insights from frontier Japan

*This article was originally published on the Hokkaido Shimbun Press website in Japanese, on February 22, 2022. 　 Hokkaido was hit by a snowstorm on February 22, caused by a low-pressure system that had developed. As of 8:30 a.m., JR Hokkaido had decided to suspend 950 train services, including 113 limited express services and 130 Rapid Airport services. As of 9 a.m., 97 flights in and out of New Chitose Airport had also been cancelled. Vehicles became stranded due to snow drifts in various regions, and some bus services were also suspended. The Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory warned of disruption to transportation caused by blizzards and snow drifts in Hokkaido on the 23rd, too.

On November 12, the Donan Isaribi Tetsudo (South Hokkaido Railway) began operating a ‘nighttime view train’ service on which the train’s interior lights are dimmed to allow passengers to enjoy the nighttime view from the windows of the train. Passengers were able to see the city of Hakodate across the sea, as well as the lights of the squid fishing boats.

On November 6 in the Southern Hokkaido city of Hokuto, an on-site tour for children and parents was held at Oshima Tunnel, where construction work is progressing in the project to extend the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo by the end of the 2030 fiscal year. A total of 28 people participated, consisting of Southern Hokkaido elementary school students and guardians. They walked around the interior of the unfinished tunnel.

On June 26, the Shin Hakodate Agricultural Cooperative (Hokuto) in southern Hokkaido began selling ‘Dojima Roll Tomato Mix,” a roll cake made with tomatoes produced in the city of Hokuto. Jam made from tomatoes produced in Hokuto is added to the cake’s sponge and cream.

The "Hokuto Momiji Festival" took place for the first time in Hachironuma Park in southern Hokkaido's Hokuto City on October 23. The trees were also illuminated that evening, and the red and yellow lit trees reflected on the water surface, producing a magical fantasy ambiance.

While grapes for making wine are starting to ripen in southern Hokkaido in September, efforts to transform the area into a wine production region are advancing.

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.