Hokkaido [1]

When someone said “Japan”, most people automatically think of places such as Tokyo and Osaka. If you enjoy nature rather than the trendy Shibuya district or the bright city lights, I suggest you make a trip to Hokkaido, Japan. Hokkaido is located Northernmost of Japan. This island’s attraction is its distinctive seasons. In the spring, you can find delicate cherry blossoms bloom on mountains. In the summer, you will find a sea of lavender flowers across Furano flower farms. As for autumn, you will see people enjoying food and sake as the leaves turn red. Expect to soak into the hot springs when the snow falls in the winter. “Everywhere you see, it is just like a painting.”

Mascot of Noburibetsu

I find Hokkaido’s summer particularly beautiful. The weather is dry, sunny, and breezy during the day but temperature drops a little at night. The weather is still comfortable enough to dip into the hot spring or “onsen” in Japanese. I highly recommend that you pay a visit to the town of Noboribetsu to enjoy two nights of hot spring therapy. Noboribetsu houses some of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan because Hokkaido is known as the “hot spring kingdom”.  The mineral-rich hot spring water can help you relax your muscles and it also helps rejuvenate skin. The sulfur in the spring water is reported to help relieve the pain and lessen the fatigue of fibromyalgia as stated in an article published in the Rheumatology International journal. There are two hot spring facilities, one for men and the other for women. You are not allowed to wear any clothes or underwear into the hot spring water and you must shower before entering the hot spring pools. If you find this uncomfortable, I suggest that you bring a small towel into the hot spring with you. To prevent from hydration, only soak in the water for fifteen minutes then drink a lot of water.   

Jigokudani or "Hell Valley"

Besides the hot spring, many Japanese travelers love to hike in the mountains above the resort town of Noboribetsu.  There is a famous attraction called the Jigokudani or “Hell Valley”. The Hell Valley displaces volcanic activities. Before you can spot any hot steam vents, you will smell a strong scent that will remind you of boiled eggs. This smell of sulfur created an image like that of hell. The sulfurous water of Hell Valley is the main source of Noboribetsu’s hot spring. If you hike up the trails above the Hell Valley, you will find a hot, sulfurous river called Oyunumagawa. You can hike along this river, sit down on a rock for a free foot bath, and enjoy the nature.

Hokkaido is stunningly scenic and it also has amazing food. My next post will take you through a mouthwatering journal. Get ready!