Amongst these, Tung – a Vietnamese blogger – had a visit to the wealthy and charming land of Hokkaido. 4 days in Hokkaido introduced Tung stunning pure surroundings and plenty of attention-grabbing data concerning the historical past and tradition of this land of ice and snow.
Hokkaido, certainly one of Japan's three essential islands positioned within the north of Japan, is a spot that I’ve been interested in for a very long time, after studying and following the comedian collection Golden Kamui. This place comprises many extraordinarily mysterious myths and distinctive cultural practices. This time, because of the “predestined relationship” with the Japan Tourism Promotion Company in Vietnam, I had a really distinctive journey to discover the dream land of Hokkaido. I wish to introduce to you probably the most attention-grabbing and spectacular locations in Hokkaido throughout my current journey. When you have the chance to go to this snow-white land, don't miss these spots!
Full identify: Nguyen Son Tung
Previously a graphic designer in Vietnam, studied Illustration at Niigata Faculty of Artwork & Design. Likes touring and taking photographs.
1. MUSEUM OF NORTHERN PEOPLES | HOKKAIDO JAPAN
At this time is the primary day to start out the journey to go to Hokkaido island with Really feel Japan. In fact, there’s nothing extra thrilling than when the primary vacation spot is a spot related to an ethnic group that I’ve been interested in for a very long time, that’s the Ainu ethnic group – Japan's solely ethnic minority. .
Positioned within the inhabitants of “Northern peoples” (right here referring to the Arctic) stretching from northern Japan by Russian territory to Alaska, the Ainu individuals virtually have a separate tradition from the Japanese. They worship Kamui, which is something that exists past human power. For instance, when the hand scoops water, it would soften, however the spoon won’t, so now we have Kamui… spoons, or rocks are inert regardless of how they’re hit, however persons are in ache, they’ve stone Kamui, animals Wild animals are stronger than people, so after all there may also be Kamui as beasts.
Probably the most well-known in Ainu tradition is the Bear God, together with half-true and half-fictional tales concerning the Kamui, “true legends” about eagles, or big fish… All related into one tradition. Extraordinarily completely different and distinctive tradition.
Coming to the Museum of Northern Peoples, you’ll not solely study concerning the Ainu individuals but additionally study concerning the conventional customs and cultures of many different ethnic teams positioned within the northernmost a part of the world. A spot the place 1000’s of mysterious issues lie deep in thick layers of ice, or collectively they make conventional toys of this land. All of the issues that exist right here encourage and appeal to the person who’s interested in historical and historical cultures, making him unable to cease staring on the artifacts, or the tour information's displays. till the final moments of the tour.
An attention-grabbing story concerning the Ainu individuals: within the Ainu ethnic language, “Ainu” means “human”. When the primary Japanese individuals immigrated right here, they requested what the identify of this ethnic group was. The natives, not understanding, answered us “Ainu” – that means “we’re people!” “, however due to this attention-grabbing confusion, from then on, the Japanese named them… Ainu individuals.
2. ABASHIRI QUASI NATIONAL PARK HOTEL
On the primary day in Hokkaido, our group stopped to remain on the ABASHIRI QUASI NATIONAL PARK resort positioned on Abashiri Lake with majestic magnificence, far-off are the pine hills stretching throughout the lake. The lake floor is frozen white this season, wanting like an infinite white desert.
Not solely that, all the resort's designs are a mix of the traditional type of Japanese tradition blended with a little bit of the West, permitting somebody like me to freely discover. The Onsen rest room has an open-air outside tub with billowing smoke. Each time I reminisce concerning the second of soaking in scorching water within the chilly snow of -10oC, it's sufficient to make me unable to neglect that unusual feeling; or a small nook within the foyer with very outdated work and Nishi Rosso songs, a spot that stored me occupied all night time on a wood chair, a small desk and a small cup of cocoa…
It's been a very long time since a younger man like me who likes to journey and lives within the bush has felt like he actually wished to return to a resort…
3. OSKHOTK SEA ICE BREAKER
The second day in Abashiri is to expertise the journey throughout the ice sea of Okhotsk, bordering the Russian Federation. The entire group obtained up early to catch the bus to Abashiri port and board the icebreaker Aurora – Northern Lights (named after a lovely gentle phenomenon that solely seems within the North Pole). Because of the particular terrain, this sea usually freezes with big icebergs, the most important of which may be as much as 1km lengthy, and may even rise up, making the ocean right here at all times preserve its personal privateness. Surprisingly majestic magnificence with the large Rausu mountain within the distance. With the bitter chilly typically right down to -14oC, our “Cruise Journey” was lucky to depart on a sunny day, the ocean breeze appeared to blow away all the pieces, white invaded the house right here. In case you're fortunate, you possibly can nonetheless encounter residing creatures similar to seals, hawks, mallards, or extra particularly, the shellless snail Clione, also called the “angel of the ocean”.
All of it comes collectively to grow to be an thrilling experiential journey within the North. There’s sunshine, wind, and the grins of buddies.
4. TOFUTSU SWAN LAKE
Ending the journey on the ice sea of Okhotsk, we continued to board the electrical practice 'Ryuhyo Monogatari 3' to get to Kitahama station. The subsequent vacation spot of the journey is Tofutsu Swan Lake, the place swans nonetheless swim gently like a dance in the midst of the chilly lake, though some locations are virtually frozen. Within the distance is an imposing mountain often known as “Hokkaido's Fuji”. On the white snow, the footsteps of a northern snow fox are nonetheless printed someplace. The peace right here is actually sufficient to make even the busiest particular person cease and linger.
5. ABASHIRI PRISON
There’s most likely no place on the earth the place individuals bear in mind their gratitude to prisoners like in Hokkaido. The roads constructed and perfected from the blood and lives of prisoners turned the lifeline to guard Japan's territorial sovereignty towards the disputes of the Russian military at the moment, turning this place right into a One of many locations with the strangest tradition of gratitude on the earth. The entire group was shocked by the issues displayed within the Abashiri jail museum. The hardship and hardship within the strategy of constructing the highway from Hokkaido to Abashiri, the sacrifices not solely of prisoners but additionally of jail guards. Or extra attention-grabbing is the story of the legendary jail escape Shiratori, the one one that may escape from this jail, thought of probably the most fortified in Japan, with huge white snow on all 4 sides. He’s additionally the one particular person recognized to have efficiently escaped from jail 4 occasions. As well as, I additionally obtained to go to Japan's present jail mannequin, which in my view is even cleaner and tidier than… the room I dwell in.
6. ASAHIYAMA ZOO
On the third day of the journey, we visited Ashahiyama Zoo, which is taken into account the #1 zoo in Japan. Right here, guests not solely see the looks of different frequent animals, but additionally their residing habits and pure actions. There are moments that make you are feeling like you might be touching the world's high uncommon animals.
The enjoyable of the polar bear, the cuteness in each step of the penguin squad or the sturdy and heroic look of the “lord of the jungle”, or typically the eyes eager for freedom of the western fox. North… All of them gathered right here, on this chilly Hokkaido.
7. OTARU
This can be a port city going through Ishikari Bay, which prospered till the primary half of the twentieth century. The primary supply of earnings right here comes from seafood. The neighborhood is made up of canals and European-looking structure, the place you’ll deeply really feel the Otaru ambiance. Alongside the canal banks, there are rows of nostalgic-style homes constructed of bricks. Guests can benefit from the stunning neighborhood with glowing ornamental lights at night time. From Otaru Canal, stroll about 10 minutes to achieve the port, the place Hokkaido has given you an opportunity to see the well-known “Diamond Snow” that pictures lovers nonetheless say is “Hokkaido's luck”.
8. NIKKA WHISKY WINERY
About 60km from the middle of Sapporo is Yoichi metropolis, the place you possibly can go to the Nikka model Whiskey distillery. Nikka Whiskey was based about 80 years in the past, by Mr. Masataka Taketsuru – a person born right into a household with a convention of Japanese wine making. After learning overseas in Europe, he married Rita, a Scottish lady, after which collectively they returned to Hokkaido. They constructed a distillery in Yoichi and got down to create a really perfect whiskey manufacturing setting. Since then, Yoichi has been thought of the hometown of Whiskey in Japan. Coming right here, you possibly can go to the wine manufacturing course of and even strive uncommon whiskey samples.
9. JR TOWER T38
Conclude
On the finish of the journey, a snowstorm got here, delaying the group's return flight for greater than half a day, however I nonetheless noticed vivid smiles on the group's faces. The airplane progressively took off, and that's when the sensation of remorse arose in me as a result of there have been nonetheless so many attention-grabbing issues on this land that I couldn't study. Quickly, goodbye, Hokkaido!
Info
Museum of the Northern Peoples
Handle: 2309-1 Shiomi, Abashiri, Hokkaido
Working hours: 09:00 – 16:30
Entrance ticket: 550 yen (about 110,000 VND)
Web site: http://hoppohm.org/english/ (English)
Oskhotk sea icebreaker (Aurora)
Practice time: 09:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 (On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the practice will go away to look at the sundown at 16:30)
Ticket worth: grownup 3,300 yen (about 660,000 VND, if sitting in a chosen seat, add 400 yen)
Web site: https://www.ms-aurora.com/abashiri/en/ (English)
Tofutsu Swan Lake
Handle: 3-203 Kitahama, Abashiri Metropolis, Hokkaido (Shiratori Park)
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (closed on Monday, if a vacation falls on Monday, the next Tuesday shall be closed)
Admission: free
Web site:http://tofutsu-ko.jp/english/ (English)
Abashiri Jail
Handle: 1-1 Yobito, Abashiri Metropolis, Hokkaido
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (entry earlier than 16:00)
Admission: grownup 1,080 yen (about 216,000 VND, on-line coupon out there)
Web site: http://www.kangoku.jp/multilingual_english/ (English)
Asahiyama Zoo
Handle: Naganuma, Higashi Asahikawa-machi, Asahiyama Metropolis, Hokkaido
Working hours: 10:30 – 15:30 (entry earlier than 15:00)
Entrance payment: grownup 820 yen (about 164,000 VND)
Web site: http://www.metropolis.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/asahiyamazoo/ (With English translation operate)
Otaru Canal
Web site: http://otaru.gr.jp.e.go.hp.transer.com/ (Otaru Tourism Affiliation – English)
Nikka Whiskey Hokkaido Distillery – Yoichi Distillery
Handle: 7-6 Kurokawa-machi, Yoichi Metropolis, Hokkaido
Working hours:
+ 09:00 – 17:00 (no information)
+ 09:00 – 12:00 & 13:00 – 15:30 (with directions, must e-book prematurely)
+ 09:15 – 16:45 (entrance time & wine tasting)
Admission: free (together with information)
Web site: https://www.nikka.com/eng/ (English)
JR Tower 38
Handle: JR Tower, 2-5 Kita 5 Jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo Metropolis, Hokkaido
Working hours: 10:00 – 23:00 (entry earlier than 22:30)
Entrance payment: grownup 720 yen (about 144,000 VND)
Web site: http://www.jr-tower.com/t38_info (Japanese, with directions in a number of languages)