Event Announcement📣 The 7th Shimizu Shakkoi Festival will be held🎵 This year we plan to bring back the ever-popular Snow Treasure Hunt game and candy toss😊 There will also be festival stalls offering target shooting and raffle draws, plus food trucks😍 We promise a fun day and look forward to welcoming everyone🤗 🔶Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 🔶Time: 9:30 AM–3:00 PM (canceled in severe weather) 🔶Venue: Shimizu Central Park and Shimizu Town Cultural Center 📞Inquiries: 0156-62-2208 (Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry) https://www.town.shimizu.hokkaido.jp/section/08/details/post_75.html...

Event Announcement📣 From February 7 to February 8, Japan’s coldest town, Rikubetsucho, will host the 42nd Shibare Festival😊 Over two days, the festival will feature stage shows, local idol live performances, comedy acts, a children’s raffle, gaming tournaments and many other attractions🎵 The “Human Cold Endurance Test,” where you can experience Japan’s coldest conditions, draws participants from across and beyond Hokkaido every year. Participants stay overnight in a balloon mansion (an ice kamakura) and endure a brutally cold night in this extreme challenge! (Registration for this year is closed) There are no stoves; the only permitted source of warmth for challengers is the festival’s symbol, the giant fire storm, which helps warm participants🔥 The venue also hosts numerous food stalls where you can enjoy local cuisine😍 You can try venison dishes made from Ezo deer raised in Rikubetsu’s great outdoors, stylish cafe menus, and festival classics like yakitori and curry🤗 📍Date and Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM Sunday, February 8, 2026, 9:30 AM–2:00 PM 📍Location: Event Square (Uenbetsu, Rikubetsu Town) 📍Contact: Shibare Festival Executive Committee Office (Rikubetsu Town Office, Industry Promotion Division, Commerce and Industry Promotion Section TEL:0156-27-2141) https://www.rikubetsu.jp/kanko/event/shibare/...

Lake Kussharo in winter. A place where warmth lives within the stillness. The lakeshore views, visible breaths, and crisp air. Enjoy this special time that comes only in this season. ❄️ Winter season only: January 19th through March 7th 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

🏮✨ Onsen website "From the Information Desk" updated📝🆙 The Kawayu Onsen lanterns, first unveiled at last autumn’s Kawayu Marche, were formally lit at a ceremony late last year and are now displayed at hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants and other spots throughout the Kawayu Onsen district. This time we bring you a story about the "Kawayu Onsen Lanterns," which are becoming one of the faces of the Kawayu Onsen district🏮❄️Please take a look🐻

🧊Appearance of lotus-leaf ice🧊 This year, lotus-leaf ice has begun appearing frequently. In the bitter cold, a combination of conditions seems to form these shapes.😊 They often vanish by the afternoon even if visible in the morning, but the other day they stayed afloat in perfect form long after the sun rose. You won’t see them every cold day, so consider yourself lucky if you do.✨ Winter in Kushiro is wonderful! Come and visit us ^ ^

Winter Hanabi, fireworks that light up Akanko’s frozen night sky🎆 Starting tonight! The venue features not only fireworks but also an original ceremony✨ ⁡ Event period ▶︎ February 1 (Sun)–March 1 (Sun) ※From March 2–15, only fireworks will be launched ⁡Time ▶︎ 7:45 PM Welcome Ceremony 8:00 PM Fireworks display ⁡ ✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼••┈┈••✼ Enjoy Akanko more conveniently and economically with Marimo Pay🉐 ⁡ Marimo Pay is a tourism app that lets you gather information about Akanko, make reservations, and complete payments all on your smartphone! For details, visit the link in the profile! Instagram profile https://www.instagram.com/akan_tourism_association/...

Warm up your chilled body from the winter cold… Here’s a recommended day-trip hot spring guide for you♨️

Kawayu Onsen website article updated 📝🆙 An article about “Kawayu Onsen’s Enkiri Bath Tour” has been posted ♨️❄️ Please take a look ✨ Kawayu Onsen’s Enkiri Bath Tour Stroll through highly acidic hot springs that can even dissolve nails, and let them melt away your daily frustrations, fatigue, and bad ties to refresh yourself! Why not try Kawayu Onsen’s new plan, the “Enkiri Bath Tour”? *The map on the third page is for staying guests 🗺️ https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/activity/990/...

Hokkaido Sapporo City Horomi Pass I visited in July. A sloping flower field blooms with a variety of colorful flowers. You can glimpse Sapporo’s cityscape through the trees, making it a very beautiful spot. It lies far from Sapporo’s urban center and is hard to reach by public transport, but it seems accessible by sightseeing bus.

Event Announcement📣 On Friday, February 6, join us in Shihorocho for a one-night candlelit evening called “Shihoro on ICE,” featuring ice candles made by the community😊 The evening will include candle art by the Shihoro Town Central Junior High School Art Club, and—weather permitting—snow sculptures created by local volunteers may make an appearance!?⛄️ Warm snacks and beverages will be available at the venue☕️ 📍Date and Time: Friday, February 6, 2026, 4:30 PM–7:30 PM 📍Location: In front of Town Plaza 📞Contact: Shihoro on ICE Organizing Committee (Hattori: 080-1897-4728) 🔶Ice Candle Drop-off Period Tuesday, February 3–Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM: Committee members will collect ice candles at Town Plaza, so please make them at home and bring them by✨We look forward to seeing your creations🤗 🔶Volunteers Wanted Volunteers are needed on Friday, February 6 from 1:00 PM to help with venue setup and lighting—join us in making the event shine🎵

The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival The 20th National Ice Sculpture Exhibition Winter Obihiro Competition This was my personal favorite ice sculpture of the year.

A guide to hot spring inns in Teshikaga ♨️ Teshikaga has two hot spring areas: Mashu Onsen and Kawayu Onsen. Each hot spring and each inn differs in water quality and health benefits, so be sure to check out a variety of hot spring inns.✨ A second guide is in preparation. Please look forward to it.😉🔥

Kawayu Onsen website article updated 📝🆙 An article about "Kawayu Onsen's Enkiri Hot Spring Tour" has been posted ♨️❄️ Please take a look ✨ Kawayu Onsen's Enkiri Hot Spring Tour Stroll through intensely acidic springs that can even dissolve nails to wash away everyday worries, fatigue, and bad ties—refresh yourself by "melting" them away. Would you like to try Kawayu Onsen's new project, the "Enkiri Hot Spring Tour"? https://www.kawayu-onsen.com/activity/990/...

🍽️♨️🐚 Kawayu Onsen Akkeshi Clam Fair Starts in March At three ryokan affiliated with the inn association (Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura, Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu), original clam dishes will be served at dinner or breakfast during the fair. Enjoy hearty, flavorful large clams and revive your spirits—eat clams to recharge! Soak in the hot springs to revive yourself, too♨️✨

🚨Schedule Change🚨 [Sightsee Hands-Free! Luggage Delivery Service Now Available] From Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, Teshikaga Town will operate the 2026 Winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town shuttle bus (reservations required in advance) and, during the same period, offer a luggage delivery service called “Sightsee Hands-Free.” This convenient service lets you drop off your bags at a designated location and have them delivered to your pickup point while you freely and lightly explore Teshikaga. You won’t need to carry your luggage yourself, so you can spend all your time and energy on sightseeing. No advance reservation is necessary. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Period Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fee 1,000 yen (tax included) Luggage size Total of length, width, and height up to 160 cm / weight up to 25 kg *Valuables, fragile items, hazardous materials, precision instruments, and frozen or refrigerated goods cannot be accepted. Drop-off locations and hours A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–11:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–12:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel until 11:00 (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) *Please note that the C reception hours have changed. Pickup locations and hours A: JR Mashu Station 15:00–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 14:00–17:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel from 13:30 onward (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) ________________________________________ Use it like a coin locker—no delivery! Luggage storage only We also offer a luggage-only storage service that acts like a coin locker without delivery. Use it as needed to suit your schedule. Fee: 700 yen (tax included) A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–17:00 Inquiries Mashu Tourism Association (General Incorporated Association) 015-482-2200 Reception hours 9:00–17:00 on weekdays masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp

We will begin operating the 2026 winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town sightseeing bus (advance reservation required) and start a luggage delivery service! Here is the 2026 winter schedule for the Mashu–Kussharo Sightseeing Loop Bus, which visits the main scenic spots within Teshikagacho. The loop bus ticket, called the “Teshikaga Eco Passport,” is available again this year as a 2-day or 3-day pass. Please make an advance reservation and make use of it. It’s recommended for those who are uneasy about driving or who want to enjoy sightseeing in Teshikaga easily. For details, see Teshikaga Navi. Service period Saturday, January 24, 2026–Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fees Adult (おとな) Child (こども) 2-day pass (2days) 2,000 yen 1,000 yen 3-day pass (3days) 3,000 yen 1,000 yen Contact Mashu Lake Tourism Association 3-3-1 Mashu 3-chome, Teshikagacho, Kawakami District, Hokkaido 088-3201 TEL: 015-482-2200 Email: masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

“Demons Are Jumping Out of Mokumu!” The displays inside Forest Museum “Mokumu” have been refreshed. February means one thing: Setsubun! A demon’s hand bursts out from the wall, creating the kind of tension that seems ready to grab visiting children!! A giant ehomaki (lucky-direction sushi roll) hangs down above the entrance to the wooden amusement park. This year, it’s said to be best eaten facing slightly south of south-southeast. The demon-themed Setoushi-kun masks scattered on the pillars are adorable too. - 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 middle school students 100 yen for ages 3 through 3rd grade elementary school Free for children under 3 #Forest Museum #in-gallery displays #February 3 #Demons

Staying at Kussharo Prince Hotel, you'll hear the calls of whooper swans on Lake Kussharo in the morning. In cold beyond −10°C, the crackle of firewood echoes from the fireplace. Listen to the clear lake surface and the quietly spreading sounds along the shore. This stay turns a silence you can only feel here into sound. 📍Kussharo Prince Hotel https://www.instagram.com/kussharo_ph/...

🚨Schedule Change🚨 [Sightsee hands-free! Luggage delivery service now available] From Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, Teshikaga offers the 2026 winter “Teshikaga Eco Passport” town shuttle bus (reservation required) and, during the same period, a luggage delivery service called “Sightsee hands-free.” This convenient service delivers your luggage from the drop-off location to the pick-up location so you can explore Teshikaga light and free during that time. You won’t need to carry your bags yourself, allowing you to spend all your time and energy on sightseeing. No advance reservation is required. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Period Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 Fee 1,000 yen (tax included) Luggage size Total of length, width, and height up to 160 cm / weight up to 25 kg *Valuables, fragile items, hazardous materials, precision instruments, and frozen or refrigerated items cannot be accepted* Drop-off locations and reception hours A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–11:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–12:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel until 11:00 (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) *Please note that the reception hours for C have changed.* Pick-up locations and hours A: JR Mashu Station 15:00–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 14:00–17:00 C: Kawayu Onsen Town Hotel from 13:30 onward (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KKR Kawayu, Oyado Kinkiyu Annex Suikazura) ________________________________ Use it like a coin locker—no delivery! Luggage storage only We also offer a luggage storage-only service you can use like a coin locker without delivery. Please use it according to your needs. Fee: 700 yen (tax included) A: JR Mashu Station 8:30–16:30 B: JR Kawayu-Onsen Station 8:30–17:00 Contact Mashu Tourism Association 015-482-2200 Reception hours 9:00–17:00 on weekdays masyu_as@peace.ocn.ne.jp https://www.masyuko.or.jp... https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/2025winterecopassport/...

From January 27, 2026, local sake sales begin🍶 At roadside station iwanai, we offer “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” and “Junmai Ginjo Umi” in 720ml and 300ml bottles♪ *Amazake is not available for sale. Prices are as follows ⇩ “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” 720ml 2,970 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,485 yen (tax included) “Junmai Ginjo Umi” 720ml 2,200 yen (tax included) 300ml 1,100 yen (tax included) “Junmai Daiginjo Yama” polished rice ratio 45% It has a fruity, clean taste without off-flavors, making it an excellent match with snacks like cheese! “Junmai Ginjo Umi” polished rice ratio 60% Enjoy it as a table sake that brings out the best in dishes such as sashimi It won the gold prize in the Junmai category at the 2023 new-sake tasting contest hosted by the Sapporo Regional Taxation Bureau✨ We look forward to seeing you♪

Laughter Yoga Class Want to loosen your body with laughter? This health exercise combines laughter with yogic breathing to relax both mind and body. Children, adults, and seniors are all welcome. Saturday, February 7 2:00 PM (about 1 hour 30 minutes) at Hotel Rimu Plum Hall Participation fee: Free Reservation: Not required What to bring: Comfortable clothing for movement, a towel for sweat, a drink, etc. Instructor: Happy Smile Create Laughter Yoga Teacher Mawiko Nakamura Organizer / Contact: Musouraku Circle Kondo (090-3115-3722) A bus to the Kamiokoppe direction will run. If you plan to use it, please contact us by Thursday, February 5. Supported by: Nishiokoppe Village Board of Education #Laughter Yoga #Health Exercise #Laugh #Musouraku #Circle

Introducing hot spring inns in Teshikaga♨️ Teshikaga has two hot spring areas, Mashu Onsen and Kawayu Onsen. The water quality and therapeutic effects vary by spring and by inn, so be sure to check out a variety of hot spring accommodations✨A second and third guide are in preparation. Please look forward to them😉🔥

This is the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train I rode it for the first time in two years and enjoyed photographing it the next day. It runs mainly on weekends through early March and I think you can board on Saturdays or Sundays if you don't insist on choosing a specific seat.

Event Announcement 📣 The 63rd Obihiro Ice Festival runs from January 30 to February 1. 😊 With the theme of bringing warmth and joy to the northern winter, the festival offers a wide variety of attractions. 🎵 The venue features ice-focused works: ice carvings, ice and snow sculptures, and ice masks made by elementary school students. Families can also enjoy popular attractions like rotating sleds, tube sliders, ice slides, and snow rafting. 😍 Workshops for building snowmen and creating sparkling snow domes let visitors fully experience snow and ice over these three days. 🤗 📍Date and Time: Friday, January 30, 2026 – Sunday, February 1, 2026, 10:00–20:00 (Final day closes at 5:00 PM) 📍Location: Midorigaoka Park 📞Contact: Obihiro Festival Promotion Committee TEL: 0155-22-8600 https://obihiro-icefes.com//

Kushiro winter park! KKS Convention Center (Kushiro Tourism and International Relations Center) forecourt Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 17, 2026 to February 8, 2026 Fridays 5:00 PM–8:00 PM / Saturdays and Sundays 4:00 PM–8:00 PM Saturday, January 24 — human curling 🧑🏻🥌 drew a lively crowd! Skating ⛸️ among the illuminations is simply wonderful ✨ Now happily underway 😊

Watching the dusk over Kushiro, enjoy a quietly flowing tea time. Savor a moment that melts the heart along with dessert. Reservations are available from the profile URL. https://www.instagram.com/kushiroprincehotel/...

●A Huge Hit! Sarurun Kamuy — A Trip to Meet the Red-Crowned Cranes● Recruiting participants for Sunday, February 15 Special early-morning entry to Akan International Crane Center GRUS! Under the guidance of Director Kawase, we will observe the cranes’ arrival. February is peak season. Come and watch the cranes dance in the sky. The crane tour is highly popular every year. The application deadline is Thursday, January 29, so please apply soon (^^)/ *If the minimum number of participants is not met, the tour will be canceled (10 people).* Sunday, February 15 Meeting time 6:55 AM Meet and dismiss at Kushiro Tourism and International Relations Center (KKS Convention Center) 7:00 AM Depart KKS Convention Center 7:50 AM Arrive at Akan International Crane Center GRUS 　　　　Observe the cranes’ arrival 9:30 AM Depart Akan International Crane Center GRUS 10:20 AM Arrive at Kushiro Station (you may disembark) 10:25 AM Dismiss at KKS Convention Center For details and to apply, follow the link below🔗 https://www.kushiro-lakeakan.com//

Ice Land Akan is now open. We look forward to welcoming you.

🚂 SL Winter Marsh Train on Friday, January 23rd 🚂 Steam from the SL billows up into the sky above the station. Excited. My heart races. Is it almost here? It’s here—😆 Both the riders and the photographers share the same feeling✨ They wave to each other thinking, “SLs are wonderful!”👋

"Gyugyutto, a compact roundup of tourist information" At the recent Okhotsk Fair held at Chi-Ka-Ho we distributed an A4 double-sided summary of Nishiokoppe Village tourist information. Eat, stay, play, shop… I thought about what first-time visitors to Nishiokoppe Village would want to know and carefully selected information, so I decided to post it on social media too! 〇 Access Since the event venue was sapporo station I looked into travel options from sapporo station to Nishiokoppe Village. It takes about four to six hours by car 🚙 It’s a bit of a short road trip. There are gas stations in the village, so you can feel reassured if you come by car 🙌 〇 Eat, stay, play… Some facilities are open only in summer. In addition to the images, there are events and outdoor activities you can enjoy in nature. 〇 Souvenirs You can buy souvenirs not only at Roadside Station Kamu and Hotel Rimu but also at local shops. Some items are offered as hometown tax return gifts (furusato nozei) and some are available from online shops ✨ Hometown tax sites >> Satofull, Rakuten Furusato Nozei, Furusato Choice > Milk Design, which handles grass-fed milk > Seto Beef Farm, which grows and sells vegetables - Last year, Nishiokoppe Village released a new tourism pamphlet that provides more detailed introductions to each facility’s appeal and basic information. For general tourism inquiries, please feel free to contact the Nishiokoppe Village Tourist Information Center the Rizumu. 📞 0158-85-7125 📩 ni.kankouannai at mark gmail.com #Okhotsk #Access #Stay #Eat #Drink #Shop"