Nishiokoppe Village This is Kurashima of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Volunteers (in charge of tourism).
Located in the eastern Hokkaido region, it has a population of 1,002 (as of the end of July 2023 (Reiwa 5)), and is surrounded by nature, with forests occupying about 90% of the village's area.
Nishiokoppe Village is also famous as a guitar production area, and currently 20,000 guitar bodies are made every year.
You can enjoy various experiences such as beautiful scenery and delicious gourmet food in Nishiokoppe Village.
We will deliver Nishiokoppe Village events, sightseeing information, and daily scenes, so thank you!
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Dance, Dance, Dance
Dance is closer to strength training than I thought…!
I realized that when I joined a dance lesson held in Nishiokoppe Village.
The instructor who taught us was Toshimasa Miya, a teacher at EOS DANCE STUDIO in Asahikawa City.
This was the second time Miya came to Nishiokoppe Village.
I couldn’t attend the first lesson,
but when I heard a second session would be held, I went to loosen my exercise-starved body.
As soon as the lesson began, music started playing.
I was surprised and thought, “Are we already dancing?” but we began with stretches set to the music.
It seems they teach you to get into the habit of moving to the rhythm from the stretching stage.
They say dance isn’t about moving your body as fast or as much as possible; what matters is moving to the rhythm.
They also explained that if you get better at moving specific parts of your body,
you can express more delicate whole-body movements in dance.
The smaller the movements, the more your muscles and mind work.
To keep your center steady while making various motions, you also need to strengthen your core.
Not being a regular dancer, I moved my arms and legs with all my might and ended up soaked in sweat.
It’s hard to move smoothly like the teacher or snap into sharp motions at times,
but when you move your body fully and use your limbs the way you imagined, it feels great.
While learning dance basics, people from elementary school age to adults enjoyed trying out dance.
A dance lesson is scheduled again after the New Year.
If you’ve been waiting for a chance to get moving,
or if you want to feel soothed watching people move joyfully,
come and join the next lesson.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#dance
#dance lesson
#EOS DANCE STUDIO
#Asahikawa
#winter
#exercise
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
[Nishiokopper Live]
GA.KOPPER Event Announcement📢
Friday, December 19
Doors open at 6:30 PM / Show starts at 7:00 PM
At GA.KOPPER Guesthouse, Nishiokoppe Village
Nishiokopper Live is coming up!
This event is organized by villagers of Nishiokoppe Village who call themselves "Nishiokopper," and it's for the Nishiokopper community.
Enjoy both light-hearted and wholehearted performances that will warm your body and soul on a cold winter night.
Drinks and light snacks will be available for purchase.
Free admission.
For inquiries, please call 090-6446-7689 (Asano).
#NishiokopperLive #Nishiokopper #GAKOPPER #Guesthouse #Nishiokoppe #Hokkaido #Christmas #Winter
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Pinecone Trees
Snow has begun to fall.
Winter is the season when those who spent their time tending gardens and fields take a breather.
But rather than simply drifting along and taking it easy,
some people pour their energy into projects they can do indoors when outdoor work isn’t possible.
They belong to a group called the Pinecone Circle.
On the second floor of Soumukan Hall, a space open to villagers for crafting,
colorful pinecones were lined up on the tables.
Each pinecone is carefully decorated one by one with chenille stems, ribbons, tiny snowman figures, and very small pearls.
Until about twenty years ago, the group was called One Two Three,
and they performed puppet theater around the village for the children of members.
When the children grew up, the puppet shows came to a close, but the crafting that began as a way to raise activity funds has continued to this day.
Their seasonal pinecone pieces come in three themes: Christmas, Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Doll Festival), and carp streamers.
Pinecones fall all over the village in autumn.
What many people merely pass by, these crafters see as “something that might be useful” and find ways to transform it into something that will make someone happy. Their creativity and passion for making things never fail to impress.
Christmas trees are sold for 500 yen each at Roadside Station Kamu, Hotel Shinmu, and Komu – Forest Art Museum.
Pinecones come in six colors: brown, gold, silver, purple, blue, and green.
Each one features different decorations, so take a close look and enjoy their charm.
We hope you find a pinecone you love.
🎄🎄🎄
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Pinecone Circle
#One Two Three
#Christmas tree
#Christmas
#Winter
#Craftsmanship
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Christmas Wreath Making
Onesmanorgarden, which designs and builds gardens, invited garden planner Yuka Sato as an instructor to host a fun hands-on crafting session.
What we made was a Christmas wreath using eucalyptus leaves and other foliage.
In April we made wreaths from dried hydrangeas, but this time a row of fresh, live leaves was laid out.
Surrounded by the scent of nioi-hiba, we first trimmed long branches into shorter lengths.
From there we made the components to attach to the ring, glued them together, and tied them onto the ring with wire.
We repeated that process over and over until the ring was covered.
The steps are very simple.
However… from start to finish you have to keep the volume consistent, bundle while considering the balance of leaves and berries, and skillfully fill in gaps so none remain.
It really makes you think.
Our fingertips turned dark from the leaf oils as we worked in silence, and after about three to four hours we finished a lush, full wreath!
Adding gold or silver pine cones and wrapping ribbons changed each piece’s final impression during the finishing touches.
Participants took their finished works home and seemed to hang them on walls and elsewhere in their homes.
As time passes and they dry, their color and texture change.
It was a project that let us enjoy qualities different from dried pieces.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Wreath making
#Christmas
#Eucalyptus
#Pine cone
#Handicraft
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Komu Christmas Party!
Saturday, December 6
Christmas Festival at Komu – Forest Art Museum🎄
☆ Performance by the Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band🎶
11:30–12:00 @ Mokumu Island
The band’s annual performance returns!
☆ Riku Nakanishi Christmas Live
13:00–13:40 @ Santa World🧑🎄
Riku will come to Komu with just his guitar♪
☆ Sumikko Sumi-chan Storytime📖
First session 11:00
Second session 14:00 @ Building Block Room
She will read Christmas picture books.
Gather wherever you can hear Sumi-chan’s voice!
Events will take place throughout the museum.
You’re sure to soak up the Christmas spirit!
We look forward to your visit🙌🎄
Komu – Forest Art Museum
Winter hours: 10:00–16:30
Last admission accepted until 16:10
Admission fees:
Adults and high school students 500 yen
4th grade to junior high school students 300 yen
Ages 3 to 3rd grade elementary 100 yen
Under 3 years old free
Inquiries:
0158-87-2600
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Komu – Forest Art Museum
#Christmas
#December 6
#Nishiokoppe Junior High School Brass Band
#Riku Nakanishi
#Sumikko Sumi-chan
#Board of Education
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Christmas Window Art
Would you like to paint on the large windows of Michi-no-Eki Kamu?
Sunday, November 30
10:00–11:30: Join our window-painting event!
Location: Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu.
The flower park closes for winter, making the roadside station a bit quiet.
We planned this event to fill the windows with art and brighten the day of everyone who visits.
Everyone is welcome, both villagers and visitors, children and adults alike.
Participants will receive a Setoushi-kun baked treat and string cheese.
Capacity: 20 people. Spots are first come, first served, so please sign up early.
Apply / Inquiries:
Tourist Information Center Satom 0158-85-7125
Komata 090-1384-4167
Michi-no-Eki Nishiokoppe Flower Park Kamu
Opening hours:
9:00–16:00 (November–February)
Closed: Every Tuesday (if Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day)
Phone: 0158-87-2333
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Roadside Station
#Hanamu
#November 30
#Window Art
#Painting
#Christmas
#Gift
#Setoushi-kun baked treat
#String cheese
#Yumeura Mori no Garden
#Milk Design
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Green Woodwork
A workshop used freshly cut, still-damp “green wood” to make everyday items.
Participants used only simple tools like knives and shaving horses.
For middle school students and older
they offered sessions to make wooden spatulas, mini spoons, and small plates.
Elementary school children could also join
a session to make house ornaments.
Under the instruction of Mariko Kusakari,
four classes were held in total.
I peeked into the house ornament session.
The elementary children cut and shaved the wood themselves
with support from parents and staff.
They touched the wood’s end grain to confirm it was still damp
and noticed that different species gave off different scents.
Handing tools to children can be nerve‑wracking,
but adults stepped in when needed and otherwise watched as the kids did the work.
Pieces that started round gradually took on angular, almost pentagonal shapes.
After cutting each piece to a chosen size,
participants painted them and added a string or wire to finish the ornament.
The display included a variety of shapes and colors, each full of personality.
We live in a world where many things are easy to buy,
so having the chance to make everyday items yourself is truly rewarding.
I think I’ll join the wooden spatula workshop next time.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Green Woodwork
#green wood
#handicrafts
#everyday items
#mokuiiku (wood learning)
#Komu Museum of Art
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Sparkling Korakuen: An Evening Tea Gathering
Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24
At Korakuen, where the maple trees had turned crimson, a light-up and tea gathering took place.
Inside the garden stands Korakutei, a tea room used several times a month for tea practice and tea gatherings for children.
Still, many village residents had never stepped into Korakutei, and many had only viewed Korakuen’s garden from outside.
For regular walkers and those who don’t usually go out alike, these two days provided an opportunity to visit Korakuen.
Because the garden has almost no lighting, lights placed along the walking paths glittered in the darkness.
A gentle, light rain fell that night.
The softly sweet tea sweets and the warm, full-bodied tea warmed us through.
Even without knowing tea ceremony etiquette, I found the tea room’s refined, comforting atmosphere soothing, and I visited many times.
(Refills of tea were available 🧉)
Despite the poor footing due to the weather, many people came—thank you very much.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Traditional Japanese garden
#Korakuen
#Autumn foliage light-up
#Tea gathering
#Night
#Autumn
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Teachers’ Staged Reading "Hanasaki-yama"
Saturday, November 15
At Nishiokoppe Village Community Center Large Hall
The teachers will present a staged reading.
This year’s program is the picture book Hanasaki-yama, written by Ryusuke Saito and illustrated by Jiro Takidaira.
We will deliver a story incorporating the episodes of “Hachiro” and “Miko” that appear in this tale.
The cast includes elementary and junior high school teachers, elementary school students, and fellow villagers.
Including staff, people of various ages will work together to create a single production.
Admission free
Doors open at 1:30 PM, performance starts at 2:00 PM.
Recommended for ages elementary school and up.
Please come and see the teachers doing their best on stage.
For inquiries, call 090-9086-8268 (Yamamoto).
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#staged reading
#teachers’ staged reading
#Hanasaki-yama
#November 15
#Community Center Large Hall
#Board of Education
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Autumn Nature Walk in Miyanomori
Miyanomori surrounds Forest Park.
I heard we could stroll through Miyanomori,
and about 20 people, from children to adults, gathered.
You can walk from the foot to the summit and back in just over an hour on Miyanomori.
Fallen leaves covered the ground,
and with every step I heard the rustle of leaves.
At first everyone walked at the same pace,
but the energetic children pressed on, moving steadily ahead.
As we walked, people stopped when something caught their eye,
staring at it or reaching out to touch it.
In the clear air, we fully savored the autumn forest.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Miyanomori
#Walk
#Autumn
#Mushrooms
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