Otaru’s iconic symbol, the Otaru Canal, was completed in 1923 when Western influence penetrated Japan and ships coming in to Hokkaido came through Otaru’s port. Large shipping vessels used to unload their goods to smaller ships which in turn brought the supplies to the warehouses that lined the canal. In the 1980’s, a private citizen…
Author: Karen E. Young
Sharing the journey of fumbling my way to pleasing Jesus as His follower, as a wife, mother, businesswoman/ entrepreneur, cook/baker, employer, writer, occasional singer, lifelong learner, and aspiring dancer.
Otaru 1: Market & Sakaimachi
Otaru is a charming little harbor city less than a half hour by train from Sapporo; in light of this, it has become a “bedroom community” or commuter town wherein people live here while working in the now more-crowded ( and more pricey) urban center of Sapporo. Preserved historical buildings throughout this city has given…
Sapporo City Trek
After watching the Filipino film Kita Kita, I got so excited to see Hokkaido which was filmed in this region! [Kita Kita Filming Locations] Hokkaido’s capital, Sapporo, is a convenient base for the region. Getting around (except for the Furano lavender area) is easy with trains, even from the New Chitose Airport. With a little…
Rest Area Hokkaido
You spend two hours on a highway. All you need is to stretch your legs or go to the Jane (or John). Then you come to a surprise! That’s what happened on this day… After our Hokkaido Tour, our guide, Rie-san (right) and driver, Seki-san (left) ended our Furano/ Biei tour to get back to…
Hinode (Sunrise) Park, Kamifurano Hokkaido
Hinode (Sunrise) Park has rolling hills of lavender and other flowers. In the fullness of its time, rows of bright colors will look like a glorious rainbow field. Though not quite at this time. More sunshine, water, and tending need to work the process in. A view of the Tokachi Volcanic Group is clear from here….
Hokkaido Dairy, Corn, and Other Produce
Hokkaido is famous for its premium dairy products… cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, and milk. Its undulating picturesque hills are perfect nurturing pastures for its cows and sheep. It is also famous for its exceptionally sweet corn, potato, and melon. We stopped by a rest area with a little market selling Hokkaido’s specialties. “Be patient,…
Ken & Mary Country House: Hokkaido
A Nissan Skyline ad from the 70’s featured an aspirational American couple, Ken and Mary, which became so popular with the Japanese. The couple inspired this Country House accommodation for tourists in Biei: You can inquire about room availability for your Biei/ Furano visit here: Pension Ken & Mary. And just outside this Country House…
Rainbow-coloured Shikisai Hills: Hokkaido
Shikisai Hills has an Alpaca Farm and rainbow-coloured flower fields!! Except… the blooms were just hinting at what they will become as they were still in the process of growing. In the fullness of time, these hills would look like a multi-colored carpet bursting with color! In certain seasons of our lives, we’ve already planted…
Kamifurano Lunch Stop by Miyamatoge Art Park: Hokkaidoo
We had a barbecue lunch by Miyamatoge Art Park. We didn’t have time to go inside the museum but just went to the adjacent Yakiniku restaurant. The view is beautiful, the photo can’t quite capture the natural beauty of this poetic landscape. I liked the sausage for the yakiniku but the other meats were a little…
Shirahige Falls, Biei, Hokkaido
A very short drive away from the Biei Blue Pond is the Shirahige Falls. The flowing water to the beautiful turquoise waters below resembles a “White Beard” and that is the meaning of its name, “Shirahige.” The waterfall descends from 600 meters above sea level. We can view this pretty waterfall from Shirogane (Blue River)…
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 