insights from frontier Japan

At Open-Air Concert Hall Kitaon in Iwamizawa Park, located in Central Hokkaido's city of Iwamizawa, the music event "JOIN ALIVE" has been greenlit after a year absence, to the joy of local residents and sightseeing industry workers. Due to thorough implementation of novel coronavirus spreading prevention measures, the event will be held two months later than normal, on September 4 to 5.

Koinobori carp streamers were raised on April 16 at the schoolyard in Kaminikoro Elementary School in Eastern Hokkaido's city of Kitami. The 22 koinobori streamers colored red, blue, and green swam leisurely amidst the rural region wind.

In "ski orienteering", skiers check their maps and ski cross-country to the designated spots, vying to be the fastest skier. A ski orienteering activity for beginners was held on April 10 at the Asahidake Cross-Country Ski Course in Northern Hokkaido's town of Higashikawa. Approximately 40 elementary and junior high school students enjoyed competing.

This year’s operation of the ‘Porocle’ shared-use bicycle service in central Sapporo has begun. Membership registration has increased as people look for a different form of transport in a bid to avoid infection from the Covid-19 virus, and many residents used the bikes from the first day of operation on April 10.

Starting in late March, Hokkaido Coca-Cola Bottling (Sapporo) began selling special Hokkaido-only bottles featuring an indigenous Ainu pattern in the design. The bottle design was crafted by Sekine Maki (53), an Ainu craft artist based in the town of Biratori in the Hidaka area.

The town of Urakawa in Central Hokkaido's Hidaka region stretching alongside the Pacific Ocean has recognized an increase in Indian national workers in the Urakawa light horse industry, and has issued a Hindi language version of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook.

　The fresh fish department in the basement of the Fujimaru department store in the city of Obihiro reopened after refurbishment on April 1, with a sales counter directly managed by the Obihiro Regional Wholesale Market opening there. The procurement power of the market has been put to good use, with a wide selection of fresh fish from Hokkaido and beyond, and a commemorative bluefin tuna filleting display held at the opening.

Uno Atsuko, who worked as a nurse in Tokyo, has relocated to the town of Kyogoku and returned to the days of coming into contact with horses that she loves.

The "Red Bull Jump & Freeze" event was held at Sapporo Teine Ski Resort (Teine-ku, Sapporo) on March 28. Participants wore creative and silly costumes, slid down a slope on snowboards and sleds, and jumped into a pool.