it on cold mornings. You might see it around Nusamai Bridge, Kusuri Bridge, and Asahi Bridge. The beautiful scenery makes the cold disappear‼ Enjoy the magical winter of Kushiro in February to the fullest✨

A chilly 1°C yet unusually warm for Akanko in February in the early morning It was cloudy, but that very cloudiness made the scene—snow and the dark-looking conifer forest—resemble an ink-wash painting as I walked across the surface of Lake Akan Today was warmer than yesterday daytime, so the lake ice softened and water rose in places; for safety we altered part of the route and ended the tour 30 minutes early, but everyone enjoyed Akanko’s nature You can reserve the early-morning walking tour from the URL below 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... *Because this winter has been mild, please understand that, depending on lake ice conditions and for safety reasons, the tour route or tour end time may change.

[Bear Soap] The other day I went to Nishiokoppe Guesthouse GA.KOPPER for dinner. A friend had come to visit the village, so I joined them at the table. On the way out, something in the entrance showcase caught my eye. I had seen GA.KOPPER’s products many times before, but I had never bought the bear soap. In winter my skin gets dry, and I’ve been especially bothered by itchy backs of my hands and fingertips, so when I heard it helps prevent rough skin I decided to try the soap. - This soap is made by blending oil from brown bears living in Nishiokoppe Village with Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) leaf oil from Shimokawacho and peppermint oil from Takinoue Town. The guesthouse owner Asano, who is a hunter, provided the bear oil from a bear he personally shot. Bears and deer are often labeled pests because they damage crops and forests, but seen another way, these animals are a resource for Nishiokoppe Village. Although processing is demanding (it takes a lot of time and effort), their pelts, meat, oil, antlers and other parts can be put to good use. Among these, bear oil has long been used by the Ainu people as a panacea. They say it soothes cracked fingertips, dry lips and burned skin when applied topically. Soap made from such oil leaves the skin feeling moist after washing and resists that tight, dry feeling. It’s recommended for handwashing and facial cleansing. A bear balm is also on sale, so if you’re curious visit GA.KOPPER or check their online shop. https://gakopper.base.shop// Note that staff may be absent during the day, so we recommend contacting GA.KOPPER before your visit. - By the way, the bear soap is manufactured by SORRYKOUBOU, a cosmetics maker in Shimokawacho. SORRYKOUBOU’s cosmetics are considerate of skin and body and are made from herbs they cultivate and wild plants that grow locally. - It’s truly heartening that, close to home, there are natural ingredients that care for your skin and people who make them. #GAKOPPER #Bear Soap #SORRYKOUBOU #Skincare

Every February I go to Kushiro to see red-crowned cranes and the SL Winter Shitsugen train. The courtship dance of the red-crowned cranes, especially visible at the feeding grounds in Kushiro Shitsugen, reaches its peak in February. In the harsh winter snowfields I was able to see the males and females leap and spread their wings in a courtship dance that truly looks like dancing once again this year.

Event Announcement📣 On Saturday, February 14th, Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall 21 hosts "Wood Candle Night 2026" 😊 The day features wood education workshops such as ogacolor and deer-hide leather craft, plus a wooden toy corner where visitors can touch, play with, and make wooden items 🎵 You can also enjoy a food area, chocolate fondue with toasted marshmallows and strawberries, a collaboration café by Coffee Zamaya and an antique shop, and a mini concert by the duo Liricamente 😍 On this sacred night—Valentine’s Day—come to Roadside Station Ashoro Galaxy Hall lit by ice candles and illuminations 🤗 ❤️ At the Youth Section booth of the Town Employees’ Labor Union, donors will receive a complimentary cocoa. https://www.town.ashoro.hokkaido.jp/kanko/news/2026/wood2026.html...

Kussharo in winter is a world of only white and blue. Clear air, silence, snowy landscapes. Just looking at them brings a sense of calm. Winter in Kussharo is a season so beautiful, even the air feels lovely, far beyond what photos or videos can convey. Come and experience this scenery for yourself. Winter season limited operation: January 19th to March 7th 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

Scenes from the 42nd Winter Balloon Meeting held in Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido. A blue sky and a pure white snowfield Colorful hot air balloons rising into the air.

🖼️Onsen website 'From the Information Distribution Bureau' updated📝🆙 The 16th Gokkan Art Festival, a winter event at Kawayu Onsen, opened on February 2. This annual festival takes place around the same time each year and draws many visitors. Event period: From Monday, February 2, 2026 to Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Venue: Around ARtINn Gokkan Art Transmission Device (Kawayu Onsen 3-2-40) The festival offers a delightful space filled with beautiful art. Come and visit🧑‍🎨🎨

Event Announcement 📣 From February 11 to February 14, 2026, Nakasatsunaimura will host “Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai 2026” for four days 😊 You can view the expansive snow art that local snow artist and AOILO Inc. representative Tomohiro Kajiyama creates on the snowy plain from a special 8-meter-high yagura viewing platform 🎵 Please enjoy this snow-made art that you can only see in the art village of Nakasatsunai 🤗 📍Dates: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 ▶ Saturday, February 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Canceled in severe weather; event dates may change depending on snowfall conditions 📍Venue: Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center and surrounding special event sites 🔶 Indoor Event Venue (Nakasatsunai Cultural Creation Center) 📍 Snow Art Video Screening We will screen past snow art works and footage of the making process. 📍 Snow Art Panel Exhibition (Entrance) A collection of past works shot by drone will be on display 🎶 Explore the history of Snow Art Village Nakasatsunai! https://kankou-nakasatsunai.com/event-list/page-3619/...

[Limited time until March 20] A special tour to meet red-crowned cranes in winter Kushiro 🕊️ Two sessions: morning and afternoon. Expert guides lead the way, so even first-timers can enjoy it with peace of mind. You might also spot snowy landscapes and wildlife such as Ezo deer, red foxes, and Steller’s sea eagles…✨ ▶︎ See profile for details https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

Everyone come! Teshikaga ⭐️ Fireworks Village — Downtown Venue Teshikaga Downtown Photo Gallery on Display! On February 21 and 22, 2026, a photo gallery will be held on Teshikaga Chuo-dori Shopping Street (the street in front of the former Kushiro Shinkin Bank). A collaboration between Teshikaga High School and Miyazaki Flower Shop, food trucks and the Teshikaga Marche, and a small snowy slide for children are also planned. There will be a fireworks display on the night of February 22, so please enjoy both days. [Event Schedule] 2/21 (Sat) 3:00 PM–9:00 PM Photo Gallery / Illumination 2/22 (Sun) 10:00 AM–3:00 PM Photo Gallery / Illumination / Otochu Shoten / Teshikaga High School x Miyazaki Flower Shop / Food Trucks / Camp Meals / Pop-up Marche / Mini Slide Please see the flyer for details. Note that the photo gallery and the fireworks venue are at different locations, so be careful‼︎🚨We look forward to seeing you!

Lake Kussharo in winter. A place where warmth exists within the quiet. The lakeside scenery, visible breath in the air, and the clear atmosphere. Please enjoy this special time that comes only in this season. ❄️Winter only January 19 to March 7 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The winter forest is muddy Miyanomori, which rings the ski area, can be climbed and descended in about an hour to the shelter at the summit. On a warm day with temperatures around 0°C, the old man who lives opposite Miyanomori says he sometimes climbs it twice a day. With that reliable old man, I climbed Miyanomori too. - Thanks to the previous day’s warmth, the snow had melted, and on the packed snowshoe tracks the snow seemed walkable in rubber boots. ※Snowshoe: a device attached under boots to prevent sinking deeply into snow. Also called kanjiki. Once I bravely started walking in rubber boots, trouble began. Looking sideways and up, my feet slipped off the packed tracks and I plunged into the snow. Apparently, when your feet get caught in snow it’s called “nukareru” (to sink in). Seeing me struggle so much, the old man walked ahead for me. He climbed at a surprisingly quick pace. Out of shape from lack of exercise, I couldn’t catch up, so I climbed at my own pace without rushing. I snapped a photo of his back along the way. The old man would wait a short distance on and tell me things like, this tree died because deer ate its bark, or, it’s rare to see a vine this thick. Traces where deer had raced across slopes too steep for people, and deer prints beside the snowshoe tracks. It was a walk through this quietly snow-covered forest, feeling the presence of living creatures. 📷️ 📷️ 📷️ There are said to be over 30 stone monuments in Miyanomori. Even the old man doesn’t know why they’re there. Perhaps villagers once placed them to protect the forest. Snow perched atop a tree. Someone on social media had called a cornice “like braised pork,” and I remembered that. I saw several large katsura trees. Their branch tips twist and curl. Behind the direction signboard, the disturbed snow marks a deer trail. Something like a nut lay on the snow. From the shelter you can take in a panoramic view of the town. Just then, a ski class was in full swing at the ski area below. 📷️ 📷️ 📷️ Here are scenes from a winter walk in Miyanomori. #Miyanomori #Walk

Akanko in the early morning of February 9th chilled down to −16°C! Despite the heavy clouds, we were still able to catch a clear sunrise☀ The wind was a bit strong, but in spots where the trees sheltered us, frost flowers appeared❄✨️ You can book the early morning walking tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... Please note that the tour route and start time may change depending on ice conditions on the lake and the weather.

2026 Sapporo Snow Festival 8-chome Hiroba! At the Akan Tourism Association booth, our beloved Marimokkori from Lake Akan is making an appearance!! Our association staff are sharing the charms of Lake Akanko together with it♪ Please come and see us 🟢

Early morning walk tour on February 8! It was forecast to be cloudy, but the sky cleared beautifully. Though small, we saw frost flowers and caught MtMeakan and the moon together♪ I couldn’t capture it in photos, but diamond dust also appeared. We tried freezing soap bubbles in subzero temperatures, poured hot water into the air to watch it freeze, and enjoyed full-body winter fun at Lake Akanko with Nordic-style snow angel play♪ You can book the early morning walk tour from the URL below. 　　↓ https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/things_to_do/19977/... Please note that the tour route and start time may change depending on lake ice conditions.

We visited the Otaru Snow Festival on a day when the snowfall felt almost unreal, layers upon layers of snow covering everything in sight. The cold was intense, yet the spirit of the people was even stronger—unshaken, cheerful, and welcoming. Despite the heavy snow, they warmly invited us to become part of the festival, as if we belonged there all along. Though the air was biting, the kindness and smiles around us filled the atmosphere with joy. As evening fell, the sight of countless candles glowing softly along the canal was nothing short of magical—the gentle light reflecting on the snow and water turned Otaru into a living winter dream.

Staying at Kussharo Prince Hotel, you hear the trumpeting calls of whooper swans at Lake Kussharo in the morning. In temperatures colder than −10°C, the fireplace crackles as the firewood pops. Listen to the clear surface of the lake and the quiet sounds spreading along the shore. This stay turns the solitude you can only experience here into sound. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

The 60th Tomakomai Skating Festival is now open! The festival is packed with attractions, including the ever-popular ice mega-slide, snow sculptures, food stalls, and a lively stage program. Of course, the famous shibare-yaki is also available At the tourism association booth, we have a Tomachop lottery and drinks ready, so please stop by ⛸