insights from frontier Japan

Trail maintenance took place on Mt. Datemonbetsu (714 m) in central Hokkaido on July 11, and approximately 90 people from Date, Sapporo and the like that gathered there toiled to protect the mountain they love.

‘Star Castle, a Brighter Tomorrow’, the 33rd Citizen Creation Hakodate Outdoor Theater performed by local volunteers, began at Goryokaku Park in the city of Hakodate in southern Hokkaido on July 11. Approximately 100 people gave impassioned performances in the 60-minute review of Hakodate’s history, including the arrival of the black ships and the Battle of Hakodate.

As the height of summer approaches, beer gardens are starting to open on the rooftops and terraces of commercial facilities in the city of Sapporo.

A summer slope, compatible with normal skis and snowboards, opened on June 26 at the Engaru Rock Valley Skiing Area in the town of Engaru in the Okhotsk region of Eastern Hokkaido. Visiting enthusiasts from throughout Hokkaido and beyond could be seen enjoying the mid-summer slopes dressed in T-shirts and the like.

"Otaru Dream Beach" in the Zenibako area of Central Hokkaido's Otaru City opened on June 25, first among all Hokkaido recreational beaches. Following in last year's footsteps, the beach opened with measures in place to prevent novel coronavirus spreading, and children rushed to enjoy summertime beach fun.

Tasting of Hokkaido wine and tea leaves has taken place at a maintenance tunnel at Hoheikyo Dam (Minami-ku, Sapporo), where they are currently being stored as part of an experiment. Approximately 20 representatives from wineries and a specialty Japanese Tea store in Sapporo, which are taking part in the experiment, checked the mellowness and aroma attained during the maturing process.

Daisetsuzan National Park's Lake Shikaribetsu stretches through the towns of Shikaoi and Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region and is home to the endemic species Miyabe char fish. On June 21, the recreational fishing season opened for the Miyabe char fish there for the summer season. Recreational fishers gathered from both inside and outside of Hokkaido and enjoyed fishing for Miyabe char fish at the lake.

The ‘Hokuo-maru’, a newly built boat owned by Yamada Nobuhiko of the Kanetaichi Yamada Fishing Company, entered the Usuya fishing port in the town of Obira in northern Hokkaido, adorned with approximately 40 ‘big catch’ flags. Approximately 200 locals turned out to welcome the boat, which was the first upbeat talking point in a long time, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

To promote the June 9 "Rosé on the Rocks Day", the Ikeda Town Tourist Association in Eastern Hokkaido's Tokachi region is sponsoring a campaign from June 9 to 30 gifting Townsperson Rosé Wine to 15 people.