Today's print edition Home Delivery Higashi-Nemuro Station marked its final day of operations Friday with local residents and rail enthusiasts bidding farewell to the easternmost train station in Japan The unstaffed station in the city of Nemuro was opened in 1961 on the Nemuro Main Line chiefly for use by students commuting to and from a nearby high school.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); As the number of users is unlikely to recover from a prolonged decline has decided to close the station in conjunction with its timetable revision scheduled for Saturday 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 Hokkaido — A ceremony was held on March 15 at Nemuro Station to mark the departure of the first JR Hanasaki Line train on the day when the station became the easternmost station in Japan following the closure of another station nearby 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 Nemuro Station is on the point of the hook After Higashi-Nemuro Station was permanently closed on March 14 Nemuro Station inherited the “easternmost” crown runs through places with beautiful landscapes,” Tatsuo Togawa the Kushiro branch head of Hokkaido Railway Co “I hope many people will travel on our trains and learn about the deep history and geography of the line.” Local residents and train buffs from across the country flocked to the ceremony They raised banners and took photos in time for the first train “I’m overcome with emotion because I’ve been able to witness both the closure of Higashi-Nemuro Station and the departure of the first train from Nemuro Station on the day it became [Japan’s] easternmost station,” said Manabu Onozawa one for Higashi-Nemuro Station and one for Nemuro Station,” he said happily Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun 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 Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Hokkaido–This year’s commercial whaling of minke whales has begun off the coast of eastern Hokkaido with the first catch of the season being unloaded here on April 1 The catch was a female minke whale measuring 8.1 meters in length and weighing 5.2 tons It was caught about 15 kilometers off the coast of Nemuro in the Sea of Okhotsk by a whaler from Ayukawa Hogei The whale was transported to the larger port town of Kushiro where it will be processed and prepared for market It is expected to be available in supermarkets across Hokkaido within a few days making it the most delicious,” said Nobuyuki Ito The company plans to capture 16 more whales by late April Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission this year’s catch quota for minke whales is 144 with 111 allocated for the Pacific Ocean and 33 for the Sea of Okhotsk Japan commercially hunts three other species of whale Japan whaling mother ship calls it a day amid industry stupor　 Fresh fin whale meat is auctioned for the first time in decades in Japan Japan proposes expanding commercial whaling to fin whales Japan to start hunting fin whales after five years of commercial whaling 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 Please activate JavaScript function on your browser Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Nemuro Station in Hokkaido was named Japan’s easternmost station after the Hokkaido Railway Company’s timetable revisions led to multiple station closures A ceremony attended by train enthusiasts was held at Nemuro Station on the JR Hanasaki Line on March 15 to mark the occasion JR Hokkaido closed the previous titleholding Higashi-Nemuro Station after 64 years of operation due to years of ridership decline S/ Local resident/ (I rode this train for) around 40 years S/ Train Enthusiast / This is the first time I’ve seen so many people A total of 5 stations were closed in this revision Officials said in a yearend press conference that the closure of stations with low ridership is expected to help cut costs by 140 million yen annually About Nippon Television juts out from northeastern Hokkaidō and is dotted with numerous volcanic peaks Sitting at the foot of the Shiretoko mountain range is the town of Rausu one of the islands that make up the Northern Territories that are claimed by Japan but controlled by Russia Waki tells us how his hope to return home to the island Russia now calls Kunashir has faded in recent years: “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine there has been absolutely no progress on negotiations to reclaim the Northern Territories I no longer feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Waki is the former president of the Chishima Renmei (League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands) an organization of former residents of the Northern Territories On February 7—Japan’s officially designated “Northern Territories Day”—Waki joined 750 other participants at an annual meeting in Hokkaidō’s Nemuro to demand the return of the islands The February 2024 Nemuro convention demanding the return of the Northern Territories February 7 was chosen for Northern Territories Day because that was the date the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between Japan and Russia was signed in Shimoda The Shimoda Treaty delimited the border between Japan and Russia within the Kurils drawing the boundary between Etorofu (administered by Russia as Iturup) and Urup This essentially established the Northern Territories as consisting of the four islands of Etorofu and Habomai (which is actually a collection of smaller islands) that stretch out from northeast Hokkaidō towards the Kamchatka Peninsula turnout for this years’ Northern Territories Day event was down by 100 people from last year The stalled dialogue between Japan and Russia provided a further reason for the solemn faces of people at the meeting Prime Minister Kishida Fumio also spoke at a convention on February 7 demanding the return of the Northern Territories While the prime minister reiterated the government’s determination to resolve the territorial issue by working towards a formal peace treaty he limited himself to facilitating the resumption of exchanges between the islanders and visits to grave sites within the Northern Territories in terms of concrete measures on the government’s immediate agenda The official Japanese government position is that the islands of the Northern Territories “are an inherent territory of Japan which have never been held by foreign countries.” According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Northern Territories were illegally occupied by the Soviet Union (and now Russia) “after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration and made it clear its intent to surrender,” and in violation of the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact that was still in force in August 1945 As Japan’s surrender was being accepted the Soviet Union “continued its offensive against Japan and occupied all of the Four Northern Islands from 28 August 1945 to 5 September 1945.” Even after Russia annexed Crimea in southern Ukraine in 2014 the administration of Prime Minister Abe Shinzō quickly resumed dialogue with Russia thereby prioritizing negotiations over the Northern Territories and a peace treaty this stance was met with opposition from the United States and European nations It was a different story following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 as Prime Minister Kishida and the Japanese government decisively aligned with Western counterparts to impose economic sanctions ahead of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May 2023 Prime Minister Kishida outlined his stance in an essay contributed to the journal Gaikō (Diplomacy) in March that year: “I felt a strong sense of crisis that ‘Ukraine may be the East Asia of tomorrow.’ That is why last year made the decision to respond firmly to the aggression by imposing strict sanctions against Russia and providing strong support for Ukraine.” The background to this are worries in Japan that if Russia’s actions are left unchecked in Europe then the activities of China and North Korea will gain momentum in East Asia immediately following Japan’s announcement that it would join the sanctions against Russia Moscow ceased negotiations for a peace treaty including the territorial dispute; this also put an end to the program of visa-free travel to the islands for Japanese visitors and to Japan for Russian inhabitants of the islands that had been in place since 1992 With the situation in Ukraine in a stalemate and with no official dialogue between the Japanese and Russian governments taking place short-term hopes for a peace treaty and resolution of territorial issues have been dashed The former residents of the Northern Territories have shown understanding for Japan’s application of sanctions against Russia they have expressed disappointment with the large enthusiasm gap between Japan’s current leadership and that of Abe Shinzō’s 2012–20 administration which pursued forward-looking diplomacy with Russia including repeated summit meetings with President Vladimir Putin Prime Minister Abe (left) shakes hands with President Vladimir Putin on June 29 Abe and Putin agreed to pursue a “new approach” to resolving the Northern Territories’ issue and the conclusion of a peace treaty at a summit meeting in Sochi the two leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations based on the 1956 Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration The Joint Declaration was signed in place of a peace treaty and terminated the state of war between both countries The Joint Declaration also committed both sides to continue negotiations towards a peace treaty based on the expectation that the Soviet Union would eventually hand over Habomai and Shikotan to Japan Here we take a look at the main developments regarding the Northern Territories, islands at the center of a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia, since the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration. According to Abe Shinzō’s memoirs in September 2018 President Putin suggested ahead of the Singapore meeting that Tokyo and Moscow work toward concluding a peace treaty by the end of the year “without preconditions.” Abe decided to “go all in” by committing himself to a return to the formula of the Joint Declaration to secure Moscow’s agreement to a peace treaty His strategy was to leverage his personal relationship with Putin to promote joint economic activities with Russia while seeking to revitalize negotiations on the Northern Territories “if we are serious about realizing the return of the Northern Territories we must first present a proposal that stimulates the interest of the other side as well.” While the former residents expressed concern about the collapse of the “four islands” reversion framework they were encouraged by the “two islands” approach and the seeming progress on negotiations Based on several discussions with the former prime minister Waki recalls that “Abe’s resolve toward dealing with the Northern Territories was quite strong.” Prime Minister Abe talks with former residents of the Northern Territories at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo that negotiations with Moscow had already stalled even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine President Putin suggested concern over the possibility of the United States—as Japan’s ally—deploying its military to the Northern Territories should Russia return the islands The Russian side then insisted that progress would be based on the precondition of Japan recognizing that the Northern Territories were legitimately acquired by Russia as a result of the outcome of World War II Russia’s constitution was amended to specifically prohibit the ceding of territory critics had labelled the Abe administration’s diplomacy toward Russia a “failure” that had only resulted in Japan alone making concessions and without any concrete achievements In light of these developments and critiques Abe’s successors as prime minister—Suga Yoshihide and Kishida Fumio—have avoided taking a proactive stance on negotiations with Russia on these issues Russia continued its provocative actions regarding the Northern Territories following its invasion of Ukraine the Russian government announced an entry ban on Prime Minister Kishida and other government officials as well as on Japanese activists involved in the campaign to have the islands returned Moscow designated the Chishima Renmei organization for former residents an “undesirable organization,” banning its activities in Russia the Russian government reemphasized its “effective control” of the islands by raising the national flag at a lighthouse on Kaigara Island Only 3.7 kilometers from Cape Nosappu on the easternmost tip of the Nemuro Peninsula the Japanese-built lighthouse is visible to the naked eye Russia also repainted the wall surface of the lighthouse in different colors and installed the cross of the Russian Orthodox Church to emphasize its control Lighthouse on Kaigara Island displaying the Russian flag in July 2023 The walls were painted white and a Russian Orthodox cross and other symbols were displayed as a show of control a third-generation former resident of Kunashiri living in Nemuro; right photo courtesy of another Nemuro resident) The Russian side also suspended portions of intergovernmental agreements from the 1990s that allowed for visa-free visits by former residents to the islands By labelling Chishima Renmei an “undesirable organization,” the Russian government also effectively raised the hurdles for people hoping to tend family graves on the islands despite nominally allowing such visits as part of humanitarian measures still in place Many islanders have paid their respects to the graves from sea clasping their hands in prayer from the decks of boats offshore the average age of former residents of Northern Territories was 88.5 years old Their total population in Japan has also decreased to 5,135 former residents about 30% of what it was at the end of World War II A pessimistic outlook has spread among former residents regarding whether they will live to see the day that the islands are returned to Japan Tsunoka Yasuji (87) is active in the local community and is a native of Yuri Island in the Habomais Head of the Nemuro branch of the Chishima Renmei Tsunoka says that he is “of course naturally angry at Russia” but also “disappointed that the Japanese government has not found a way to resume further dialogue.” Nevertheless Tsunoka also notes that “anger won’t get us anywhere Territorial negotiations will be difficult unless relations between Japan and Russia improve I want both sides to refrain from actions that could provoke each other.” Professor Iwashita Akihiro of the Slavic-Eurasian Research Center at Hokkaidō University believes that “a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine will eventually come and this will be a chance to resume full-scale dialogue.” Professor Iwashita notes that while Japan and Russia are at odds with each other in various areas of the bilateral relationship there is also “an urgent need for discussions on disaster response and maritime safety and fisheries and on visions for the Northeast Asia region as a whole.” Noting that Japan and Russia are neighbors Professor Iwashita emphasizes that they have no choice but to stay in contact we should already be preparing for the next opportunity that presents itself to improve relations Even though major barriers to reactivating negotiations over the Northern Territories have been erected in recent times I believe that future exchanges and visits to graves could be resumed.” (Originally written in Japanese on April 24 Banner photo: The Northern Territories spread out from Cape Nosappu on the Nemuro Peninsula Event and there are plenty of events to enjoy during the winter holidays and the New Year Here are 10 recommended events for January to enjoy winter in Hokkaido including winter fireworks and winter activities that the whole family can enjoy Image source: Sapporo Moiwa Mountain Ropeway Image source: Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co. Image source: Hokkaido Television Broadcasting Co. Image source: Noguchi Tourism Management Co. Image source: Kitami City Railway Revitalization Council Image source: Nakasatsunai Village Board of Education Would you like to share the wonderful activities of those of you who are active in Hokkaido with more people Posting an event on Domingo takes just 5 minutes and is free and easy for anyone to do Not only can you widely disseminate your activities and ideas but you also have the chance to be selected by Domingo to be featured in articles and on street visions in Sapporo If you're a beginner, you can easily get started here Expanding the circle of exchange in Minami-ku a community market created by students together with the local community [Updated for 2025] A complete guide to accessing Daiwa House Premist Dome (Sapporo Dome) and nearby hotels 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 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 due to the appearance of a large amount of mold in the school building a professional contractor will remove the mold and clean the school building the mold was found on hallway and classroom walls 15 when the school building was closed for summer vacation It is believed that the mold growth was caused by high levels of moisture that collected in the air when the school building was covered with a sheet so its exterior walls could be painted are prone to fog formation during summer as warm moist air is cooled by the ocean’s cold Oyashio Current Nemuro and neighboring areas usually see cool temperatures after mid-August high temperatures and humidity have continued longer than usual this year Metrics details The rapid naturalization of Bombus terrestris across the Nemuro Peninsula has led to a decline in two closely related native Japanese species namely Bombus hypocrita sapporensis and Bombus cryptarum florilegus both belonging to the common subgenus Bombus Although it is widely believed that cross-mating of native and non-native species is influenced by the common male sex pheromone in this region no study has been conducted to substantiate this claim we investigated the cross-activities of male sex pheromones between native and non-native bumblebees as well as the frequencies of cross-mating Our gas chromatography–electroantennographic detector analyses and behavioral tests revealed the presence of sex pheromonal cross-activities between B terrestris and the two Japanese bumblebees species DNA analyses revealed the occurrence of cross-mating between native and non-native species in the Nemuro Peninsula these results indicate the immediate need for conservation measures to safeguard Japanese bumblebee populations in the Nemuro Peninsula Although it is widely believed that cross-mating between native and non-native species is influenced by the common male sex pheromone in the region there is no empirical evidence to support this hypothesis we investigated the frequencies of cross-mating and the cross-activities of male sex pheromones between native and non-native bumblebees Simultaneous gas chromatography–flame ionization detector and electroantennographic detector recordings from (a) Bombus terrestris cryptarum florilegus virgin queens using volatiles collected from the male labial gland (LG) of (A) B Identified compounds: (1) ethyl dodecanoate; (2) 2,3-dihydrofarnesal; and (3) 2,3-dihydrofarnesol Attractiveness of scents from labial gland (LG) extracts from Bombus terrestris (BtL) and a mixture of ethyl dodecanoate and 2,3-dihydrofarnesol (EFM) against the solvent pentane (Pe) and an empty control (E) in B The y-axis indicates the number of individuals choosing either scent within 5 min Asterisks indicate statistical significance (P < 0.05) determined through binomial tests Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene sequences extracted from the sperm-derived DNA were found to have a 100% match with the sequences registered for each of the three species in the DNA Data Bank of Japan (LC695022 We successfully decoded the ITS2 region of the three bumblebee species which exhibited species-specific mutations The ITS2 sequences of these species were registered in the DNA Data Bank of Japan (LC769002–LC769004) the ITS2 sequences obtained from sperm-derived DNA in the spermathecae of several queens showed a different species identification The identification of cross-mating queens based on the ITS2 region was in agreement with the results of mitochondrial DNA analysis (a) Electrophoretic gel image of PCR products using common (1) and specific primers (2–5) for Bombus cryptarum florilegus and B DNA samples from the leg (1 and 2) and spermatheca (3 and 4) of B terrestris queens (5) (spermatheca inseminated by conspecific male 3 and spermatheca inseminated by allospecific B (b) Electrophoretic gel image of PCR products using common (6) and specific primers (7–11) for B DNA samples from the leg (6 and 7) and spermatheca (7–10) of B terrestris queens (11) (spermatheca inseminated by conspecific male 8 spermatheca inseminated by conspecific and allospecific B (c) Electrophoretic gel image of PCR products using common (12) and specific primers (13 and 14) for B as well as DNA samples from the leg (12 and 13) and spermatheca (14) of B the present study is the first to demonstrate their effects on queens’ behavior terrestris males mate with virgin queens of native species in Nemuro suggesting that the similarity in male sex pheromones between native and non-native bumblebees is a key factor in cross-mating the field Although a common sex pheromone suggests the potential for cross-mating between B no cross-mating between native bumblebees was observed in this study We speculate that due to differences in their reproductive seasons and strategies the virgin queens and males of the two native bumblebee species rarely encounter each other in the field underscore the need for immediate conservation measures to protect native bumblebees in the Nemuro Peninsula future studies should consider control methods for feral B Between 2009 and 2019, 641 queens of B. c. florilegus, B. h. sapporensis, and B. terrestris were collected from the Nemuro Peninsula, Hokkaido Island, Japan (Fig. 6). The collection details are provided in Table 1 queens were preserved in 99% ethanol and stored at − 20 °C Male bumblebees were frozen at − 40 °C before chemical analysis and dissection to obtain LGs from the head Volatile components were extracted from the crushed LGs using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) headspace sampling for 10 min USA) included a fused-silica fiber coated with polydimethylsiloxane (100-µm thickness) Japan) was used to investigate the antennal responses of B florilegus virgin queens to extracts from the male LGs of conspecific and allospecific individuals Volatiles were detected and separated using a DB-5MS column equipped with a GC-7890A system (Agilent Technologies The column temperature was initially set at 120 °C and then increased to 250 °C at a rate of 10 °C/min Helium flow (6.5 mL/min) was used in a splitless injector port (250 °C) and a flame ionization detector port (300 °C) was used with a combination of hydrogen gas and air flow (30 mL/min and 400 mL/min Silver electrodes filled with conductive gel (Aquasonic; Parker Laboratories Antennae were extracted from live new queens using tweezers and positioned between the silver electrodes Compounds that elicited responses in the antennae were considered EAD-active compounds a Y-tube olfactometer comprising a single long arm (length 2.5 cm) containing the test substances were connected to the end of the shorter arms using silicone tubing The test substances included 2 μL of 0.001% ethyl dodecanoate (ED) a mixture of ethyl dodecanoate and 2,3-dihydrofarnesol (EFM) dissolved in pentane These substances were applied to a piece of filter paper in the glass cylinder The LG extracts were obtained by immersing male LGs in 1 mL of pentane for 20 min Both glass cylinders were connected to an air pump via silicone tubes of equal length with air forced into each cylinder at a rate of 3 mL/min through a single inlet Data obtained from the Y-tube experiment were analyzed using the binomial test P values for multiple comparisons were corrected using Holm’s method Spermathecae were dissected in 1 × phosphate-buffered saline solution and sperm clumps were separated from the membranes using insect pins Genomic DNA from the male that mated with a queen was extracted from these sperm clumps using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (QIAGEN) The PCR amplifications consisted of an initial denaturation step at 98 °C for 2 min followed by 30 cycles of denaturation at 98 °C for 10 s Japan) was used for amplifications in a thermal cycler (Takara) PCR products were purified using ExoSAP-IT (USB Corporation Cycle sequencing reactions were performed using both primers and BigDye Terminator v.3.1 (Applied Biosystems) sequencing was performed using an ABI 3130xl sequencer (Applied Biosystems) The obtained sequences were aligned using the GENETYX program (GENETYX and a BLAST search was conducted for homology analysis The DNA used in the sequence analysis served as the template DNA PCR was performed using the following cycle parameters: an initial denaturing step of 2 min at 95 °C The final elongation step was extended to 10 min Germany) was used in a thermal cycler (Takara) The PCR products were electrophoresed on 4% PrimeGel™ Agarose PCR-Sieve agarose gels (Takara) and visualized under ultraviolet light using Midorigreen Direct DNA Stain solution (NIPPON Genetics The PCR fragments were ligated into a pUC19 vector and transformed into Escherichia coli JM109 competent cells (Takara 360 recombinant colonies were picked and individually suspended in 20 μL of TE buffer The inserts were amplified through PCR using M13-RV and M13–47 primers for the multicloning site of pUC19 (Takara Japan) following the manufacturer’s instructions Three internal primers common to these bumblebees were designed for sequencing (BombusITS2_588: 5ʹ-GCAGGTTTTCGATGAGCACG-3ʹ; BombusITS2_1103: 5ʹ-ACGTTCGTCGGAAATCGTAC-3ʹ; BombusITS2_1474: 5ʹ-GTTGGTCATCCCATGCCTTT-3ʹ) The sequencing analysis method was the same as that used for sequencing the mitochondrial DNA COXI gene Bumblebee commercialization will cause worldwide migration of parasitic mites Invasion status and potential ecological impacts of an invasive alien bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) naturalized in southern Hokkaido Spatial and temporal pattern of introduced Bombus terrestris abundance in Hokkaido Japan and its potential impact on native bumblebees Worldwide migration of parasitic mites as a result of bumblebee commercialization Commercialized European bumblebee can cause pollination disturbance: An experiment on seven native plant species in Japan Alien bumble bee affects native plant reproduction through interactions with native bumble bees Displacement of Japanese native bumblebees by the recently introduced Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Habitat and flower resource partitioning by an exotic and three native bumblebees in central Hokkaido Ecological implication of introduced Bombus terrestris and significance of domestication of Japanese native bumblebees (Bombus spp.) International Workshop on Biological Invasions of Ecosystem by Pests and Beneficial Organisms Interspecific mating of the introduced bumblebee Bombus terrestris and the native Japanese bumblebee Bombus hypocrita sapporoensis results in inviable hybrids Reproductive disturbance of Japanese bumblebees by the introduced European bumblebee Bombus terrestris Male parentage and queen mating frequency in the bumblebee Bombus ignitus (Hymenoptera: Bombinae) Comparative analysis of volatile components from labial glands of male Japanese bumblebees (Bombus spp.) Low mitochondrial DNA variation in the endangered bumble bee Bombus cryptarum florilegus Japan: With special reference to the effect of the invasive Bombus terrestris on the rare B Absolute configuration of chiral terpenes in marking pheromones of bumblebees and cuckoo bumblebees Observations on scent marking by Bombus Latr Apidae) and localization of site of production of the secretion and species specificity in male premating behavior of two Scandinavian bumblebees Marking pheromones of the cuckoo bumblebee males (Hymenoptera Bombus Latreille): Compositions of labial-gland secretions of six species found in the Czech Republic Tsuchida, K., Yamaguchi, Y., Kanbe, Y. & Goka, K. Reproductive interference in an introduced bumblebee: Polyandry may mitigate negative reproductive impact. Insects. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10020059 (2019) Kubo, R., Harano, K. & Ono, M. Male scent-marking pheromone of Bombus ardens ardens (Hymenoptera; Apidae) attracts both conspecific queens and males. Sci. Nat. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-017-1493-1 (2017) Orchid mimics honey bee alarm pheromone in order to attract hornets for pollination Sperm transfer and male competition in a bumblebee DNA barcoding reveals diversity of Hymenoptera and the dominance of parasitoids in a sub-arctic environment Development of multiplex PCR primer sets for the identification of bumblebee species by modified DNA polymerase ITS2 Ribosomal DNA sequence variation of the bumblebee Download references All authors performed field research and reviewed the manuscript 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/s41598-023-38631-7 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: Anthropocene newsletter — what matters in anthropocene research says the 84-year-old ramen shop owner as she gently nudges three shrimps into a precise line on top of a bowl of salty ramen noodles There is a poster of the Hanasaki railway line right next to her in the tiny shop at Cape Ochiishi in Eastern Hokkaido It shows the tiny red train passing over the green plain that drops off into the Pacific Ocean.  The Hanasaki line runs just some 200 meters away from the ramen shop through the tiny hamlet of Ochiishi More Ezo deer than cars seem to make use of the road As the railway line continues towards Kushiro it runs precariously close to the coast.  sunshine and blue skies gave way to thick fog that turned the windswept place into a blasted heath where Macbeth might have met the three witches.  There is no other passenger waiting at Ochiishi station and the waiting room chairs feature colorful cushions embroidered with the station name The train only passes every two to four hours – nine times per day The Hanasaki (blooming flower) train operated by JR Hokkaido connects the port towns of Kushiro and Nemuro in Eastern Hokkaido the 134.4 kilometer long line celebrates its 100th birthday.  it transported not only passengers but also kelp the single carriage transports mainly train enthusiasts who want to visit the most eastern station of Japan retired travelers with plenty of time on their hands and some locals on a short dash to the next town.  Passenger numbers on the Hanasaki line have been declining for some time: From around 2.000 people per day in 1975 to less than 200 now Dwindling user numbers are a common problem in the countryside on Japan’s Northern Island.  The JR Hokkaido railway company has repeatedly warned it will not be able to support half of the train lines that are currently operating as it is "difficult to maintain on its own," as the company puts it politely.  In 2018 JR Hokkaido was about to pull the plug on the train but the city of Nemuro stepped in and drummed up support for its only rail connection Nemuro collected almost ￥300 million JPY (about $2.74 million USD) through Japan's tax donation program Furusato Nōzei (hometown tax) that allows all Japanese taxpayers to support a regional municipality of their choice and help local governments fund regional projects and revitalization.  The initial goal was to collect ￥33 million JPY (a little over $300,000 USD) in the fiscal year of 2018 But the project turned out to be surprisingly popular with more than 20.000 donors contributing to save one of Japan's most scenic train lines that gives passengers the feeling that they are traveling to the end of the world.    the Nemuro Municipal Government raised over ￥50 million JPY ($455,000 USD) through crowdfunding in order to continue the Hanasaki Line The city will also use the money to fund "first train trips" for kindergarten and nursery school children hoping that the experience will foster a love for the special train among the youngsters "We want to ensure the continuation of the train line in the future by having children who have never been on a train before hold tickets in their hands and experience a train journey while gazing at the scenery out the windows," explains the Nemuro Municipal Government.  Nemuro faces the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean and Japan´s easternmost train station sits halfway between the two oceans Seagulls scream as they fly over the eastern terminus of the Hanasaki line so a single side platform is all that is here.  Nemuro station proudly exhibits historic photos of the Hanasaki line posters and a PR video featuring the train journey.  As the train makes its way westward towards Kushiro A red fox trots quietly around horses in a paddock black and white cows are resting under trees the scenery changes again as the Hanasaki line gets closer to Akkeshi The train runs right through the remote Bekanbeushi Marsh and the air starts to smell of sea and kelp the train rumbles along the shore of Lake Akkeshi a brackish water that does not freeze in winter.  Once it passes through the tunnel at Beppo Station the view from the carriage windows becomes urban again She has no intention of getting on the train she is still writing down the train timetable on a white sheet of paper fallen out of time like the Hanasaki line.  Find Agnes Tandler's observations and discoveries about Hokkaido and other parts of the Japanese archipelago here, on JAPAN Forward You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Nature / Nemuro City Best time to visit is from late May to early June Yuluri and Moyuluri Island Seabird Breeding Site Sambomaster All-Party Victory VICTORY25 &quot;All-Party Victory Parade Tour ~Winning Road~&quot; Nakashibetsu Bird Watching 2025 ~Enjoy meeting cute summer birds~ The 76th Akkeshi Cherry Blossom and Oyster Festival The 44th Kushiro Town Cherry Blossom Festival Dance block party &quot;SHIRETOKO SOUL EXPERIENCE&quot; Japanese version Spots (Photo courtesy of Nemuro City Tourism Association) 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 charm of such a wonderful Hokkaido [7 minutes walk from Sapporo Station] Enjoy hot springs A comfortable stay at the 605-room "Sapporo Hotel by Granbell" "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 Event many events such as fireworks displays and summer festivals are held throughout Hokkaido Here are 15 recommended events in August that are perfect for outings with family and friends the largest summer festival in the Tokachi region (Obihiro City) Image credit: Obihiro Tourism & Convention Association One of the largest summer festivals in the Tokachi-ken region will be held in Obihiro local youth will lead a parade of male and female portable shrines called "Yume Furuyoru 2024" through the festival site (Image credit: Obihiro Tourism & Convention Association) the "Obihiro Bon Odori," a dance performance with elaborate costumes and live music by the participating teams to the accompaniment of Hokkai Bon Uta Other events will include performances by street performers from around the world and the "Kitchen Hirabaru," a gourmet plaza lined with various gourmet stores Date and time: Wednesday, August 14 - Thursday, August 15, 11:00 - 22:00 Venue: Obihiro City, Nishi 2-jo Minami 7-11 chome, Hirokoji, Yume no Kita HirobaFor details and map information on the 77th Obihiro Plains Festival, click here 2 The 51st Iwanai Rage Festival" (Iwanai Town) a spectacular fireworks display over Iwanai Port This is a summer festival that has been held in Iwanai Town for half a century the "raging fireworks display," beautifully colors the night sky of Iwanai with approximately 5,000 fireworks and the fireworks shot up in a rage at Iwanai Port are a powerful spectacle and performances by Iwanai High School's calligraphy club and other spaces for children and adults to enjoy Date and time: Saturday, August 3, 12:00 - 21:00 (fireworks display from 20:00) / Sunday, August 4, 10:00 - 20:00 Venue: Iwanai Regional Cultural Center, 51-7 Bansai, Iwanai-cho, Iwanai-gun, TokyoFor details and map information of the 51st Iwanai Rage Festival, click here. 3 Enjoy Nemuro's Hanasaki Crab "2024 Nemuro Crab Festival" (Nemuro City) Image credit: Nemuro City Tourism Association crab gourmet foods and gourmet foods only available at the venue will be offered as well as a participatory "Crab-catcher battle and a "Quick Eating Contest" will also be held allowing visitors to enjoy the local specialty Date and Time: Saturday, August 31, 10:00-16:00 / Sunday, September 1, 9:00-15:00 Venue: Nemuro Port Special Site, Kaigan-cho 1-chome, Nemuro CityFor details and map information of the "2024 Nemuro Crab Festival," click here the only fighting dandong in Hokkaido (Numata Town) Image credit: Numata-cho Yataka Andon Festival One of the three major dandon festivals in Hokkaido the "Yotaka Dandon Festival" is the only "fighting dandon" in Hokkaido where large dandons collide with each other colliding with each other is a powerful sight (Image credit: Hokkaido Tourism Promotion Organization) and Yotaka-bushi music that enlivens the festival the spectacular parade of the dances through the streets is a must-see Date and time: Friday, August 23 to Saturday, August 24 Fee: Paid admission: SS seats 1,500 yen / S seats 1,300 yen / A seats 1,000 yen on Friday, August 23. Saturday, 24th: 500 yen for each seat plus 500 yen for each seat Venue: In front of JR Ishikari Numata Station, Numata Town, Amaryu CountyFor details and map information on the Numata Town Night High Andon Festival, click here. where gourmet foods and handmade works gather in a theater selling everything from vegetables and sweets to handmade works making the theater the venue for this "anything goes theater marché Date and time: August 31 (Sat) - September 1 (Sun), 11:00 - 16:00 Venue: Concarinho, a lifestyle support cultural facility on the 1st floor of The Tower Place, 1-2-10, Hachiken 1-jo Nishi 1-chome, Nishi-ku, SapporoFor more information about "Kotoni Marche" and map information, click here 6 "Mikasa Hokkai Bon Odori" dance around a giant yagura (Mikasa City) This is a major summer event representing Mikasa Various events are held for three days in Mikasa there will be the "Coal Cutlass Race" in which contestants compete by carrying 30 kg of coal Fireworks to be launched on the final day will conclude the three hot days of the festival Dates: Tuesday, August 13 through Thursday, August 15 Venue: Mikasa Central Park, Saiwai-cho 1, Mikasa City / (Fireworks display venue) downstream of Mikasayama Bridge, Ikuharubetsu River, Taga-cho, Mikasa CityClick here for details and map information of the "23rd Mikasa Hokkai Bon Odori". 7 The 43rd Shikabe Sea and Hot Spring Festival & Fireworks Display one of the largest fireworks displays in southern Hokkaido in the town of hot springs (Shikabe Town) The largest festival in Shikabe Town takes place right next to the fishing port There are many sea-related events such as "Cutter Rowing" using cutter boards in which heated battles take place in the harbor and "Fureai Aquarium," where visitors can see and touch sea creatures The climax of the festival is one of the largest fireworks displays in southern Hokkaido Approximately 3,400 various fireworks and a super extra-large starmine beautifully illuminate the Eruption Bay The fireworks are launched right in front of the fishing port where the festival is held Date and time: Saturday, August 17, from 8:30 a.m. *Fireworks display: from 7:30 p.m. Venue：Shikabe Fishing Port, Shikabe-cho, Kayabe-gunClick here for details and map information of "The 43rd Shikabe Sea and Hot Spring Festival & Fireworks Display 8 The 27th Kenbuchi Sakuraoka Lake Festival" (Kenbuchi Town) a must-see with fireworks projected on the lake Image credit: Kenbuchi Town Tourist Association This festival is held on the shores of Lake Sakuraoka which is also known as a camping and wakasagi fishing spot Kenbuchi Tondadaiko drums and belly dancing (Image credit: Kenbuchi Tourist Association) There will also be picture book readings and gourmet food stalls from the local neighborhood Don't miss the beautiful fireworks display that will close the festival and reflect on the surface of the lake Date and time: Sunday, August 4, 10:00 - 20:00 Venue: Lake Sakuraoka Festival site, Lake Sakuraoka, Higashi-machi, Kenbuchi TownFor details and map information on the 27th Kenbuchi Sakuraoka Lakes Festival, please visit 9 Workshop "GIGA Festival in Sapporo International University" where you can see Image credit: GIGA Festival in Sapporo International University Workshops for both young children and adults will be held at Sapporo International University There will also be a mystery-solving session in the library Families can enjoy workshops where they can feel the future Date and time: Friday, August 9, 9:00-12:00 ■Fare: Free of charge Venue: Sapporo International University, 1-4-1, Kiyota 4-jo, Kiyota-ku, SapporoFor details and map information of "GIGA Festival in Sapporo International University", click here. 10 Enjoy a luxurious taste of sea urchin at the "Uni Uni Festival" (Rishirifuji Town) Image credit: Rishipura (Rishiri Island Tourism Portal Site) This event is held in honor of sea urchin various gourmet dishes such as grilled sea urchin and mini sea urchin bowls are prepared for visitors to enjoy the luxurious and delicious taste of sea urchin A sea urchin eating contest will also be held on stage Date and time: August 11 (Sun.) (tentative) Venue: Parking lot of Ripura, Rishirifuji Town General Exchange Promotion Facility, 119-1 Sakaemachi, Oshidomari, Rishirifuji-cho, Rishiri-gunFor more information about the Uni Uni Festival and map information, click here. 11 Proximity is the biggest attraction of the 6,000 fireworks "The 28th Honbetsu Kirameki Town Festival 2024" (Honbetsu Town) The "Higashi-Tokachi Fireworks Festival," where 6,000 fireworks are launched Various types of fireworks are rhythmically launched to music The biggest attraction of the Higashi Tokachi Fireworks Festival is the close proximity of the launch site and the lack of obstructed views there will also be a good food market and a singing show and leisure seats and compact sunshades can be set up Chairs and tables are also available for visitors to relax and enjoy the event Date and time: Saturday, August 31, 11:00 - 21:00 / Sunday, September 1, 9:30 - 16:30 Venue: Cibetsu River bank, Yayoi-cho, Honbetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gunFor details and map information of the 28th Honbetsu Kirameki Town Festival 2024, click here. 12 Heated Tractor Pulling Competition "The 25th Naganuma Maoi Dream Festival" (Naganuma Town) features the "Strong Cup," in which teams of three compete to win the fastest time pulling a tractor the "Zu Keen Cup," a shaved ice eating contest there will be a new BQQ corner where visitors can enjoy the local specialty this is a festival that can be enjoyed by the whole family Date/Time：August 25 (Sun.) 10:00-16:00 Venue：Naganuma Town General Park, 2-3 Minami-cho, Naganuma-cho, Yubari-gunFor more information about the 25th Naganuma Maoi Dream Festival and map information, click here. 13 Free and creative ikebana close at hand "Ikebana Sogetsu Hana LIVE IN SAPPORO" (Sapporo) Image credit: Ikebana Sogetsu Sapporo Hana LIVE Group An event where people can casually experience ikebana for anyone," the Ikebana Sogetsu Sapporo Hana LIVE Group will give ikebana demonstrations Visitors can experience the charm of free and creative ikebana Date and time: Sunday, August 4, 15:00-17:00 Fee: 2,000 yen Venue: Sapporo Soft Stone Storehouse, 3-4-4 Kita 1-jo Higashi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido University of Education Arts & Sports Cultural Complex HUG 1F Main Gallery and Sub GalleryFor more details and map information of "Ikebana Sogetsu Hana LIVE IN SAPPORO", click here. 14 Participatory photography event to enjoy in the town of photography "The 40th Higashikawa Town International Photography Festival" (Higashikawa Town) Image credit: Higashikawa Town Photography Town Executive Committee Under the concept of "Enjoy Photography," many photography-related activities will be held including the "Higashikawa Town of Photography Award-winning Artists' Exhibition," "Street Gallery," "Photography Independence Exhibition," and "Open Portfolio Review Dates：August 3 (Saturday) ～ *Dates differ for each event. Venues: 14 locations in Higashikawa Town, Kamikawa CountyClick here for details and map information of the 40th Higashikawa International Photography Festival. 15 "The 6th Children's Art Brut Hokkaido Mirai Works Exhibition" (Sapporo) (Image credit: Hokkaido Council of Cultural Organizations) The theme of the exhibition is "The future of art shines freely in the same place for children with and without disabilities This is an exhibition of art works created by elementary and junior high school students of compulsory education schools and special-needs schools under the theme of "The Future of Art Shines Freely in the Same Place for Children with and without Disabilities The works by the children will be displayed in the exhibition hall there will be a "Web Exhibition" that can be viewed on the Internet Date and time: August 15 (Thu.) - 17 (Sat.), 10:00 - 18:00 (until 17:00 on the last day) *For details of the "Web Exhibition," please check the official website. Venue: Sapporo Arts and Culture Center SCARTS 1F Mall A & B, Kita 1-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, SapporoFor more information about "The 6th Children's Art Brut Hokkaido Mirai Works Exhibition" and map information, click here. All information is current at the time of publication in July 2024 Please check the official website for details If you're a Hokkaido resident and want to spread the word about your great activities in Hokkaido Domingo is a free and easy way for anyone to submit an event in just 5 minutes You can post your activities and ideas to Domingo and you will also have a chance to be selected by Domingo to be featured in articles and on the street visions of Sapporo If you are new to Domingo, click here to get started Tuesday World Subscribers only Trump-Carney meeting: Canada seeks reconciliation World Subscribers only Friedrich Merz bets on two private sector converts to revive the German economy and reform the state World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'It is pointless to imagine a significant wave of American academics leaving' Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Opinion Subscribers only 'The trade war creates new opportunities for Europeans and France' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris The Japanese city located in the Kuril Islands occupied by the Russians since the Second World War is particularly aware of the war in Ukraine as relations are tense between the two countries By Philippe Mesmer (Tokyo (Japan) correspondent) in the Nemuro sub-prefecture of the Northern Territories KAZUHIRO NOGI / AFP Analysis Nemuro has been nervous since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine the fishing port is the closest Japanese city to Russia the boundary between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean Just 3.7 kilometers separate this black rocky promontory from Gaigara at the extreme south of the Kuril Islands occupied by the Russians at the end of the Second World War like the rest of the Habomai archipelago and the islands of Kunashiri belongs to the "northern territories," seized in 1945 by the Red Army They have never accepted the loss of what the Russians call the "South Kurils." The dispute is still blocking a peace treaty between the two countries For the former inhabitants of these lost islands the war in Ukraine is reviving the memory of their own drama as is the seizure of the Northern Territories It's hard to imagine in the 21st century," laments Hiroshi Tokuno who feels that Russian President Vladimir Putin is as "crazy" as Stalin You have 83.25% of this article left to read Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial Hokkaido—A “higuma” brown bear was caught on video attacking a light truck on a forest road here on April 28 was on his way to pick wild vegetables when the bear ran up a hill beside the road rushed forward and smashed into the truck at around 1:15 p.m. A second blow from the bear cracked the windshield The driver and a passenger were not injured The incident was captured by a camera installed in the vehicle 4 die in accident on Tomei Expressway in Kanagawa Hokkaido — The charms of wetlands in the Nemuro Peninsula of Hokkaido were on display to visitors during a June 24 tour arranged by the Nemuro city government Clusters of buttercups and beachhead iris could be seen growing in the Fureshima wetland which was designated a natural treasure by the city government in February this year Some of the wetlands are regarded by the Environment Ministry as important from the viewpoint of biodiversity Visitors enjoyed the range of plants in the surrounding wetlands where cotton sedge and slender cottongrass also flourished “I’ve realized for the first time that valuable plants can be seen up close,” said a tour participant has helped preserve local precious wetlands,” said Masahiro Toyama a curator of the Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature “I hope people will learn about the wetlands Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (1) Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (2) Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address outdoor camping Camping is a classic outdoor activity to enjoy the magnificent nature of Hokkaido you can enjoy an extraordinary experience in the scenery of each of the four seasons we will introduce 23 campgrounds near Kushiro and in the Nemuro area including campgrounds where you can also enjoy hot springs and lakeside campgrounds with spectacular views Kushiro Yamahana Park Auto Campground is located in a large 570-hectare park that stretches to the west of Kushiro Marshland Facilities include spacious and private tent sites and Kushiro City Fureai Horse Park are located adjacent to the park offering a full range of leisure facilities A campground in an area where tourist facilities such as a roadside station are gathered There are athletic facilities and a railroad museum The adjacent 36-hole park golf course is also popular There is also a menu of hands-on activities such as "woodcraft" to make a red-crowned crane clip and "potato digging" at a farm in the fall This campground with full facilities is surrounded by forest and is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring where you can spend a quiet and relaxing time in the rich nature Nearby is a mountain stream where you can fish and play in the water selected as one of Otobetsu's eight new scenic spots for its magnificent autumn foliage This campground is located on the shores of Lake Tatsukotake It is a great place for marshland exploration where you can observe marshland flora and fauna Visitors can also enjoy walking along the wooden path around the lakeside With private deck sites overlooking the lake this campground is a safe place for beginners to spend time and other activities are also nearby and can be enjoyed in combination with camping This campground is equipped with grass-lined tent sites a nearby animal house where you can meet small animals walking trails where you can spend time among plants and nature making it a fun place for the whole family which looks like a cow when viewed from above has a campground as well as playground equipment and hands-on facilities where visitors can experience ice cream and sausage making This campground is adjacent to a fun "sunayu" (sand bath) where you can quickly create your own outdoor bath by digging in the sand visitors can enjoy playing in the water and canoeing while camping in summer There are many hot springs of different qualities in the vicinity making it a perfect base for visiting hot springs This is an auto campground with a great view of Kunashiri Island on a clear day as well as a cooking building and restrooms A quiet campground dotted with trees and grass The log cottage-style footbaths with covered natural hot spring baths in the grounds are spacious and relaxing The campground is also close to the Lake Akan hot spring resort area making it easy to take a day trip and enjoy sightseeing at Lake Akan This campground is located in a park on a small hill near the city center In addition to free sites in a soft grass area including auto sites with a power supply for a more private feel Nearby there is a roadside station with a direct sales shop and a walking trail where wild birds can be observed The Tsuru-no-sato Camping Field is attractive for its large grass field (about the size of five soccer fields) and convenient accessibility Although adjacent to Kushiro Marshlands National Park it is also close to Tsurui Hot Springs and downtown Tsurui Village making it easy to get in touch with nature in Tsurui Village The Tsuru-no-sato Camping Field offers camping all year round Nijibetsu Auto Campsite is a well-equipped campground with a cooking building and flush toilets as well as a barbecue house It is also recommended as a base for sightseeing in East Hokkaido beautiful green lawn with a comfortable feeling of openness and is bordered by a small slope and the campground is surrounded by a pleasant breeze and is also a good place to see stars it is also a convenient base for touring the popular East Hokkaido area for riders This campground is located on the lakeside of the Wakoto Peninsula which is attached to the south side of Lake Kussharo you can pitch your tent close to the edge of the surf There is also a free outdoor hot spring near the campground which attracts many repeat visitors and locals This campground is located at the southernmost tip of Hamanaka Town on the Kiritappu Peninsula and is surrounded by the sea on all sides creating a fantastic atmosphere as a veil of mist covers the magnificent cape landscape Visitors can enjoy camping in a rich natural setting while fully appreciating the view of the cape surrounded by flowers A campground where you can enjoy a different atmosphere from everyday life in a quiet place surrounded by nature It is also possible to stay for consecutive nights A small river and a large open space make it a perfect campsite for children this campground is surrounded by deep forest and full of wild nature Other than the cooking facilities and restrooms allowing you to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest Each tent site has a fire pit where you can warm yourself by the fire and enjoy the unique time that passes in the forest at night Near the campground is a hidden hot spring surrounded by the calm Notsuke Bay and quiet forests bungalows with the gentle scent of wood and free tent sites are available so that you can enjoy outdoor life as you wish you can see colorful flowers such as skunk cabbages and Japanese rosebushes A campground on a hill with the best view of the sea auto sites and free sites facing the Sea of Okhotsk A selection of rental items is also available where you can enjoy Hokkaido's unique fishing depending on the time of year Especially popular are pink salmon and chum salmon fishing which lasts from August to October each year The campground is located in Nakashibetsu Midorigaoka Forest Park It is a 30-minute walk from the city center and there is an open space and playground equipment in the center of the site Most of the park is an unspoiled natural forest and a variety of trees can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons Tangji Motomura Campground is located about 1 km from National Highway 391 along the lakeside It borders the shore of Lake Tangji and is a scenic spot suitable for experiencing the great nature 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 The 21 recommended campsites in the suburbs of Rumoi and Soya area for 2024 Camping to enjoy the ocean and spectacular views all around The 20 best campgrounds in the Tokachi area near Obihiro Camping to see the star-filled sky from the vast land You were busy and missed out on the cherry blossoms this year is where the sakura season makes its final stop.  Despite the prefecture being best known for its powder snow it has some spectacular and charming cherry blossom spots to offer cherry blossoms appear a month or more later than in Tokyo.  Sakura season in Hokkaido only starts around the end of April in Hakodate It then proceeds to the prefecture’s capital city of Sapporo in early May and reaches Nemuro Here is an overview of some of the best spots to experience pink petal magic in Hokkaido.  The port city of Hakodate is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Hokkaido Hakodate also features a European-style fort shaped like a star.  Goryokaku was built in the mid 19th century The historic complex is surrounded by a park with over 1,500 Yoshino cherry blossom trees.  the 107 meter high Goryokaku observation tower provides a great view over the star-shaped park with a sea of pale pink petals floating underneath hundreds of lanterns will usually illuminate the trees and add to the magical atmosphere of the sakura season.  the tower will probably remain closed due to Covid-19 prevention measures and there might be restrictions for visitors inside the park The best time to visit is between the end of April and early May.   Access is easy: From Hakodate JR station the street car (tram) (number 2 or 5) takes 15 minute to “Goryokaku-koen-mae” From the tram stop it is another ten minutes on foot to the park Seven kilometres of pink delight: Shizunai Nijukken Road near Hidaka prides itself in having the longest sakura tree lined road in Japan the 36 meter (Nijukken) wide avenue was built in early 1900 to provide access to a farm of the Imperial family around 3,000 cherry trees turn the road into a scene of pink splendor.   Access with public transportation is slightly cumbersome It is a three hour trip by bus or train from Sapporo JR Station to Shizunai JR station on the Hidaka line then a 15-minute taxi or bus ride to the spot The journey by car from Sapporo takes about three hours Hokkaido’s capital city Sapporo has several nice parks for flower viewing. Makomanai Park in the southern part of Sapporo is popular for Nordic skiers in winter and joggers in summer It served as the main site of the Sapporo winter Olympics in 1972 and still has a sports stadium and an ice rink.  The park along the Toyohira river has also around 1,000 cherry trees that bloom from late April to early May A word of warning for visitors: Hokkaido can still be cold during sakura season the average maximum temperature in Sapporo is just 17 ℃ it is best to dress accordingly and bring a warm jacket Makomanai Park is easy to reach from Sapporo City Centre by subway (Namboku Line) to Makomanai Station From there it is a 20 minute walk to the park.  Certainly, Sapporo's most beloved cherry blossom viewing spot is Maruyama Park next to Hokkaido Shrine but when the cherry blossoms start between late April and early May a festive As Hokkaido natives are known for their pragmatism and resilience even cold and rainy weather does not deter the party crowds.  Maryuama park only has around 160 cherry blossom trees few compared to the area around Hokkaido Shrine next to it But while the more than 1,000 cherry trees around the shrine are beautiful to admire yakitori and picnics are strictly off limits.  cherry trees and picnic spots had been cordoned off to prevent o-hanami parties and gatherings the same restrictions are expected this year to limit the spread of COVID-19.       Maruyama park can easily be reached by subway on the Tozai Line or by bus from JR Sapporo station The park is only 5 minutes from the subway station on foot Otaru, half an hour northwest of Sapporo, is a small harbor city with a scenic canal and plenty of history. During all seasons, Temiya Park offers a beautiful view of the city and the Sea of Japan During spring around 700 cherry trees make for an amazing scene of pink petals blue sky and the water of Ishikari Bay.  The best time for o-hanami viewing is from late April to early May.  the Chuo bus takes about 10 minutes to the Temiya-1-chome bus stop Then it is another 10 minutes walk to the park.  Asahikawa, in central Hokkaido, is the second largest city on the island. One of the finest cherry blossom viewing spots is Asahiyama Park situated on Mount Asahiyama in the eastern part of the city just next to the popular Asahiyama zoo.  The park has over 2,000 Ezo mountain cherry trees with delicate pink petals The Asahiyama Park Night Cherry Blossom Festival is usually held in early May Buses from Asahikawa JR station take about 40 minutes to reach the park.   Nemuro is the easternmost city in all of Japan. Therefore, the cherry blossoms in Nemuro are often regarded as the last trees to bloom in Japan. Nemuro’s most famous cherry blossom spot is right in the city centre at Seiryuji Temple built in 1893.  The temple grounds feature over 30 Chishimazakura cherry trees with pinkish petals The trees are said to be over 100 old years Best viewing time is from mid to late May.  From Nemuro JR station it is a ten minute walk to Seiryuji temple.  Cherry Blossom Viewing Guide 2021: Tokyo  Sakura Forecast 2021: Cherry Blossoms Come to Japan Earlier Than Usual Kawazu Sakura Festival Canceled  for the First Time in 30 Years You must be logged in to post a comment Hokkaido—Former residents of the Northern Territories commemorated their ancestors at sea while visits to the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido remain in limbo following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine mainly former islanders and their family members left Nemuro Port aboard the Etopirika (tufted puffin) and offered prayers off the Habomai group of islets that were shrouded in fog on Aug “We were able to talk a lot about the Northern Territories on the ship,” said Yuzo Matsumoto director of the League of Residents of Chishima and Habomai Islands “We need to have more opportunities like this.” Exchange activities have been annually organized between Japan and the Northern Territories—the islands of Kunashiri Shikotan and Habomai--that were seized by the Soviet Union in the closing days of World War II But Japan suspended visits by former islanders to the graves of their ancestors and relatives on the islands after Russia invaded Ukraine last year but we ask the government to strive to first resume grave visits The offshore memorial service was organized by Matsumoto’s group the Northern Territories Issue Association and the government of Hokkaido Two more services will be held off the Habomai islets on Sept while services off Kunashiri island are scheduled on Sept Lighthouse switched on in disputed islands off Hokkaido Moscow bans Japanese group fighting over disputed islands Russia start possibly testy talks on salmon Prospects for Japan-Russia ties no longer appear ‘infinite’ Kishida revives tougher words with Russia in dispute over isles Ukraine issue halts Kishida’s plan for disputed northern isles Japanese version Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (3) Japanese version A JR Nemuro Line train ran its last service between Furano and Shintoku stations A farewell ceremony was held Sunday at each station of the service attended by local residents and train fans Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (1) Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address (2) Hokkaido — The lighthouse on Kaigara Island part of the Habomai islets in the northern territories the Nemuro Coast Guard Office confirmed that a Russian flag was seen flying at the top of the lighthouse There had been no record of such acts in recent years Some have suggested that it was a provocation to assert Russia’s claim of sovereignty in response to Japan’s economic sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine It has also been said that it may have been done in anticipation of offshore memorial services for former islanders and others to be held beginning on Monday in a sea area overlooked by the lighthouse near the median line between the northern territories and the main island of Hokkaido The lighthouse is located about 3.7 kilometers from Cape Nosappu in Nemuro a facility for raising awareness of the northern territories issue located at the tip of Cape Nosappu in Nemuro said they saw a boat with several people on board arrive at the lighthouse and paint the lighthouse white The Nemuro Coast Guard also said it monitored the lighthouse from a patrol boat and confirmed that it had been painted The lighthouse was built by Japan before World War II the lighthouse was effectively under Russian control and was left untouched It is now dilapidated and no longer has any function “It’s obvious that the intent is to Russify the island and I feel that they have done it again,” said Yasuji Tsunoda head of the Nemuro branch of a group of former island residents but bigger - about 30,000 people to Sitka’s 10,000 Nemuro citizens visited Sitka’s city hall to commemorate their decades long relationship Download Audio starting in Sitka and moving downward across the Pacific Ocean you could draw a direct line to our sister city And the connection is embodied in one man: Atsuo Tsunoda "I’ve been coordinating the relationship between the City of Sitka and Nemuro since I moved to Sitka in 1978," Tsunoda said Tsunoda is a neatly dressed man and the most cheerful translator I’ve ever met gracefully bridging communication between city staff and the Japanese delegation The group included Nemuro assembly member Toshiharu Honda who last visited Sitka in 1999 with the all-Japanese East Point Jazz Orchestra for Alaska Day "He dreams to repeat the visit again," Tsunoda said Honda was joined by his wife Kimiko and four friends: Kunihiro Kobayashi Commemorating 40 years as Sitka’s sister city At a press conference Monday  morning (04-01-16) city administrator Mark Gorman and mayor Mim McConnell opened piles of gifts Guidebooks and Taiko drumming sticks wrapped in pink crepe paper presented a calendar of paintings he made himself "He’s got an Henri Matisse look," Gormam said Gorman presented a print of a raven and an eagle - the two moieties of the Tlingit tribe "This is the land of the Tlingit people and so we share this image with our sister city," declared Gorman The two groups then split bottles of Sitka-made root beer and chatted while their translator Tsunoda took a break the two cities have been partnered in business since the 1970s - when a man named Masao Masuzawa then Board Director of the Nemuro Fishermen's Association "Nemuro is very strong in the seafood business and Sitka is also very strong," Tsunoda said The two cities became officially linked in 1975 Tsunoda is really organized and he produced a neatly printed timeline detailing the diplomatic relationship between the two cities across the decades The Baranof Bluegrass Band performed for Nemuro audiences in 1980 High schools students were pen pals in 1993 But after that big Alaska Day visit in 1999 Tsunoda said it’s probably because of changes in the global economy "Japan’s economy is kind of fried," said Tsunoda "The fishing industry tied up our relationship to Sitka But as you know Sitka Sound Seafood - the other industry - they catch most of the herring to Japan so those businesses still continue." Tsunoda makes an effort to come to Sitka every April for herring eggs He was an employee of the Pulp Mill from 1978 until it’s closure Honda- is an attempt to revive diplomatic relationships between citizens "Business has kind of slowed down," Tsunoda said "But he wants tie up more citizen relationship Which is why the group will not be returning to Nemuro without making a stop at Keet Goshi Heen Elementary School to meet with Sitka’s youngest citizens composer and lyricist of the song “Samma Samba,” and supporting musicians held a concert in the main hall of the Nemuro Shi Sogo Bunka Kaikan in Nemuro performed with the East Point Jazz Orchestra they’re delicious!) to a cheerful samba rhythm The audience clapped their hands in unison and sang the “Samma Saury catches have been poor in recent years but are showing signs of recovery this fall The concert was filled with the enthusiasm of the audience hoping for a good catch of saury The song “Samma Samba” is included on Yamazaki’s new album “Gaia,” released in May Hokkaido--Bird watchers here might have thought they had been magically transported across the Pacific when they spotted the national symbol of the United States here in a wetland A bald eagle has been wintering at Onne Marsh after the same bird of prey was sighted in a nearby lake for the first time on any Japanese main island last winter whose wings measure 2 meters across when they are spread inhabit broader areas along the coast of North America the raptor was spotted at the mouth of a river on Kunashiri Island part of the Northern Territories off the northeast coast of Nemuro according to the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology The first sighting of the bird in Hokkaido came last winter in Lake Furenko Researchers believe that the bird ended up in Japan’s northernmost main island last winter after becoming disoriented for an unknown reason They believe that the bald eagle who flew in this winter is the same as the one last season from its features researchers said it is “likely,” citing the bald eagle's tendency to flock to the same place to winter Areas around the marsh are crowded with a number of other birds Nagoya exhibit hosts decorative whisky bottles made in Japan ‘Timid’ birds more apt to settle in new territory British regulator to review Taiwan-China bird spat Bird-dropping sticker touted as way to ward off bike thieves Study: Nearly extinct bird in Ogasawara is a distinct species Hokkaido—Two extremely rare all-white killer whales were seen splashing in waters off Hokkaido in what tour operators say could be the world’s first such sighting In ordinary years with the arrival of summer sperm whales have replaced orca pods among cetacean species seen in the Nemuro Strait off this town on the Shiretoko Peninsula participants of a nature tour have not only seen dozens of the apex predators but also white killer whales operator of whale-watching tours based in Rausu They swam beside each other among a pod of about 20 individuals The pair is believed to be a male and a female judging from the size and shape of their bodies and dorsal fins “We are seeing more orcas this year than usual,” said Yuki Hasegawa captain of the Shiretoko Nature Cruise boat “Two white individuals seen swimming side by side may be unprecedented in the world.” White orcas have been sighted at only 10 locations in the North Pacific over the past 100 years a professor of marine ecology at Tokai University The Nemuro Strait of the northern main island of Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where white killer whales have been reported Other places include the west coast of Canada and Aleutian Islands in the U.S The precise cause of the all-white coloration of the killer whales is still unclear the result of defects in melanin production or the product of a random genetic mutation known as Leucism White killer whales were also seen off Rausu in May and July 2019 one in a group and the other in a separate pod “One of the two individuals spotted recently could be the one seen in 2019,” Oizumi said “Waters off Rausu may be in the migration range of killer whales.” Cancer victim honors five-year bond with stray beluga whale Ministries pursuing world recognition for 5 national parks Southwestern island chain added as World Heritage site gone: Hokkaido’s ‘Phantom bridge’ on its last legs Vox Populi Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun The Nemuro Peninsula in Hokkaido forms the easternmost tip of Japan the "hanasakigani" blue king crab fishing season is now at its peak accompanied by the raucous chorus of flocks of seabirds These crabs inhabit the peninsula's Pacific Ocean side of the Nemuro City Fisheries Research Institute the largest haul of the crabs of about 450 tons was recorded back in 1993 the volume has since shrunk to only about one-fifth of the peak The city is now switching fast from catching to cultivating the species Abutting the institute is the Nemuro City Cultivation and Fisheries Research Center The center is a product of a Japan-Russia joint economic activities program proposed in 2016 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe As a means for seeking to resolve territorial disputes over the Northern Territories the program called for the "cultivation of sea urchins and multiple species of fish." The center was completed in spring last year as the program's base to the tune of 100 million yen ($909,213) which was jointly funded by the Japanese government and Hokkaido Prefecture The seeding production of hanasakigani was always deemed extremely difficult the city's fisheries research institute persisted for two decades and finally got the project on track And just when the institute was facing problems caused by overcrowded fish tanks the new center came into operation and more than doubled the number of tanks to 76 the number of juvenile crabs released in the ocean this spring reached a record 550,000 But due partly to the novel coronavirus pandemic Russia has made no request for an inspection tour And nobody is talking anymore about Japan-Russia joint economic activities "We are 'cultivating sea urchins and multiple species of fish' steadily and surely and we'll be fully prepared whenever Japan-Russia talks begin picking up speed," he said but the future of cultivation fisheries is full of promise Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture Unknown sumo champion-class fish species found off Shizuoka Fossil shows sea lily severed its arms in defense in Triassic Period Japan seeks to boost catch limits of prized bluefin tuna Sea urchin shells find new use as pottery glaze to avoid trash heap on Monday released dashcam footage of a brown bear attacking a light truck that was moving through a local forest the two residents inside the truck were on their way to pick wild vegetables when at around 1 p.m on Sunday a large bear jumped out of the forest and hit their vehicle shortly after a cub ran away from the road The windshield wipers were damaged and the windshield cracked Japanese version Copyright THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. Local fisherman still risk capture and death every day SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Japan | Genki Rambashi says the risk of being captured by Russians is an occupational hazard for fishermen making their living from the icy waters off Hokkaido in northern Japan The young fisherman was held prisoner for five days after his boat was seized by armed coastguards in waters controlled by Moscow but within swimming distance of Japanese territory Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Home >  News >  The Prime Minister in Action >  December 2014 >  Courtesy Call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the Liaison Council of Municipalities in Nemuro Subprefecture for the Development of Regions near the Northern Territories at the Prime Minister's Office “The return of the Northern Territories is truly the ardent wish of all Japanese citizens I would like to again express my admiration for the hard work being done every day Thank you all for visiting my office today I hope your visit will give you a platform for spreading awareness of this issue in Japan and also throughout the world.   I too shall work to solve the Northern Territories issue and then conclude a peace treaty I feel this is my mission as a politician and as the Prime Minister of Japan I want to achieve this by any means possible and I am resolved to tackle this issue with tenacity I shared the view with President Putin that we would accelerate efforts for the negotiation of a peace treaty in order to solve this issue of the attribution of the Four Northern Islands and conclude the peace treaty we have been advancing discussions at every level including at the level of our heads of state as well as the level of our Ministers for Foreign Affairs and our Directors-General he steeled himself against his ill health and made a visit to what was then called the Soviet Union and met with President Gorbachev President Gorbachev had until then had taken the stance that there was no territorial issue with Japan but my father convinced President Gorbachev to express a conviction to use their wisdom to find a solution.  After that my father welcomed President Gorbachev to Japan He worked hard because this was an issue that he wanted to solve as a member of the generation that lived through World War II The issue was finally left up to us born in the period after World War II and now I want to make every effort to resolve it I believe that deepening understanding about this issue among young people is also extremely important so I want to again express my gratitude for the extremely significant work being done to raise awareness about this issue NHK staff give advice on how to stay warm in style Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Japanese version Nemuro feels nothing like a typical Japanese city Mist and fog often shroud the area in the summertime while much of the country bakes in 30 degree-plus temperatures As one approaches Nemuro from Kushiro by car while at the souvenir shop in front of JR Nemuro Station and Russian visitors can be seen at local stores purchasing a variety of daily goods.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Lying close to the four disputed islands occupied by Russia Nemuro is on the front line of efforts to have them returned Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division.