The Official Hokkaido Adventure Travel Guide About Adventure Travel ATWS Destinations Asahikawa – Daisetsuzan National park SEE ALL DESTINATIONS Itinerary Tour Operator Guide Library Iwamizawa is a small town with a rich agricultural history Once burdened by the challenges of modernization and shifting demographics Iwamizawa has redefined itself as a shining example of sustainable tourism and community renewal Its journey blends tradition and innovation to bring new life to its landscapes and neighborhoods Iwamizawa was once a thriving agricultural center a key infrastructure project launched in 2012 to manage flooding in the area While this control facility draws in water during heavy rains to prevent flooding contributing to a steady population decline The departure was not just physical but also cultural The town lost a significant part of its identity as young families moved away leaving behind aging communities and an uncertain future the remaining residents refused to let their town fade into obscurity launched a revitalization initiative for the region targeting inbound tourism to combat population decline and economic challenges faced delays due to COVID-19 but has since resumed with promising results Driven to change adversity into opportunity the residents of Iwamizawa embraced innovative strategies to boost their local economy a sector that could showcase the town’s unique charm while preserving its agricultural heritage Shima-san explains: “To revitalize the region we decided to develop adventure activities a group of visitors from Singapore discovered our wheat fields and participated in local activities such as a tour of the crop drying facilities focusing on seasonal attractions such as flower fields and local festivals it became evident that prioritizing sustainability and fostering collaboration with the remaining farmers would be essential for achieving a meaningful and lasting impact One of Shima-san’s most significant projects is an agricultural tourism initiative allowing visitors to experience farm life Iwamizawa offers hands-on activities such as harvesting vegetables enjoying meals prepared with fresh products like tofu turning this district into a place where people “stay overnight instead of just passing through,” added Shima-san tourism in Iwamizawa has also become a tool for strengthening community bonds They are not only custodians of the land but also ambassadors of culture sharing their rich knowledge and traditions with visitors The town’s revitalization efforts have also inspired younger generations to see Iwamizawa in a new light Shima-san initiative promotes local products such as cookies co-created with middle school students It explores innovative ideas like integrating sheep into buffer zones to revive Genghis Kahn (lamb barbecue) traditions organized by local NPOs like the association “Thinking Kitamura in 20 years” enhances community awareness and engagement Many who once left in search of better opportunities in bigger cities are now returning motivated by the chance to play an active role in rebuilding and contributing to their community’s future These returnees bring fresh perspectives and energy helping to bridge Iwamizawa’s traditions with innovative ideas others who chose to stay are rediscovering their hometown appreciating its unique blend of rich heritage but its progress provides valuable insights for other rural cities facing similar challenges in Japan and worldwide By embracing tourism as a tool for economic and social revitalization the town has managed to preserve its identity while creating new growth opportunities Key to its success is the collaborative spirit of its residents who have shown that resilience and creativity can overcome even the most daunting obstacles Whether through transforming the detention basin or innovative partnerships with local farmers Iwamizawa demonstrates the power of community-driven solutions so does the town’s vision for a sustainable future For travelers looking for a truly authentic experience Iwamizawa offers far more than picturesque landscapes It invites you to connect with a community that cherishes its rich heritage while boldly shaping its future Every visit helps preserve this vibrant town and adds to its story of resilience and renewal or simply savoring the warmth of local hospitality you’ll quickly understand why Iwamizawa is a treasure worth protecting See our cookie policy for more information Hitachi develops movable battery capable of supplying renewable energy to dispersed agricultural locations and technology for optimizing charge-discharge plans Figure 1 Regional use of locally produced and consumed energy from movable AC/DC multi-function batteries Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement but may be subject to change without prior notice Spots Did you know that there is a hot spring station in Iwamizawa City Anyone can fill up a tank of hot spring water and take it home with them The name of the hot spring is "Ponne-yu," which sounds cute but it is of high quality and rare spring water The hot spring stand is located on the side of the road (Route 38) in Manji The hut with a large sign saying "Ponne Yu" is the destination of this trip which is comparable to that of a regular hot spring facility Wondering where the hot spring water comes from and the hot spring water just came gushing out with incredible force The spring quality is a weak alkaline sulfur spring and is said to be effective against atopic dermatitis If you want to enjoy hot spring water at home the general guide is to fill it about 70% with slightly hot water and add 1-2 bottles of hot spring water that you have brought home in a 20 liter plastic container Please note that using hot spring water as is can cause damage to the bath heater or pipes Anyone can fill up the water and take it home but there is a donation slot at the stand where visitors can put in the amount at their discretion Please help maintain this high-quality hot spring But why is there a hot spring stand along this road there were originally several hot springs gushing out from cracks in the rocks in this area So a group of volunteers came up with a plan to lay pipes from the spring in the mountains to residential areas so that people could draw hot spring water Photo courtesy of Iwamizawa City Tourism Association Photo courtesy of Iwamizawa City Tourism Association The pipes were laid over a distance of 4km such as the hose coming loose due to melting snow and being bitten by a bear they managed to get the hot spring water to reach the residential area many people from other cities come to collect water from Ponneyu after hearing about its excellent spring quality why not bring a plastic container and stop by the hot spring stand don't forget to bring a donation to put in at the reception Team Buchi Neko has many connections to Hokkaido's tourist spots and facilities There are many wonderful resources in Hokkaido that we take for granted when we live there We will spread the word about the charms of this wonderful place [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 Metrics details This study examined the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related stress and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a sample of 215 community-dwelling older adults in Japan (57 men Data were collected during wellness checkups in October 2020 and included participants’ demographic characteristics measures of instrumental activities of daily living and depressive tendencies Four mutually exclusive groups were created using the presence or absence of COVID-19-related stress and lack of exercise habits as risk factors for poor OHRQoL (no COVID-19-related stress and no lack of exercise and both COVID-19-related stress and lack of exercise habits) Poisson regression with robust standard errors provided the prevalence ratio for poor OHRQoL The presence of both COVID-19-related stress and lack of exercise habits (adjusted prevalence ratio: 2.20 95% CI: 1.31– 3.69) was associated with poor OHRQoL The results indicate that COVID-19-related stress and exercise habits should be considered when designing oral health and public health initiatives We hypothesized that the stress caused by mobility restrictions and lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic (COVID-19-related stress; CS) and lack of exercise habits (LEH) would be risk factors for poor OHRQoL and that the presence of both would be associated with poor OHRQoL this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between CS and OHRQoL in community-dwelling older adults A total of 232 participants were included in the study, representing 0.7% of the citizens aged over 60 years in Iwamizawa City (see Supplemental Fig. S1) ten participants who gave incomplete answers to the questionnaire and seven who did not wish to undergo dental examinations and oral function tests were excluded the total number of participants eligible for analysis was 215 (57 men and 158 women; Mage = 74.2 years Ninety-seven participants (45.1%) were classified as having CS. No significant differences were found in their demographic characteristics and other variables according to the presence or absence of CS (Table 1) Fifty-nine participants (27.4%) were classified as having LEH. The score on the Japan Science and Technology Agency Index of Competence (JST-IC) was significantly lower in the group with LEH. No significant differences were found in age, medical history, oral function, or rates of patients with oral hypofunction(Table 2) Classification of the four groups of risk of poor OHRQoL The percentages of participants across the four groups according to the presence or absence of risk factors for poor OHRQoL are shown 95% CI: 0.93–0.97) were significantly associated with poor OHRQoL Since the Lagrange multiplier test results for overdispersion with the null hypothesis that the auxiliary parameter of the negative binomial distribution is zero were not significant (Z = -6.19 the Poisson regression with robust standard errors was considered reasonable Our results suggest the need to consider not only the oral health status but also the psychosocial background including stress and exercise habits of older adults when designing oral healthcare and public health programs we created four groups defined by the presence or absence of CS and LEH and examined their association with poor OHRQoL in detail Poisson regression with robust standard errors showed that the coexistence of CS and LEH was associated with poor OHRQoL LEH alone was associated with poor OHRQoL; however suggesting that the coexistence of CS with LEH is an important factor for poor OHRQoL and Group 4 showed an association with poor OHRQoL neither Group 2 nor Group 3 showed a significant association with poor OHRQoL in the Poisson regression with robust standard errors CS was not present and thus did not need to be relieved by exercise; however This may explain why no association with poor OHRQoL was found in these two groups the fact that CS alone was not associated with poor OHRQoL may have been influenced by the fact that of the 97 participants (Group 3 + Group 4) who experienced CS 70 were in Group 3 and had exercise habits it may be concluded that a decline in subjective oral health is related to IADL and psychological factors such as depressive symptoms the JST-IC scores were not associated with poor OHRQoL This may be because many participants came to the wellness checkup site voluntarily and their IADL and physical functions were relatively well-maintained poor OHRQoL may have been associated more with psychogenic factors we found that the coexistence of CS and LEH was associated with poor OHRQoL in community-dwelling older adults CS and LEH may be associated with oral health in older adults independent of organic factors such as reduced number of teeth or functional factors such as occlusal force OHRQoL is associated with general health in older adults CS and LEH are important factors to consider when designing both oral healthcare and public health programs This was a cross-sectional study based on a survey on 34,564 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years in Iwamizawa This study included older adults who participated in wellness checkups in CHEER Iwamizawa (a research project titled “Checkup to discover HEalth with Energy for senior Residents” in Iwamizawa) in October 2020 The participants of CHEER Iwamizawa were recruited through a public relations magazine published by the city council and flyers posted at major public facilities in the city local government employees visited older adults’ social clubs to describe the study’s purpose and recruit participants The survey content was explained verbally and in writing to the participants and written informed consent was obtained prior to the survey This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dental Medicine Hokkaido University (approval number: 2020–9) The GOHAI consists of 12 questions rated on a five-point Likert scale assessing the frequency of oral health-related problems over the past three months The total score ranges from 12 to 60; the higher the score as per the GOHAI national norms for Japanese individuals are 56.0 and 52.5 for men aged 60 − 69 years and 70 − 79 years and 54.0 and 53.0 for women aged 60–69 years and 70 − 79 years participants scoring below these cutoff values were defined as the poor OHRQoL group while the remaining participants were assigned to the good OHRQoL group CS and LEH were defined as risk factors for poor OHRQoL and their presence or absence was examined using self-administered questionnaires “Do you feel stressed by the lifestyle changes and restrictions on going out due to the COVID-19 pandemic?” (Yes/To some extent/Not really/No) Participants who answered either yes or to some extent were considered to have CS Participants who answered no were considered to lack exercise habits four mutually exclusive groups (risk of poor OHRQoL) were created based on the presence or absence of both CS and LEH (Group 1: no CS and no LEH; Group 2: no CS and LEH; Group 3: CS and no LEH; Group 4: both CS and LEH) and osteoarthritis) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire The number of teeth erupted in the oral cavity was recorded excluding stump teeth and teeth with severe mobility Oral moisture was measured at the center of the tongue dorsum approximately 10 mm from the apex of the tongue The occlusal force of the entire dentition was measured using a pressure-indicating film (Dental Prescale II Japan) during three seconds of clenching in the intercuspal position the occlusal force was measured with their dentures in place Tongue and lip movements were assessed using oral diadochokinesis Participants were asked to repeat the syllables /pa/ and the number of each syllable pronounced per second was counted using an automatic counter (Kenkoukun Handy Tongue pressure was measured thrice using a tongue pressure measuring instrument (JMS tongue pressure measuring instrument The masticatory function was measured using a masticatory ability testing system (Glucosensor GS-II the cutoff values for the above six items were as follows: tongue coating index ≥ 50%; oral moisture < 27.0; occlusal force < 500 N; any of the /pa/ or /ka/ syllables repeated < 6 times/second for diadochokinesis; tongue pressure < 30 kPa; and masticatory function < 100 mg/dL Oral hypofunction was defined when at least three of the six measurements met these criteria Assuming a two-tailed Mann–Whitney U test with α = 0.05 and d = 0.50 an estimated 134 participants were required to achieve a power of 0.80 Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to calculate estimates that approximate the true relative risk All analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 27 (IBM Corp. and the significance level (two-tailed) was set at 5% We followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines The data used in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request Nochaiwong, S. et al. 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Finally, we would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing This work was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency Center of Innovation Program [grant number: JPMJCE1301] Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI [grant numbers 20H03873 and 20H03899] Labour and Welfare’s Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants (20AA2006) The funding sources had no involvement in the study design and the decision to submit the article for publication Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences Hokkaido University of Education Iwamizawa Campus contributed to the data collection and critical revision of the manuscript contributed to the conception and critical revision of the manuscript All authors gave their final approval and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work The authors declare no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-24806-1 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science and Hitachi Hokkaido University Laboratory which is a joint research facility with Hokkaido University established a demonstration facility for a stand-alone nanogrid Stand-alone nanogrid is a small-scale power system that realizes the idea of the "local production for local consumption" of energy by providing local regions with their own sources of energy that utilize solar While promoting smart agriculture for Iwamizawa City a municipality with a declining farming population such systems have growing expectations as emergency power sources in times of disaster This article investigates the details of this initiative Located approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Sapporo Iwamizawa City is a medium-sized city with an area of 481 square kilometers and a population of about 78,000 Iwamizawa city is experiencing a rapid decrease and aging of the population along with a sharp decline in birthrate that of how to improve the sustainability of its key industry: agriculture Iwamizawa City is also grappling with how to supply stable electrical power—infrastructure essential for daily life—to all city residents as an issue directly related to the city's widely dispersed residential areas which affected the entire area of Hokkaido left Iwamizawa City continuously without power for over a day highlighting the risk of depending on existing power systems The solution to this issue is expected to be found in a stand-alone nanogrid which does not depend on existing power systems A nanogrid is a small-scale power system in which the aim is to achieve the local production for local use of power by providing regions with their own energy supply source and consumption facilities without depending on power supplies from large-scale power stations The facility conducting demonstration testing for this project is pursuing the use of nanogrid as a way to support agriculture and to provide an emergency power source We believe that a compact nanogrid will lead to solutions to the problems of regional communities." The nanogrid currently undergoing demonstration testing combines a multi-fuel engine with solar panels and is capable of generating 25 kilowatts of electricity The fuels responsible for 15 of these kilowatts are the methane gas that is emitted by hot springs located within the city and the low-density ethanol obtained by fermenting the vegetable waste generated during the harvesting of crops and the nanogrid has been installed next to a hot-spring hotel Hot-springs gas has a history of use by hotels but any excess gas has always been thrown away creating a mix of 70% hot-springs gas and 30% light oil The system is configured so that the remaining 10 kilowatts is generated by solar panels If their power generation fluctuates due to weather or other factors the combustion of the multi-fuel engine is controlled in order to ensure the stable generation of 25 kilowatts of power Demonstration of the electricity generated by this system as a power source for agricultural drones is underway This electricity can also be used as an emergency power source during times of disaster According to Takashi Takemoto of Hitachi Hokudai Lab. which is conducting the demonstration testing of nanogrid "By using discarded hot-springs gas and solar power we can reduce electrical charges to farmers by 70% over previous years." In addition: "The use of power obtained via the Hitachi nanogrid will enable the low-cost operation of agricultural drones used for spraying pesticides and other tasks I believe that this will enable us to reduce the financial burden on farmers and to help ensure the sustainability of agriculture." The full-scale demonstration testing of agricultural drones is scheduled to begin in spring 2022 Expressing his excitement about future potential we are planning to team up with drone manufacturers and farmers and proceed with operational tests." Takemoto says that by decreasing dependence on fossil fuels CO2 emissions can be reduced by 30% compared to existing power systems This will make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions associated with agricultural operations and contribute to low carbonization Kise: "The realization of a decarbonized society calls for reductions in CO2 emissions across all fields By going with renewable energy instead of fossil fuels in agricultural production I believe that we can reduce CO2 emissions and move closer to carbon neutral." Iwamizawa city has high expectations for the nanogrid as a power source for protecting the safety of city residents in case of emergencies "Electricity is indispensable to modern life We see having a nanogrid present during emergencies as a way of enabling city residents to confidently live their lives We have great expectations for the potential of this project." Expectations are even higher for the interconnection of nanogrids Hokkaido has other regions beside Iwamizawa City that are facing the challenges of securing emergency-use power sources and of depopulation Hitachi is planning to deploy nanogrids to other regions Hitachi's goal is to then link regional nanogrids and to connect networks comprising storage batteries in order to create energy systems with mutual power accommodation capabilities we want to use the Iwamizawa city’s nanogrid to create an industrial model that combines renewable energy sources we hope to be able to link the nanogrids and provide various services centered on renewable energy and that such efforts will provide a model for future development." Lifestyle The text and illustrations are all handwritten "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" 5 easy-to-participate social good events in Hokkaido [May 2025] "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." "They're so cute!" I feel comforted by the baby goats growing up healthy on a farm in Hokkaido "What a cute creature" - A baby seal growing up quickly is soothing Seeing it moving around so hard makes people say "It's like an angel" and "Grow up big" 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 This season’s strongest cold front brought heavy snowfall mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the country on Friday The snow is expected to get heavier on Saturday and the Japan Meteorological Agency is warning people to be careful about accidents and transportation disruptions caused by the heavy snow the amount of snow that fell in the 24 hours ending at 11 a.m the largest snowfall in the city’s recorded history Heavy snow is expected to continue Saturday The amount of snowfall in the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m Saturday is expected to be 80 centimeters in the Hokuriku region; 60 centimeters in the Tokai region; 50 centimeters in Hokkaido Kinki and Chugoku regions; and 40 centimeters in the Tohoku region Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Katsuo Harada keeps in his possession the skull of a brown bear that nearly killed him 23 years ago allowing Harada to show how the bear’s teeth But it was a lesson he learned in his childhood about the animal’s mouth that saved Harada’s life said human encounters with bears have increased in the area He is seeking measures to prevent anyone from experiencing what he went through Harada and three hunting companions entered a mountain in Hokkaido’s Shiranuka area on Nov the opening day of the Yezo deer-hunting season Harada was so excited that he could not sleep the night before the expedition The four men started tracking different routes at 6 a.m Harada sat down to snack on some rice balls He finished eating and casually looked 50 to 60 meters ahead and saw a Yezo deer ascending a slope The deer appeared non-energetic and moved slowly Deciding the deer would be his “first prey today,” Harada stood up to take a shot with his rifle But he heard something rustling behind him Harada turned around and saw a brown bear with glittering eyes 4 to 5 meters away He had visited the mountain many times and never once spotted a brown bear there The area had no acorn trees or other food sources for the animals Harada could normally detect approaching bears with their urine-like stench.This bear apparently came upwind Harada felt he had no choice but to shoot the bear But the beast did not flinch and ran toward him The rifle was knocked away in the struggle Harada crouched down while protecting his head with his hands But the bear rolled Harada onto his back and pressed down from above Harada thought the bear would bite him in the brain and he would be killed he remembered a childhood lesson given by a hunter in the neighborhood about how to fend off bear attacks The piece of advice: Shove your hand into the bear’s mouth to stop it from breathing if there are no other options left Harada stuck out his right hand toward the likely location of bear’s mouth As soon as his fist and wrist were entirely inside He felt a tingling sensation from his arm to the neck he had no idea how long he had been unconscious so Harada moved his right leg to break the deadlock Harada kicked at full power at something soft--likely the animal’s belly His right hand fell out of the bear’s mouth and made a bang-like sound The animal’s panting gradually faded away as it wandered off I will be there soon.” When he rushed to the scene Harada was bleeding badly and started shivering He said he remembers being carried down a cliff on a stretcher His head was so fully covered in blood that it was difficult to tell where his face was Both eyeballs had been knocked out of their cavities and the bones in his right hand were destroyed Harada was taken to a medical center in Kushiro His doctor described Harada’s survival as “a genuine miracle.” Harada was discharged by year-end but was hospitalized again He could finally return to his home in spring the following year His face and right hand are still numb in parts measuring 1.5 meters long and weighing 160 kilograms It emerged that the bear had been shot by another local hunter the day before she attacked Harada and I happened to pop up before her,” Harada said “The brown bear must have naturally mistaken me for the enemy who had shot her.” Harada noted that his survival “would have been impossible if she had not been weakened” after being shot “I would have been killed with a single blow if I had encountered a normal brown bear,” Harada said Human encounters with bears have increased in recent years Experts say land development projects have reduced the size of the bears’ habitats and the animals are entering human settlements in search of food Harada’s near-death experience has led him on a mission to create “an environment where brown bears will not come to human settlements.” As a director of a nonprofit group called Farming Support Hokkaido Harada is extending assistance to farmers to prevent birds and animals from damaging their crops He is also working with the agriculture ministry as an adviser on keeping animals away from farmland And he has called for the introduction of a nationwide framework to prevent a recurrence of his calamity “Specialists on brown bears should be deployed to each municipality so steps can be taken as soon as information comes in about their footprints or feces,” Harada said Brown bears spotted in Hokkaido in the middle of winter Hunter grieves for bear cub he kept as pet Dog-killing bear ‘RT’ killed after 4 years of terror in Hokkaido town 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 report on how Japan is grappling with a growing bear problem… A gunshot rang out on a recent morning in a meadow in northern Japan watched by a handful of city officials and hunters The bear had been roaming around a nearby house and eating its way through adjacent cornfields so officials and hunters in Sunagawa city had set a trap with a deer carcass to lure the voracious creature it’s always a bit deflating when a bear gets caught,” Haruo Ikegami who heads the local hunters’ association Japan is grappling with a growing bear problem A dwindling band of aging hunters is on the front line A record 219 people were victims of bear attacks while more than 9,000 black and brown bears were trapped and culled over that period according to Japan’s environment ministry it’s always a bit deflating when a bear gets caught.” who heads the local hunters’ association in Sunagawa Both species’ habitats have been expanding; the ministry estimates that the number of brown bears in Hokkaido more than doubled to about 11,700 in the three decades through 2020 (It doesn’t keep estimates on black bears most of which live on the main island of Honshu though a widely cited 2023 analysis by Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper estimated their numbers at roughly 44,000 Restrictions on hunting practices and greater emphasis on conservation contributed to a surge in bear sightings over recent decades according to Japan’s Forest Research and Management Organisation With Japan’s rural areas experiencing rapid demographic decline bears are venturing closer to towns and villages and into abandoned farmland an environment ministry expert panel said in February But bear expertise among local governments is spotty and Japan’s reliance on recreational hunters to protect settlements looks unsustainable as its population ages according to Reuters interviews with almost two dozen people Many called for changes to the way Japan manages human-bear conflict to address safety concerns while ensuring a future for the bears In Hokkaido cities and towns like Sunagawa some residents wonder what will happen when hunters can no longer do the job said he was “terrified” by a bear that would wander into his farm a few years ago As local authorities weighed how to respond they ultimately relied on the hunters’ association Sunagawa’s city government told Reuters that efforts to capture the bear were complicated by its proximity to homes and deliberations about what to do once the animal was trapped Although some hunters stalk bears as a hobby Ikegami reckons not many are thrilled about culling trapped bears for local governments “I don’t want people to think of hunting as something fashionable It’s a big burden to take a life,” he said The hunter that shot the bear in Sunagawa would get about 8,000 yen (about $50) perhaps enough to cover fuel and expenses but little else Hunters also risk clashing with authorities Ikegami’s guns were seized by Hokkaido authorities in 2019 after they deemed his attempt to shoot a bear near a house was ill-judged He is battling in court to have the weapons returned The Hokkaido safety officials involved in the matter declined to address Reuters questions about the case Japanese government officials this year proposed relaxing rules around gun use to make it easier for hunters to shoot bears in urban areas Takikawa and Iwamizawa told Reuters that regional and national authorities could go further to address the problem This could include promoting the recruitment of hunters and improving their conditions Japan’s environment ministry said it subsidises efforts to train local officials and conduct bear drills in towns but added that regional differences in human-bear conflicts called for tailor-made approaches The Hokkaido government’s wildlife bureau said it ran various initiatives to incentivise and recruit hunters including promotional events and training people in how to handle brown bears Environmental group WWF said in an email that to preserve Japan’s bear population authorities should take actions including developing human-wildlife buffer zones and formulating a national protection and management plan It declined to comment specifically on the culling of bears in Japan While its numbers have been growing in Japan the Asiatic black bear is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s red list of threatened species globally Bear hunting was lucrative until the 1980s and hide and bile were traded for high prices But with growing environmental awareness and changes to regulations and consumer tastes Japan issued some 218,500 hunting licences in the 2020 fiscal year less than half of the 517,800 it issued in 1975 While about 98 per cent of those issued in 1975 were for shooting that figure dropped to 42 per cent in 2020 About 60 per cent of licence holders were aged over 60 Traps need to be checked daily while bears lurk nearby Rifle owners must abide by Japan’s strict firearms laws and invest in ammunition and gun storage Those difficulties came to a head earlier this year in Naie accused the local government of taking hunters for granted without investing in a longer-term solution “Once we grow old and have no choice but to quit this reliance on the hunters’ association is not going to work,” Yamagishi said Naie’s local government declined to comment on the dispute with Yamagishi but said officials were taking steps to address the bear problem including working with licensed hunters from outside the area a professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture who studies bears said depopulation and a decline in the amount of managed farmland in recent decades may have led bears to become bolder about approaching towns Clearer demarcation between habitats would help humans and bears coexist professor of agriculture at Rakuno Gakuen University said bears appeared to be raising cubs closer to human settlements causing young bears not to fear people as much as before Climate change-driven shifts in the ripening and flowering of fruits nuts and leaves may drive bears to raid crops when their usual food sources are low consistent effort to make sure that bears don’t enter human areas,” Sato said Japan should create a system where hunters are paid enough to support a family we can’t nurture the next generation of hunters,” he said Harada carries the scars of a bear attack more than 20 years ago when the animal sank its teeth into his skull “It sounded like it was munching on some raw radish,” he said Harada is now part of a non-profit organisation that helps communities keep problematic wildlife at bay there may be casualties,” Harada said Japan’s environment ministry in September warned about the possibility of a surge in bear attacks towards year-end when the animals typically scavenge for food to store up fat for hibernation bear sightings and attacks peaked in October With Japan’s population aging and shrinking some companies are turning to technology to manage bears the “Monster Wolf” robot sold by Sapporo-based Wolf Kamuy emits growls Priced at about 400,000 yen (roughly $US2,550) and powered by solar energy the gleaming-eyed beast has demonstrated some success in warding off bears though its sensor can be triggered by other animals said it takes years of analysing pawprints and dung and learning to read bears’ signs to understand how to trap them adding that human expertise will remain integral to managing the problem Yamagishi thinks it would take three to five years to train a new generation of hunters we’ll all be retired,” he said Sight+ is a new benefits program we’ve launched to reward people who have supported us with annual donations of $26 or more. To find out more about Sight+ and how you can support the work of Sight, head to our Sight+ page We’re interested to find out more about you as we improve and expand our coverage and so we’re asking all of our readers to take this survey (it’ll only take a couple of minutes) To take part in the survey, simply follow this link… and website in this browser for the next time I comment For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use One autumn evening before the COVID-19 pandemic Melanie Tarlant—fourth-generation head of the venerable French champagne house Maison Tarlant—was in Japan for a promotional event she tried a glass of Japanese wine recommended by a friend and exclaimed “Do you really make such wonderful wine in Japan?” The wine was Vignes Chantantes Pinot Noir 2016 and it came from vines only planted five years before The Sorachi region to the east of Sapporo centers around the cities of Mikasa and Iwamizawa it has exploded into one of the prefecture’s leading wine-producing areas rivaling the town Yoichi to the west of Sapporo but several brands sell out as soon as they are released This contributes to their reputations as rare treats available only to drinkers lucky enough to stumble on them at shops or restaurants in Sapporo I visited Sorachi to tour some of these wineries My first stop was Nakazawa Vineyard in the Kurisawa district of Iwamizawa district Nakazawa Kazuyuki and his wife Yuriko opened their small vineyard—just 2.7 hectares of grapes Their flagbearer is the white wine Kurisawa Blanc a bottle that could well be considered the top of any list of Sorachi’s hard-to-get wines This label’s quality is said to have inspired several others to try their own hand at wine production in the region making it a flagship of sorts for Sorachi wine I had the good fortune to sample Kurisawa Blanc next to field of grapes just beginning to take on color and began with eye-opening aromas of white flowers and passion fruit mingled with something like honey it expressed bright acidity and left behind a wistful Nakazawa Vineyard’s flagship product Kurisawa Blanc 2020 (left) and the healthy grapes that create its clean flavors This wine is made from a blend of various grape varietals an aromatic grape from the French Alsace region “This grape can withstand the harsh local winters and ripens well to produce a gorgeous aroma,” says Kazuyuki who noted Gewürztraminer’s aptness for the Hokkaidō climate while growing a number of varieties for a major winemaker earlier in his career “Grapes produce their best flavors at the cold limit for each variety.” That concept represents both hope and pressure for Sorachi’s wine makers Hokkaidō’s winter serves as an enemy to grapes the vintners also know that the annual snowfall of over 100 centimeters actually helps protect the vines from freezing to death the vines are intentionally allowed to be buried by snow either by trimming them low or by inducing branches close to the ground This is done because even if atmospheric temperatures drop well below freezing beneath the snow it will never fall below –7ºC or so which allows the vines to survive the winter without frost damage Kondō Yosuke of Kondō Vineyard teamed up with the Nakazawas to build the Kurisawa Wines winery We visited the Moseusi field spreading out around the facility “We started planting grape vines here in 2011 We have two more fields at Tap-kop in Mikasa which we started planting earlier in 2007,” says Kondō While Moseusi is open and on a gentle slope Tap-kop is surrounded by forest on a steep slope so the grapes produced at each are very different Kondō makes a wide variety of wines by using each grape on its own or by blending them One unusual characteristic of his fields is a “mixed zone,” where he has planted a mixture of eight varieties including Pinot Gris which are vinified together after a single harvest—an approach that can bring out the fullness of the terroir of a certain grape-growing region Kondō Yosuke standing in his Moseusi field “I contracted with 10R Winery to vinify my grapes until we built Kurisawa Wines in 2017,” says Kondō 10R Winery stands at the epicenter of Sorachi’s dizzying growth into such an outstanding wine-making region meaning it processes and ferments grapes grown by other vineyards on contract The owner there is expert American winemaker Bruce Gutlove who came to Sorachi after working as a vintner and consultant at Coco Farm Winery in Ashikaga He has provided a place for emerging vignerons without their own vinification facilities and has also supported them by generously sharing his skills Both Nakazawa and Kondō studied under Gutlove’s tutelage before venturing out to start their own vineyards Pinot Noir grapes starting to take on color in the fields at Moseusi Kondō also showed off his vinification cellar at Kurisawa Wines which are earthenware pots used to ferment and age wine like those in one ancient home of wine The archaic flavors this produces have proved to be eye-opening and addictive for many modern drinkers A sip of Kondō’s wine offers a mysterious sensation or a kvevri-fermented orange wine (a white wine made in the red wine style of fermenting with the grape skins on) all of his wines are smoothly drinkable yet deeply nuanced hinting at a wider world existing just beyond the horizon At left and at right three bottles from Kurisawa Wines (Kondō Vineyards) Some 10 kilometers to the north of Kurisawa Wines stands Chiba Vineyard Chiba Shinji and his wife Eri purchased this land in 2014 and planted it with varietals like Zweigelt Shinji was formerly a tour guide in Canada but moved to Europe in search of a new life “I ended up staying at a winery in Würzburg and fell in love with a life lived with wine and grape fields,” he says After returning to Japan and training at Obuse Winery—run by Soga Akihiko a pioneering figure in the rise of Japanese wine—in Nagano Prefecture The Chibas when I had the fortune of being there for the uncorking of their first bottling They’ve shared many amusing stories of their adventures in winemaking such as the time they planted what they thought were white Riesling grapes only to see dark red fruit appear on the vines later on “We’re mostly focused on keeping the vines alive and not freezing rather than on the quality of the fruit,” says Shinji offering a glimpse at the realities of grape cultivation in Sorachi Even putting up electric fences does not help “There have been times when the ground was completely white with chips left by rabbits chewing on the trunks,” says Shinji Chiba’s wines have a crisp acidity and earthy minerality but they linger on without breaking off too soon Left: Bacchus grapes at Chiba Vineyard All the farmers can do is pray they make it that long unharmed Miyamoto Ryōhei of the Miyamoto Vineyard also trained at Obuse Winery He previously worked as a chef and pâtissier but he never forgot the charms of the wine he encountered in Bordeaux during his student days and eventually set out on the wine-making path himself he cleared a patch of forest on Mikasa’s Mount Tappu and planted varietals including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Miyamoto Ryōhei stands in a newly planted vine plot at Miyamoto Vineyard Kyūshū-born Miyamoto chose to move to Hokkaidō after Obuse Winery’s Soga Takahiko started making Pinot Noir wine there His Nana-Tsu-Mori Pinot Noir 2017 was selected for the wine list at Copenhagen’s Noma considered the best restaurant in the world “I had spectacular grapes to go into that,” he recalls “I was also inspired by Nakazawa-san’s Kurisawa Blanc—if he could achieve something like that like the 100% Chardonnay Prism and Entre Chen et Loup But he himself is most particular about his label Volonte He has pursued a long road of trial and error from selecting root stock and clones at the start It brings pure red-fruit notes and full-bodied dried apricot aromas in equal measure Despite having been in the bottle for just over two years it boasts a depth to rival anything laid down for a decade or more It is mystifying how wine made in such cold climates can bring such warmth Miyamoto and the clone MV6 which he considers the cornerstone of his Pinot Noir This clone is said to have roots in the Clos de Vougeot grape of the Burgundy region of France The common thread shared by the four vignerons I visited in Sorachi was their natural approach and willingness to work hard for their wine To avoid using artificial fertilizers and agricultural chemicals as much as possible they get into the fields and use their own hands to work with the grapes They ferment the wine slowly with native wild yeasts and keep human intervention to a minimum throughout This all allows the wine to reflect the climate and the year to create something that seems to meld with your whole body when drunk mean it fits perfectly into global cuisine trends I’m sure that is going to bring Sorachi wine even more recognition and success Banner photo: Nagasawa Kazuyuki and Yuriko of Nagasawa Vineyard will help advance economic and social agendas Hideaki Koizumi: If projects do not solve problems at the community level In a large project with the city of Iwamizawa in Hokkaido locally tailored health advice was able to almost halve the number of underweight births between 2014 and 2019 That project clearly illustrated how a focus on local relationships and real-life problems can lead to success Japan has one of the highest low birth weight percentages in the OECD which is a challenge that Hokkaido University and Hitachi hope to tackle I believe that projects that do not position citizens as the main stakeholder are destined to fail Digital solutions must create something that citizens are satisfied with and are willing to use The Iwamizawa case is unique in that it involves ongoing and close collaboration between Hitachi Hokkaido University and the city’s residents which supported the practical knowledge sharing and local behaviour-change that led to potentially life-changing outcomes Norihiro Suzuki: I think the Iwamizawa study is a great example of a Society 5.0 initiative At Hitachi we promote inclusiveness in project design using an original co-creation approach called ‘NEXPERIENCE.’ The approach includes a tool that allows us to simulate the outcomes of different approaches that a community might take − a digital proof of concept This allows us to assess and verify the value of a project in advance and therefore focus our resources on achieving the desired impact an important IoT platform developed by Hitachi to help create and deliver digital solutions for Society 5.0 Hokkaido is a region that is already experiencing some of the issues that the whole of Japan will face within the next ten years a changing climate and a decreasing birth rate Insights from Hokkaido will therefore soon be applicable to the rest of the nation we established the Hitachi Hokkaido University Laboratory in 2016 projects could use NEXPERIENCE and the lab’s work to identify and assess innovations that could help revitalize many communities The aim of the Hokkaido Hitachi Laboratory is to revitalize the local region by solving social issues The partnership between Hitachi and Hokkaido University had previously focused very successfully on technology development Our work on advanced proton beam cancer therapy produced a system that can target tumours in moving patients with pencil-thin proton beams Q: The Iwamizawa study examined the association between the diet What went right in Iwamizawa to reduce underweight births Kiyohiro Houkin: Small municipalities in Japan tend to be quite conservative and reluctant to act but they are also key partners in creating change in a community While there has always been pressure at universities to change with the times small municipalities need to be willing to change as well; Iwamizawa has been a great example by being extremely open and agile Kiyohiro Houkin has been closely involved in a partnership with Hitachi run through the university’s Center of Innovation (COI) Norihiro Suzuki: Engaging with the people who will benefit from a solution is key to producing real outcomes academics have tended to focus on sharing their insights through scholarly publications while industry has tended to focus on technology commercialization and marketing It was only after the team at the Hokkaido University Center of Innovation (COI) took off their respective academic and corporate hats and involved citizens that the project began to run more smoothly Bringing on board the beneficiaries maximizes the data quality outcome which enhances the technology and insights that can be developed the COI hosts forums every year to which we invite experts from Hokkaido to share visions of how we might resolve challenges Q: What role will ethics play in the future Hideaki Koizumi: Ethics in engineering will continue to be incredibly important; it is a field that often has huge impacts on the planet Kiyohiro Houkin: I believe academia should also be taking the lead to show that society will not progress further without some deep thinking on how to agree on ethics for the new age I would advocate for a sort of ‘G7’ for scientists to discuss data ethics Q: Data governance is becoming increasingly important in today’s innovation landscape Norihiro Suzuki is the Chief Technology Officer at Hitachi Norihiro Suzuki: Hitachi is closely involved in a proposal for ‘Data Free Flow with Trust,’ a concept introduced by the former Prime Minister of Japan at the 2019 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting In his statement he said that data should not be controlled by a select few but that it should be available to flow across borders within a trust governance framework Abe noted that solid foundations were required for the secure transfer of data It will require a delicate balance between technology and trade policy as well as regulatory and business practice the more we are able to look at trends and optimize services that might help people live better lives while free data flow accelerates innovation and creates new value it also raises concerns in relation to data privacy The Data Free Flow with Trust programme aims to create technologies and policies that balance protection and enabling technologies Hitachi has contributed both expertise and technology to promote the concept including collaborating with the World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network to publish a white paper on the issue in May 2020 I also see Data Free Flow with Trust as part of a wider discussion on technology governance Hitachi recently announced a set of principles to guide the ethical use of AI particularly from the viewpoint of a corporation working on societal infrastructure Some of the challenges we foresee are how to maintain public trust in a world that is increasingly transformed by their data and how to form social agreements on data governance Hitachi intends to continue leading and playing a prominent role in this conversation Q: How do industry leaders move beyond the most destructive aspects of capitalism Hideaki Koizumi is an Emeritus Fellow of Hitachi Hideaki Koizumi: Human conflict has historically occurred primarily between groups of people where the most significant conflicts are ones that humanity faces together Our concerns are gravitating away from national security to human security While the simple definition of Society 5.0 is a future where the cyber and physical spaces are intertwined I see it as being about bringing people together to create solutions for society Kiyohiro Houkin: Humans maintained an unsustainable growth model for some time expanding their presence into frontiers that arguably weren’t meant to be We are being forced to learn that a kind of capitalism that only pursues expansion will not create a good future Norihiro Suzuki: Social innovation is vital The focus of our collaboration with Hokkaido University has already shifted towards social innovation while Hitachi has refocused its core transformation projects towards sustainable environments and resilience projects We recently became a principal partner of the COP26 and announced our commitment to becoming a climate change innovator Q: Dr Suzuki helped create a successful transdisciplinary quantum physics lab within the Cambridge cluster What has Hitachi learned from three decades of transdisciplinary work Norihiro Suzuki: The Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory is based in one of the largest technology clusters in Europe centred around the University of Cambridge Working with leading research institutes in Europe the lab has been elucidating quantum phenomena as well as demonstrating cuttingedge technology for quantum devices Although it is very different to the fields involved in the Hokkaido University projects our activities in the UK have shown us how crucial it is to create local bases and opportunities to develop science hand-in-hand with customers This thinking contributed to the launch in 2019 of an open innovation initiative we call which is based at our research hub in the city of Kokubunji in greater Tokyo In addition to hosting forums and hackathons open to the public Kyōsō-no-Mori manages an ongoing project to encourage local consumption in which Kokubunji farmers are matched to local restaurants looking to use their vegetables through a smartphone app Q: What does Society 5.0 mean for the future of industry-academia collaboration Kiyohiro Houkin is President of Hokkaido University Kiyohiro Houkin: I believe collaborations should be mission-oriented industry-academia-government collaborations have worked very well with the support of a grant system But we can be more flexible and proactive by involving private investors and the general public in collaboration schemes That could expand our horizons and open up new possibilities in Society 5.0 Hideaki Koizumi: Society 5.0 is about building a new kind of society but it is helpful to look back at history and remember that early humans were able to establish societies based on rules formed around empathy we need to inject empathy and understanding into technological solutions moving forward Spots Iwamizawa Park in Iwamizawa City is a large urban park covering an area of approximately 183 hectares including the amusement park Hokkaido Greenland The most impressive of these is the rose garden which covers an area of approximately 40,000 square meters Approximately 8,800 roses of 630 varieties are cultivated here The park is divided into several gardens and zones The best time to see the roses is from mid-June to mid-July and from mid-September to mid-October What's amazing about the rose garden at Iwamizawa Park is that it aims to grow the roses entirely without relying on chemical pesticides they have been spraying plant extracts to prevent damage from pests and diseases When you walk around the various gardens as if you were strolling through a flower field you will be reminded of the charm of roses in the "Old Rose Path" newly opened in 2013 you can see about 180 varieties of old roses The classical flower shapes and fine fragrance seem to enchant visitors A short walk from the rose garden is Shikisaikan You can see about 20 varieties of climbing roses the best time to see them is from mid-March to mid-May so unfortunately this year's (2022) season has already ended Please come and see the lovely climbing roses next year or later "Why Hamanasu in a rose garden?" but in fact Hamanasu is the original species of rose native to Hokkaido wild Hamanasu are provided from all over Hokkaido and the hill boasts a collection of 60 municipalities but you can also feel comfortable just by standing there you cannot help but feel that they are special flowers because of their gorgeous and noble charm Why not look at the many different kinds of roses and immerse yourself in a gorgeous mood Hokkaido--Oenophiles are in for a tasting treat as unique wines produced by 13 wineries and vineyards in the Sorachi region will be on offer at the Sorachi Wine Picnic on Sept It will be the first time the event has been held in three years "This is a rare opportunity to taste various wines in one place We hope everyone can visit and taste the charms of Sorachi wines," said Takemi Kurauchi The rain-or-shine event will run from 10 a.m at various venues in front of Iwamizawa Station Tickets can be purchased at the Iwamizawa Tourism Association and elsewhere The region is famed as the second-largest wine grape production area in Hokkaido Wine producers launched the wine-drinking event in 2012 to raise their profile Offering rare wines from small-size wineries the event has attracted attention from wine lovers in and outside Hokkaido But it has been canceled the past two years due to the novel coronavirus pandemic Kurisawa Wines Kondo Vineyard in Iwamizawa Miyamoto Vineyard in Mikasa and other wineries will serve their wines Housui Winery sales have sharply declined in the past two years due to the cancellation of sightseeing bus tours who founded the winery 19 years ago in Iwamizawa Other wine producers have also faced hardships Two Yamanashi wines tag 2nd best at top world competition Confectionery in Japan creates hard candy that tastes like wine Young offenders trained to make wine to help them find work Spots Gyokusenkan Site Park in Iwamizawa was developed on the site of what was once the beloved garden of the hot spring inn Gyokusenkan Gyokusenkan was a venerable inn that was in business from 1904 to 1979 the garden was also closed and it eventually fell into disrepair in response to requests from local residents to make use of the pond and restore it to a Japanese garden style the reason why inns were built here is because the Ainu people discovered mineral springs several hundred years ago the area doesn't freeze over even in winter a full-scale teahouse called Gyokusen-an was completed it was selected as one of the "10 Treasures of Iwamizawa" by the citizens of Iwamizawa in the "Iwamizawa Treasure Discovery and Promotion Project." Now Gyokusenkan Ruins Park is both a relaxing place to relax and a "treasure." is literally shaped like the character for heart which show different expressions depending on the season The best time to see the cherry blossoms is early May when the garden is dyed in a pale pink hue the weeping cherry tree behind the teahouse will bloom in full glory As you stroll through the gardens enjoying the seasonal scenery Japanese gardens are filled with the primal scenery that is so familiar to the hearts of Japanese people Please note that Gyokusenkan Ruins Park is open from April 29th to November 3rd Admission is free and anyone can enter between 9am and 5pm but opening and closing times may change depending on the season Anyone can use the teahouse for tea ceremonies and photography only and the usage fee must be paid in advance by the day of use It is a very impressive and stately teahouse There are benches and gazebos scattered throughout the park When you get tired of walking or just want to relax why not sit down and gaze out at the surroundings You can enjoy the timeless and elegant atmosphere that has been passed down since the mineral springs were discovered hundreds of years ago Gourmet Every region has its own sweets that have been loved for a long time a sweet that is known to all Iwamizawa residents Let's take a look at what kind of manju it is If you want to try something a little different how about the "Banana" (110 yen including tax) and it has a slightly sweet and gentle texture We will spread the word about the charms of this wonderful Hokkaido Running a "Neo Community Center" where people and things from Kushiro come together | Kotoe Kimura recommends three "special things" in Kushiro [2025 Latest] Top 15 ramen shops in Sapporo recommended by locals The hot soup with the aroma of dried sardines will soak in your mouth Try the "Eifukucho-style Chinese noodles" at "Daikokuken" in Nanae-cho Sapporo's lunch buffet (5) Not only the food but the view and service are also top-notch The ever-evolving classic buffet JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo Restaurant & Bar "SKY J" It looks delicious!" Did you know that in Sapporo you can only get "Rokkatei's fresh cakes" at their directly managed stores? Event It is precisely because of this season that Hokkaido is packed with special experiences that can only be had there Winter festivals and events are held all over the prefecture where you can enjoy not only the beauty of the snow and ice Here are 30 recommended winter events that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each region of Hokkaido 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 [2025 Edition] 16 Flower Events in Hokkaido: Cherry blossoms Lifestyle The name "Seiyu" comes from "Friends of Seibu," and at the time Seiyu first came to Hokkaido in 1973 with its Tsukisamu store Hokkaido had just seen the Sapporo Winter Olympics in 1972 and the city was undergoing major urbanization with major department stores and supermarkets moving in Seiyu continued to open stores in Hokkaido after that nine stores remain in operation in Sapporo city Seiyu was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange the still-familiar MUJI was born as Seiyu's private brand MUJI was the face of Seiyu until it transferred its business rights to Ryohin Keikaku in 1990 Seiyu launched Japan's first online supermarket business and as a pioneer of the era of internet shopping it was at the forefront of the supermarket industry Cherry Blossom・Autumn Leaves There are many places in and around Sapporo that are easily accessible from the city and the airport and can be easily visited by both locals and tourists we will introduce 11 cherry blossom viewing spots in and around Sapporo that are perfect for the coming season you can enjoy the concert of about 1,400 cherry trees and about 250 plum trees that bloom almost simultaneously The cherry trees in the shrine grounds were planted in 1875 to commemorate Shima Yoshitake who is said to be the father of Hokkaido's development the shrine became a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for Sapporo residents you may also see cute wild Hokkaido squirrels in the nature-filled grounds Maruyama Park is home to a primeval forest that has been designated a natural monument and has long been famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot including Siberian cherries and Yoshino cherry trees and it is particularly crowded with cherry blossom viewers every year from late April to early May It is a spot where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing while sightseeing at the neighboring Maruyama Zoo and Hokkaido Shrine or bring your own picnic lunch or food from the food stalls set up for a limited time Odori Park is an oasis in the business district surrounded by about 4,700 trees of 92 different species Locals and tourists alike enjoy relaxing on the lawns and around the fountains We recommend buying corn from the "Corn Wagon," a staple of Odori Park's summer scenery and enjoying cherry blossom viewing while eating it on the go Nakajima Park is located in the center of the city making it a truly relaxing space in the city with cherry blossoms and wisteria flowers in the spring you can enjoy waterfowl and seasonal scenery while taking a boat ride from late April to early October Although the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building is located in the heart of the city its beautiful gardens allow visitors to experience the four seasons Each season offers a different view: cherry blossoms and lilacs in the spring making it a place you'll want to visit again and again From the observation deck located at an altitude of 137.5m in Asahiyama Memorial Park you can get a panoramic view of the Ishikari Plain and Sapporo city along with the cherry blossoms the illuminated fountain and the lights of the office buildings in central Sapporo below create a fantastic view making it famous as a romantic night view spot so parents and children can enjoy it during the day is the former residence of Sekiya Magozaemon who contributed greatly to the development of Ebetsu many visitors flock to the area to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom and the area has been designated a cultural asset of the city There is a walking path along the Uchibetsu River in Meisui Fureai Park where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and get in touch with nature The park was developed to commemorate the selection of the Naibetsu River spring as one of the "100 Famous Waters," and the spout of the Naibetsu River spring has been reproduced The former Yoichi Fukuhara fishing grounds are a valuable nationally designated cultural asset that conveys the prosperity of herring fishing at its peak and were the model for the interior of the Herring Palace in the NHK morning drama series "Massan." While learning about the layout and role of each building you can also get a sense of how prosperous it was at the time There are also cherry trees on the spacious grounds so you can enjoy flower viewing in the spring Many different kinds of trees are planted within the grounds of Manjitanzan Forest Park you'll be enveloped in the gentle scent of cherry blossoms The park is also famous for its 2,468 steps the most famous cherry blossom spot in Kuriyama Town is crowded with people who come to see the cherry blossoms in early May when about 300 cherry trees in the park bloom all at once and other places where the whole family can relax [2025 Edition] 10 recommended cherry blossom spots near Asahikawa and the northern Hokkaido area Enjoy outdoor activities while viewing the cherry blossoms [2025 Edition] 8 recommended cherry blossom viewing spots near Obihiro and Kushiro Enjoy a relaxing cherry blossom viewing with your family and friends [2025 Edition] Top 10 recommended cherry blossom spots in Noboribetsu Enjoy cherry blossom viewing with spectacular views [2025 Update] Introducing the highlights and ways to enjoy the Sapporo Lilac Festival which heralds the arrival of early summer in Sapporo Gourmet Kita Kitchen X'mas Stollen Collection 2023" will be held at Kita Kitchen stores from November to December Chestnut Stollen" at Iwamizawa City's "Patisserie Soraka" is a moist stollen made with Iwamizawa-grown wheat (kitano kauri) In addition to dried fruits and nuts soaked in rum the chestnut stollen also contains chestnuts simmered in astringent peel which gives it a natural sweetness and richness The sweetness of the stollen itself makes it a perfect match with a nice cup of tea or coffee The coffee stollen from the popular Sapporo cafe "MORIHICO." is made with coffee beans and raisins soaked in coffee liqueur The coffee stollen has a bitter flavor unique to the popular café Other unique stollen from all over Hokkaido will also be available at Kitakitchen [ Aurora Town Store] November 29 (Wed) - December 25 (Mon) Sapporo - Boulangerie Marzelve Sweet Hearts Nampo (Asahikawa) Northern Bakery (Furano) Boulangerie Laffy Bistro Le Chemin (Ishikari) Sailor Crew (Iwamizawa) Patisserie soraka (Ozora) Boulanger Ange (Obihiro) Boulangerie Cocolo <Wakkanai City>Pastry Hundred Rustica <New Sapporo> 11:00 a.m Shin Sapporo Store】 November 22 (Wed) - December 25 (Mon) 〈札幌市〉ブーランジュリーマルゼルブ、ベーカリーコネル、森彦、Rain〈富良野市〉ブーランジェリー・ラフィ〈旭川市〉ノーザンベーカリー〈石狩市〉セーラ・クルー〈岩見沢市〉パティスリー soraka〈大空町〉ブランジェアンジュ〈帯広市〉満寿屋本店〈登別市〉ブー Boulangerie Cocolo〈Wakkanai-shi〉 Patisserie Hirundo Rustica〈Biei-cho〉 Ferme La Terre〈Ebiwa-shi〉 Baker's Terrace 689 Moyukku Store】 December 1 (Fri.) - December 25 (Mon.) Sapporo - Boulangerie Marzelve Sweet Hearts Nampo (Iwamizawa City) Patisserie soraka (Furano City) Boulangerie Raffi Bistrot Le Chemin (Noboribetsu City) Boulangerie Kokoro (Wakkanai City) Patisserie Hirundo Rustica New Chitose Airport】 November 29 (Wed) - December 25 (Mon) Sapporo Asahikawa】 November 29 (Wed) - December 25 (Mon) Boulangerie Marzelve Mitsuya Honten (Noboribetsu) Boulangerie Cocolo (Wakkanai City) Products handled differ depending on the store Scheduled date of sale differs depending on the product The contents of the exhibition are subject to change without prior notice so please be patient in case we run out of stock we would like to introduce a little trivia about Stollen that Kita Kitchen taught us Cut the middle and slice the leftovers from the cut end Wrap the leftover Stollen with plastic wrap and keep it for a long time Wrap the leftover stollen slices together with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out We hope you enjoy the delicious Stollen at home Spots Ski/Snowboard The ski resorts in the Sapporo suburbs are easily accessible from Sapporo city and New Chitose Airport making them a great place for local residents and tourists to enjoy skiing and snowboarding we will introduce you to some ski resorts that you can enjoy while sightseeing in the city Spots The autumn foliage season will soon be upon us in many parts of Hokkaido Domingo has introduced some of the best autumn excursion spots in Japan and we have compiled some of our editorial recommendations for you to read now We have compiled a list of our favorite articles for your reference for your future excursions 1The lake turns bright red!Lake Nodoriko coral grass colony (Abashiri City) located in Abashiri City and connected to the Sea of Okhotsk turns bright red from mid-September to October It was named "akeshisou" after it was discovered in Atsugishi and was later called "coral grass" because it turns red like coral Walking along the wooden paths paved with coral grasses on all sides you feel as if you are standing in another world It has been confirmed that coral grass grows in various places in eastern Hokkaido and parts of Shikoku but the coral grass colony in Ueharauchi Park Best time to visit: Mid-September to October Address: Ueharauchi Coral Grassland, 60-3 Ueharauchi, Abashiri City If you want to know more about "Lake Notori Coral Reef Grass Land (Abashiri City)", click here. 2 Lovely kochia and cute gourmet food Yuni Garden Kochia Hill is a new area that was newly established last year (2021) in Yuni Garden The Kochia Hill is home to 32,000 kochia plants At the cafeteria in the center house of the Yuni Garden gourmet foods and sweets inspired by the lovely kochia are available for purchase Visitors can also enjoy a healthy buffet lunch that uses vegetables from the garden and Yuni Town Best time to visit: Late September to early October Address: 134-2, Fushimi, Yuni-cho, Yubari-gun For more information about Yuni Garden Kochia no Oka (Yuni Town), click here. 3 You can enjoy colorful autumn leaves at Takino Suzuran Hillside Park (Sapporo) The first place to visit in autumn is the "Hananomaki-ba" (flower beds) an area called the Country Garden in the central zone From "Morimino Tower" in the Takino Forest zone visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the forests around Takino The autumn leaves spreading out below are in splendid contrast with the blue sky above them Best time to visit: Late September to early October Address: 247 Takino, Minami-ku, Sapporo For more information about Takino Suzuran Hillside Park (Sapporo), click here. 4 Autumn in Hokkaido's northernmost marshland Sarobetsu Wild Flower Garden (Toyotomi Town) part of the Rishiri Rebun Sarobetsu National Park the entire marshland is covered in autumn leaves giving it a different flavor from spring and summer Rishiri Fuji from Rishiri Island can be seen in the distance and the dynamism of nature unique to Hokkaido can be felt Visitors can enjoy the different scenes of spring and winter while taking a leisurely stroll Best time to visit: Late September Address: 8662, Kami-Sarobetsu, Teshio-gun, Toyotomi Town For more information about Sarobetsu Wild Flower Garden (Toyotomi Town), click here. 5 A famous place for autumn leaves and cherry blossoms Gyokusenkan Site Park (Iwamizawa City) Gyokusenkan Site Park in Iwamizawa is located on the former site of the Gyokusenkan hot spring hotel garden Gyokusenkan was a historic ryokan that was in business from 1904 to 1979 Japanese gardens are the original landscapes that are at home in the hearts of the Japanese people Best time to visit: Mid to late October Address: 3-3-1 Higashiyama, Iwamizawa City For more information about Gyokusenkan Site Park (Iwamizawa City), click here. All information is current at the time of publication Please check the official website for details outdoor camping Camping is a classic outdoor activity to enjoy the magnificent nature of Hokkaido you can enjoy the extraordinary scenery of the four seasons from spring to fall we will introduce 26 campgrounds near Sapporo and Ishikari that are conveniently located and offer Hokkaido's unique scenery Camping and various activities can be enjoyed in the great outdoors as it is There are plans to enjoy camping even if you don't have anything to bring and you can have an exceptional time at glamping using the "Sumibako," which creates a comfortable stay space The campground is located in a natural wooded area adjacent to the Furuyama Reservoir the first large reservoir built in Hokkaido The campground is well-equipped with cooking facilities and toilets and its excellent location in a beautiful wooded area allows visitors to enjoy trekking and barbecue with your family and friends while enjoying nature to the fullest Kuriyama Park is located at the foot of Mt making it a popular place for families to spend time together This campground is located on the grounds of Hakkenzan Winery and playing experiences throughout the year along with the seasonal views of Hakkenzan and its vineyards there is a restaurant that uses local ingredients and a shopping facility that sells the winery's own wines A natural park where water and greenery are in harmony and used as a place of relaxation for the townspeople There is also a 3-km cycling path around the park Many people come to the park for crucian carp fishing as it is one of the best places in the whole province to fish for crucian carp This campground is located 5 minutes by car from downtown Nanporo so camping and sports such as baseball and soccer can be combined you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Tokachi mountain range to the east Mount Eniwa and Mount Tarumae to the south and playground equipment for families and couples alike and there is also a hot spring and restaurant nearby One of the best five-star auto campgrounds in Japan All sites are equipped with a power supply and all cottages have Wi-Fi It can be used not only for camping but also as a work vacation The Family Travel Village and Elm Plateau Auto Campground offer relaxing camping in a vast natural setting There is also a trim square for parents and children to enjoy a lone stadium with a cascade (artificial waterfall) You can also walk to the hot springs for a comfortable stay This campground offers a blessed natural environment and ample space The field has auto sites with electrical outlets and bungalows with barbecue stoves allowing campers to enjoy camping in style The adjacent hot spring hotel offers day-trip bathing so you can spend a relaxing and leisurely day The campground in Mieko Park is a five-minute drive from downtown Minamihoro making it popular with campers who like fishing The water playground with a fountain where toddlers can play safely is very popular and can be enjoyed by families with small children the campground is clean with hot water available in the cooking building and flush toilets with bidet functions The adjacent Naganuma Onsen hot springs can also be enjoyed in a relaxing atmosphere The sandy campground facing Lake Shikotsu is all free tent sites allowing you to pitch your tent anywhere you like The location offers a great sense of openness with a view of Mt and you can enjoy Lake Shikotsu changing its expression at different times of the day The campground is surrounded by Lake Shikotsu which boasts one of the highest environmental standards in Japan and the "Giant Tree Forest," a natural forest nurtured over a long period of time Visitors can enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Shikotsu and the surrounding mountains with birds chirping The Domin-no-mori Forest is located in the northern area of Tobetsu with approximately 12,000 hectares of untouched forests and mountains The site offers a full range of facilities in harmony with the forest We recommend camping or staying in a cottage to enjoy the stars at night and the chirping of wild birds in the morning reservation-free campground is located in Yoshino Park It is conveniently located about 20 minutes from the central city center Adjacent to the park is the Yoshino District Revitalization Center Adjacent to Nopporo Forest Park and the provincial Nopporo Sports Park this is a quiet campground surrounded by forest This campground has both general and auto sites The administration building has flush toilets and there are also shower and cooking facilities Ikoinomori Park Campsites are pet-friendly grass sites allowing campers to enjoy a free layout within the compartment Hotarunosato Auto Campsite has American-sized trailer houses (cottages) with kitchens and bathrooms Visitors can see fireflies in a natural setting away from the city Okusawa Campsite is a campground in the forest where the chirping of birds and rustling of trees is pleasant The Japanese garden and hot spring right next to the campground are also attractive Izumisawa Shizen no Mori Campsite is located in the natural environment of Yamazawa as it is This campground is located at Hamamasu Pirika Beach in Kawashita Beach It is adjacent to a popular beach with clear waters and well-maintained beautiful sandy beach This campground is located in the park "Bell Park Chippubetsu It is also convenient for using the adjacent sports center This park is located at the entrance to the trail to Amaryunuma Marshland in Chichibetsu Amari-Yakijiri National Park Visitors can enjoy camping as well as mountain climbing to Uryu-numa and Minami-Satsusan-dake This campground is located near Route 36 and is easily accessible All information is current as of April 2024 The 21 recommended campgrounds in the Goshi area near Lake Toya Family-oriented camps with a variety of fun activities and Kamikawa Area: 22 Campgrounds Recommended for the Year 2024 Camping in contact with nature and animals Recommended 13 campsites near Hidaka and Erimo Kushiro Campgrounds: 23 recommended campgrounds in the Kushiro and Nemuro areas for 2024 The 21 recommended campsites in the suburbs of Rumoi and Soya area for 2024 Camping to enjoy the ocean and spectacular views all around