insights from frontier Japan

The full bloom season has arrived for flowers all along the Taisetsu Mountain Range. The path from the Ginsendai trailhead in the Northern Hokkaido Kamikawa region town of Kamikawa to Mt. Hakuundake (2,230 meters high) is an alpine plant trail ascending through the heavens, and is lavishly populated by the indigenous and rare plants that grow wild in the area. Amidst the beautiful weather of July 17, many mountain hikers visited the trail.

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.

I can see Mt Yotei from my bedroom. The first thing I do after I wake up each morning is look towards it, and remember a quote: "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." When I see Mt Yotei first thing in the morning I think how lucky I am to be alive and living in Shiribeshi.

The shibazakura (moss phlox) cared for by former farmer Mishima Kazuo in the town of Kutchan within Central Hokkaido's Niseko region are popularly known as "Mishima's Shibazakura Garden". And the shibazakura flower viewing season has arrived again this year, with a virtual carpet of vivid flowers spreading out across the field and delighting the gaze of area residents.

The Town of Rankoshi Tourism Association in Central Hokkaido's Niseko region started operating eight cottages in Rankoshi in April. Functioning as individual house lodging facilities that allow users to avoid coming into contact with other guests, the project aims at satisfying tourism demands during the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. After first setting up this lodging business on its own, the Association next wants to dive into plans for providing tours that let visitors enjoy visiting different areas in Rankoshi while staying overnight there.

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.

Yotei Fire Department Mountain Rescue Team carried out its first group training session of the year on February 3.

On March 25, the town of Kamikawa located in northern Hokkaido in the northern part of the Daisetsuzan National Park, and outdoor brand Columbia Sportswear Japan (Tokyo) signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement aimed at regional activation and the building of a sustainable society by means of outdoor tourism.

Starting on January 10, southern Hokkaido's Hakodate Nanae Snowpark launched a new tour called "Snowshoe and Sky Top Lunch". Participants don snowshoes and walk across a snow slope one thousand meters above sea level.