June 19 / Wonderful Hokkaido (part 1)
Hokkaido is surrounded by the Pacific, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, and its landscapes include magnificent mountains in various forms, vast wetlands, and beautiful lakes and marshes. The region’s cool climate with low humidity is hardly affected by the rainy season and typhoons that characterize the rest of Japan during the summer months. Hokkaido is located at the northern tip of Japan at latitudes similar to those of some major cities of U.S.A. and Europe and its area consists of the 22% of the total land area of the country. As an island, Hokkaido is currently being the 21st largest islands in the world, which is next to Ireland.
Around the 15th century many migrants started to arrive in Hokkaido from other parts of Japan, which resulted in achieving today's prosperity. You can see that everywhere in Hokkaido, there is an influence of not only various cultures seen in Japan but also of Western culture. Hokkaido is different and unique from other parts of Japan ....
NATURE is grandeur :
Shiretoko proved the whole world that Hokkaido is full of nature when being registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005. The Shiretoko peninsula is located in Eastern Hokkaido and the registered site includes the central part of peninsula and the coastal sea area. You will find many untouched wild a n i m a l s and ecosystems in Shiretoko.
In 2009 Lake Toya and Usu Volcano located in the heart of Hokkaido have been added to the list of geoparks.
There are 12 Wetlands of international importance as habitant for waterfowl including Kushiro-shitsugen,Utonai-ko and Sarobetsu-genya in Hokkaido, which are registered as the sites of the Ramsar Convention.
Considering that 37 wetlands in Japan are registered under the Ramsar Convention,this can imply that Hokkaido is providing a more suitable living environment for waterfowl. When visiting the wetlands in Hokkaido, you will be able to see waterfowl resting.
There are six National Parks protected and run by the government in Hokkaido.
“Shikotsu-Toya National Park” in the Central Area. “Daisetsuzan National Park” and “Rishiri-Rebun Sarobetsu National Park” in the Northern Area. “Akan National Park”,“Kushiro Wetlands National Park”and“Shiretoko National Park”, which is also registered as one of the World Natural Heritage sites in the Eastern Area.
Five Quasi-National Parks are designated as places of natural scenic beauty in Hokkaido.
“Onuma Quasi-National Park”in the Southern Area. “Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park”, and “Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park”in the Central Area.“Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park” in the Northern Area. “Abashiri Quasi-National Park” in the Eastern Area. Large numbers of tourists are seen in these designated areas throughout the year as there are many sightseeing spots.
Prefectural natural parks (12)
“Esan Prefectural Natural Park” “Kariba-Motta Prefectural Natural Park”, “Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park”, and “Matsumae-Yagoshi Prefectural Natural Park” in the Southern Area. “Nopporo Forest Park Nopporo Shinrin Prefectural Natural Park” and “Furano Ashibetsu Prefectural Natural Park” in the Central Area. “Kita Okhotsk Prefectural Natural Park”, “Shumarinai Prefectural Natural Park” and “Teshiodake Prefectural Natural Park” in the Northern Area. “Akkeshi Prefectural Natural Park”, “and “Sharidake Prefectural Natural Park”, “Notsuke-Furen Prefectural Natural Park” in the Eastern Area.
Special Natural Monuments :
Among natural monuments designated and protected by country, those of particularly special value are declared as special natural monuments. Special natural monuments of Hokkaido includes Japanese red-crowned cranes in Kushiro, "Marimo", also known as moss balls, in Lake Akan, Nopporo forest park, the Daisetsuzan, and Showashinzan.
A n i m a l s :
Ezo red foxes, brown bears, spotted seals and Ezo deer all represent a n i m a l s living in Hokkaido. There are many more a n i m a l s such as cute squirrels; Ezorisu and Ezoshimarisu, and the strange creature, Clione and the list goes on and on.
Plants:
Natural forest consists of 70% of the total forest in Hokkaido. Such nature-rich environment is home to unique wild a n i m a l s in Hokkaido such as blakiston's fish owl. Hokkaido plant distribution is very unique compared to other parts of Japan. Mixed forests, the mixture of both conifers and broad-leaved trees, are highly distinctive characteristics of Hokkaido forests. Trees in Hokkaido change its face from dazzling green in spring to beautiful colorful red and yellow in autumn each year. Fir and Japanese larch are also important to planted forests creating unique forest landscapes. The Japanese larch also delights our tongue by growing sticky mushrooms.
Mountains:
Hokkaido mountains are dynamic and gracious. The Daisetsuzan mountain is on the list of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (Nihon Hyaku-meizan), and is also known as “the roof of Hokkaido” composing of high mountains including Asahidake, and Mt. Tomuraushi, one of the best alpine routes. There are many more mountains in Hokkaido, for example, Mt.Yotei, sometimes called “Ezo Fuji” , Hokkaido Komagatake, being famous for its beautiful shape, or the Shiretoko mountain range having a vast wilderness. A variety of beautiful and rare alpine plants bloom on some of these mountains. Of course, you can enjoy climbing these mountains, but you will know the stunning beauty of the mountains when just taking a look at these mountains whose top is covered in snow even in early summer.
Lake/Marsh/River :
Clear water, a mysterious figure, the flow of the river feel the hardiness of life ... It also boasts a scenic Hokkaido surrounding water.Lake in particular, the famous tourist attractions such as Shikotsuko known as the northernmost ice-free Lake Mashu and Japan boasts the world's leading transparency, leads to impress visitors.Noboribetsu Niseko and the marsh area is located in central Hokkaido, notably the "大湯沼" be infested with the hot springs.
Waterfall/Gorge/Valley :
So-unkyo is one of many popular waterfall/gorges. Massive cliffs close in on both sides of the river, leaving only a small area visible when you look up. The effect is particularly powerful at Shinsaku-heki and Hagoromo-no-Iwa, which stand at 160m. The breathtaking canyon scenery offers a different stunning view every season.
- more on Hokkaido at a later date -
Around the 15th century many migrants started to arrive in Hokkaido from other parts of Japan, which resulted in achieving today's prosperity. You can see that everywhere in Hokkaido, there is an influence of not only various cultures seen in Japan but also of Western culture. Hokkaido is different and unique from other parts of Japan ....
NATURE is grandeur :
Shiretoko proved the whole world that Hokkaido is full of nature when being registered as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005. The Shiretoko peninsula is located in Eastern Hokkaido and the registered site includes the central part of peninsula and the coastal sea area. You will find many untouched wild a n i m a l s and ecosystems in Shiretoko.
In 2009 Lake Toya and Usu Volcano located in the heart of Hokkaido have been added to the list of geoparks.
There are 12 Wetlands of international importance as habitant for waterfowl including Kushiro-shitsugen,Utonai-ko and Sarobetsu-genya in Hokkaido, which are registered as the sites of the Ramsar Convention.
Considering that 37 wetlands in Japan are registered under the Ramsar Convention,this can imply that Hokkaido is providing a more suitable living environment for waterfowl. When visiting the wetlands in Hokkaido, you will be able to see waterfowl resting.
There are six National Parks protected and run by the government in Hokkaido.
“Shikotsu-Toya National Park” in the Central Area. “Daisetsuzan National Park” and “Rishiri-Rebun Sarobetsu National Park” in the Northern Area. “Akan National Park”,“Kushiro Wetlands National Park”and“Shiretoko National Park”, which is also registered as one of the World Natural Heritage sites in the Eastern Area.
Five Quasi-National Parks are designated as places of natural scenic beauty in Hokkaido.
“Onuma Quasi-National Park”in the Southern Area. “Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park”, and “Hidaka Sanmyaku-Erimo Quasi-National Park”in the Central Area.“Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park” in the Northern Area. “Abashiri Quasi-National Park” in the Eastern Area. Large numbers of tourists are seen in these designated areas throughout the year as there are many sightseeing spots.
Prefectural natural parks (12)
“Esan Prefectural Natural Park” “Kariba-Motta Prefectural Natural Park”, “Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park”, and “Matsumae-Yagoshi Prefectural Natural Park” in the Southern Area. “Nopporo Forest Park Nopporo Shinrin Prefectural Natural Park” and “Furano Ashibetsu Prefectural Natural Park” in the Central Area. “Kita Okhotsk Prefectural Natural Park”, “Shumarinai Prefectural Natural Park” and “Teshiodake Prefectural Natural Park” in the Northern Area. “Akkeshi Prefectural Natural Park”, “and “Sharidake Prefectural Natural Park”, “Notsuke-Furen Prefectural Natural Park” in the Eastern Area.
Special Natural Monuments :
Among natural monuments designated and protected by country, those of particularly special value are declared as special natural monuments. Special natural monuments of Hokkaido includes Japanese red-crowned cranes in Kushiro, "Marimo", also known as moss balls, in Lake Akan, Nopporo forest park, the Daisetsuzan, and Showashinzan.
A n i m a l s :
Ezo red foxes, brown bears, spotted seals and Ezo deer all represent a n i m a l s living in Hokkaido. There are many more a n i m a l s such as cute squirrels; Ezorisu and Ezoshimarisu, and the strange creature, Clione and the list goes on and on.
Plants:
Natural forest consists of 70% of the total forest in Hokkaido. Such nature-rich environment is home to unique wild a n i m a l s in Hokkaido such as blakiston's fish owl. Hokkaido plant distribution is very unique compared to other parts of Japan. Mixed forests, the mixture of both conifers and broad-leaved trees, are highly distinctive characteristics of Hokkaido forests. Trees in Hokkaido change its face from dazzling green in spring to beautiful colorful red and yellow in autumn each year. Fir and Japanese larch are also important to planted forests creating unique forest landscapes. The Japanese larch also delights our tongue by growing sticky mushrooms.
Mountains:
Hokkaido mountains are dynamic and gracious. The Daisetsuzan mountain is on the list of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains (Nihon Hyaku-meizan), and is also known as “the roof of Hokkaido” composing of high mountains including Asahidake, and Mt. Tomuraushi, one of the best alpine routes. There are many more mountains in Hokkaido, for example, Mt.Yotei, sometimes called “Ezo Fuji” , Hokkaido Komagatake, being famous for its beautiful shape, or the Shiretoko mountain range having a vast wilderness. A variety of beautiful and rare alpine plants bloom on some of these mountains. Of course, you can enjoy climbing these mountains, but you will know the stunning beauty of the mountains when just taking a look at these mountains whose top is covered in snow even in early summer.
Lake/Marsh/River :
Clear water, a mysterious figure, the flow of the river feel the hardiness of life ... It also boasts a scenic Hokkaido surrounding water.Lake in particular, the famous tourist attractions such as Shikotsuko known as the northernmost ice-free Lake Mashu and Japan boasts the world's leading transparency, leads to impress visitors.Noboribetsu Niseko and the marsh area is located in central Hokkaido, notably the "大湯沼" be infested with the hot springs.
Waterfall/Gorge/Valley :
So-unkyo is one of many popular waterfall/gorges. Massive cliffs close in on both sides of the river, leaving only a small area visible when you look up. The effect is particularly powerful at Shinsaku-heki and Hagoromo-no-Iwa, which stand at 160m. The breathtaking canyon scenery offers a different stunning view every season.
- more on Hokkaido at a later date -
8年前
