Feeding the Bears
Feeding the bears at Noboribetsu Bear Park. When you get that close, it’s easier to realize that they are wild beasts not be messed with (nor kept in a cage).
Noboribetsu Bear Park
Noboribetsu Bear Park, located in Hokkaido, Japan, is known for its promise of a close-up wildlife experience with Ezo brown bears. However, while it’s a popular tourist attraction, there are aspects of the park that can leave visitors with mixed feelings. The park, set on a hillside with views of the surrounding landscape and Lake…
Jigokudani Details
Pointing my new bazooka towards some details of Jigokudani : some lovely sulfur constructs! Jigokudani, often known as Hell Valley, is a dramatic and unique geothermal area located in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. This landscape is famous for its rugged, rocky terrain and active steam vents that create an otherworldly atmosphere. The name “Jigokudani,” meaning “Hell…
Jigokudani Hotspring
Jigokudani Hot Spring in Hokkaido is a geothermal area renowned for its striking landscape of steaming vents, bubbling hot springs, and vibrant mineral-streaked rock formations. Located in Noboribetsu, part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, this area is sometimes known as Hell Valley due to its intense geothermal activity and otherworldly appearance. Despite the ominous name, Jigokudani…
Jigokudani Paths
The trails and paths around Jigokudani Hot Spring in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido are carefully constructed to guide visitors through the dramatic landscape of this geothermal wonder. These paths provide access to the most striking features of the area while allowing visitors to safely explore the unique natural environment. Composition and Structure The trails are typically well-maintained…
Noboribetsu Jigokudani
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, is a striking volcanic valley that lives up to its evocative name. The valley is renowned for its dramatic, almost otherworldly landscape, shaped by intense geothermal activity. It is a place where the raw power of nature is on full display, drawing visitors from around the world who come…
Approaching Hakodate
Three hours after leaving Aomori in the wee hours, Hakodate is in sight.
Blue Pond
The blue pond in Hokkaido is a man-made feature. The pond is part of an erosion control system that was built to prevent damage to in case of an eruption by nearby Mount Tokachidake. The color of the pond is caused by natural minerals dissolved in the water from the nearby Shirahige Falls (Aluminium). Although…
Hokkaido Hills
On our way back from Furano, we stopped by to buy some melons and witnessed the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds and casting beautiful shadows on the nearby hills.
Tanukikoji Shopping Street
Very colorful and busy Tanukikoji Shopping Street in Sapporo. Tanukikoji is a 1km-long arcade with around 200 shops which be used regardless of the weather (read, even in winter). The arcade was developed during the frontier period around 1870.
Unidon
Another delicacy you must try in Hokkaido: Uni-don (sea urchin on rice). Pro-tip, if the uni is mushy and looks like orange jam, it’s not as fresh as it should be.
Sapporo TV Tower
After the nice panorama from the tower, the Sapporo TV Tower itself.
Ikuradon
If you have a chance to travel to Hokkaido, do yourself a favor and order an Ikuradon. They are so good in Hokkaido. That one was from Otaru.