insights from frontier Japan

On July 1, a commemorative flight was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ANA’s Haneda-Monbetsu flight service operating in and out of Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport.

With the arrival of July, tourist orchards in central Hokkaido's Yoichi Town and other places are crowded with people enjoying cherry picking. Orchards are taking precautions against the novel coronavirus, including placing antiseptic solutions on the premises and providing containers to put cherry pits in.

At the Junsainuma Swamp in Onuma Park located in southern Hokkaido's Nanae Town, a summer vegetable called ‘water shield’ with a pleasantly viscous texture is in its peak harvest season.

The National Ainu Museum and Park (Upopoy) serves as a base for the revival of the culture of the Ainu, an indigenous people of Hokkaido. It opened on July 12 in Shiraoi Town, central Hokkaido. Upopoy means “singing (in a large group)” in the Ainu language.

Roses are beginning to bloom one after another at “Tokachi Hills”, a tourist garden in eastern Hokkaido's Makubetsu Town. Some of the rose types have a honey or pear fragrance, so the garden is filled with a sweet aroma.

On June 17, the Hokkaido Government, the Hokkaido Tourism Organization, and the operator of seven Hokkaido-based airports, Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd., announced the joint development of their new “Hokkaido Love!” campaign. The campaign aims to attract overseas tourists back to Hokkaido following the sharp drop in visitors from abroad due to the current novel coronavirus pandemic.

This is the prime season to view cotton grass in the high moor around the Kagaminuma Marsh on the hillside of Mt. Niseko Annupuri in Central Hokkaido's Kutchan Town.

An establishment called Takibi (bonfire) Café, featuring mini-bonfires at each table has opened up in Nishi Ward, Sapporo. Word about the café is quickly spreading. The café had been closed temporarily to prevent spread of the new coronavirus, but reopened. “This is a totally new style of cafe, and I hope to make it a new Hokkaido specialty after the pandemic has subdued,” said owner Mr. Fujii.

Water lilies are in full bloom at the pond of Hachironuma Park in southern Hokkaido's Hokuto City. Vibrant pink blossoms and green leaves adorn the pond surface. Blooming began in early June, as usual. Visitors can enjoy them until August.

On June 19, Sapporo City turned on fountains in Odori Park in Chuo ward. This is because the Hokkaido government relaxed its previous “cautionary measures” including recommended limits on travel between cities as steps to prevent spreading of the novel coronavirus.