insights from frontier Japan

A monitor cycling tour on the frozen surface of Lake Nukabira was held for the first time in the town of Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido. Lake Nukabira is a special area of the Daisetsuzan National Park, where, in principle, vehicles are not allowed. However, the tour was held with permission from the Ministry of the Environment, which was received in February in anticipation of the demand for outdoor activities. The tour, which will be introduced in earnest next season, allows visitors to ride on the clear ice and view scenic spots, including the group of arches of a former National Railways bridge, during the severe winter season.

On January 6, the opening day of the pond-smelt fishing season on Lake Nukabira in the town of Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region, strange twanging sounds could be heard from the frozen surface of the lake.

Hokkaido’s first ‘MUJI HOUSE’ complete with ‘MUJI’ brand furniture and miscellaneous goods, is to be established next April in the town of Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region.

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.

Volunteers from local construction companies began work on June 12 to erase graffiti that was discovered on part of ‘The Former National Railways Concrete Arch Bridges of the Shihoro Line’, a registered Hokkaido Heritage in the town of Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido.

‘Tokapuchi 400’, a cycle route with an excellent riding environment from which the magnificent natural landscapes of the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido can be enjoyed, has been selected as one of Japan’s National Cycle Routes. It is the first route in Hokkaido to be selected as such.

Heading north across the Tokachi Plain towards the grand Taisetsuzan Volcanic Group that stands tall in central Hokkaido, a pure white "expanse" surrounded by mountains came into view. This is Lake Nukabira in Tokachi region's Kamishihoro Town. Across the frozen lake surface lined with colorful wakasagi smelt fishing tents, the sandy-tan colored Taushubetsu River Bridge awaits.

Magical naturally created scenes of bubbles in ice on the freezing surface of Lake Nukabira are fascinating visitors to the lake in the town of Kamishihoro in eastern Hokkaido, where mid-winter temperatures continue.

A famous sightseeing spot at Lake Nukabira in the town of Kamishihoro in Eastern Hokkaido – Taushubetsu River Bridge on the former Japan National Railways’ Shihoro Line (closed in 1987) – which is normally submerged under the water until September or so, remains unsubmerged this year, making the entire beautiful concrete-arch structure visible.