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.
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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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Gathered Around the Campfire
It was around the time when overnight lows started hovering near 0°C.
Children gathered at the BBQ house behind Hotel Morumu, forming a circle around the campfire.
They tried lighting the fire, cutting wood, and grilling food.
With temperatures too cool for short sleeves, the area around the fire felt warm and cozy.
With help from adults and older students, each child had the chance to try whatever they wanted at their own pace.
Sweet potatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, bread, sausages, marshmallows, and more were roasted.
Many items turned out well with little charring!
Soon the season for campfires and outdoor grilling will come to an end.
The garden beside the BBQ house was steadily preparing for winter.
I can’t help but feel a little excited already, wondering what winter delights await.
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#campfire
#roasted sweet potato
#hands-on experience
#mokuiiku (wood learning)
#autumn
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
ComCom Halloween
This season has come around again!
Halloween! Happy Halloween!!
Strictly speaking it isn’t the day yet,
but the Forest Museum ‘‘Komu’’ is full of Halloween decorations, so do come and visit 🎃
A corner that felt like moon-viewing until recently
has splendidly taken on more orange.
By the way, the pampas grass seen in front of the window
was grown in the garden behind Hotel Morumu.
If you snap a photo of your child sitting in the car,
it will surely turn out adorable!
The exterior visible from outside
is also dressed in Halloween colors,
so take your time to look from corner to corner.
Forest Museum Komu
Opening hours: 10:00–17:00
*From November the museum closes at 16:30
Admission:
High school and older 500 yen
Grades 4–6 and junior high school 300 yen
Ages 3 to grade 3 100 yen
Under 3 free
Inquiries:
0158-87-2600
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Forest Museum Komu
#Halloween
#Decorations
#Setoushi-kun
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Nishiokoppe, Hokkaido posted.
Tomoya Kaneko Live in Nishiokoppe
Centennial Celebration of Nishiokoppe Village
Singer-songwriter from Shimokawa Town
Tomoya Kaneko will perform a live concert in Nishiokoppe Village!
The show opens with
BEAR HUGS, Nishiokoppe Village’s visual-kei rock band,
who also appeared at this year’s entertainment show, to get the crowd going 🐻
Friday, November 21
at Hotel Morimu Plum Hall, Nishiokoppe Village
Doors open 18:00
Show starts 18:30
All-you-can-drink with light refreshments included
Unreserved seats
High school and older: ¥5,000
Junior high and younger: ¥1,500
Preschool children: Free
Reservations by QR code or phone.
Tel 070-9097-3611 (Tsushima)
Tel 080-6728-1980 (Henmi)
Tel 090-2768-8710 (Dan)
Our staff are working hard to make this a fun show 😆
We look forward to seeing many of you!
#Nishiokoppe Village
#Hokkaido
#Live
#Tomoya Kaneko
#Singer-songwriter
#Centennial celebration of village founding
#BEAR HUGS
#Hotel Morimu
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