My 25 Magnificent Scene in Hokkaido, Japan. (Part 4)

16) 阿寒国立公園オンネトー【足寄町】Akan National Park Onneto [ Ashoro ].

Akan National Park is a volcanic region with bowls on land spread all through the woodland. It additionally contains three completely clear lakes. The zone encompassing these lakes is secured with woods and dotted with hot springs.

The lake change color
 even from different perspective.

Lake Onneto, which is located 623m above sea level, is a part of Akan National Park (east of Ashoro Town), one of the three awesome mystery lakes in Hokkaido. The lake was made when the waterway was dammed up because of the volcanic eruption of Mt. Meakan-dake, and the name, "Onneto" implies old lake or huge lake in the first Ainu language. 

Since its surface wonderfully changes color relying upon the time, day, climate, season and the viewing points, subsequently, the lake is additionally called Goshikinuma (five color lake).

Visit just before winter
to enjoy the beatiful fall foliage.

The lake begins to freeze toward the end of November. In the event that you are lucky enough, you might have the chance to see the wonderful color of ice before the snow covers the lake. The street is shut between Lake Onneto and Meakan Spa from December to April.

There are 4 strolling trails around the lake. It would be ideal if you carry a bear bell with you, and stop by Tourist Information Center to get a map. Since there are no open transportations to Lake Onneto, you can join a tour in the event that you want to visit the lake.

The view from the sky.

Name:	阿寒国立公園オンネトー【足寄町】Akan National Park Onneto [ ashoro ].
Address:	National Forest wilderness Moashoro, Ashoro, 089-3964
Website:	Ashoro Tourism. (Only in Japanese)
Access:	Access to Lake Akan: 2hrs by Akan bus from JR Kushiro Station to Akan Kohan bus stop. Then from the Akanko Bus Center Take Akan Bus, bound for Akan Kohan and Onneto, (30 min.) (in operation only between summer and the autumn foliage season): 970 yen (adult).
Business hour:	Closed during winter.
Fare:	Free admission, but you may aware for the transport fee.
Phone:	0156－25－6131 Asshoro tourist association.

17) 神威岬【積丹町】Kamui Misaki [ Shakotan ].

It means the ladies forbidden  land, 
Kamui Misaki.

Shakotan Peninsula which is situated in the west part of Hokkaido is known as the best seeing spot of the delightful sea. Among the many of lovely touring spots in Shakotan peninsula, Cape Kamui is said to be the absolute best of them. Cape Kamui is at the northwest end of Shakotan Peninsula which stands out to the Sea of Japan.

The cape is distending from the northwestern side of the Shakotan peninsula into the Sea of Japan. This is the main cape in Hokkaido assigned as a Marine Park. 

Enjoy the "Shakotan Blue" Ocean.

Before, it was thought to be the most hazardous spot in the Sea of Japan and ladies were prohibited from approaching it. From the tip of the cape, visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the ocean called "Shakotan Blue." All visitors are sure inspired by the color of the sea, which is similar to the beautiful south ocean. 

Its blue is clear like a jewel and the view from cape is simply staggering. The hill situated at the right end of the promenade which reaches out from the parking area offers a view of Mizunashi no Tateiwa rock on the right, and of Cape Kamui with its rough landscape on the left.

Heading to the goal through the Charenka path.

The esplanade which is called as "Charenka's Path" is surrounded by the "Shakotan blue" sea, top of the Cape Kamui and it will direct you to the edge of the cape in 20 to 30 minutes walk. The esplanade has numerous climbs and descends staircase and it is dangerous and slippery, so it will be ideal to pick a comfortable walking shoe. 

There are no toilets or vending machines over the parking, so please be ready before the strolling. If the weather is over breezy, the esplanade may be shut. So kindly bear in mind to check the weather conditions before the trip.

It is steep and slippery sometime.

After you strolled over the hard esplanade, you will see a big rock stand straight up to the sky over the edge of Cape Kamui. That is called Kamui Rock and used to be said that it is cursed by "Charenka". Presently, Kamui Rock is commonplace to us as the symbol of the edge.

The Kamui rock.

There is an old romantic tale at Cape Kamui talking about a young lady in Cape Kamui. The name of the young lady is "Charenka" and she fell in love to a Japanese warrior, Yoshitsune Minamoto. After Yoshitsune had traveled to another country, Charenka followed him to the Cape Kamui, however, she found out that she was left. 

At that point, Charenka hopped off the cape and changed her figure into the Kamui Rock. It is said that she cursed all ladies on boats and the boats began to sink if there are any ladies on board. It was truly believed and along these lines, ladies became prohibited from entering the cape. Presently, all gender are welcome.

"Kamui" signifies "god" in the language of Ainu. One could say that Cape Kamui has the glorious view which is appropriate to the name of "God". Kindly once visit this incredible place.

You can enter the sea by applying to a tour.

Name:	神威岬【積丹町】Kamui Misaki [ shakotan ].
Address:	Cape Kamui, Kozakicho, Shakotan, Shakotan District, Hokkaido Prefecture 046-0321, Japan
Website:	Shakotan Tourism.
Access:	Otarueki-mae bus terminal → (Approximately 2 hours by Hokkaido chuo bus [Shakotan Line: To Kamui-misaki]) → Shimamui-kaigan-iriguchi bus stop → (Approximately 10 minutes on foot).
Business hour:	The gate to the Kamui Cape may close due to the bad weather. April 8:00 to 17:30 May 8:00 to 18:00 June 8:00 to 18:30 July 8:00 to 18:00 August to October 8:00 to 17:30 November 8:00 to 16:30 from December to March 10:00 to 15:00
Fare:	Free admission
Phone:	0135-44-3715 Shakotan tourism association.

18) 東藻琴芝桜公園【大空町】Higashimokoto Shibazakura Koen [Ozora-cho].

The moss phlox.

Talking about Hokkaido, it gives everybody a solid picture of winter, yet you can't disregard the spring when numerous flower begins blossoming after the winter has passed. 

The flowers in Hokkaido are turning out later than the ones in Tokyo, because of the chilly atmosphere. Indeed, even cherry-blooms over there are currently at their best in May.

Enjoy family day.

Around 8km from the Higashi-Mokoto downtown area, while in transit to Mount Mokoto, you'll 10-hectare moss phlox field on a low hill to your left. From April to early June, the field is loaded with tiny red, pink, white and purple flowers no higher than 1.5cm.

Pink, red, white, and blue sky.

Higashimokoto Moss phlox Festival is held from early May to early June in Higashimokoto, Ozora town, which is situated in the south of Abashiri city. The moss phlox is a parennial plant of the family Polemoniaceae native of North America and is a type of the phlox. 

In addition Takinoue Moss Phlox Festival, Higashimokoto Moss phlox Festival is likewise famous and is proud for the biggest zone planted moss phlox in Japan. I was amazed at the express that the moss phlox was in full blossom over the mountains. You will be overwhelmingly wonderful red, pink, purple and white shading, as well.

The pink Torii.

There is the Yamatsumi Shinto shrine on the hilltop, sightseers can pray for a fortune. The Shinto shrine is rare for having a pink torii. There is an observatory deck beside the Yamatsumi Shinto shrine, and we can observe Higashimokoto Moss Pink Park. We can likewise take a glance at Mt. Mokoto and enjoy a simple Hokkaido scenery. It will take around 2 hours to stroll around the park leisurely.

Kindly bear in mind to taste the moss phlox delicate dessert with the cherry flavor. The taste produced by the rich milk in Hokkaido is very surprising from the ones in other place.

Light up open during Summer and don't miss the fire works.

Name:	東藻琴芝桜公園【大空町】Higashimokoto Shibazakura Koen [Ozora-cho].
Address:	393 Suehiro, Higashimokoto, Ozora Town, Abashiri District
Website:	Ozora town site.(English) Shibazakura koen site.(Japanese)
Access:	Take a bus from JR Abashiri Eki, about 50 minutes to the Higashi Mokoto Station. Then take a taxi to the Shibazakura Koen for another 5 minutes. The time table is available in the Shibazakura site above (Japanese).
Business hour:	8:00~17:00 open all year round, best visit during May.
Fare:	500yen for an adult, 250yen for a child.
Phone:	0152-66-3111 Higashi Mokoto ShibaZakura koen management (Japanese)

19) 宗谷丘陵 【稚内市】Soya Kyuryo [ Wakkanai ].

Soya cape.

Soya KyouRyo Hill, where Cape Soya is found, has an uncommon geographical element of periglacial landforms, in which dampness in the ground over and again freeze and melt. There are various field grounds in the range of Soya KyouRyo Hill, which make great use of the land feature. You can enjoy the magnificent perspective of the field grounds while setting out from Wakkanai to Cape Soya.

Endless path to the Soya cape.

Wakkanai is a town of the wind where solid twist blows all year round. The yearly normal temperature of the Soya Kyuryo is as high as around 7 °C, so it is a very icy place in winter. At the "Cape Soya Wind Farm" located in the far northern of Hokkaido with a view of Sakhalin, stand 57 wind turbines. 

The scene of wind turbines 40 m high on this hilly scene resemble some sort of imagination world. Add up to yield is 57,000 kW, which is proportional to approx. 60% of the utilization of Wakkanai City. The view of Soya Kyuryo is so windy and it reminds me the Valley of the wind, Nausicaa.

There are an walking path from the Soya cape to the Soya historic park which may take about 4 hours to walk, and there may not have any restroom and rest area along the walk way, so, be prepare before you start to walk.

Wind turbines on the hill.

Name:	宗谷丘陵【稚内市】Soya Kyuryo [ Wakkanai ].
Address:	Soya Misaki, Wakkanai-city, Hokkaido
Website:	Soya Kyuryo Walking course. (Japanese)
Access:	Take a bus from the bus terminal in front of JR Wakkanai Station on the JR Soya Main Line, and get off at Soyamisaki(宗谷岬) bus stop. It takes 50 minutes by bus bound for Oomisaki Shogakkou (Oomisaki Elementary school) from Wakkanai Station.  Then you can decide wether you want to join the Soya kyuryo walking course or not.
Business hour:	Open daily, closed during winter as the snow are blocking the path.
Fare:	Free admission.
Phone:	+81-162-24-1216 Wakkanai sightseeing asssociation.

20) ひまわりの里 【北竜町】Himawari No Sato [Hokuryu].

Do you like sunflower?

Seeing sunflower field in a little town called Hokuryu is an absolute necessity thing to do for sightseers who visit Hokkaido in summer. I have gone by this city various times, particularly in summer. Hokkaido's mid-year is extraordinary for two reasons, one is for Sunflower Field of Hokuryu and other one is for Furano's Lavender Field. If you are not familiar with the beautiful flower gardens in Furano then please refer to the number 3 in this list.

The humming bee.

Hokuryu Sunflower Field in Hokuryu town is situated in the southwestern part of Asahikawa city. The 23.1 ha sunflower field spreads over on a hill near roadside station "Sunflower Hokuryu". Sunflowers that have been planted since 1979 grow into a million and half at today. The sunflowers bloom from late July to mid-August and are in full blossom toward the beginning of August. Visitors will be overpowered by a surge of the sunflowers.

During the season, there will be a section with 30 rare types of sunflowers from everywhere throughout the world that has been developed by junior high school students in the town. Taking a visit to the field on a carriage pulled by a tractor is a famous attraction (Adult 500 yen, Child 300 yen).

For visitors who want to visit the sunflower field independently, bikes are available for rent (100 yen/hour). Additionally, try to challenge the Himawari Meiro (Sunflower labyrinths) in sunflower field would be a good time for both children and adults (300 yen each).

take a ride provide by the tractor.

See also the part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 5.