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Clark came to Hokkaido for 8 months during 1876 to 1877 as a founding vice president of Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University). When he departed, he supposedly said, "Boys, be ambitious!" to the students seeing him off.87 views
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Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters baseball team monument marking the team's founding. Built in 2004. 北海道日本ハムファイターズ誕生記念碑87 views
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Mon-chi-chi with a melon cap.87 views
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Lamp with bare bulb87 views
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Staircase to the 2nd floor.87 views
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Hakodate Red Brick Warehouses87 views
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Ice slides at Tsu-dome87 views
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Date Onsen Spa and cherry blossoms. There is a hot spring lodge with 58 rooms and a sauna. Reasonable rates. Non-guests can bath in the hot spring for 390 yen. Phone: 0142-25-191986 views
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Sapporo Dome can be seen on the right. It is near Fukuzumi Station.86 views
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Schloss Linderhof castle, Germany (1995)86 views
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Conference room86 views
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One supermarket in Date, Hokkaido which has a waste vegetable oil collection box.85 views
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Hitsujigaoka means Sheep Hill, and it actually has sheep.85 views
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Clark Bon Voyage Bell クラーク旅立ちの鐘85 views
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The monument has handprints and autographs of the players.85 views
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Sculpture of Commodore Perry's visit to Japan (2003).85 views
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Sapporo Snow Festival pins85 views
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On the left is the Rest House with a restaurant (built in 1985), and on the right is the Austrian Pavilion moved here in 1972 after the Sapporo Winter Olympics. It houses gift shops.85 views
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Tsu-dome snow festival site.85 views
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This small building next to the Date Cosmos 21 Center is a waste oil conversion plant.84 views
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The low hill overlooks Sapporo from the southeast.84 views
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Ceiling lamp84 views
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Staircase to the 2nd floor.84 views
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Old Hakodate Station. A new station was built in 2003.84 views
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Near the entrance of the supermarket is the waste vegetable oil collection box.83 views
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Panel for the 33rd Sapporo Snow Festival in 1982 which featured Iolani Palace of Honolulu, Hawaii.83 views
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Palace in Thailand (2007)83 views
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Old Hakodate Station. 83 views
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Donan Bus company provides bus service in this area. 道南バス82 views
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Horyuji temple, Nara82 views
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London St. Paul's Cathedral, UK (1998)82 views
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Inside sheep house82 views
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Hakodate Port82 views
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Fireworks as seen from Hakodate-yama. The fireworks were part of the annual Hakodate Minato (Port) Matsuri festival in early Aug.82 views
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Hakodate Port82 views
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Inside Mitobe house with a hearth.81 views
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Handprint and autograph of Tsuyoshi Shinjo who was the team's most famous player.81 views
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More scale models in this room.81 views
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Snow Festival book81 views
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The Sapporo Snow Festival Museum has display panels of all the past Sapporo Snow Festivals, dating from 1950.80 views
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Sapporo Snow Festival postcards80 views
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Goryokaku Castle Park80 views
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Concert Gebouw, Holland (2000)79 views
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Sheep house79 views
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Old Hakodate Station. 79 views
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Inside Mitobe house. Web site 旧三戸部家住宅78 views
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Munich National Museum, Germany (1997)78 views
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Sapporo Snow Festival memorabalia.78 views
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Hakodate-yama78 views
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Salzburg Cathedral, Austria (1996)77 views
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Left is the capitol building in Norway (2005), and on the right is Flinders Street Station in Australia (2006).77 views
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Old Hakodate Station. 77 views
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Hakodate Minato (Port) Matsuri parade77 views
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Approaching Rebun, Japan's northernmost inhabited island near the northern tip of Hokkaido. It's quite remote, but well-known as a "Flower Island" among tourists when in bloom.77 views
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Rebun is part of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park which means it's very scenic. It's 29 km long and 8 km wide.77 views
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Tools used to carve the snow sculptures.76 views
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Goryokaku Castle Park76 views
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Mashu Maru, a ferry which plied between Hakodate and Aomori.74 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun. If you visit Rebun, also visit Rishiri and vice versa. They are almost like wedded islands. Rishiri is male (tall and distinct stature), Rebun is female (curvaceous).74 views
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Samurai armor displayed on the first floor veranda of the Geihinkan.73 views
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JR Date-Mombetsu Station train platform.72 views
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Bus stop in central Date.72 views
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Although the park is designed like a castle grounds with a castle wall and moat, it is not the site of any former castle.71 views
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Mt. Io is Kawayu Onsen's hot spring source. It was also a sulphur mine from 1877 to 1896. At the time, sulphur was widely used in cigarette matches and gunpowder. 71 views
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Near the Geihinkan is the Date Kaitaku Kinenkan Museum (opened in 1958) displaying swords, lacquerware, etc., from the Date samurai clan, donated to the city by the Date family. Photography is not allowed inside the museum. Closed Dec.-Feb. 伊達市開70 views
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Train at JR Date-Mombetsu Station68 views
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Samurai armor displayed on the first floor veranda of the Geihinkan.68 views
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Entrance to the swordsmith and fabric dyeing workshop. You can see a swordsmith making a sword. You have to check when he's doing it though. Free admission. Web site 黎明観67 views
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One of the main attractions of the park is the Geihinkan State Guesthouse. Cherry blossoms were in full bloom.67 views
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The park includes a culture center, public library, sports ground, and the Kaitaku Kinenkan museum.66 views
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Date Rekishi no Mori is a large park with various public facilities including a Japanese garden. The park was completed in 2000 after about 11 years of construction. This is the castle-like Otemon Gate built when the Crown Prince got married in 1993.66 views
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On display on the first floor were samurai armor.66 views
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Samurai armor displayed on the first floor veranda of the Geihinkan.66 views
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JR Date-Mombetsu Station overpass65 views
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Rest House65 views
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Miyao Tomiko Literature Museum. Admission 120 yen. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to enter it. 宮尾登美子文学記念館65 views
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2nd floor of the Geihinkan.65 views
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We stopped in Kutsugata Port in Rishiri briefly on our way to Rebun. 沓形港65 views
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JR Date-Mombetsu Station stairs to the train platform.64 views
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The park has a number of buildings. This is the tourist gift shop and hands-on workshop for swordmaking and fabric dyeing.64 views
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Map of Date Rekishi no Mori. Various festivals and events are also held in the park. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to see everything in the park.64 views
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2nd floor of the Geihinkan.64 views
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Inside JR Date-Mombetsu Station63 views
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JR Date-Mombetsu Station stairs have wood.63 views
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2nd floor corridor of the Geihinkan.63 views
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The Geihinkan was used to receive high-ranking government officials visiting Date to inspect the development of the town. 迎賓館63 views
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Ika cuttlefish boat in Kutsugata Port in Rishiri, Hokkaido. Bright lights at night attract the cuttlefish to the surface. 沓形港63 views
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Date: Town of Bushido. Warrior's helmet on JR Date-Mombetsu Station train platform. The city has a samurai past.62 views
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JR Date-Mombetsu Station overpass. The station has a certain weathered, rustic charm.62 views
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Rest House windows62 views
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Geihinkan Guesthouse and cherry blossoms. 迎賓館62 views
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Samurai armor displayed on the first floor veranda of the Geihinkan.62 views
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Rishiri is one of Japan's northernmost islands off Wakkanai, Hokkaido. Round island with a distinctive cone-shaped mountain Mt. Rishiri (photo) in the middle. Part of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.62 views
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Reconstructed castle wall and cherry blossoms.61 views
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Japanese-style room on 2nd floor of the Geihinkan.61 views
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Cherry blossoms next to the Geihinkan were beautiful in early May.60 views
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Plum blossoms and cherry blossoms in the background, blooming at the same time.59 views
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Approaching Rishiri by ferry. There are ferries from Wakkanai and Rebun going to Rishiri. Lighthouse near the port. Mt. Rishiri is 1,721 meters high.54 views
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Lake Kushu in northern Rebun, Hokkaido. 久種湖50 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.34 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.33 views
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Rebun is part of Rishiri-Rebun-Sarobetsu National Park.33 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.33 views
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Rebun's rolling hills and Mt. Rishiri on nearby Rishiri island. 32 views
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Amazing how this little island of Rebun can pack so many sights. Must be wondrous when the flowers are in bloom.31 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.31 views
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Rebun sunset in Hokkaido.31 views
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There was this scenic spot on Rebun, so we got out of the car and took a look (and swim).30 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.30 views
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Rishiri as seen from Rebun.30 views
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Kutsugata Port in Rishiri. 沓形港30 views
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Ferry to Wakkanai. Souya Maru No. 5 第五宗谷丸28 views
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Rebun's population is about 2,250. "Rebun" comes from the Ainu word "repun-sir" meaning "island offshore."27 views
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Leaving Rebun.27 views
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Views while skiing on Niseko Annupuri, Hokkaido. ニセコアンヌプリ27 views
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If you rent a car, you can pretty much see the entire island in one day.26 views
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From Rebun, took the ferry to Rishiri, approaching Oshidomari Port.26 views
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Kutsugata Port Ferry Terminal in Rishiri when we visited. This building is now a restaurant after a new ferry terminal building was built nearby.26 views沓形港フェリーターミナル
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Otaru Maru at Kutsugata Port in Rishiri. 沓形港 おたる丸26 views
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Mt. Yotei as seen from Niseko Hirafu, Niseko's largest ski grounds. Yotei-zan is dubbed as Hokkaido's Mt. Fuji. ニセコ ヒラフ・羊蹄山26 views
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Bye-bye Rishiri.25 views
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Mt. Io, Hokkaido. You can get quite close to the sulphur vents.25 views
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Kafuka Port 香深港24 views
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Beachside road on Rebun's east coast. The best way to tour Rebun is by rental car or a local tour.24 views
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Watching the sunset on Rebun.24 views
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Skiing on Niseko Annupuri, Hokkaido.24 views
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Map of Rishiri-Rebun: https://goo.gl/maps/kUETt7fbN5mWzeD9723 views
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Rebun's east coast.23 views
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On the left is Lake Kushu, and ocean on the right.23 views
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Looking down a sheer cliff. Very dramatic...23 views
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Rishiri is about 63 km in circumference and has a population of about 5,000. Like Rebun, best to rent a car on Rishiri and drive around. 23 views
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Map of Rishiri-Rebun: https://goo.gl/maps/kUETt7fbN5mWzeD9723 views
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These photos were taken quite some years ago, so some things may look different now.23 views
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Approaching Kutsugata Port in Rishiri. 沓形港23 views
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Mt. Yotei-zan can be clearly seen from Niseko Hirafu. Hokkaido's Mt. Fuji. ニセコ ヒラフ・羊蹄山23 views
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Bihoro Pass (Bihoro Toge) is on Route 243 going through the mountains on the border of Bihoro (north) and Teshikaga (south) Towns. Major tourist stop with great panoramic views of Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake. 23 viewsThe island in the lake is named Nakajima.
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Bihoro Pass Scenic Point has two lookout points a short walk from each other. This is from the second lookout point. Both have similar views of Lake Kussharo. Bihoro Pass is within Akan-Mashu National Park in Hokkaido. 23 views
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Lake Akan at sunset.23 views
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Lake Penketo's water flows to Panketo and ends up in Lake Akan. ペンケトー23 views
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These photos were taken quite some years ago, so some things may look different now.22 views
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Fishing port on Rebun.22 views
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Cape Sukoton is Rebun's northernmost tip, about 30 km from Kafuka Port. スコトン岬22 views
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Another scenc point on Rebun.22 views
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Did some hiking.22 views
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Needless to say, fishing is one of the major industries on Rebun. This was a meeting by pure chance, and they were smiling and giggling at us foreigners. So friendly.22 views
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Cuttlefish (ika) on Rebun.22 views
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Rebun sunset in Hokkaido.22 views
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Leaving Rebun.22 views
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Rishiri's Oshidomari Port. 鴛泊港22 views
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Rishiri's Oshidomari Port or ferry terminal. 鴛泊港22 views
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View from Cape Peshi.22 views
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Kutsugata Port in Rishiri.22 views
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Rebun's east coast near Kafuka Port.21 views
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Kafuka Port 香深港21 views
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Rebun has lots of rolling hills. This was in autumn, offpeak season with no flowers.21 views
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Fisherman with an underwater looking glass.21 views
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Cape Sukoton スコトン岬. Island in the distance is Todo island.21 views
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Very scenic island.21 views
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One of the most charming moments of our trip. Meeting friendly local women hanging cuttlefish to dry in the sun.21 views
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So many cuttlefish (ika).21 views
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Cuttlefish (ika) on Rebun.21 views
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Konbu kelp seaweed dried on Rebun.21 views
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Rebun sunset in Hokkaido.21 views
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Rebun's east coast.21 views
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Mt. Rishiri is nicknamed "Rishiri-Fuji" since it's conical like Mt. Fuji.21 views
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Rishiri's Oshidomari Port. 鴛泊港21 views
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Lake Mashu in eastern Hokkaido is my favorite lake in Japan.21 views
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Lake Kussharo is noted for its mystical atmosphere. There's a lakeshore road along the southern half of the lake. Water surface covers 79.7 sq. km.21 viewsYou can dig into the sand and find hot spring water.
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Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido21 views
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At Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, baby red-crowned crane in mid-June 2022. That's the mother on the left.21 views
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Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve).21 views
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Approaching Rishiri by ferry.20 views
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Rishiri forest20 views
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On Cape Peshi, Oshidomari Lighthouse overlooking Oshidomari Port. 鴛泊灯台 ペシ岬20 views
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Rishiri at dawn.20 views
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Part of Akan-Mashu National Park, Lake Akan (Akanko) is a serene crater lake in Hokkaido. In winter, the entire lake freezes over to enable ice skating and other winter sports. Winter festival is also held.20 views
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Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park, Hokkaido.20 views
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Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve).20 views
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Rishiri's Oshidomari Port. 鴛泊港19 views
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We did some easy hiking on Rishiri in early autumn.19 views
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View from Cape Peshi.19 views
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Oshidomari Lighthouse on Rishiri, Hokkaido. 鴛泊灯台 18 views
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Wakkanai ahead.18 views
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Red-crowned crane, Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve).18 views
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Approaching Rishiri's Oshidomari Port in northern Rishiri, closest to Wakkanai. 鴛泊港17 views
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We did some hiking on Rishiri in early autumn, nothing strenuous.17 views
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Matsumae Castle's main tower was destroyed by a fire in 1949. The current castle tower is a 1960 reconstruction, serving as a local museum. Only the gate on the left is an original structure from the 19th century. National Important Cultural Property17 views
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Matsumae Castle's Honmaru Gomon Gate, a National Important Cultural Property. 本丸御門15 views
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Entrance to the park has this sign indicating how many years the park has been operating since Aug. 27, 1958. Visited in 2022, so it was 63 years. It also says the park currently has 14 cranes.11 views
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Being on the Tsugaru Strait, Matsumae was a strategic defensive position for northern Japan during the samurai era. This is the Matsumae Castle ticket gate. Small admission fee charged.10 views
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Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve) keeps red-crowned cranes (tancho 丹頂) for the public to see year-round. Kushiro is where the cranes can also be found in the wild. 10 views
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Matsumae Castle's main tower is a pretty accurate reconstruction with 3 floors on the original location. Originally named "Fukuyama Castle" since the area was named "Fukuyama." To avoid confusion with Fukuyama Castle in Hiroshima,9 views
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For lunch in Matsumae, we had the same food that was served to the Matsumae samurai. Very good. Served at a hot spring ryokan named "Yano." (温泉旅館 矢野) https://www.matsumae-yano.com9 views
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Matsumae Castle was the last Japanese castle to be built (1854) during the samurai's Edo Period. It was the base of the Matsumae Clan who ruled Hakodate and this Matsumae area (formerly named "Fukuyama"). The castle was an expansion of thei8 views
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Inside Matsumae Castle's main tower (1st floor). The castle was rebuilt with donations and money from the town government. Ferroconcrete structure.8 views
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Front lawn with cherry blossom trees which bloom in late April to mid-May.8 views
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The park basically is marshland with fences keeping the cranes inside. Visitors could walk along the tall fence and see the cranes, usually in pairs. 8 views
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History of the Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve in Japanese.8 views
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Akan-Kohan Youth Hostel was once here too. Not here anymore. 阿寒湖畔ユースホステル(既に閉館)7 views
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To strengthen Japan's maritime defense against foreign ships, the Tokugawa government in 1849 ordered the Matsumae Clan to build Matsumae Castle in this coastal town. Matsumae Castle's main tower peers above the ticket office.7 views
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Fancy selfie sign says "Matsumae Castle." Since the current castle tower is aging and not earthquake-resistant, there are plans to replace it with another reconstruction with wood. Due to be completed in 2035.7 views
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Top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower. Windows on all four sides give good views of the park.7 views
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View from the top floor of Matsumae Castle's main tower. The castle grounds have 10,000 sakura trees, making it one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. 日本さくら名所100選7 views
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