It was on our way when we saw a restaurant called “The Cement of Hokkaido”. For a restaurant with a name like that, it doesn’t sound appetizing.
Month: May 2017
Ue O Muite Aruko! (My Japan Journey Ends 2009-2017)
Kyu Sakamoto’s 1961 song “Ue O Muite Aruko” means “Let’s look up and walk” and is a song with lyrics about sadness and isolation. I think this is my farewell song for Japan, as I still need to look up and continue walking even if it’s sad to leave. The song was about encouraging people not to look back at the sad past of World War 2 and its aftermath, but to be positive and have hope for the future. Of course, that will not be the case for me. Japan will always be a big part of my past and contributed a lot on my present and future.
Cosmos in Engaru
From mid-August to late September, the Niji-no Hiroba in Taiyo no Oka Engaru Park, Monbetsu, Hokkaido becomes one of the largest cosmos garden park in Japan. Planted in about 10 hectares of land are about 10 million cosmos flowers. There are 16 types of cosmos in the park including the Tetra Versailles Red Cosmos and Double Click Cosmos.
Takino Suzuran Hillside Park
The Takino Suzuran Hillside Park is a national government park in Sapporo, Hokkaido and the only national park in Hokkaido. The park is massive a it covers 396.7 hectares of hilly land. The park is popular in spring and autumn for the flower garden, large playground and waterfalls; and in winter for different outdoor activities.
Rose Garden in Chippubetsu
The outdoor recreational spot with the Rose Garden in Chippubetsu was established in 1999. About 3,000 roses in different colors and 300 varieties are planted in the 5.4 hectare garden park. The roses are in full bloom from early July until early September.
Iris Festival In Memuro
The irises or ayame in Japanese go full bloom every July, the month of the Memuro Iris Festival. Although it was a small event as compared to the massive flower parks in Hokkaido, the festival boasts a number of irises in different types and colors.
Himawari in Hokuryu
In Hokkaido, a sunflower field is considered the largest planted area in Japan. The 23.1 hectares Himawari no Sato is located in Hokuryu town, southwest of Asahikawa City. The residents of Hokuryu started cultivating sunflowers in 1979. With its fertile land and favorable weather, about 1.5 million of 30 types of sunflowers grow in Himawari no Sato annually, The first sunflower festival was held in 1987.
Zerubu No Oka
Zerubu no Oka is open from late April to late October. Colorful seasonal flowers are planted on the hill including lavender, pansy and sunflower. It is a smaller version and less famous than Shikisai no Oka but what sets it apart are the mountain backdrops of Asahidake and Tokachidake Mountain Range.
Lupine In Kamifurano
Flower Land Kamifurano is located across Furano against Tokachidake pique. Actually, it is more famous for the lavender in April but we went there in June when lupine blossoms were at its peak.
Amoj In Wanderland 