Enjoy sunbathing or strolling on a balmy Hokkaido summer afternoon in Tokiwa Park where you’ll also find a couple of museums and an attractive shrine or enjoy a picnic from the nearby shops and cafés of downtown Perspective view of a white bridge on a brisk sunny autumn day with beautiful fall colors on the mountainside at the end of the wooden deck the Kamuicho area is hemmed in by the Biei and Ishikari rivers Here you’ll find Kamuinomori (‘forest of the gods’) Park Asahikawa’s lively Summer Festival (Natsu Matsuri) takes place over three days in July and August. It includes riverside fireworks, raucous music and dance, and enticing food and drink stalls in the city’s Sanroku entertainment district in which delicate paper lanterns are floated downriver mochi (rice cakes) are thrown into the crowd and huge handmade floats are pulled through the streets Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Tanabata Festival decoration.Tanabata is a star festival that came from China to Japan in the past the Sounkyo Onsen Fire Festival is held in late July or early August it’s aimed at securing the favour of the mountain and fire gods and features drumming performances The summer season closes with the Kotan Matsuri, held on the autumn equinox in Kamuikotan (‘village of the gods’) 20km down the Ishikari River from Asahikawa Asahikawa has quite a lot of public art on display, mostly bronze sculptures dotted along pedestrianised streets like Heiwa-dori and Hikari no Ehon-dori. It’s also home to several small exhibition spaces, such as Hirama, Cajicacco, and Puru Puru There are some larger museums and galleries too, the most notable being Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art in Tokiwa Park. As well as exhibits on art and cultural products from northern Hokkaido the museum holds changing exhibitions on Japanese and overseas artists the name of art at the end of Heiwa Dori street the important shopping street decorated with many arts statue along the path | b-hide the scene / Shutterstock Also worth visiting is the Asahikawa Museum of Sculpture housed in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Western-style building which is dedicated to influential sculptor Nakahara Teijiro There is also a small selection of Nakahara’s works at the Station Gallery The first stop on the 200km-long Hokkaido Garden Path, Ueno Farm is actually a very picturesque English-style garden just northeast of the city colourful flower beds and well-stocked herb banks Stop in for an ice cream made from Hokkaido dairy or perhaps a drink or dessert based on the juiciest seasonal fruit Hokkaido was for centuries inhabited almost exclusively by the Ainu people before Japan annexed the island in the nineteenth century and only in 2019 were they officially recognised as an indigenous people Asahikawa City Museum has a good permanent exhibition on traditional Ainu culture You can also see signage about Ainu myths and cultural practices in the beautiful Kamuikotan area The Biei and Furano areas, south of Asahikawa, are well known for their summertime flower fields. Furano is famous for its lavender, which dyes the hillsides purple each July, while in Biei, Shikisai no Oka bursts into multicoloured bloom from April to October – sunflowers is an idyllic way to spend a warm summer afternoon Biei, Hokkaido, Japan | Ken Shono / Unsplash There are also two shorter cycle routes from Asahikawa One follows an old railway line from Asahi Bridge downstream along the Ishikari River for 20km The other heads upstream along the Chubetsu River for 15km from near the Twin Harp Bridge to Higashikagura Book ahead onto a top-rated tour of Biei and local areas for an unforgettable adventure The wild Daisetsuzan National Park is a mountainous expanse east of Asahikawa known in the Ainu language as Kamuimintara from canoeing down the Ishikari – Hokkaido’s longest river – to wildlife spotting (everything from brown bears to sika deer and adorable pika) Daisetsuzan means ‘Great Snowy Mountains’ and you’ll find patches of snow in between the steaming hot springs and meadows of alpine flowers even in summer At the dramatic gorges of Tenninkyo and Sounkyo caused by volcanic activity you can still see at active peaks like Tokachidake Scenery of Asahidake peak mountain with reflection water and blue cloudy sky in summer The tallest mountain in Hokkaido and located in the Daisetsuzan National Park | THONGCHAI.S / Shutterstock Sitting in the northwest of the national park Asahidake is Hokkaido’s tallest mountain at 2,291m There’s a bus from Asahikawa to Asahidake Ropeway which whisks you up to just an hour or two’s hike from the summit Climbing season runs from June to early October; among the best times to attempt the ascent are late July when the mountain sees some of the earliest autumnal foliage in Japan After taking in the summit’s glorious views – which make it easy to see why the park is known as the ‘roof of Hokkaido’ – you could continue on to a one- to two-day hike from Asahidake to Kurodake If you can’t choose which beautiful area to visit you could always try to see all of them – you can hike north to south across the whole park in about a week There are buses to Sounkyo Onsen from Asahikawa from where you take the ropeway and chairlift up Kurodake to reach the start of the beautiful who worked for a few years in editorial at a guidebook publisher before starting to write full time Her favourite place is Japan; after eight trips and a long stint living she's still finding endless reasons to go back She also finds herself on repeat trips to Canada See more of her travels on Instagram @becca.hallett Where Tradition Meets Modern Urban Adventure See & Do Incredible Day Hikes Near Osaka See & Do The Best Things to See and Do in Minami and Namba Guides & Tips 10 Must-Visit UNESCO Sites in Kyoto See & Do The Most Beautiful Places in Japan You Didn't Know Existed See & Do The Best Places to Travel in April Guides & Tips The Most Unique Onsen Towns in Japan See & Do The Best Things To Do in Fuji Five Lakes See & Do The Best Places for an Asian Spring Break Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in November Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in October US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Today's print edition Home Delivery Asahikawa District Court in Hokkaido has sentenced a 20-year-old woman to 23 years in prison in a high-profile murder case in which a female high school student died after being pushed off a bridge and into a river in Asahikawa in April last year and others to drive the then 17-year-old victim from Rumoi to Asahikawa and assault her between April 18 and the following day They forced her to fall into a river and die.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); "The way the crime was committed was cruel and extremely malicious," Judge Yoshihiro Ogasawara said in handing down the ruling adding that the defendant "showed no attitude of respecting the victim's life and integrity." Konishi's 23-year sentence came against the prosecution's request for 25 years the defense said that the incident was orchestrated by Uchida after the victim posted a photo on social media without Uchida's permission adding that Konishi played only a subordinate role the court found that Konishi was actively involved noting that she beat the victim in anger after the victim called for help the victim's family released a statement through a lawyer saying that they cannot forgive the defendant but want her to seriously reflect on what she did In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Revealing the deep-seated corruption within the ranks of the Asahikawa Police It seems like an innocuous photograph capturing three people — a woman and two men — posing closely together the men beside her are grinning unabashedly this very image has become the focal point of a scandal shaking the foundations of the Asahikawa Police Department The scandal traces back to a murder case that rocked Asahikawa, Hokkaido, earlier this year. In April 21-year-old Riko Uchida and her 19-year-old accomplice lured 17-year-old high school girl Runa Murayama into a sadistic trap What began as a petty online dispute spiraled into a nightmare: the victim was confined in a car mercilessly beaten and dragged to the edge of Kamui Kotan Bridge as her tormentors taunted her with cries of “fall” and “die,” the terrified girl plummeted to her death Uchida took a video from her smartphone documenting the victim’s ultimate humiliation She was forced to strip naked and bow in degradation Uchida’s response to the charges against her was ice-cold: “I don’t know if the girl fell from the bridge,” she said Uchida was indicted on July 3 for abducting, assaulting and killing the girl. The 19-year-old accomplice was later indicted on August 2 for murder and other related charges connected to the victim’s death The sheer brutality of the crime sent shock waves through the community prompting an investigation by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police beneath the surface of this investigation lurks a cesspool of inappropriate — and potentially criminal — behavior by Ashikawa officers who allegedly went out partying with Uchida long before her arrest head of the Asahikawa branch of the Council of Fathers and Mothers to Protect Youth as well as the NPO Hokkaido Help Consultation Office who also operates the SP Detective Agency in Asahikawa uncovered evidence of an “inappropriate relationship” between Uchida and detectives from the Asahikawa Central Police Station The woman in the photograph wearing camouflage and holding the e-cigarette is none other than Uchida “Their relationship didn’t end that night,” added Kishimoto “They continued to meet for drinking parties in Asahikawa and these gatherings weren’t a one-time occurrence.” The July 11 issue of Bunshun Weekly broke the story of a sordid extramarital affair between Inspector X — a married man — and Uchida The implications are as damning as they are disturbing Inspector X could have been involved in the investigation hastily stripped him of his detective duties “The revelation was shocking,” wrote a Bunshun reporter ‘I was in an adulterous relationship with X from the Central Police Station.’ When the police seized Uchida’s phone and reviewed its contents leading the Hokkaido Prefectural Police’s Inspectorate to investigate.” The drinking parties organized by Inspector X weren’t limited to Uchida Kishimoto’s investigation revealed that Inspector X was reportedly aware that one of Uchida’s friends was underage but allowed her to drink regardless “This isn’t a matter that can be dismissed with a simple ‘we didn’t know her age.’ Inspector X, who had previously questioned this minor in another case, would have been fully aware of her age,” Kishimoto told News Post Seven he did nothing to stop her from drinking.” The situation grew even more sinister when it was revealed that officers involved in the scandal attempted to cover up their misdeeds “Inspector X’s actions raised concerns within the police, prompting an internal investigation. In response, his colleagues urged others to keep quiet about drinking with minors — a clear attempt at a cover-up. If true, this behavior is utterly unacceptable for law enforcement officers,” Kishimoto told News Post Seven “This one shows Inspector X standing at the counter The woman with her back to the camera is Uchida Now we know it’s a murderer and a police officer There’s even testimony that these two disappeared from the bar while others continued drinking Inspector X isn’t the only officer with questionable conduct at the Asahikawa Central Police Station.” “Detectives Y and Z were shamelessly flirting with Uchida’s underage friend These are supposed to be officers of the law It was a sickening display of predatory behavior.” The drinking behavior of these officers was also heavily criticized The mid-century solid wood series features multi-material innovation connecting past warmth with present living through nostalgia design.Bangkok — As the Nostalgia Living concept continues to gain momentum in home decoration modern homemaking has evolved beyond mere functionality into the art of creating spaces rich with stories and emotional connections Today's homes serve as bridges between past joys and present living with Mid-Century style – born in the post-war era – emerging as a perfect answer to this yearning Index Living Mall reimaging this timeless aesthetic with its latest ASAHIKAWA series This new wooden furniture series tells its story through carefully selected materials achieving a perfect balance between traditional and contemporary design while incorporating diverse materials to create versatile The ASAHIKAWA series draws inspiration from wood furniture a long-standing renowned export of Asahikawa city the second largest city in central Hokkaido after Sapporo Asahikawa woodwork is distinguished by its serene simple design and meticulous production process that ensures high-quality craftsmanship integrating diverse materials including chrome-plated steel and Mid-Century style geometric line decorations These creative elements make the ASAHIKAWA solid wood furniture goes beyond the ordinary offering a contemporary feel with beautiful multi-dimensional surfaces that can serve as standalone masterpieces in any room Managing Director of Index Living Mall PCL (ILM) "Index Living Mall presents the ASAHIKAWA series as a home decorating concept that offers true design freedom Rather than being confined to a single decorating style homeowners can mix-and-match furniture pieces to create achieve a unique home that fits modern living without being excessively minimal or modern The Nostalgia Living trend continues to gain significant popularity as people long for a simpler life with emotional connections to the past The ASAHIKAWA series helps create these atmospheres through Mid-Century design that takes us back to the golden age of modern design enabling homes to tell their own stories through design This series represents a design that bridges past and present through a blend of simple and gracefully curved lines perfectly complementing everyday functional needs.” “The ASAHIKAWA series also stands out for its commitment to sustainability under the concept "Real Wood for Modern Living." The series utilizes retired rubber trees creating additional value for farmers while incorporating recycled MDF Forescolor wood demonstrating the company's dedication to environmental stewardship,” adds Ms The ASAHIKAWA series showcases Mid-Century design through a harmonious blend of materials This combination perfectly complements retro-inspired décor with earth tones like mustard yellow Distinctive geometric patterns create dramatic interplays of light and shadow giving homes a storytelling quality that's both modern and nostalgically appealing fitting seamlessly into any space from houses to condominiums and compact apartments The ASAHIKAWA series offers complete functional designs for every room creating the perfect Mid-Century atmosphere: •    BEDROOM: The key to a peaceful retreat in private spaces Each bed is meticulously designed with attention to materials and form featuring chrome-plated metal legs that add warmth and visual lightness – a departure from traditional bulky wooden beds •    NIGHT TABLE: Beautiful cutout wooden pattern and dual-toned carved wooden details create a contemporary design enhanced with moisture-resistant technology for durability These pieces are visually striking from every angle perfectly balancing both functional and emotional aspects of lifestyle •    LIVING ROOM: Creates a welcoming atmosphere with real wood furniture featuring various-sized sofas with soft upholstered seating The coffee table set includes a layered two-piece design combining rattan and flat glass with another piece featuring patterned glass complementing earth-tone themes with a modern look These can be separated into center and side tables for enhanced functionality throughout the home The series also includes TV cabinets and sideboards with natural wood patterns creating lasting contrast between real wood frames and chrome-plated legs •    WORKING DESK: Presents an aesthetically pleasing wooden desk with an airy design packed with comprehensive functionality including workspace and easily accessible storage compartments complete with built-in USB ports and Bluetooth speakers for added convenience •    DINING TABLE: Features an oval solid wood tabletop with gentle curves that creating an intimate family dining experience accompanied by chrome-plated frame chairs with a modern look The chair backs combine rubber wood frames with classic •    BUFFET CABINET: Enables organized and meal preparation with built-in LED lighting adjustable to three color temperature: Warm White Experience the contemporary beauty of Mid-Century inspired  real wood furniture, crafted with sustainability in mind. The ASAHIKAWA series is now available at all Index Living Mall branches nationwide and online at www.indexlivingmall.com. For more information, please call 1379. Health Ministry warns of deadly 'Deafness Fever' outbreak DPU trains 98 game designers to promote Thai-made games as new soft power NEPC sets electricity price cap at 3.99 baht per unit until end of 2025 RTAF scrambles F-16s to intercept aircraft near Thai-Myanmar border More troops deployed to deep South following surge in violence, says PM An event was held where you can meet the Asahikawa package Hanjin Tourism has further strengthened the types of "Japanese and Asiana Airlines boarding package travel products" for spring Hanjin Tourism has been introducing high-quality travel products using general and business seats of Asiana Airlines since the completion of the official merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines earlier this year The most eye-catching product is "Hotkaido's hidden gem the 4th of Asahikawa." This travel product features Asiana Airlines and is a first-come Asahikawa is a hidden attraction that has recently gone viral among Japanese travel enthusiasts It has also prepared high-end package products centered on long-distance routes There are "5 major Western canions and San Francisco 10 days," "East of the United States and Canada 10 days," "Seattle + Rocky 3 major national parks eco-tour 8 days," and "Hawaii Waikiki Resort Package 6th and 7th." It is widely composed of products including free time within the schedule Some products can also receive a discount of up to 500,000 won when boarding Asiana Airlines The "THE Biz Pack" aimed at high-end travel demand groups attracts attention The Biz Pack is a classy package that provides high-end services such as luxury hotels You can enjoy a comfortable trip using the Asiana Airlines business seat "Since Asiana Airlines was incorporated as a subsidiary of Korean Air air routes and schedule operations have become more flexible further expanding the range of travel products," a Hanjin Tourism official said "We will continue to introduce products that reflect customers' various travel tastes and lifestyle." ※ This service is provided by machine translation tool ©Copyright Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition 　The International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa (IFDA) was held in 1990 as part of the Asahikawa City 100th anniversary commemoration project commemorated its twelfth anniversary in 2024 which solicits ideas for wooden furniture from around the globe and seeks out outstanding design has become a stepping stone for furniture designers Five prominent American and European designers who is the Design Producer for the Expo 2025 Osaka served as judges at the judging panel in June 2024 More than 10,000 entries have been submitted in the 12 competitions that have been held thus far and designers have signed agreements with Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative manufacturers we received 655 designs from 38 countries and regions around the world No other country or region has continued to hold a wooden furniture design competition for as long as 34 years like Asahikawa has,” said Fujita “Five chairs from previous award-winning designs that highlight Asahikawa Furniture’s appeal will be provided for the Expo site as part of the Co-Design Challenge.” Asahikawa City has been holding the design event “Asahikawa Design Week” since 2015 which offers visitors the opportunity to experience the appeal of not only furniture but also the charm of local industries such as architecture and tourism through manufacturing tours and workshops “Meet up Furniture Asahikawa,” a program organized by the Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative during Design Week features an open factory tour and an exhibition of Asahikawa’s furniture production area there is a woodworking skills competition where furniture makers compete using their technical skills we want to let visitors experience the world of woodworking in a fun way that takes them back to their childhood Few people get the chance to experience sanding unpainted plain wood When the participants are ready to finish shaving and polishing the wooden spoon is up to them Our goal is to provide the participants with a manufacturing simulation,” Fujita smiles It is hoped that Asahikawa and the Expo site will collaborate and draw visitors to each other when the 2025 event takes place in June during the Expo period 　Asahikawa was recognized as a UNESCO City of Design in 2019 Asahikawa was the third city in Japan and the 49th city worldwide to receive this designation we want people from all over the world to see Asahikawa’s strengths and we hope they will come to Asahikawa and experience it for themselves,” said Fujita gently placing his hand on a piece of wooden furniture with soft curved lines Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser The Official Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide About Adventure Travel ATWS Destinations Asahikawa – Daisetsuzan National park SEE ALL DESTINATIONS Itinerary Tour Operator Guide Library Asahikawa is a city rich in cultural heritage and serves as a gateway to some of Japan’s most breathtaking natural wonders including the renowned Daisetsuzan National Park But Asahikawa is not just a tourist destination; it is a city actively shaping its future through sustainable initiatives Asahikawa (official web site) is celebrated for its harmonious blend of urban convenience and natural beauty The city offers something for every traveler: art enthusiasts can explore the Asahikawa Museum of Sculpture while food lovers savor the region’s signature Asahikawa ramen and local sake The surrounding areas are equally captivating and breathtaking hiking trails drawing visitors year-round the true charm of Asahikawa lies in its unhurried pace and welcoming community making it an ideal destination for those seeking a more authentic and relaxed experience in Japan Tourism plays a crucial role in Asahikawa’s economy yet both city officials and residents remain acutely aware of the challenges posed by an unregulated surge in visitors popular tourist spots across Japan have struggled with overtourism and strained relationships between locals and visitors How can tourism strengthen the local community without overwhelming it The key to Asahikawa’s strategy is maintaining a balance that prioritizes the well-being of residents. Taisetsu Kamuimintara DMO (Destination Management/Marketing Organization – official web site) plays a pivotal role in this sustainable tourism strategy The organization focuses on creating travel models that align with the region’s unique cultural and natural identity while addressing environmental challenges the DMO ensures that tourism initiatives enhance the lives of residents and support long-term conservation efforts Asahikawa’s proximity to the breathtaking Daisetsuzan National Park offers activities like hiking To ensure tourism remains a positive force Taisetsu Kamuimintara DMO emphasizes experiences that encourage meaningful interactions between visitors and locals Rather than catering exclusively to mass tourism personalized activities that foster mutual respect and understanding These experiences give visitors a deeper appreciation of the region while ensuring that tourism revenue directly supports local businesses and families impactful actions like carrying reusable water bottles and exploring local towns via electric vehicles or bicycles are at the heart of this effort dedicated recycling stations for PET bottles are available complete with multilingual signage to ensure everyone can participate in this eco-friendly movement Educational programs also offer insights into the unique flora and fauna of Hokkaido fostering a deeper appreciation for the region’s biodiversity Travelers can make a lasting eco-friendly difference by participating in reforestation and forest conservation initiatives ensuring Hokkaido’s natural beauty is preserved for future generations Asahikawa takes pride in its cultural heritage and uses tourism as an opportunity to celebrate and preserve its traditions The city hosts several annual festivals that attract visitors while remaining rooted in local customs One of the highlights is the Asahikawa Winter Festival Famous for its giant snow sculptures and vibrant illuminations the festival draws crowds without compromising the city’s relaxed atmosphere Another example is the Asahikawa Design Center (official web site) which promotes the city’s long-standing reputation as a hub for furniture and craft design Visitors can admire exquisite handmade furniture learn about traditional woodworking techniques and even participate in crafting workshops These efforts ensure that Asahikawa’s cultural identity remains strong while providing a unique draw for tourists Central to Asahikawa’s tourism philosophy is the idea that visitors should complement the city encourages open dialogue between residents and the tourism sector One notable initiative is the AIC Volunteers program where residents host small groups of international travelers for homestay and cultural exchanges These intimate gatherings foster understanding and friendship breaking down barriers between cultures and creating lasting memories for both hosts and guests preserving its cultural and natural heritage and prioritizing the needs of its residents Asahikawa has created a model that benefits everyone involved The town and its surroundings provide travelers with an opportunity to experience Japan in its most authentic and untouched form It’s a destination where you can connect with nature and leave knowing your visit contributed positively to the community See our cookie policy for more information Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Hokkaido--A junior high school student found frozen to death at a park here in 2021 almost certainly put her life in such danger because she was so distraught over being bullied at school a committee re-investigating the tragedy concluded June 30 “It is highly likely that bullying was the primary cause behind the student’s suicide,” the committee said about the death of 14-year-old Saaya Hirose “She would not have taken her life if there had not been bullying.” A separate investigation committee in 2022 determined the cause-and-effect relationship between the bullying and the suicide is “unknown.” a second-year student at a municipal junior high school was found dead from exposure to the cold in March 2021 at the Nagayama Chuo Koen park She transferred to the school following an attempted suicide in June 2019 The girl had been subjected to bullying of a sexual nature from her seniors at the previous school She was listed as missing after running away from her home the previous month The committee said Hirose repeatedly posted on social media about repeated bullying “It is not difficult to determine that the student could not shake off the effects of the bullying and continued to be tormented by it as the desire to die arose again and again,” the committee said It said Hirose developed post-traumatic stress disorder because of the bullying and that her symptoms were still apparent when she committed suicide The panel’s report also cited problems in the way her original junior high school and the city’s board of education responded to the problem as it unfolded It pointed out that the school treated the situation only as the student’s problematic behavior and failed to address the issue of bullying The committee said the new junior high school was not informed of the bullying she had been subjected to and did not take it into consideration It also said the board of education provided advice on Hirose’s developmental illness but failed to adequately recognize the PTSD caused by bullying In its final report released in September 2022 a third-party investigation committee established by the board of education said Hirose froze to death deliberately But the committee said the cause-and-effect relationship between bullying and suicide is “unknown” because other factors such as school maladjustment and a sense of loneliness Hirose’s bereaved family demanded a re-investigation on grounds the committee narrowly interpreted the definition of bullying Asahikawa Mayor Hirosuke Imazu established a five-member re-investigation committee headed by Naoki Ogi with the top priority being a review of the relationship between bullying and suicide Bullied junior high school girl froze to death to escape torment Panel report fails to determine if girl died because she was bullied Panel confirms online bullying before Nagoya student’s suicide Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission A committee reinvestigating the death by suicide in 2021 of a schoolgirl in the city of Asahikawa submitted a final version of its report to the city government on Sunday While a summary version of the reinvestigation report was submitted to the municipal government in June the submission of the final version had been delayed due to the need to take measures to prevent its content from being leaked.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The city plans to release the report this month at the earliest after holding talks with bereaved relatives on methods of the release and the scope of the report subject to the disclosure ■ Challenge Content (Products)The Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative is based in Asahikawa City and aims to develop and improve the quality of the local furniture industry by leasing chairs to Expo 2025 Osaka Japan.Through the International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa (IFDA) which has been held every 3 years since 1990 the cooperative has been promoting activities that incorporate an international perspective and raise local design awareness We are promoting the use of wood from Hokkaido by commercializing IFDA prize-winning works and entries we have been increasing the use of local wood and focusing on research into sustainable materials and manufacturing methods ■ Challenge Content (Experience Plan)The Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative will play a central role in planning the experience and will hold the “Meet up Furniture Asahikawa” event during the Expo The event will include bus tours to 20 open factories and manufacturing sites a woodworking workshop will be held at the Asahikawa Design Center where participants can experience making furniture using local materials.This will give participants the opportunity to see and experience the process of making furniture and gain a deep understanding of the collaboration between local forest resources and manufacturing technology *This project is part of the Co-Design Challenge Program ■ Read the coverageDesign City nurtured by wooden furniture Spreading the appeal of Asahikawa furniture to the world: Vol. 1Design City nurtured by wooden furniture Spreading the appeal of Asahikawa furniture to the world: Vol. 2 ■ What is the Co-Design Challenge Program?This project takes Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan as an opportunity to rethink various aspects of Japan’s future lifestyles and realize new things at the Expo by co-creating with various players.Click here for more information Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative (Representative company/organization)CONDE HOUSE CO. Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) is a popular gateway but there are also airports in other areas like Asahikawa connecting via Tokyo makes it seamless and easy Let us introduce you to three extraordinary regions you can reach with these convenient connections: Furano & Asahikawa this region is renowned for its charming and picturesque landscapes this untouched piece of wilderness is characterized by pristine lakes and a diverse array of rare birds and other wildlife you can enjoy a scenic two-hour drive or take a train to Furano About Asahikawa & Hokkaido North Witness over 2000 flowers at Ueno Farm in Asahikawa City a beautiful garden tailored to Hokkaido’s climate each thoughtfully curated to reflect the changing seasons from spring to autumn enjoy locally sourced treats at the farm's café you can even have a picnic with the food in the garden About Ueno Farm Immerse yourself in the rich craftsmanship of Asahikawa at the Asahikawa Design Centre spoons and more at the woodworking workshops held every weekend and discover how Hokkaido's natural materials are brought to life About Asahikawa Design Center Furano Cheese Factory features four attractions: a cheese factory, an ice cream parlor, a pizzeria, and a hands-on workshop. Each offers delicious Furano specialties for you to savour and enjoy Watch cheese being made and try the unique “ikasumi cheese” dyed black with squid ink About Furano Cheese Factory Don't miss the chance to experience a tethered hot air balloon ride These 5-minute flights lift you 20 meters into the sky offering a breathtaking view of the countryside and the majestic Tokachi Mountains in the distance It's the perfect way to take in the scenery from a truly unique vantage point About Must-Experience Activities, including Hot Air Balloon Ride The ropeway is closed in January to March] Sounkyo is a breathtaking 24-kilometre gorge nestled within the Daisetsuzan mountain range the Kurodake Ropeway takes you up to 1,300 meters to the summit of Mount Kurodake offering a panoramic view of the entire range It’s a stunning way to experience the natural beauty of Daisetsuzan in one unforgettable journey About Sounkyo Zerubu Hill is a scenic gem renowned for its colourful flower fields and sweeping vistas of the countryside with each season offering its own unique charm Try the buggy or cart course to explore the garden with ease About Zerubu Hill Asahikawa Ramen is famed for its robust broth which maintains its comforting warmth thanks to a rich layer of lard offering a flavourful ramen experience unique to the region About Hokkaido Ramen, including Asahikawa Ramen features a roasted half spring chicken prized for its crispy exterior and juicy center It's typically seasoned with salty "shio" or sweet "tare" sauce with some places offering unique variations its name originates from the "Kohada" fish mirroring the use of a young spring chicken in this flavourful dish About Asahikawa Local Food, including Shikoyaki blends two favourite Japanese dishes: omurice (omelette rice) and curry Imagine a fluffy omelette on top of rice with a rich curry on the side perfectly cooked to blend savoury flavours in every bite It's a delightful fusion that showcases Furano's creative yet comforting cuisine Check Out Where You Can Find Omu Curry Lavender Soft Cream is a delightful treat that captures the essence of the region's famous lavender fields It's a creamy soft serve ice cream infused with the gentle floral notes of lavender creating a refreshing and aromatic experience It's a must-try dessert that's unique to the region About Hokkaido's Must-Eat, including Lavender Soft Cream The flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Kushiro Airport (KUH) takes just under two hours About Kushiro & Hokkaido East About Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train Washo Market is well known as the culinary hub of Kushiro it offers a wide array of seafood including fresh crab and salted dried fish While the market's diverse restaurants serve sushi don't miss the famous Katte Don dish explained below About Washo Market Explore Lake Akan on the Akan Sightseeing Cruise which offers stunning views of Mount Meakan and Mount Oakan on clear days where you can see wildflowers and fall foliage Do stop by the Marimo Exhibition Centre to see the marimo About Akan Sightseeing Cruise Experience the thrill of wakasagi (Japanese smelt) fishing at Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido from January to March Expert-guided ice fishing tours will teach you to drill through the ice and catch these fish with specially designed rods savour the freshly fried wakasagi tempura right on the spot About Wakasagi Fishing at Lake Akan Sunayu Rest House sits by Lake Kussharo and is next to the Sunayu "sand bath" beach where you can dig into the sand to find warm hot spring water The area is perfect for unwinding and watching the local wildlife About Sunayu Rest House Spa-Katsu is a beloved Kushiro dish featuring spaghetti topped with pork cutlet (katsu) soaked in meat sauce its mouthwatering aroma is sure to make you crave for more About Spa-Katsu Katte Don at Washo Market is a must-try dish in Kushiro You get to customize your seafood bowl (don) by selecting your favourite toppings (katte) as the name suggests Choose from a variety of seafood from the numerous stores in the market and there’s even different types of rice like white rice and vinegar rice It's a delicious way to enjoy fresh seafood exactly the way you like it About Katte Don The flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Memanbetsu Airport (MMB) takes just under two hours. From Memanbetsu Airport to Shiretoko the journey takes around 2 hours by car or bus (Shiretoko Airport Liner) Be sure to check out the bus schedule in advance as it runs only a couple of times a day is a breathtaking natural wonder nestled in the heart of Shiretoko This majestic waterfall cascades from a height of 80 meters surrounded by lush forests that change colours with the seasons The soothing sounds of the waterfall and the vibrant landscape create a comforting retreat for the soul About Kamuiwakkayu no Taki The Ryuhyo Walk offers a unique and thrilling adventure across the frozen Sea of Okhotsk experiencing the stunning icy landscape up close while spotting seals and other Arctic wildlife Shiretoko is the only place in Japan where this exceptional adventure is possible About Ryuhyo Walk You can paddle through fields of drift ice while immersing in the breathtaking winter scenery from a different point of view Navigate the icy waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and experience this winter wonderland for yourself About Drift Ice Kayaking Experience the rich flavours of Rausu Konbu (kelp) Ramen. Made with premium local Rausu Konbu in the noodles, broth and toppings, this exceptional bowl of ramen is a true taste of Hokkaido Enjoy the delicious Chepman, featuring tender cuts of Shiretoko local salmon and a flavourful miso sauce for a truly delightful dish Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages Hokkaido—Police arrested two young females on suspicion of murdering a teenager by knocking her off a bridge the latest in a series of crimes apparently stemming from a social media photo and an unemployed 19-year-old who also lives in the city a 17-year-old high school student from Rumoi in Hokkaido who were already in custody when they were arrested on June 12 a bridge spanning the Ishikarigawa river in Asahikawa’s scenic Kamui Kotan district A relative of Murayama filed a missing person’s report with Hokkaido police on April 22 Murayama’s body was found in the river downstream of the bridge The autopsy revealed the cause of death was drowning Police had earlier arrested Uchida three times since late April on suspicion of extortion and confinement of Murayama Three teenagers were also held on suspicion of complicity in those crimes Uchida has told investigators that her photo was uploaded on a social networking site by Murayama without permission conspired with a 16-year-old male acquaintance to make a false accusation against Murayama on social media and also to extort money and goods from the student and a 16-year-old female acquaintance of Uchida police suspect Uchida later on April 18 summoned Murayama to a location in Rumoi and confined her inside a car until the following day Uchida and the 19-year-old female took Murayama to the bridge and forced her to fall into the river The bridge is located in a gorge about 15 kilometers southwest of JR Asahikawa Station which means “god’s village” in the Ainu language It is known as a scenic spot lined with oddly shaped rocks Saga police failed to act despite 11 reports of abuse against woman 2 more arrested in connection with bodies of Tokyo couple Ex-detainees in Manila arrested over Tokyo robbery-murder Man accused in triple murder was arrested 3 times before Film ‘Kamui no Uta’ traces Ainu woman’s quest to translate poem Despite its physical disconnection from the rest of Japan and a slower pace of life than the country’s mainland metropolises the island of Hokkaido has not been immune to change this past year — especially when it comes to what the northern prefecture puts on its plate Hokkaido welcomed a new type of creature this year: travelers en masse With adventure tourism and the Sapporo Snow Festival as huge draws summer and autumn have also become popular times to visit for both domestic and inbound tourists with busloads of tourists inundating the likes of Biei’s crystal-clear blue pond and devouring delicacies such as prized Furano melons.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The town of Higashikawa was, in fact, named atop the list of Japan’s most liveable cities in large part due to its many cafes Spots Ski/Snowboard Snow accumulates early in the Asahikawa area and northern Hokkaido and many ski resorts open early in Hokkaido skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a variety of snow conditions and the courses that take advantage of the area's geographical location are also one of the attractions we will introduce ski resorts where you can enjoy a wide variety of snow conditions and courses [7 minutes walk from Sapporo Station] Enjoy hot springs A comfortable stay at the 605-room "Sapporo Hotel by Granbell" [Updated for 2025] A complete guide to accessing Daiwa House Premist Dome (Sapporo Dome) and nearby hotels "So cute it's unfair" - Feel the healing power of a sleeping miniature horse [Information on the early opening on April 25th] Sapporo Odori's newest attraction Floor details and highlights of "4PLA" opening in summer 2025 A hotel in the center of Sapporo with a superb sauna and large public bath Experience the warmth that is unique to Hokkaido at "Danyuki Sapporo" [2025 Edition] 7 recommended cherry blossom spots in the Kitami and eastern Hokkaido areas Enjoy cherry blossom viewing in the great outdoors Seasonal “news” of Hokkaido can be checked by category You can check the information of your “town” in one place Events” held throughout the province are easy to find and can be saved This page has been automatically translated by Google Translate service Event Town Gourmet A major event where sweets from all over Japan will be gathered in one place is coming to Asahikawa a sweets festival held approximately once every four years will be held for 17 days from May 30th to June 15th with the Asahikawa Daisetsu Arena as the main venue This will be the first time the event has been held in Hokkaido in 57 years we will introduce the details and highlights of the event The official name of the "Asahikawa Confectionery Expo 2025" to be held in Asahikawa Hokkaido in 2025 is the "28th National Confectionery Expo Hokkaido." The National Confectionery Expo is a major event in the confectionery industry that has been held approximately once every four years since 1911 with the aim of promoting the confectionery industry and revitalizing the region it has been postponed due to the spread of COVID-19 but this will be the first time in eight years that the event will be held The Asahikawa Sweets Expo 2025 will be held at three locations: Dohoku ARCS Daisetsu Arena (Asahikawa Daisetsu Arena) Asahikawa Local Industry Promotion Center (Roadside Station Asahikawa) sweets from all over Japan will be exhibited origami cranes folded from wrapping paper from participating confectionery stores will be placed as a prayer for peace the walls will be filled with a variety of Japanese and Western confectionery as well as projection mapping of Hokkaido's vast farms The venue will host the "National Sweets Market," where about 1,000 sweets that can only be purchased in certain regions of the country will be gathered in one place It will be on a large scale that can only be seen at the Confectionery Expo Image of Asahikawa Confectionery Expo 2025 / Scene from the 2017 Mie "Oise-san Expo" A large collection of sweets from all over Japan (images show only a portion of the sweets on display) A confectionery exhibition that brings together the skills of confectioners from all over Japan You can see about 80 large confectionery crafts made using traditional techniques where major confectionery manufacturers exhibit both adults and children can have fun with games and sampling of rare sweets Demonstrations and tastings of confectionery will be held and you can observe confectionery being made in a mini factory Among the thousands of sweets submitted from across the country the products that won awards from various organizations will be on display a daifuku fairy that looks just like a long-tailed tit was selected as the official mascot with 4,469 votes from among the candidates Original goods and costumes have also appeared and the Asahikawa Confectionery Expo is being promoted at events around the country Shimae Daifuku also appeared at the "100 Days to Go Event" held in Sapporo The official theme song for "Asahikawa Confectionery Expo 2025" has been selected from over 100 submissions The selected song will be streamed at the event venue and on various media and will also be performed live by artists at the venue 1,000 yen for junior and senior high school students and 600 yen for elementary school students you can receive special offers at stores and facilities in Hokkaido various facilities such as ramen shops and clothing stores are eligible You can receive the special offers as many times as you like by presenting your advance ticket ■ Ticket information and facilities eligible for benefits can be found here Photo courtesy of the 28th National Confectionery Exposition Hokkaido Executive Committee Expanding the circle of exchange in Minami-ku a community market created by students together with the local community Enjoy seasonal spring gourmet food and Golden Week 10 recommended events in Hokkaido [May 2025] 5 recommended events in Sapporo [May 2nd - 6th 5 easy-to-participate social good events in Hokkaido [May 2025] [2025 Edition] 16 Flower Events in Hokkaido: Cherry blossoms Index Living Mall’s latest furniture series blends Japanese craftsmanship with nostalgic Mid-Century design offering timeless style and sustainability Index Living Mall PCL (ILM) is targeting the Mid-Century home furniture market with the launch of its new 'ASAHIKAWA' series This furniture line draws inspiration from Japanese wood furniture combining diverse materials with clean geometric lines and distinctive Japanese wood design elements under the concept "Real Wood for Modern Living." The asahikawa appeals to multiple consumer segments including design-conscious Gen Z customers who appreciate Japanese aesthetics and seek unique home styling options It also employs Nostalgia Marketing strategies to attract Gen X consumers who value superior shopping experiences and quality of life while appreciating elements that evoke cherished memories For the independent-minded Gen Y demographic the series offers versatile design options The ASAHIKAWA series launch aims not only to expand into newer market segments but also to retain ILM's core Gen X-Y customer base which currently represents 80% of JOY Members (with a 70:30 female-male ratio) The company continues to enhance customer shopping experiences through extensive promotions and exclusive privileges to drive sustained sales growth we carefully studied contemporary consumer behaviours," says Ms.Kridchanok Patamasatayasonthi Managing Director of Index Living Mall PCL "Today's consumers aren't bound by catalogue-style decorating or complete furniture sets they prefer expressing their personality through mix-and-match styling creating interesting dimensions and unique room aesthetics that align with modern living without being excessively minimal or modern The Mid-Century style furniture in this series features distinctive details that balance functionality with masterpiece design Pieces can be purchased individually to complement existing furniture or as complete sets for a more cohesive look Different details and elements tell a harmonious story giving ASAHIKAWA a character distinct from previous real wood furniture styles." “Beyond the outstanding furniture design each item is thoughtfully designed for optimal functionality with versatile functions that seamlessly adapt to every room in the home The moderately sized pieces allow customers to decorate their favourite rooms in houses offering flexibility for various living situations while perfectly expressing your personal story and style Thailand's furniture market is projected to grow by 4.5% in 2024-2025 compared to the previous year While residential furniture demand faces real estate sector constraints strong demand from office and hotel segments continues to drive market growth including eco-friendly furniture production and reduced deforestation aligns with modern consumer preferences and the company's 'Sustainable Living for Future Lifestyle' strategy,” adds Ms.Kridchanok Patamasatayasonth Inspiration from Quality Woodwork: Embodying Respect for Nature Building on the success of its Japanese-style real wood furniture series "TAKAYAMA" and "WASABI," ILM expands its portfolio with the ASAHIKAWA series The series takes its name from Hokkaido's second-largest city a region in central Hokkaido renowned for its abundant forests and distinguished heritage in wood furniture manufacturing The area's meticulous production processes and environmental stewardship are reflected throughout the ASAHIKAWA series Following the "Real Wood for Modern Living" concept the series combines genuine wood with recycled MDF Forescolor materials delivering moisture-resistant and durable properties The series also incorporates wood from retired rubber trees adding value to natural resources through sustainable environmental practices—a continuing commitment for ILM Mid-Century Modern Design: Bridging Generations Through Timeless Style Mid-Century style revolutionised furniture design by incorporating metal elements that conveyed structural strength The aesthetic marries warm retro tones—mustard yellow and slate blue—with dramatic interplays of light and shadow while geometric lines create spaces that are both modern and nostalgic this decorating style is experiencing a renaissance as homeowners embrace the Nostalgia Living trend seeking to create spaces that evoke warmth and cherished memories transforming homes into vessels of emotional storytelling The ASAHIKAWA series artfully blends these design elements with real wood materials through chrome-plated steel legs Each piece showcases multi-dimensional textures that create visual harmony whether as a standalone statement piece or part of a complete set Offering comprehensive solutions for bedrooms the series makes Mid-century sophistication accessible and affordable Exclusive Launch Promotions for ASAHIKAWA Series: Experience Mid-century real wood furniture ASAHIKAWA series at all Index Living Mall branches nationwide or shop online at www.indexlivingmall.com By subscribing, you accept the terms and conditions in our privacy policy Event Hokkaido is covered in a white snowy landscape and romantic illumination and light-up events are held all over the prefecture Here are 20 illumination and light-up events that are perfect for family outings Spots Cherry Blossom・Autumn Leaves There are many cherry blossom spots in the northern Hokkaido area near Asahikawa where you can enjoy the outdoors while admiring the cherry blossoms There are facilities for walking and cycling as well as sports and playground equipment that even small children can enjoy we will introduce 10 cherry blossom and flower viewing spots in the northern Hokkaido area near Asahikawa that are perfect for this coming season you can see the Furano Basin and the Tokachi mountain range This scenic spot was selected as one of Japan's 100 most scenic spots in 1950 and is affectionately known by local residents as "Namakoyama." There is a park golf course and athletic facilities nearby Kaguraoka Park is located in a hilly area just south of JR Asahikawa Station it is a famous cherry blossom spot in the city where many Siberian wild cherry trees bloom all at once many people from inside and outside the city visit the park and the park is bustling with cherry blossom viewers Haboro Park Golf Course is a generally flat course with 18 holes and is a park golf course that can be enjoyed by beginners the Sakuraike Course is filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring allowing you to enjoy park golf in a beautiful setting Palette Hills is a place of relaxation that makes use of the rich nature of Takasu Town From the observation deck you can get a panoramic view of the Daisetsuzan mountain range and in May the hills are decorated with cherry blossoms in full bloom during which time the Sakura Festival and Night Cherry Blossom Illumination events are held music events and other activities that make use of the natural environment are also held Shiokari Pass has long been known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot the pass is covered with approximately 1,600 Ezoyama cherry trees Cherry trees are also planted on both sides of the 14km round trip road from Shiokari to Minamioka Forest Park and special JR trains are also operated there so Shiokari Pass is bustling with cherry blossom viewers The cycling road that runs through the city is lined with Ezo Yamazakura trees the warm weather tempts the buds to burst into full bloom You can enjoy walking or cycling through the tunnel of cherry blossoms that envelops the cycling road Sakurayama Park is a natural park known as one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in the city the "Citizens' Cherry Blossom Festival" is held and the park is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers who enjoy barbecues while looking at the cherry blossoms there is also a park golf course and the Sakurayama Power Up running course is known as the best place in the Sorachi region to see cherry blossoms and azaleas including Somei Yoshino and Siberian cherry trees You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sorachi Plain from the Space Carillon which plays beautiful melodies for every season and the "Hometown View Hill Observatory." you will find the rural landscape and flower gardens that spread out before you and then you will reach Nakafurano Forest Park you might even encounter a Hokkaido squirrel Murakamiyama Park opened as a park in May 1963 about 400 cherry trees and azaleas bloom in profusion all of which were planted to commemorate the establishment of the town in 1962 you can get a panoramic view of the town center and in front of you you can see the majestic Daisetsuzan mountain range Hokkaido — A video that shows a murdered high school girl being forced to sit on the parapet of a bridge has been found on her smartphone by Hokkaido prefectural police please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Hokkaido — A video that shows a murdered high school girl being forced to sit on the railing of a bridge has been found on her smartphone by Hokkaido prefectural police and a 19-year-old woman were arrested for allegedly murdering 17-year-old Runa Murayama by causing her to fall from the Kamui Ohashi bridge in the suburbs of Asahikawa into the Ishikari River about 10 meters below The police believe that one of two suspects took the video just before allegedly causing Murayama to fall on April 19 The police have learned that the trouble reportedly began when Murayama reposted a picture of Uchida on a social media site Uchida and the other woman took Murayama to the bridge after they and other accomplices locked her in a car They also are alleged to have assaulted her while driving around the city Murayama’s phone was found some distance from the bridge The phone was damaged but videos including Murayama being forced to apologize could be confirmed Uchida reportedly sent messages to some of her friends that said Murayama had left the bridge The police believe that the suspects broke the phone to conceal the evidence Uchida told police: “I don’t know whether [Murayama] fell from the bridge I just left her on the bridge.” The other woman also denied the murder charge Murder Suspect Called Teen Victim to Meeting After Being Unable to Receive Money Victim Sends Electronically; Confined Victim in Car at Roadside Rest Stop Hokkaido Murder Victim Believed to Have Been Threatened Over Photo; Assaulted During Escape Attempt Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Spots Cherry Blossom・Autumn Leaves the northern Hokkaido area is the place where autumn leaves arrive the earliest in Hokkaido Here are 10 recommended spots in the northern Hokkaido area to enjoy autumn leaves early the highest mountain in Hokkaido at 2,291m above sea level has been selected as one of the "100 Famous Mountains of Japan" and is known as the place in Japan where autumn leaves arrive the earliest the best viewing time begins at the Sugatami area and moves to Asahidake Onsen day by day Many tourists come from all over to see the magnificent colors that spread across Daisetsuzan National Park one of the famous spots for viewing autumn leaves in the Daisetsuzan mountain range is popular as the earliest spot in Japan to see autumn leaves You can see the green of conifers and the red and yellow of broadleaf trees overlapping in multiple layers It is also the starting point for climbing Akadake and Sounkyo Onsen at the base is perfect for sightseeing and refreshing after viewing the autumn leaves is known as the place where you can see the most beautiful autumn leaves the earliest in Japan The mountains dyed red and yellow look like something out of a painting The dynamic scenery and autumn leaves you can look down on while being rocked in the ropeway gondola are also fascinating one of Biei's most well-known tourist spots The lake surface changes to various shades of blue depending on the season and weather and the dead larch trees create a fantastical landscape The contrast between the fresh greenery and the pond is beautiful in summer but the golden autumn leaves shining on the lake surface create a spectacular sight a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves located in a village natural park is attractive for its unique scenery created by huge red and blue rocks During the autumn foliage season from late September to early October It is also a popular spot for rafting and rock climbing where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while experiencing nature this lake is home to 13 islands of various sizes It is also known as the habitat of the mysterious huchen and attracts many visitors during the season the surrounding trees turn yellow and are reflected on the lake's surface Meaning "Village of God" in the Ainu language this scenic spot features 10km of strangely shaped rocks along the rapids of the Ishikari River with cherry blossoms blooming in the spring The dark green and black rocks in the valley are called Kamuikotan stones and near the suspension bridge you can find the "Kamiikotan Holes," which were formed by the flow of the river over many years Located directly below the main peak of Tokachi-dake in Daisetsuzan National Park this is a great spot for viewing autumn leaves with a spectacular view of the vast foothills mainly from Japanese pumila and white birch The autumn leaves and snowfields just after the first snowfall (first snowfall) are a rare and spectacular sight that can only be seen if the timing is right This is the perfect spot to enjoy the rich nature of Yubari The valley formed by the erosion of the Yubari River is made up of oddly shaped rocks and countless waterfalls allowing you to enjoy the power of nature and the spectacular scenery and is known as one of the most famous spots in Hokkaido for its autumn foliage which can be enjoyed together with Ryusenkyo and Chidorigataki waterfalls in autumn An observation deck located near the 5th station of Nissho Pass you can see the majestic Tokachi Plain and the town of Shimizu and in the distance you can see the Daisetsu Mountain Range and the Akan mountain range In addition to the beauty of the autumn leaves you will be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the natural scenery that unfolds below you People Lifestyle Spots WAX WINGS" is the English name of a bird called the "Wrenjak returns from its breeding grounds and stays in the Japanese white pine trees to watch over the town is meant to "keep Asahikawa Airport safe in winter" A red-faced tree-hermit perches on the Asahikawa city tree Asahikawa Airport is set to launch its first scheduled flight between Asahikawa and Tokyo Narita on December 15 Asahikawa Airport will become even easier to use be sure to take a look at the activities of the snow removal crews that can be seen from the observation deck "It's too good..." Record of a trip to the northernmost remote island of Japan Video filmed by university students becomes a hot topic: "It's youth" Running a "Neo Community Center" where people and things from Kushiro come together | Kotoe Kimura recommends three "special things" in Kushiro "Amazing view..." It's like another world A photo taken in the "city of steel" Muroran is a hot topic: "It's overwhelming" "As long as the fish is tasty...?!" The welcome party for a new recruit from Hokkaido is too difficult "They're the kind of people who sprinkle salmon roe on top." Three "specialties" in Morimachi the "successor of the Southern Hokkaido Sugi canoe technique" The suicide of a 14-year-old junior high school girl in the city of Asahikawa in 2021 is highly likely to have been caused by bullying a committee set up by the city to investigate the death said Sunday suicide would not have occurred," the committee said of the death of Saaya Hirose who was found frozen to death at an Asahikawa park in March 2021.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Its investigation came after a separate third-party committee set up by the city's education board said in September 2022 that the causal relationship between the bullying and the suicide was unknown Two women were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murdering a high school girl in April by forcing her off a bridge into a river in Hokkaido and a 19-year-old woman were served with fresh arrest warrants for allegedly causing 17-year-old Runa Murayama to fall 10 meters from the girder of a suspension bridge into the water in a mountainous area of Asahikawa on April 19 Police suspect the incident occurred after the victim posted a photo of Uchida on social media without her permission The police did not disclose the relationships among the three or whether the suspects have admitted to the allegation who have been arrested on suspicion of non-consensual sexual misconduct against Murayama locked her up in a car and taken her to the bridge Uchida has also been arrested along with a 16-year-old boy for allegedly threatening Murayama and taking her money on April 18 the 19-year-old suspect and a 16-year-old girl have been apprehended on suspicion of locking the victim up in a car from April 18 to 19 The victim's body was found downstream of the river in late May after she was reported missing by her relatives on April 22 To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible which boasts a 59-year history and has long provided a healing space for local residents which had been loved by people of all ages and genders The strong desire of the previous owner was echoed by FROCLUB a Kyoto-based organization that promotes sento culture a team of sauna enthusiasts named after the local area which is making a new start as a joint venture between these two groups is said to have taken great care to create a more comfortable space than ever before in every part of the building The three keywords of the new facility are "local community," "daily healing," and "health promotion has been transformed into a clean bathhouse by installing a new calanter and mirror and polishing the tiles without significantly changing its conventional shape The large painting on the wall of the men's bath is a reminder to "enjoy the bathtub," and looking at it will make you forget the time and take a long bath Please enjoy the bath to the extent that you don't get overtired The latest sauna machine made by HARVIA has been installed allowing guests to enjoy a Finnish-style sauna to the fullest The entrance is decorated with hand-painted illustrations by artist Tim Kojima The bathhouse provides a warm and welcoming space where people can naturally strike up a conversation even with those they have just met for the first time we pick up some special merchandise produced for fans who have been eagerly awaiting the revival of the show Taking advantage of the knowledge of "Flo Club," which has been involved in a wide variety of projects in the past a number of original goods and collaborative items with KEBOZ Not only can visitors enjoy public baths and saunas but also a variety of other contents that will make them want to return again and again Please log in and check your service registration status.To cancel your subscription 1) === '|') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";");else document.write(unescape(l[i]));} one of Japan’s prominent regions for ramen is home to three major styles that are well-known across the country: Sapporo ramen but these are the main ones to know before you go Whether you prefer your ramen simple and subtle Here’s what you need to know about Hokkaido’s main ramen varieties velvety pork bone broth infused with miso and thick Toss in some stir-fried vegetables like bean sprouts and cabbage bathed in lard and garlic Finish with a sprinkle of sweetcorn kernels and a cube of butter Sapporo ramen is bound to be a delight for you Hailing from Hokkaido’s capital city this style of ramen is one of Sapporo’s most popular exports In what may or may not be an apocryphal tale Sapporo ramen was supposedly created during the postwar years as a pork bone broth soup flavored with soy sauce some customers began asking for noodles in tonjiru (miso soup with pork and vegetables) This caught on and became the beloved combination we know today The hemispheric Music Shell structure flanking the 62m-tall Mt But there's something else that draws visitors to this city: Asahikawa ramen Asahikawa ramen is characterised by its double broth: a combination of a seafood-based soup and a rich blend of pork which is then flavoured with a soy sauce tare (concentrated sauce) A layer of lard on top keeps the soup hot and coats the springy Many shops use classic toppings like chashu and bamboo shoots but some typically opt for quintessential Asahikawa-style toppings like tontoro (fatty pork) and offal Eager diners queuing for noodles at the Asahikawa Ramen Village You can slurp on this tasty ramen in the city, but for complete culinary convenience, why not drive out to Asahikawa Ramen Village in between all your sightseeing This destination gathers seven of Asahikawa’s most famous ramen shops in a single spot In contrast to the punchy flavours of Sapporo ramen and Asahikawa ramen the gentle salt-based soup in Hakodate ramen might seem tame by comparison But don’t be fooled — this unassuming bowl of ramen packs a ton of umami in every spoonful Said to be influenced by Cantonese cuisine Hakodate ramen consists of a clear soup made from kelp and the bowl is finished with classic ramen toppings like bamboo shoots and delicious — it’s ideal when you’re craving ramen but don’t want to feel too full afterwards make sure you keep these three in mind as you plan your eating itinerary These ramen styles are just the tip of the iceberg for what the area has to offer Consider them a starting point for discovering everything else Hokkaido has in store Explore Japan with us. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more bite-sized information about Japan Hokkaido — A woman arrested on suspicion of murdering a 17-year-old girl by making her fall off a bridge had called the girl and arranged a meeting between them after being unable to receive money the victim had sent her through an electronic payment service had objected to a photo Runa Murayama posted of her on social media and demanded Murayama pay her money over the issue Murayama was a high school student from Rumoi Uchida found out about the photo from a 16-year-old female acquaintance and then threatened Murayama through direct messages on social media and other channels Uchida forced Murayama to pay her ¥100,000 which she remitted through an electronic payment service Uchida and a 16-year-old unemployed boy traveled together by car to a roadside rest stop in Rumoi where Uchida had told Murayama to meet her an unemployed 19-year-old woman and a girl allegedly joined them According to the Hokkaido prefectural police Uchida and the unemployed woman are suspected of making Murayama fall from the Kamui Ohashi bridge on the outskirts of Asahikawa into the Ishikari River before dawn on April 19 The Hokkaido prefectural police on Friday turned Uchida and the other woman suspected of murdering Murayama over to the Asahikawa District Public Prosecutors Office Arisa Mahatanankoon of Normal will be a junior at University High School this fall Mahatanankoon will be going to school in Asahikawa Mahatanankoon admits she's not fluent in Japanese and thinks she can pick it up quickly once she's there “I’ve heard stories about people who’ve picked it up just by involving themselves and just making conversations with other people,” she said Mahatanankoon is the first Bloomington-Normal student to take part in the Sister Cities student exchange with Asahikawa since the COVID-19 pandemic The exchange program dates back to the 1960s but was halted in March 2020 when students were ordered to return to their home countries Asahikawa is a city of more than 350,000 residents on Japan's northern Hokkaido island one of the leaders in the Asahikawa Sister Cities program is eager to see the student exchange resume “It’s really special to me that we are just now returning to the activities that we rely upon and use to build that connection,” Kroesch said on WGLT's Sound Ideas Kroesch teaches language arts at Bloomington Junior High School and heads up the Sister Cities’ junior ambassador program. It sends 15 junior high and high school students to Japan for two weeks over the summer. That, too, has been on hold since 2020. Kroesh was part of the 2017 junior ambassador trip and hopes to take another group next year He said the free room and board with a Japanese family makes it a bargain “I talk to other parents who send students all the time to summer programs in the states that end up costing upwards of $2,000 we can get an eighth grader through freshman or sophomore year of high school we can get them to Asahikawa for a full two-week program,” Kroesch said Kroesch said the junior ambassador program has remained on hold partly because families in Asahikawa were reluctant to host foreign students Japan until recently still had COVID rules in place for travelers Finding host families is a challenge for Kroesch and the Bloomington-Normal Sister Cities Asahikawa has chosen a high school senior who will attend Normal Community High School this fall Kroesch said he would like to have up to three families to rotate hosting duties throughout the school year “The student typically has a great time with their school in relating to any host siblings they might have Our goal is to make connections and make it feel valuable for the family that’s receiving the student,” he said Kroesch said host families must have school-aged children and must live near a school bus route unless they family can provide daily transportation to and from school The Sister Cities program used to have multiple students in the exchange program each year That stopped during the 1990s because of a shortage of host families in Japan Kroesch said he would like to see more host families because there's plenty of student interest “We have a lot of excellent candidates in the Bloomington-Normal area who are interested and I feel it’s a bit of a shame that we can only send one at a time,” Kroesch said Mahatanankoon said she's wanted to visit Japan ever since the fourth grade when she started learning about Japanese culture through a Saturday School program at Thomas Metcalf school in Normal “I hope to get to understand more about Japanese culture firsthand because I guess you can learn it from books and from a teacher Mahatanankoon said she plans to go to college after high school she said she might want to take another exchange program in another part of the world The Bloomington-Normal Asahikawa Sister Cities program also is set to mark 60 years since its founding A delegation that includes Asahikawa's mayor is set to visit the Twin Cities in late July the electric-vehicle plant that replaced the factory that Japanese automaker Mitsubishi operated in Normal for decades Become a WGLT sponsor Event Town after the opening ceremony and ceremonies are held at the Asahibashi Bridge on the Ishikari River a fireworks display will be held to open the festival including creative fireworks and various starmines will color the summer night sky of Asahikawa The 72nd Doshin Noryo Fireworks Festival Scheduled to be launched at 19:45 on Thursday a "Citizens' Dance Parade" will be held at Kaimono Park with a total of approximately 2,000 citizens dancing to the Kanko Asahikawa Ondo (Sightseeing Asahikawa Ondo) a "YOSAKOI Soran Night" stage will be held where teams from the Kamikawa Chuo Branch of YOSAKOI Soran will perform their splendid and powerful dances 17:30-19:30 Venue: Heiwa-dori Shopping Park (7-jo Green Road - Miyashita-dori) 20:50-21:50 Venue: Taisetsu Sanrokuma Tsuri 3jo 5-chome Special Stage the flower of the Asahikawa Summer Festival The mikoshi will be carried in a parade through Kaimono Park with a single The finale of the festival is the "Resshatsu Tanabata Festival The festival concludes with the Taiko Yosakoi Festival 17:00 - 20:00 Venue: Heiwa Dori Shopping Park (7jo Dori - Tsuruha Asahikawa Chuo Building Store) - 3jo Showa Dori - Sanrokuma Festival site ■Really Summer Tanabata Festival Saturday 17:15-21:30 Venue: Showa Dori (5jo Dori - 3jo Dori) The "Sanrokuma Festival" will be held for three days from August 1 (Thu.) and visitors can enjoy a wide variety of "food" at about 50 stalls and a gourmet food expo and Sanroku Street will be filled with excitement 12:00-22:00 Venue: 3jo-dori 6-chome neighborhood There will be many other fun events such as stages for local artists and disco nights Please join us for the Asahikawa Summer Festival for three days of exciting summer fun in Asahikawa Date: Thursday, August 1 - Saturday, August 3, 2024 Venues: Asahikawa Asahibashi Bridge, Sanroku-gai, Shopping ParkClick here for map information and details of the Asahikawa Summer Festival and the 72nd Doshin Noryo Fireworks Display Experiences Spots Asahikawa Asahiyama Zoo (Asahiyama Zoo) in Hokkaido is a popular tourist spot that you should definitely visit when traveling in Asahikawa The zoo is famous for its lively animals that can be observed up close including seals swimming in the "Marine Way," a cylindrical tank we will introduce in detail the must-see animals and events at Asahiyama Zoo as well as tips for a quick and efficient visit You can observe penguins swimming as if they were flying in the sky the number of visitors to the zoo was sluggish but when it began "behavioral exhibits" in 1997 the zoo has become a famous tourist spot representing Hokkaido attracting approximately 1.4 million visitors every year from Japan and abroad Behavioral exhibits are a method of display in which animals are kept in an environment that is comfortable and close to nature It is an exhibit that shows the animals' behavior and lifestyle You can see polar bears diving into the tank right in front of you red pandas crossing a suspension bridge overhead They look adorable as they eat their food Behavioral exhibits are not the only popular attraction The "Symbiosis Exhibit," in which animals living in close proximity to each other are kept in the same space and "Mogumogu Time," in which keepers feed the animals while explaining about their ecology Another point that makes it easy for travelers to visit is that it is easily accessible by public transportation taking about 40 minutes from JR Asahikawa Station and 35 minutes from Asahikawa Airport by local bus You can see the animals in action throughout the zoo and there are also many guided tours such as "Mogu-mogu Time" and "Penguin Walk" we have carefully selected a few exhibits and events that we recommend you to see first when you visit Asahiyama Zoo for the first time The zoo features a variety of behavioral exhibits that allow visitors to observe a variety of animals in action Here are some of the most famous animals in behavioral exhibits The "Seal Pavilion," which exhibits largha seals and seagulls is a must-see facility when you visit Asahiyama Zoo the sight of the seals going up and down the marine way in front of you in the pavilion is a must-see You can enjoy watching the seals swimming energetically up close The seals frequently pass by the marine way so there are plenty of shutterbug opportunities (*Flash photography is not permitted when taking pictures.) An outdoor exhibit that looks like a fishing port The outdoor area is built to resemble a Hokkaido fishing port and in order to recreate the life of seals in the wild Visitors can also enjoy the sight of seals standing leisurely and swimming energetically Penguins are popular at Asahiyama Zoo along with seals you can see four kinds of penguins: king penguins don't miss the "Mogumogu Time" for feeding the penguins and the "Penguin Walk" held during the snowy season in winter The museum has a glass tunnel that runs through the penguin tank allowing visitors to observe the penguins swimming energetically as if they were walking underwater The penguins are so impressive that it is almost as if they are flying in the sky you can watch the adorable penguins right in front of you which is sure to make your heart swell with excitement At the "Lesser Panda House," which keeps the Sisen red pandas the sight of the red pandas crossing the suspension bridge that spans overhead on the viewing path is very popular There is a 3.5-meter-high suspension bridge between the release area and trees on either side of the tour route and visitors can watch the red pandas walk across the bridge from directly below Taking a leisurely rest at the edge of the suspension bridge There is also a bay window where you can observe the pandas feeding and sleeping at close range You can see the red pandas crossing the suspension bridge from a distance rather than directly under it Asahiyama Zoo has many tricks to make the animals in the behavioral exhibits look more powerful Here are three animals that you can enjoy the powerful sight of as if you can feel their breath coming from their mouths has an indoor release area with a huge pool where you can observe them from indoors the sight of polar bears diving into the pool from the land with a zaban is so dynamic that it is surprising You can observe the huge white body swimming in the water from right beside the pool the most popular viewing spot is the "Seal's Eye," which allows visitors to observe polar bears from the perspective of predatory seals This capsule-shaped viewing window is located in the middle of the cage-less moat Visitors can observe the bears as if they were looking up at them from below the pen with their heads poking out of the Seals' Eye You can see it through the facility's window and it's right in front of you When you see the polar bear's paws looming right next to your head even though you know you are in a safe place There is sometimes a line of people waiting to see the exhibit where you can observe the animals one at a time where snow leopards and other animals are kept is a facility where visitors can observe these powerful beasts of prey up close from various angles including right beside and right below the animals The cages are raised into the air so that visitors can observe the snow leopards and Amur leopards from directly below and even the paw pads of the leopards can be clearly seen The snow leopards and Amur leopards can be seen from directly below and the paw pads of their feet are clearly visible If you see a snow leopard's buttocks pointing at you You can observe the snow leopards at such a close range that there is a sign that reads "Pee You can enjoy the thrilling experience of observing the fierce animals You may feel a little nervous when your eyes meet theirs The "Wolf Forest," where the Shinrin wolves are kept is an exhibition facility that evokes the nature of Hokkaido 100 years ago with Ezo sika deer being kept next to the wolves in cages Ezo wolves lived in Hokkaido until around the 19th century but became extinct around 1900 due to extermination and other reasons Visitors can watch wolves bathing in a creek and howling on a rocky hillside from the observation hall or outside Of note is the "Hare's Eye," a dome-shaped observation area located in one corner of the observation hall The sight of a wolf passing right by through the glass is so powerful that it is almost frightening The Asahiyama Zoo has devised a variety of ways to exhibit its animals so you can enjoy their cute behavior and powerful appearance but also feel like you are becoming a little bit smarter with your intellectual curiosity piqued While all of the zoo's exhibits offer a deep sense of knowledge and social background we would like to introduce three of the zoo's most notable exhibits The Spider Monkey and Capybara Pavilion is one of the representative facilities for symbiotic exhibits at Asahiyama Zoo and the building is designed to separate them above and below ground in the facility for capybaras that spend their daytime in the water Spider monkeys move around with their tails dexterously manipulated like hands and they look like members of a circus troupe when they walk across the sky It is a strange feeling to be able to observe different animals in the same space but this is as close to the original state of nature as one can get This is a facility where you can feel that a variety of animals live in the same environment The atmosphere is as if you have met them in the forest The Ezo Brown Bear Museum is a facility where visitors can observe the powerful appearance of Ezo brown bears and learn about the relationship between people and animals deep space planted with native Hokkaido trees creating an atmosphere as if you are peering into a Hokkaido forest visitors can observe the powerful animals at close range The outdoor feeding area with a sign warning visitors to be careful of animals there is a picture scroll about the brown bear problem in Shiretoko produced in cooperation with the Shiretoko Foundation and a picture book author living in Shiretoko as well as a panel exhibition illustrating the ecology of wild Ezo brown bears we often see news reports of incidents and accidents involving encounters with Ezo brown bears The exhibition materials include the current state of the habitat of Ezo brown bears and the boundary between the habitat and the human sphere of life On the left is the indoor release area through glass On the right are exhibits by the Shiretoko Foundation and others The Ezo brown bears kept here were originally a cub left behind when a mother bear and her cubs were exterminated after the mother and cubs lived together in a human village The Ezo Brown Bear Museum is a facility where visitors can enjoy the powerful sight of the bears and think deeply about coexistence with animals The Hokkaido Animal House is a facility that exhibits many birds and small animals from Hokkaido The structure is designed to make visitors feel as if they are entering a Hokkaido forest to observe the animals and birds and to feel the richness of Hokkaido's natural forests and mountains Steller's sea eagle with its wings spread and bear hawk are displayed in a large bird gauge that incorporates several trees and mammal creatures are around the bird gauge white-tailed and Steller's sea eagles with their large wings spread are a majestic sight this facility also has animals not originally found in Hokkaido The exhibit compares non-native species and Hokkaido's native species such as the raccoon and the Ezo raccoon dog It is also a place that provides an opportunity to rethink the issue of non-native species that can destroy the balance of the ecosystem Asahiyama Zoo offers a variety of guided tours and events throughout the year while others are limited to certain days of the week or seasons Here are some of the most famous and must-see events In "Mogumogu Time," a keeper feeds the animals while explaining their unique behavior The polar bear dives for the food thrown by the keeper and the giraffe sticks out its long tongue and eats grass as if it were reeling it in but the keeper explains the animals' characteristic behavior in the same way as in the "Mogu-mogu Time" program the keeper's explanations are interesting and entertaining The keeper's commentary is interesting and amusing Both are held daily for 10 to 15 minutes at a time at a number of animal houses The time and animals are decided on the morning of the day The schedule is announced on the Asahiyama Zoo's official website and on the park's bulletin board around 10:00 a.m so be sure to check it out when you visit the zoo Asahiyama Zoo extends its opening hours until nighttime for about one week around the Bon Festival and for about three days in midwinter the zoo is open until 21:00 (last admission 20:00) as the "Night Zoo" and until 20:30 (last admission 20:00) as the "Snow Light Zoo" in winter This is a rare opportunity to visit the zoo at night as there are only a few days throughout the year when you can enter the zoo at night Polar bears at night are also quite powerful The attraction of the zoo at night is that you can enjoy the lively appearance of nocturnal animals hippopotamuses are often still during the day but at night they can be seen actively roaming the grounds of the zoo Lions also often rest in the shade during the day indicating that they have a habit of hunting at night Penguin Walk is a winter tradition at Asahiyama Zoo Many visitors come to Asahiyama Zoo just to watch the penguins stroll on the snow The sight of the penguins sliding and running freely on the snow is also a wonderful sight to behold You can observe them from a very close distance The penguin walk is usually held twice a day during the snow season (late December to mid-March) at 11:00 and 14:30 (only once in the morning in March) The penguins walk approximately 500 meters from the Penginkan and return to the Penginkan after approximately 30 minutes The penguins walk along a route so crowded with visitors that crowds double and triple on either side of the penguin walk Some people even set up their places and wait for the penguins long before they start their walk The penguins are full of energy as they stroll and skate on their stomachs the penguin walk is not an event started for visitors but actually a project started to relieve the penguins' lack of exercise and to build up their stamina for breeding but an exhibition method that takes into consideration the original ecology of the animals (*The event may be canceled or changed at short notice depending on the condition of the penguins or course conditions.) Asahiyama Zoo viewed from near the East Gate If you are planning to visit Asahiyama Zoo it is important to keep in mind the tips and efficient way to get around the zoo You will have a more enjoyable and fulfilling visit What is the best route to take around the park This is especially important for those who have limited time and want to maximize their enjoyment in a short time Asahiyama Zoo has three entrances: Main Gate The Main and West Gates are relatively close to each other but the East Gate is located directly opposite from the Main Gate Which entrance to use depends on your mode of transportation and the priority of the animals you wish to see ■If you are going by local bus Use the Main Gate The bus stop for local buses is located near the Main Gate Group buses and tour buses Group buses and tour buses usually arrive at and depart from the East Gate Depending on the bus and the situation at the time they may arrive at or depart from the Main Gate By cab The distance to Asahikawa Station and Asahikawa Airport is shorter at the Main Gate The West Gate is the closest to each animal house If you have limited time and want to see the zoo efficiently There are many parking lots near each gate of Asahiyama Zoo but the West Gate is the one with the most parking spaces parking near the West Gate is charged (500 yen per day) while parking near the Main Gate and East Gate is free (some areas near the Main Gate are charged) Asahiyama Zoo itself is a facility located on a mountain slope with the main gate area at the bottom of the mountain and the East Gate at the top of the slope you may not be bothered by the downhill stairs and slope when entering the zoo but be aware that you will have to climb the stairs and slope when leaving the zoo Note that a free shuttle bus runs to the stairway portion of the East Gate so even those who are not confident with their legs and feet can enjoy the park it is best to tour the park in a counterclockwise direction The entrance to each animal house and information signs are designed so that visitors can see them efficiently by going counterclockwise Part of the schedule published on the official website of Asahiyama Zoo If you want to tour around the zoo efficiently in a short time it is essential to check the time of the guide which is announced around 10:00 every morning Check what time the animal events you definitely want to see will be held and also check the park map to see if there is any difficulty in getting around If you have a strategy for where and when to go and you will also reduce the amount of time you spend going this way and that Here is some useful information on how to enjoy Asahiyama Zoo There are several restaurants and souvenir stores in the park There are several stores mainly from the Main Gate to the West Gate as well as on the second floor of the East Gate building Some of the food and beverages and souvenirs are based on motifs of the zoo's animals The menus of the restaurants vary from store to store but visitors can mainly enjoy noodle dishes such as ramen as well as fast food such as menchikatsu (fried pork cutlets) and french fries Restaurants Near the main gate｜Museum Cafe ASAHIYAMA Across from Tori no Mura｜FOOD BASE CAFE TOTORI Asahiyama Zoo Central Cafeteria Near West Gate｜FarmZoo Asahiyama Zoo Club Komorebi-no-oka Shop East gate 2nd floor｜Kamuichikapu Souvenir store Museum Shop ASAHIYAMA Asahiyama Zoo Club "Iko-ino-hiroba" Shop Asahiyama Zoo Central Store "Asahiyama ZOO SHOP Near the West Gate｜FarmZoo ASAHIYAMA Zoo Club Gallery (in Komorebi-no-oka SHOP) East gate 2nd floor｜Taille Taille Restaurants are all reasonably crowded during lunch hours Make the most efficient use of your time by prioritizing the time you want to see the animals and having lunch earlier or later in the day The souvenir stores are crowded in the afternoon be careful of the departure time and enjoy shopping Asahiyama Zoo is open in summer and winter The summer season runs from late April to early November and the winter season from mid-November to early April The park is closed in mid-April and mid-November when the summer and winter seasons are interchanged Please be aware of the closing periods when planning your trip Opening and closing times may vary depending on the season The ticket office is located to the right of the main gate Entrance fees can be purchased at the ticket windows at each gate or in advance online or at convenience stores Advance purchase is recommended for those who do not want to wait in line at the ticket windows Tickets purchased at the counter accept cash Asahiyama Zoo Admission Fees 1,000 yen per person for high school students and older Free for junior high school students and younger Other discounts are available such as group discounts and discounts for Asahikawa citizens the nearest highway exit is the Asahikawa North Interchange and it takes about 35 minutes from the interchange to the zoo the Aibetsu IC on the Monbetsu Expressway is closer and more convenient <Time required by car Sapporo - Asahiyama Zoo: about 2 hours New Chitose Airport - Asahiyama Zoo: about 2 hours and 30 minutes Biei - Asahiyama Zoo: about 40 min Furano - Asahiyama Zoo：About 1 hour and 15 minutes There are two bus routes to Asahiyama Zoo: one from Asahikawa Station and the other from Asahikawa Airport The Asahikawa station bus stop is right in front of the station Asahikawa Station - Asahiyama Zoo Bus Route Interval: Every 30 minutes Travel time: approx Fare: 500 yen (SUICA and other transportation system IC cards are not accepted) Asahikawa Airport - Asahiyama Zoo Bus Interval: 2 buses a day Travel time: approx Fare: 560 yen (not valid with transportation system IC cards such as SUICA) Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Hokkaido and attracts many visitors The zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hokkaido and attracts many visitors as well as its exhibitions that stimulate intellectual curiosity Please tour the park efficiently in the limited time you have for your trip and enjoy the wonderful encounters with the animals She moved to Hokkaido in 2009 after traveling to all 179 cities and villages in Hokkaido and being captivated by the charm and magic of the northern region she has been mainly involved in media related to travel and regional revitalization My mission is to "increase the number of Hokkaido fans A big transformation for your usual illuminations We tried out a mysterious camera lens that makes stars and hearts appear [2025 Latest Edition] A winter tradition in Hokkaido [Updated for 2025] Enjoy Tomamu's winter How to enjoy the fantastic "Ice Village" and the spectacular "Frost Terrace" [Updated for 2025] Experiences that can only be had in the Sea of Okhotsk Restaurant & Farm Inn "Takahashi Farm & Shorthorn Kingdom Maburitto" (Erimo Town) - Full of the charm of shorthorn beef's "red meat" Darren Sampson calls Norohiro Sagai his “brother from another mother” because he spent part of a year living with him and his family in Bloomington-Normal’s sister city of Asahikawa It is a city of nearly 356,000 on the northern Island of Hokkaido surrounded by mountains and traversed by 130 rivers and streams Sampson was 17 and Sagai was just 6 years old in 1984 when Sampson decided to be part of a year-long exchange program Sagai recalls thinking that Sampson was tall followed her brother into the exchange program and lived part of the time with Sagai’s family Jana Sampson recalls eating snails directly off a rock with Sagai’s dad as they spent time along the sea of Japan She felt like one of the family and Sampson said it eased feelings of being homesick This was before any kind of easy communication where you could quickly access home," she said Darren Sampson said it was great to be in a house with four children including Norohiro’ s older brother who was about his age exploring nature or going into the city center for excursions to the zoo or sporting events Sampson said the bonds formed as children are cemented in lifelong friendships He has seen “Nori,” as the siblings call him “The last time I was there (Asahikawa) was 39 years ago but it’s like it was yesterday every time I see him,” Sampson said as his voice cracks a bit with emotion “The connections to Asahikawa remain strong and I know for my sister Jana and I they’re held so dear because it was such an influential part of our lives.” Sampson is happy the program is restarting after three years in low gear with no exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic He said it’s important to keep the Sister Cities program going because it offers a unique experience that allows students the opportunity to overcome their fears so they can see the world through a different lens “It’s a program that gives student after student the opportunity to explore; learn about themselves in an environment … test themselves grow and become a positive contribution in the world because now all of a sudden the world has become a much smaller place.” they feel as though they’ve added new members to their family every parent we had over there becomes special … becomes family Nori Sagai said he was forever changed by the lessons he learned from his American siblings To not be scared because Japanese people tend to be too passive American people have more straightforward personalities so that might be something I learned from them," he said Bloomington High School grad Mary Cushing Resch was the second exchange student to go to Asahikawa at age 17 for what she called a life-changing experience She first met her Japanese “sister” when Chizuka Nakata arrived at BHS in 1969 and Mary’s teacher paired her with the new exchange student to provide support Nakata eventually convinced Resch to become an exchange student to Asahikawa The time spent together solidified a 54-year friendship “I think it says a lot that we’ve both put forward the effort to stay close,” Resch said Nakata said she remains impressed with “Mary’s big heart” and shared that her own daughter proclaimed recently like the Sister City initiative help individuals overcome their fear of other cultures and she paraphrases Mark Twain’s sentiment that travel is an antidote for bigotry you’re just going to see that people are people and you don’t need to be afraid of them because they look different adding she also believes citizen exchanges can promote peaceful coexistence on a global scale “If there’s any hope for peace in this world You have to accept everyone and give people a chance.” Delegations of local leaders from Bloomington-Normal and Asahikawa have alternated visits to each other’s countries every five years to continue the sister city relationship It was 1962 when former Bloomington Mayor Judy Markowitz who was at the time a teacher in Naganoshi became Bloomington’s first “emissary of good will” to Asahikawa The sister city program later expanded to include Normal The student exchanges resume in the fall for the first time since the delay that began with the COVID-19 pandemic A two-week summer student ambassador program is still on hold until next year because of difficulty finding Japanese hosts in a country that came off pandemic restrictions more recently than in the U.S At a welcoming ceremony and lunch on Sunday Normal Mayor Chris Koos pointed out the relationships built through the sister city program bring value beyond simply sharing and understanding cultures He said it gave the community a reputation that helped land the Mitsubishi Motors plant “They understood us to be a very welcoming community and they knew the Japanese workers who would come here would be welcome and safe,” he shared The lunch included an exchange of several gifts among leaders Gifts serve an important function in Japanese culture — not only as a way to show appreciation but as a way to strengthen and maintain relationships and show closeness or fondness but possibly the most impressive was Sister City Committee chair Darren Sampson receiving an International Good Will Award for elevating international friendship He also was bestowed with a special medal signifying his contribution to the Sister City program The delegation and former exchange students and host families are spending three days together visiting local attractions such as Miller Park Zoo TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese city will reinvestigate alleged bullying that was denied by education officials two years ago after a 14-year-old girl was found dead in a neighborhood park disappeared from her home in Asahikawa on the main northern island of Hokkaido in February Authorities said she was found dead in the park and there was no sign of a crime said she likely died of hypothermia soon after going missing Her death and a statement by her mother that she had been bullied prompted Asahikawa Mayor Masahito Nishikawa to instruct education authorities to reinvestigate the case the city’s board of education said a panel including a lawyer social worker and scholar will begin the investigation later this month Bullying is a persistent and growing problem at Japanese schools which are often criticized for indifference to children persecuted by their peers a record 612,000 bullying cases were reported at elementary It said there were 479 suicides among students a new record partly attributed to financial and psychological difficulties during the pandemic In Japan’s highly competitive but conformist society school bullying often involves long-term harassment by a group of students of someone who may be seen as weak or different physical handicaps or a foreign upbringing can also be targeted Saaya’s alleged bullying started in the spring of 2019 soon after she entered a city-run junior high school in Asahikawa city The case initially surfaced in 2019 when a number of classmates forcibly took nude photographs of her and posted them on social media She begged them to stop and tried to persuade them by jumping into a river to kill herself She was rescued and the incident led to an internal investigation by the school and city education authorities board of education official Hiroki Tsujinami said Results of that investigation have not been released Saaya transferred to another school in the city but became reclusive and developed suicidal thoughts Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda called for a full investigation of her death Saaya’s family said in a statement last month that they hope the new investigation will reveal the truth and that there can be a world without bullying Bullying often goes unnoticed at Japanese schools where teachers typically handle classes of about 40 students and are busy with afterschool activities and other work Bullying is considered an embarrassment for schools Stay secure and make sure you have the best reading experience possible by upgrading your browser Spots and Biei" is a great way to enjoy Asahikawa and Furano We will introduce a 3-day/2-night model route departing from and arriving at Asahikawa and gourmet food by using public transportation wisely Please take a look at it for your reference Model route of "Round trip to Asahikawa, Furano and Biei Day 1 Departure from Asahikawa stop9:50 Asahiyama Zoo14:00 Asahikawa Shopping Park16:30 Shirohige WaterfallShirogane Onsen Overnight stay Day 2 Departure from Shirogane Onsen stop7:40 Aoi Ike9:30 Roadside Station Biei "Shirogane Birke11:10 Restaurant KOERU with a view of the station12:15 Trick Art Museum16:00 Ningin Terrace17:30 Overnight stay at New Furano Prince Hotel Day 3 Departure from New Furano Prince Hotel10:00 Furano Cheese Factory13:30 Furano Wine Factory15:10 Furano Marche Hondori 5-chome stop - Arrive at Asahikawa Station stop *This model route is based on the actual schedule but the time may change due to traffic conditions Means of transportation: Asahikawa Electric Railway Dohoku Bus Public transportation discount: Kamikuru Pass For details on the "Kamikuru Pass," please refer to the official website of the " Round Hokkaido Public Transportation Promotion Campaign / Up to 50% discount! Please check the official website you can ride as many local buses as you like in the Kamikawa area we will purchase a "Kamikuru Pass 3-Day Pass" for a 3-day/2-night itinerary the "Gurutto Hokkaido" campaign discount will be applied and the regular price of 5,000 yen including tax will become 3,500 yen including tax Please note that passes purchased during the campaign are valid until January 31 Asahiyama Zoo is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Asahikawa Here you can use your Kamikuru Pass right away You can get on and off the bus with just one mobile phone Take the Asahikawa Electric Railway bus from the Asahikawa Station stop to the Asahiyama Zoo stop (about 39 minutes) Asahiyama Zoo was one of the first zoos in Japan to introduce behavioral exhibits and has been the focus of much attention throughout the country The animals' natural abilities are vividly demonstrated in the behavioral exhibits The Zoo Club's main entrance store at the Asahiyama Zoo Club serves a bowl of Ezo Deer Jingisukan take the Asahikawa Electric Railway bus again to JR Asahikawa Station From Asahikawa Electric Railway "Asahiyama Zoo Stop" take a bus for about 40 minutes to "Asahikawa Station Stop" A stroll through Asahikawa Heiwa Dori Shopping Park which stretches from JR Asahikawa Station to 8jo Dori called "shopping park" by Asahikawa citizens is the first permanent pedestrian paradise in Japan take the Dohoku Bus from JR Asahikawa Station to Biei-cho you can use the Kamikuru Pass on the Dohoku Bus as well Location: Miyashita-dori, Asahikawa-shi, Asahikawa Business hours:*Opening hours vary depending on the store.View more information about Asahikawa Heiwadori Shopping Park on Domingo take the Dohoku Bus to Shirogane Onsen bus stop (about 1 hr Get off the Dohoku Bus at the Shirogane Onsen Stop and walk for about 3 minutes which cascades down through the rocks in several lines is called "Senryubaku," which is very rare in Japan Together with the cobalt blue Biei River into which the waterfall flows Location：Shirogane, Biei-choView details about "Shirohige Falls" on Domingo After receiving plenty of negative ion power at Shirohige Falls stay overnight at the nearby Shirogane Hot Springs Village today End the first day of your trip in luxury with delicious food and hot springs at the inn Location: Shirogane, Biei-cho *Opening hours and bathing fees vary depending on the hot spring facility.View details about "Shirogane Onsen" on Domingo Furano Bus Public transportation discount: Kamikuru Pass Use the Kamikuru Pass on the second day of your trip and enjoy plenty of sightseeing We will take the Dohoku Bus from the Shirogane Onsen stop to see that famous pond in Biei Take the Dohoku Bus from Shirogane Onsen Bus Stop to Shirogane Aoi Ike Iriguchi Bus Stop (about 2 minutes by bus) Several dead larch trees stand out from the beautiful blue water The blue color seems to change slightly depending on the season and weather and I would like to take many pictures of what color it was when I visited Location：Shirogane, Biei-choView details of Aoi Ike on Domingo When your eyes are delighted by the beautiful nature in the morning The Birke forest along the way is also beautiful and will delight you with its seasonal scenery Arrive at Roadside Station Biei "Shirogane Birke" (about 30 minutes on foot from Aoi Ike) The triangular roof with the forest in the background makes you feel as if you are lost in a picture book This bright blue color was created with the image of a true blue pond You can enjoy it on the spot or buy it as a souvenir A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the town of Biei to help preserve the scenery The soft-serve ice cream may stimulate your appetite even more From the Shirogane Birke Roadside Station stop Your Kamikuru Pass will come in handy here as well Location：Shirogane, Biei-cho Business hours: June-August: 9:00-18:00, September-May: 9:00-17:00View details about "Roadside Station Biei Shirogane Birke" on Domingo Approximately 27 minutes by bus from "Michi no Eki Shirogane Birke" stop on the Dohoku Bus Did you know that "Biei Curry Udon" is a B-class gourmet dish from Biei It is a beloved local dish made with Biei wheat This time we will visit "Restaurant KOERU with a view of the station Location: 1-1-7 Omachi, Biei-cho Business hours: Lunch 11:00-14:30 last order, Dinner 17:30-19:30 last order Closed: Tuesdays, Year-end and New Year holidays, irregular holidaysView more details about "KOERU Restaurant with a view of the train station" on Domingo which is located right next to the Fukayama Pass stop The Trick Art Museum is located in the Fukayama Pass Art Park the Fukayama Pass Art Park is currently holding the "Ikoiko Campaign 2022" for October only and cheese tart as a set for only 1,000 yen including tax The normal combined price for these three activities is 1,750 yen for adults 1,450 yen for junior and senior high school students and 1,150 yen for children (all tax included) take lots of funny pictures at the Trick Art Museum where you will feel like you are a part of the art so whether you are interested in art or not board the "Tokachidake Art View," a Ferris wheel that offers a panoramic view of Kamifurano from 50 meters above the ground The magnificent view of the Tokachidake mountain range spread out below is truly a work of art The graceful beauty of nature will intoxicate you and delicious experience costs only 1,000 yen Location：Kamifurano Town, Nishi 8 Line North 33 Hours of operation: April-November 10:00-17:00 Closed: April-November (irregular holidays), December-March (closed during winter) Admission: Adults: 1,300 yen; junior and senior high school students: 1,000 yen; 5th and 6th graders: 700 yen; 4th graders and younger: freeView more details about "Trick Art Museum" on Domingo Take the Rapid Lavender Bus from Fukayamatoge Stop on the Furano Bus to Shin Furano Prince Hotel Stop (approx Take the Furano Bus "Kaisoku Lavender-go" from the Fukayama-Toge stop to the accommodation for the second day Show your Kamikuru Pass and get off at the Shin-Furano Prince Hotel stop After checking in at the New Furano Prince Hotel and taking a break head out to "Ningle Terrace" located in the forest on the hotel grounds Ningle Terrace is a romantic shopping area with 15 log houses in a row Each exhibits and sells unique craft works you will feel like you are visiting an artist's studio The New Furano Prince Hotel also has a spacious hot spring and sauna which will help you recover from the fatigue of your trip there is a plan to which "Furano Discount Plus" is applied for members only which you can register easily with the application Furano Discount Plus offers discounts and coupons when you stay in Furano and the coupon can be used until December 1 guests will receive a discount of 2,000 yen per night per person plus a coupon worth 2,000 yen per person per night that can be used for dining For more information on Furano Discount Plus, including facilities where Furano Discount Plus can be used, please visit the official website below. h ttps:// www.furanotourism.com/furanowari/ Location：Nakagoryo, Furano-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture New Furano Prince Hotel Hours: 12:00 - 20:45 10:00 - 20:45 from July 1 to August 31View details about "Ningle Terrace" on Domingo Furano Bus Public transportation discounts: Kamikuru Pass After enjoying the hotel's buffet breakfast about 8 minutes by cab from New Furano Prince Hotel Furano Cheese Factory has several buildings scattered throughout its spacious grounds One of them is a handmade workshop where you can try your hand at making butter (900 yen including tax) and cheese (1,000 yen including tax) so it would be better to make a reservation in advance The coupon you receive from Furanowari Plus can be used in increments of 1,000 yen and does not give change so it may be wise to use it to pay for the cheese-making experience you can also use it for cab fare to get here but please note that it is only available for Furano Taxi or Chuo Hire Let's move on to the Pizza Factory and have lunch here as well You can taste authentic Neapolitan pizza made by artisans trained in Naples the Cheese Factory's original mozzarella cheese The other ingredients are also locally produced in Furano If you use your leftover Furano Discount Plus coupon worth 1,000 yen here but since this is not a place where cabs can be picked up or set a time in advance to have one come pick you up when you arrive Location: Naka-goku, Furano-shi Opening hours: April-October 9:00-17:00, November-March 9:00-16:00View more info about Furano Cheese Factory on Domingo 11 minutes by cab from Furano Cheese Factory to Furano Wine Factory Furano wine is carefully nurtured by the people of Furano and its blessed climate Here you can take a tour of the winery and see how the wine is aged in barrels and tanks Choose your favorite wine at the store and leave the wine factory so call one or specify a time in advance for a cab to pick you up Location: Shimizuyama, Furano-shi Business hours: 9:00-17:00View more details about Furano Wine Factory on Domingo 7 minutes by cab from Furano Wine Factory to Furano Marche Frano Marche is packed with the tastes of Furano and is full of delicious foods that are sure to please your taste buds you may find yourself craving something sweet Head to the "Basusutopu" soft-serve ice cream store at the Frano Marche for a treat that will blow away your fatigue This is a unique ice cream made with Furano milk soft-serve ice cream mixed with jam and fruits made from local ingredients Somehow I feel a bittersweet feeling while eating the sweets Location: 13-1 Saiwaicho, Furano-shi Business hours: 10:00-18:00 Closed: Monday, November 14 - Friday, November 18, Saturday, December 31, and Sunday, January 1, 2023 See more details about "Furano Marche" on Domingo Once you have checked to see if there is anything you forgot to buy A 3-minute walk will take you to the Hondori 5-chome stop where you will board the Furano Bus Rapid Lavender From the Hondori 5-chome stop on the Furano Bus take the Rapid Lavender bus for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to the Asahikawa Ekimae stop When you get off the bus at the Asahikawa Ekimae stop it is the last time you will use your Kamikuru Pass Furano and Biei," one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Hokkaido We recommend this model route as it is full of photo-worthy spots and gourmet food The "Round Hokkaido Public Transportation Usage Promotion Campaign For a limited time transportation operators in Hokkaido are offering discount tickets and unlimited-ride tickets Hokkaido will cover a portion of the cost of purchasing the tickets making it possible to use public transportation at a discount This high end market is defined by condominiums that cost JPY100 million (US$722,000) or more an amalgamation of “oku” (100 million) and “manshon” (condominium) Several factors are driving the okushon boom post-Covid demand from potential owners who amassed wealth during the era of restrictions is the luxury condominium brand of Japan’s largest homebuilder and many units in Premist towers are okushon Premist Asahikawa The Tower will be completed in 2025 in Asahikawa located a few minutes away by foot from Asahikawa Station At 90m in height it is the tallest building in the city and the first such luxury tower in the Asahikawa area Wataru Sakaue, a sales representative for Daiwa House explained that a total of 12 premium (okushon) units are located on the top three floors of the 25 storey tower and that nine of these are already under contract ”Hokkaido’s second largest city was selected for its business opportunities luxury condominiums are often snatched up by foreign buyers as investments but in Asahikawa the interest has been domestic “70% of the buyers are in the Asahikawa area and the remaining 30% are from Honshu [Japan’s main island which contains Tokyo]” The preponderance of domestic buyers in Asahikawa seems to reflect a larger trend in the high end condo market outside of Japan’s major cities H2 Christie’s International Real Estate Sales Director Paul Butkovich pointed out that aside from exceptions like Tokyo and Niseko “these are domestic developers for the domestic market.” ”The veil is kind of coming off the ultra-wealthy Japanese ‘you guys don’t have real luxury.’ Butkovich went on to say that big builders in Japan often follow a set formula and it is hard for them to break “the mould” as more of Japan’s construction and real estate firms experiment with higher end offerings like Daiwa House has done with its Premist brand “For us it’s exciting because we know it [Japan’s luxury market] is an undervalued asset citing the historically weak yen and Japan’s reputation for robust construction “The whole industry is very good at putting buildings together.” recognizing the early success of Premist Asahikawa The Tower and other high-end condos away from the big metropolises indicated more such development is in store for Hokkaido “We are looking to expand to other regional cities besides Asahikawa if attractive condominium sites are available.” Sign up to receive Powderlife and Summerlife Digital Magazines as they are published and select other topics that interests you Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Powderlife is passionate about delivering exceptional service We believe it’s the little things that make a ski holiday so special Let us do the ground work for you and help you plan the perfect holiday Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Unlock exclusive perks as a Powderlife Member A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy © 2007-2025 Powderlife Privacy Terms Cookies An homage to Hikaru Utada's iconic songs and Hokkaido's equally memorable landscapes One of J-pop’s most critically acclaimed performers from the 1990s was recently given the home-screen treatment. Directed by Yuri Kanchiku, Netflix’s First Love is a series inspired by the songs of Hikaru Utada. Utada’s music has often been described as emotional and at times nostalgic. In Pitchfork they’ve explored various strains of dance pop and written songs about grieving following their mother’s death.” First Love is an ode to Utada’s discography The series tells the story of high school sweethearts torn apart and later reunited in their adulthood It’s a compelling drama with stunningly shot scenes and some excellent performances from the cast including leading actors Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Satoh First Love is a sentimental letter to Hokkaido which it showcases beautifully by featuring real-life locations Do your own pilgrimage and hopefully fall in love there too The Asahikawa Tokiwa Rotary isn’t much of an attraction on its own in the few months the series has been streaming The location is the setting for the first time adult Harumichi sees adult Yae after years of separation at the risk of running incredibly late to meet his girlfriend’s parents the rotary symbolizes the fate that keeps the protagonists revolving around each other but it also refers to their seemingly endless separation A pivotal moment in the series occurs at the top of Mount Tengu where Harumichi and Yae talk about their high school lives before eventually sharing a kiss The scene is a testament to how Yae can and does fall in love with Harumichi all over again despite her childhood memories of him remaining buried the couple take the Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway which showcases the city from an entirely different vantage point enjoy panoramic views of Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay with Mount Shokanbetsu and the Shakotan Peninsula on clear days the nightscape of the city below after dark and you can see them surrounding the tree in which she and Harumichi bury their time capsule and later return to unearth their childhood memories as the cloudless clear blue sky makes the sweeping green landscapes and purple lilacs pop is that the location is actually Heidi Farm an animal attraction not unlike a petting zoo making this location very family-friendly and suitable for all travel groups Many pivotal moments throughout the series take place in the winter but there are a few that take place in the warmer months Parks and areas with lush greenery are heavily featured often tinted in a yellow glow that evokes warmth where Harumichi meets his sister Yu and his niece Odori Park is one of the prefectural capital’s most well-known venues due to its expansive size and a wide variety of flowers that bloom seasonally Food is a persistent motif throughout First Love Many of the characters share meals or provide food for one another as a sign of affection “What is your favorite food?” is even mentioned as a foil for one to subtly confess their feelings does a spectacular job of demonstrating the delicious local fare and that’s when Yae has dinner with her colleague Otaro as she expresses pure joy while eating fresh grilled prawns Fans will be happy to know the setting for this scene is a real restaurant named Robatayaki Utari The izakaya is where one can savor all things seafood including (but not limited to) crab Perhaps one of the most romantic moments in the series sees Harumichi and Yae’s fate draw them together again Yae is in line to visit Sapporo City Observatory for a Mars sighting and the two end up going together and getting closer the observatory is well worth a visit as it provides guests with the opportunity to take a break from the sights on the ground and gaze at the wonder and beauty of the sky One more important dining spot from First Love is none other than Seiyouken This is where Yae finally confesses her feelings for Harumichi over the phone Having been in business for more than 70 years Seiyouken is a bit of an institution in Hokkaido and is commonly frequented by diners with a craving for yoshoku (western food) and a nostalgic Showa-era vibe isn’t featured on the restaurant’s standard menu but you can opt for other dishes such as spaghetti with meat sauce or a variety of sandwiches and salads Event And summer means fireworks in the night sky we will introduce 10 recommended fireworks displays held in Hokkaido 2022 Time: 19:40~ (start of launching) Venue: Minami Ohashi For more information about the "2022 Doshin-UHB Fireworks Festival," click here. 2 Kachimai Fireworks Display 2022 (Obihiro City) 2022 Time: 19:30 - (launch begins) Seating Information: This year there will be no general admission seats available for free admission and viewing Only those who have purchased tickets will be able to enter and view the event Tickets for paid spectator seats are no longer available Venue: Tokachi-gawa riverside special site Click here for more information about "Katsumai Fireworks Display 2022 3 The 41st Toyako Long-Run Fireworks Display (Toyako Town) For more information about the 41st Toyako Long-Run Fireworks Display, click here. 4 Kushiro Grand Fishing Donpaku Fireworks Display (Kushiro City) 2022 Time: 19:00-19:50 Venue: Kushiro International Center Click here for more information about the Kushiro Tairyo Donpaku Fireworks Festival 2022 Time: 16:00 Doors open / 19:00 Fireworks display Fee: (Admission ticket only) Premium seats / ¥8,000 / only a few left Lawn area / ¥4,000 / sold out (Access bus tour with admission ticket)Premium seats/¥10,000～ For more information about "Moerenuma Art Fireworks", click here. 6 FIREWORKS illusion Iwamizawa Park Fireworks Display 2022 (Iwamizawa City) 2022 Time: 20:00- (launch start) Admission fee: Special fee for the fireworks display will be charged from 17:00 Adult/Child 500 yen Free pass ticket: Adult 3,000 yen For more information about "FIREWORKS illusion Iwamizawa Park Fireworks Display 2022", click here. 7 Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Display (Hakodate ) 2022 Time: 19:40 - 20:40 Venue: Yunokawa Hot Spring Resort For more information about the Yunokawa Onsen Fireworks Festival, click here. 8 The 32nd Tokachi Port Marine Fireworks Display (Hiroo Town) 2022 ■Time：19:30-20:30 (Fireworks display) Venue: Tokachi-port Pier 4 For more information about the 32nd Tokachi Port Marine Fireworks Display, click here. Doshin Noryo Fireworks Display (Asahikawa City) 2022 Time: 19:45 - 20:30 (Fireworks display on August 4) Venue: Asahikawa Heiwa-dori Shopping Park For more information about the Asahikawa Summer Festival and Doshin Noryo Fireworks Display, click here. 10 Mage-cho N oryo Fireworks Display (Mage-cho) 2022 Time: 19:45~ (start of launching) Venue: Around Mashige Port For more information about the "Mashige Town Noryo Fireworks Festival," click here. All information is current as of July 2022 Please check the official website for details Hokkaido--A third party committee investigating suspicions of bullying at a junior high school in this northern Japan city concluded that a 14-year-old girl found frozen to death had been subjected to gross acts of harassment by older students Saaya Hirose was found dead from exposure in March 2021 after confiding in a friend she wanted to die The second-year junior high school student went missing the previous month The committee set up by the local education board said in an interim report released April 15 that acts of bullying occurred between April and June 2019 shortly after Hirose entered junior high school Hirose’s mother repeatedly asked school officials to intervene but the interim report said the education board never bothered to mount a thorough investigation the chairman of the Asahikawa education board attended the April 15 news conference held by committee members and apologized to the girl’s bereaved family Kurowarabi also admitted that the education board knew about most of the bullying incidents described in the interim report The committee will try to determine why the junior high school and education board initially did not recognize any bullying had taken place A final report expected to be released in August will include measures aimed at preventing a recurrence Hirose’s mother released a statement April 15 that said she had wished the education board had recognized the bullying much earlier Lawyers for the bereaved family held a separate news conference and criticized the committee for only questioning the mother on one occasion and for not asking her whether she realized bullying was the cause of her daughter’s misery The interim report said seven older students were involved in the bullying that included getting Hirose to send videos of a sexual nature as well as touching her body while repeatedly talking about sexual topics Hirose’s mother wrote: “I witnessed my daughter suffering for a long time I cannot stop crying when I recall how much she suffered at that time I wish they had recognized bullying at that time.” Hirose jumped into a river in an attempted suicide while two of those who bullied her looked on she moved to another junior high school in the city She posted on social media that she was a victim of bullying she told a friend online that she wanted to die and left home Her body was found in a local park covered in snow on March 23 an associate professor of student guidance at the University of Hyogo said Hirose might have been helped if local officials had recognized the bullying when it first started He also noted that the harassment took place over the internet “There is no clear way to prevent such acts so the school may not have been able to respond appropriately,” Takeuchi said “Swift action is needed to establish a guidance structure to deal with such deplorable acts.” 6th-grader who killed herself was bullied on school tablet computers Students can send bullying SOS on tablets in Osaka schools I peered down the tiny Asahikawa side street that had caught my attention illuminated by the many lanterns and various light sources that scattered the narrow walls Small wooden doorways on either side were distinguished by a mishmash of Kanji covered signs as each establishment made its bid to lure in chilled travellers Appetising smells spilled out of vents and doorways – furthering their efforts to entice Centrally located in Japan’s northern prefecture of Hokkaido Asahikawa is the island’s second-largest city – after Sapporo – with a population a quarter of the size perhaps more accurate reflection of everyday life in Japan’s far north Taking just one hour and thirty minutes from Tokyo’s central airports to touch down on Asahikawa’s solo runway its ease of access and proximity to ski resorts make it the perfect base from which to explore Hokkaido’s interior Anxious to test this, we took the ski shuttle from the lobby of OMO7 to the resort of Kamui Ski Links – some 45 minutes away. Being February in Hokkaido, it was of course snowing steadily, accumulating at an impressive rate. With information in English and a logical layout of the base building, no time was wasted in fitting our rentals, buying our lift tickets and snatching up a piste map to pour over in the gondola. Though well acquainted with powder snow, I failed to make a snowball – determined though I was – owing to a lack of moisture in the snow. I soon became addicted to scooping up handfuls of powder and blowing it into the air, watching it disperse as if like dust. Indeed; the snow in Hokkaido’s Powder Belt is unparalleled. With so much anticipation built, we snapped into our skis and launched down the slopes. As we had our two and four-year-old with us, we took turns having solo laps through the more adventurous terrain, while the other parent snaked down the green runs with them – playfully bouncing through the powder on either side of the runs without compromising supervision. Being able to lap green slopes by means of a gondola is a huge advantage, particularly with children. As I was solo skiing in the thick of a snowstorm, I relied heavily on this. Living up to its reputation for excellent snow, Kamui Ski Links has a good offering of beginner through to entry level off-piste terrain, and though we unwittingly visited on a public holiday, there was a distinct absence of crowding or line ups. Given the freshness of the produce, it was unsurprising that every meal was excellent, enhanced only by the cosy, old worldly ambiance that each establishment emanated. As specialties of the region, we were sure to try sheep, ramen and fresh seafood dishes, and often ended the evenings sipping on Asahikawa atsukan (that is, hot sake). As diverse as it is snowy, Asahikawa is a multifaceted ski city – perfectly positioned on Hokkaido’s Powder Belt to deliver Japan’s best snow. As a mini-break in itself or as a base from which to branch out into further explorations – it is the ideal starting point for any trip to Hokkaido. another big storm was due and with over one metre in the forecast... showcase of spectacular big mountain freeriding from some of the world’s best... he Snow Australia Awards have allowed us to reflect on another amazing season... we see higher than average pressure to the southeast of New Zealand, which lends... Snow Australia Awards recognise the achievements of athletes across the 2024/25... The Mountainwatch.com team is as passionate and dedicated about the mountains as you are.
Skiing to snowboarding, hiking to biking, everything about those huge piles of dirt and rock keep our blood flowing. Our team strives to provide you with detailed weather, conditions and vision of our most used mountain areas in Australia, New Zealand and the world. All for free. If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Akira Ito (8/3/1947-9/9/2021) was born in Sendai Miyagi Japan where he attended both school and university He graduated school with the School President’s Award in Science MSc and PhD degrees from Tohoku University His PhD research topic was the Immunobiology of cestode infections His research interest in cestode immunology continued throughout his 50-year long involvement in scientific research Professor Ito began his academic career at Showa University which continued at Gifu University (1979-1998) and completed his career at Asahikawa Medical University (1998-) He was a major figure in the field of cestode immunology He was an adept in vivo experimentalist especially understanding immunity against Hymenolepis spp and development of animal models for Taenia spp cysticercosis After taking up the Chair of Parasitology at Asahikawa Medical College in 1998 Professor Ito developed an impressive cestode focused laboratory with outstanding Japanese and visiting scientists that made major contributions to the fields of molecular diagnostics and epidemiology He applied laboratory tools to undertake a longstanding programme of research into the epidemiology of cestode zoonoses in Asia particularly Taenia and Echinococcus spp He was a member of the first international team in 1995 to investigate echinococcosis in eastern Tibet (Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces) and to show that both human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis were major public health problems in those isolated communities Later in 2003 his research team and Chinese collaborators discovered a new Echinococcus species (E shiquicus) in wildlife (Tibetan fox and plateau pika) on the eastern Tibetan Plateau Amongst many field investigations he notably helped describe endemic transmission of Taenia asiatica in northern Sumatra and western Thailand He was also one of the few foreigners to make research trips into Irian Jaya (Papua) to investigate the high rate of Taenia solium transmission amongst native tribes His many collaborative field trips to western Sichuan in China showed that T solium cysticercosis was a major problem in lower altitude Tibetan communities his laboratory trained many parasitologists especially from China and southeast Asia who later made major contributions in their own countries Professor Ito organized and obtained funding for several outstanding international Cestode Symposia and workshops where many of the papers were published in prestigious parasitology journals Professor Ito was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor from 2012 and continued working and writing manuscripts throughout the subsequent 9 years He held positions as Visiting Professor at numerous international universities was elected an Honorary International Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and received the “Erdene-Ochir” award by the President of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences Professor Ito published almost 450 scientific papers in English in internationally refereed journals as well as a further 150 papers in the Japanese language.  Professor Ito made major contributions to understanding the biology and immunology of cestode infections and the epidemiology diagnosis and control of echinococcosis and cysticercosis He was an inspirational laboratory head and mentor to postgraduate students and researchers in many countries Professor Ito was predeceased by his wife Hikari of almost 40 years and is survived by two children and three grandchildren