Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video—nice to meet you! This is Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido. Kyowa-cho was formed in 1955 when Ozawa Village, Maeda Village, and Hattari Village merged. It borders five towns and one village, including Iwanai-cho and the Niseko Range. The town ranks among Hokkaido’s top producers of local brand fruits such as Raiden watermelons and Raiden melons. Kyowa-cho has long been a rice-producing area, growing varieties like Nanatsuboshi and Yumepirika. Since this is our first post, today we’ll share basic information and sightseeing highlights of Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido! Climate and weather in Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido: the average temperature in January is −3.4°C, and the average in August is 21.4°C, giving mild winters and comfortable summers. The population is 5,772 (surveyed in 2020). Surrounded by lush greenery, Kyowa-cho lets you enjoy nature through all four seasons. Popular sightseeing spots in Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido Niseko Shinsen-numa Natural Recreation Forest Niseko Shinsen-numa Natural Recreation Forest is a popular destination on a plateau above 750 m. Some trails are maintained, making trekking suitable even for beginners. Viewing alpine plants such as Mitsugashiwa is another highlight. The parking area also serves as the forest’s rest facility and includes toilets and a shop. From a nearby observatory you can take in views of the Iwanai Plain and the Sea of Japan. The area contains several marshes, so visitors can enjoy a marsh-walking tour. Please note that the area is closed to traffic during the winter season from late October through late April. Shinsennuma Shinsennuma is a marsh in the Niseko range famed for its otherworldly beauty. The name Shinsennuma became popular after Toyomatsu Shimoda, founder of the Boy Scouts in Japan, visited and described it as a place where gods and immortals would dwell. The marsh changes its expression with the seasons—autumn foliage and fresh green leaves—and blooms of Ezo-kanzoso and cotton grass make Shinsennuma a place you’ll want to revisit. Onuma Onuma lies at an elevation of 850 m, framed by Mt. Weisshorn, which spans Kutchancho and Kyowa-cho, and Nitonupuri, which lies between Kutchancho and Rankoshi-machi. The natural monuments Ezo salamanders and Japanese crayfish live here. Naganuma About 20 minutes from Shinsennuma, this gourd-shaped pond is a man-made lake with a stark landscape, also serving as a reservoir. Nishimura Keiyu Memorial Art Museum This museum focuses on the works of Keio Nishimura, a Western-style painter from Kyowa-cho, and houses about 5,500 pieces, with roughly 100 on display at any time. After World War II Nishimura moved to France, where Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, Picasso’s dealer, discovered him; Nishimura based his career in Paris and received honors such as France’s Order of Arts and Letters. The museum rotates its exhibits about four times a year, letting visitors enjoy a variety of works. The museum also offers regular programs to enjoy art, and the views from the museum are a draw in themselves. Kakashi Furusato Kan Kakashi Furusato Kan was built to pass on the agricultural lifestyle and the pioneering history of Kyowa-cho to future generations. Inside, farming tools and household items are on display. The adjacent Former Horonai Elementary School has been restored and repurposed as an exhibition space, preserving the atmosphere of the original building as a historic structure. Kyowa Scarecrow Festival Held from mid- to late August, the Kyowa Scarecrow Festival lines the town with unique scarecrows. The festival features attractions such as a scarecrow contest, a music stage, character shows, and a local produce market. (Events as of August 2023) Kyowa-cho hometown tax gifts Local specialties from Kyowa-cho are available through the hometown tax donation program. Particularly popular return gifts include Hokkaido Crelle Camembert cheese, Sanda Farm’s special ice cream, Raiden melon, and Raiden watermelon. We’ll deliver these signature items to your home. Please check each hometown tax donation site for details. Kyowa-cho offers a range of accommodations, including hot springs and minpaku guesthouses. On the official Kyowa-cho town office website you can download a tourism pamphlet that presents themed model routes. A roadside station is scheduled to open in 2027. We will continue to showcase the charms of Kyowa-cho, Hokkaido on Cool Japan Video. Thank you for your support!