楊雅雯's Reviews Page 9/14

It's about a 4-minute drive from JR Usu Station. I originally thought we'd just stop by since it was on the way, but this Zenkoji Temple tucked away in the forest unexpectedly became a very special stop on this trip.

Zenkoji Temple has a very long history. It was founded in 826, and during the Edo period it was one of the “Three Official Temples of Ezo.” The entire temple complex has also been designated a National Historic Site.

After looking it up, I learned that it's also known as the “Temple of Flowers,” with cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, and seasonal flowers such as azaleas and peonies in fall.

We came during the wrong season this time, but that makes me look forward even more to seeing Zenkoji Temple in bloom next time.

Hokkaido University really is much bigger than I imagined. Once inside the campus, all I could see were vast stretches of greenery and towering trees. It felt so spacious, as if I could walk forever without reaching the end.

The scenery changes with each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, the much-anticipated golden ginkgo trees in fall, and romantic snow-covered scenery in winter.

Although I didn't visit during the season for the famous ginkgo avenue, I still really enjoyed strolling slowly around the campus, looking at the old, lush trees, feeling the pleasant breeze, and taking in the quiet, relaxed atmosphere.

In central Sapporo, it's hard not to notice this historic red-brick building.

Built in 1888, the Former Hokkaido Government Office Building has a strong European Baroque style and was constructed with about 2.5 million red bricks. The entire building is very distinctive and has become one of Sapporo's most iconic landmarks.

It served as the administrative center of the Hokkaido government for 80 years. Inside, you can take your time learning about the history of Hokkaido's development. It feels like traveling back to the Meiji era and experiencing Sapporo as it was then through the architecture and exhibits.

Admission is also **free**, and its central Sapporo location makes it very convenient to get to. It's well worth adding as a stop while visiting Sapporo.

During cherry blossom season, the red-brick building looks even more beautiful with the blossoms in full bloom. Unfortunately, my visit wasn't during cherry blossom season, but the building itself was still well worth seeing.

This time I visited Hakodate Kosetsuen (Miharashi Park). Although a light rain was falling and it lacked the brightness of a sunny day, it had an added sense of tranquility unique to the woods.

Kosetsuen is a famous spot in Hakodate for fall foliage, and it must be captivating when the maples turn red. Unfortunately, my visit wasn't during foliage season, so I could only enjoy another kind of beauty in the lush greenery.

There are quite a few slopes and woodland paths in the park. At first, I was worried that the routes might be complicated and that I would get lost, but once I started walking, I found that everything was very well laid out, and I felt at ease along the way.

The light rain, the woods, and the winding paths made the overall atmosphere very relaxing. Although I missed the red maples, I unexpectedly fell in love with Kosetsuen in the rain.

If I come back in the fall, I definitely want to see the hills covered in maple leaves with my own eyes!

For this trip, we drove from Lake Akan to Lake Kussharo. The scenery along the way was very pleasant, with mountains, forests, and lakes coming together to create the natural atmosphere unique to eastern Hokkaido.

Lake Kussharo is Japan's largest caldera lake. Its vast waters are surrounded by mountains and forests, and standing by the shore looking out over the expansive lake really makes you want to slow down.

That's the beauty of Hokkaido. You don't necessarily need any special attractions—just driving and enjoying the scenery along the way is already very soothing.

This Lake Akan → Lake Kussharo route is really worth including in your itinerary!

If you're visiting eastern Hokkaido, Lake Mashu is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

Lake Mashu is a caldera lake located within Akan-Mashu National Park. It is surrounded by steep caldera cliffs, so you can't walk directly down to the lakeshore and can only enjoy the view from the observation decks. The most captivating feature is its clear, deep blue color. When the weather is nice, the sky is reflected on the lake's surface, creating a truly mysterious and peaceful feeling.

We drove here from Lake Akan, and the route was easy, with pleasant scenery along the way. When we arrived at Lake Mashu and looked down from the observation deck, the entire lake was surrounded by mountains and the view was very expansive. Just quietly looking at the lake felt very soothing.

If you're driving around eastern Hokkaido, I highly recommend visiting Lake Akan and Lake Mashu together, taking your time along the way and experiencing Hokkaido's pristine, vast natural scenery.

While visiting Lake Akan, we also stopped by Akanko Ainu Kotan.

Maybe it was the off-season, and we arrived around 4:00 p.m., but the whole village felt very quiet. There was hardly anyone on the streets, so it lacked some of the lively atmosphere we had imagined. We walked around the village, looked at the distinctive buildings and small shops, and then started looking for a place to have dinner. But the Ainu village really does close early—by around 7:00 p.m., the entire village was almost completely quiet.

The Lake Akan sightseeing cruise is a classic activity when visiting Lake Akan. The boat leisurely circles the lake, offering views of majestic mountains and beautiful scenery along the way. It also stops at Churui Island, where you can visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center and learn about Lake Akan's precious marimo up close. The entire trip takes about 85 minutes, with a comfortable pace that doesn't feel rushed.

Surrounded by Mount Oakan and Mount Meakan, Lake Akan offers captivating volcanic lake scenery and is also an important home of marimo and Ainu culture. After the cruise, take a walk along the lakeshore, soak in the Lake Akan hot springs, and sample the local food. It's a leisurely, relaxing trip where you can enjoy nature, culture, and food all at once!

A sightseeing cruise is well worth taking when you visit Lake Akan. Taking your time to look around and explore is the best way to travel here.

If you come to Nemuro, Hokkaido, be sure to make a trip to Nossapu Cape! This is **the easternmost point of mainland Japan**, and from the eastern tip, you can gaze out over the vast ocean. When the weather is good, you may even get to see Japan's earliest dawn. I originally thought there would be very few people in such a remote place, but surprisingly, quite a few people visited even on a weekday, with more than ten other tourists there.

Besides the ocean view at the easternmost point, there is also a lighthouse to see, as well as several restaurants nearby. I especially recommend the building next door, where you can get an “easternmost point” certificate for free instead of having to buy one at a store. Remember to pick one up as a souvenir! If you're traveling to Nemuro, Nossapu Cape is definitely worth visiting in person. Standing at the easternmost point of Hokkaido and feeling the sea breeze makes for a truly unforgettable travel experience.

The Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples is a great place to slow down and explore at your own pace.

Through exhibits on everyday tools, clothing, hunting methods, and spiritual traditions, you can learn about Hokkaido's Indigenous Ainu people and the wisdom of northern peoples around the world in living in harmony with nature.

On your first visit, you'll realize that many details of everyday life are rich in culture and history.

If you're visiting Abashiri, I really recommend setting aside 2–3 hours. Don't just rush through it. Take your time to look around and learn, and you'll get more out of it than you might expect.