 Image search results - "nakajima" |
Lake Toya is a caldera lake, or crater lake. The mountain blew its top forming a huge crater. Later, volcanos erupted at the center to form smaller mountains which are now islands in the water-filled crater.
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The Nakajima islands in the center of Lake Toya. There are four islands. Most them have a conical shape.
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On this side of the lake, the waters are quite still.
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Nakajima islands as seen from Toyako Onsen.
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Lake Toya sign and the Nakajima islands.
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Swan boat and a real swan.
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Swan boats. You can pedal pretty far out in these things, but not to the Nakajima islands.
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On the shore of Lake Toya is binoculars through which you can see the Summit venue, the Windsor Hotel.
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Lake Toya and cherry blossoms blooming in early May.
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Nakajima islands, Lake Toya
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Nakajima islands, Lake Toya
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Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands, Lake Toya. Early May 2008.
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The road is too steep to ride a bicycle, but short enough to walk it. You will be sweating though.
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During early to mid-May, the plum blossoms bloom.
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Sobetsu Park gives great views of Lake Toya and the Nakajima islands.
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When I went in early May, it was a little too soon for the plum blossoms which were just beginning to bloom.
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Plum trees closer to the sun were blooming earlier.
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Sobetsu Park and plum blossoms overlooking Lake Toya, Hokkaido.
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Picture-taking point
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At the top of the park's hill is a lookout deck. However, you can also walk on the slope and see the plum blossoms up close.
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Cherry blossoms at the top of Sobetsu Park.
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Destination: Nakajima islands
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There are four Nakajima islands. Each one has a name. On the far right is the smallest island, named Manjujima island. Also nicknamed Snake Island since they say it has many vipers. 饅頭島
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The island on the left is Kannonjima island which is connected to Bentenjima island on the right via a sandbar. The islands are not accessible during winter.
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Kannon island, so called because there is a Kannon temple. 観音島
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Ezo deer on Benten island.
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Benten temple on Benten island
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Kannon temple on Kannon island.
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Ukimido as seen from Benten island
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Transparent water
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Heading to Oshima island.
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Oshima is the largest Nakajima island.
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Oshima island, Nakajima islands.
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Boat dock at Oshima island. This island has a small nature museum.
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Leaving Oshima.
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Ukimido near Benten island
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Leaving the Nakajima islands.
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Sculpture: 奥山喜生「回峰」
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Cherry blossoms
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Sculpture: 中井延也「シグナル」
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Cherry blossoms and sculpture
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It was pretty sunny, but I still used flash for this shot.
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Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」
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Sculpture: 秋山沙走武「薫風」
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Cherry trees almost in full bloom.
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Cherry blossoms and the Nakajima islands.
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Swan boat too.
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Love this transparent water. Makes you feel like canoeing or kayaking to the Nakajima islands.
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Carp fish
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Sculpture: 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」
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Sculpture: Posing for a Photo in May, by 峯田敏郎「記念撮影五月のかたち」
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One thing I like about photographing human-figure sculptures is that they are very good at keeping still for my camera.
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More cherry blossoms...
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Cherry blossoms and Lake Toya with the Nakajima islands.
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Toyako Enchi Park, a lakeside picnic area.
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Sculpture: Ripple Dance, by 関 正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」
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Sculpture in Toyako Enchi Park: Ripple Dance, by 関 正司「漣舞・リップル・ダンス」
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」
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Sculpture: Scene of a Portrait, by 湯川 隆「肖像のある風景」
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Aqua-blue water was almost like a tropical ocean...
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Finally, cherry blossoms near the lake water...
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Lake Toya and cherry blossoms. Shikotsu-Toya National Park
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View of Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.
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After pushing my bicycle up the long slope from central Sobetsu, I went back on the lakeside road and again went uphill to Sobetsu Park, famous for ume plum trees.
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View of the Nakajima islands from eastern Lake Toya.
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Nakajima islands
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya.
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How the lake was formed.
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Northern Lake Toya
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Pier
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Reeds barely grow here.
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Nakajima islands as seen from northern Lake Toya. They seem to look the same from whichever direction. Totally conical islands.
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G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Welcome sign on window of Toya Mizunoeki in northern Lake Toya.
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Outside Toya Mizunoeki fronting Lake Toya.
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The sculpture on the right: Wave Play, by Kyuzaemon Orihara 折原 久左ェ門「波遊」
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View of Lake Toya behind Toya Mizunoeki.
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The lake shore behind the Toya Mizunoeki also has swans.
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Nakajima islands and swan, Lake Toya, Hokkaido
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Lake Toya and swan, Hokkaido
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Lake Toya and swans, Hokkaido
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Another major sight in Lake Toya is the Ukimido pagoda in northern Lake Toya.
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Ukimido pagoda juts out into the lake on a narrow islet connected by a stone bridge.
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Ukimido means "floating view temple."
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Cherry blossoms and Ukimido pagoda.
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Well-placed sculpture at Ukimido: Dream Toya, by Mitsuaki Sora, 空 充秋「夢洞爺」
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Ukimido Park
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The Ukimido is the focal point of the lakeside Ukimido Park.
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A path of stones lead to the Ukimido.
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Around 1912, a Buddhist priest traveling north reached Toya village and rested at the Matsuhashi home. He gave a statue of Prince Shotoku Taishi to the family and said that they and the village shall prosper by taking care of it.
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The Matsuhashi family later moved away from Toya village and entrusted the statue to a local temple.
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View from the Ukimido's tiny balcony.
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View behind the Ukimido pagoda, with the Nakajima islands.
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Nakajima islands as seen from western Lake Toya.
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Lakeside road in western Lake Toya.
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Nakajima islands as seen from western Lake Toya.
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More cherry trees.
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Cherry blossoms and Nakajima islands
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