Image Page on Japan�s Tohoku and Hokkaido Regions
Outline
- Landscapes
- Oirase Gorge and rapids
- Lake Towada
- Mt. Hakodate
- Mt. Sapporo
- Cities
- Aomori
- Hachinohe �
- Hakodate �
- Sapporo
- Landmarks
- Aomori Tourist Center
- Hotoke-ga-ura
- Fort Goryokaku
- Sapporo Brewery
- Images of People
- Nebuta Matsuri
- Oma Tuna Fishermen
- Sapporo Brewery Hall
- Ganso Ramen Street
- Images from the book
- Noboribetsu Onsen
- Yuki Matsuri
1
Landscapes
Oirase
Gorge and Rapids
Found in Northern Honshu�s Aomori Prefecture, Japan Visitor
claims that the Oirase gorge and is the most beautiful
river valley in Japan. This gorge drains from Lake Towada
and runs 14km between Yakeyama and Nenokuchi. Many hikers and cyclists enjoy trekking along the
gorge, and it has convenient rest stops. Japan Visitor claims this is a must
see for any who are visiting the Aomori Prefecture.
https://www.japanvisitor.com/images/content_images/japan-image-453.jpg
Lake
Towada
Lake Towada is located
between the Aomori and Akita Prefectures of Tohoku Japan. It is the largest
crater lake on the Japanese island of Honshu and the 12th largest lake in Japan.
In 1936, the lake and surrounding area became Towada
National Park. This is a very popular tourist destination in Autumn, as many
like to come to see the changing color of the leaves.
https://www.en-aomori.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/58_towadako_01-750x450.jpg
Mt.
Hakodate
This 334 meter high
mountain is located on the southern tip of the Hakodate peninsula. It is a
heavily wooded mountain that many people like to go to the top of to see the
view of Hakodate at night. There are many ways to get to the top of Mt.
Hakodate, these include: ropeway, bus, and car. Souvenir shops and a caf� can
be found at the top of the mountain as well.
https://www.hakodate.travel/en/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/39a.jpg
Mt.
Sapporo
The 1,293 meter tall peak
of Mt. Sapporo is a very popular destination for skiers and snowboarders alike.
Routes along this area have inns where skiers may stay and camp. For outdoor
enthusiasts, it takes 3 to 4 hours to hike to the peak. Otherwise, there are
routes to take by car as well.
https://hokkaidoguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/126A9780.jpg
2
Cities
Aomori
City
Aomori city is the prefectural
capital of the Aomori Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Northern part of
Honshu, Aomori city has a population of about 300,000 and is the main crossing
point between people traveling between Honshu and Hokkaido. Aomori has many contemporary
architectural buildings that are big tourist draws. Some things to see and do
near Aomori are the A-Factory, the Aomori Bay Bridge, the Wa
Rasse arts and cultural center, and the Nebuta festival.
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/cruise/jp/detail/010/images/main.jpg
Hachinohe City
Hachinohe is a city located on the eastern
side of the Aomori Prefecture. With a population just under 230,000, Hachinohe
is the second largest city in the Aomori Prefecture. Emburi
is a festival that is celebrated in Hachinohe and nearby towns to pray for a
bountiful harvest. There are many historical sights in this area where you can
see Jomon era ruins and Muromachi
castle ruins as well.
http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/cruise/jp/detail/077/images/main.jpg
Hakodate City
Hakodate is Hokkaido�s third largest
city. Hakodate is found on the southern part of Hokkaido and is known for the
scenic views from Mt. Hakodate, as well as its seafood. Onuma
park is a national park that is located only 30 minutes away from Hakodate and
is dotted with hiking trails and lakes. Since Hakodate was one of the first parts
of Japan to be made open to foreigners, there are many older western style
buildings that are very popular with tourists here.
Sapporo
In the Ainu language, Sapporo means,
�River running through a plain.� Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido and Japan�s
fifth largest city. During the early Meiji Era, Sapporo was chosen to be
Hokkaido�s administrative center. When Sapporo was being built, it was based on
a North American city grid design. Sapporo received a lot of international attention
when it hosted the first winter games in Japan in 1972. This city is very popular
for its beer, ramen, and the snow festival that it holds in February.
http://www.orangesmile.com/common/img_cities_original/sapporo--242395-11.jpg
3
Landmarks
Aomori
Tourist Center
�
This triangular shaped building is
meant to represent an A for Aomori. This 76 meter tall
building is the main hub for information about Aomori. Inside, one can find
many different shops, cafes and restaurants to get food and souvenirs. There is
also a lot of information for local tourist attractions as well.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Aspm2.jpg/800px-Aspm2.jpg
Hotoke-ga-ura
Located at the Northern most part of
the Honshu island, you can find Hotoke-ga-ura rock
formations. According to en-aomori.com, these formations were caused by
volcanic activity 20 million years ago that was then shaped by rough waves. The
rock formations were named after Buddha, so the name literally translates to (Buddha�s
cove).
https://www.en-aomori.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/68_hotokegaura_03-750x450.jpg
Fort Goryokaku
Fort Goryokaku
was built in the late Edo period and is meant to look like a western style citadel.
Once the fort lost its military significance, it was turned into a public park
and many cherry blossoms were planted in the area. This site is where the last
battle of the Boshin War took place.
https://www.japan-guide.com/blog/sakura12/g/120508_hakodate_01.jpg
Sapporo Brewery
This is the place where Sapporo beer
has been brewed since 1877. The creator of Sapporo beer had actually
traveled to Germany to learn how to make beer. This is why Japan guide states
that, ��Hokkaido
is the birthplace of beer in Japan.� Inside the Brewery there is a museum that
offers tours and tastings for types of beer that are only made and sold at the
brewery and no where else. There is also a large dining hall inside where many gather to eat and drink as well.
4
Images of People
These people are taking part in the
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Festival, which is held between
August 2nd and 7th of each year. Each year over 3 million people from Japan and
abroad come to take part in the festival where giant lanterns are made and
paraded through the city. The floats are based on kabuki and mythical figures.
The festival has dancing, music and fireworks and is finished by floating the
lanterns across Aomori bay as fireworks go off above them.
http://www.xavifernandezviatges.com/blog/wp-content/2011/02/japo-247-1482010-3262.jpg
Oma Tuna Fishermen
Oma Japan is on the northern tip of
the Honshu island. These people are taking part in a lucrative business in that
area, tuna fishing. It is a hard business, but a record was set this year when
a tuna sold for over 3 million dollars in a Tokyo auction. In Oma its normal
for fishermen to catch giant tuna with a simple pole and line method with a squid
as bait.
https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/destinations/img/aomori/omatuna/488-03.jpg
Sapporo Brewery Hall
On the Sapporo Brewery ground�s you can find a brewery, museum, and even a giant
hall to eat and drink. That�s what all these patrons are currently doing. The
popular dish to eat here is called Genghis Khan, which is lamb meat and vegetables
that are grilled right at the table.
Ganso Ramen Street
The Ganso
ramen street is a very popular place for side street ramen in Sapporo. It
started in 1951, when originally seven ramen shops had opened in this area, now
there are 17 shops up and running. All of the ramen
shops on Ganso Street are small and can only fit a
few people inside each, but its still very popular and very busy. Each ramen
shop specializes in different ramen from around Hokkaido, some are even listed
on the Michellin guide.
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/11/1e/d2/ec/entrance-to-alley-susukinofest.jpg
5 Images From the Book
Noribetsu Onsen
Lonely Planet Japan describes Noribetsu as Hokkaido�s most famous onsen.
Noribetsu has very mineral rich waters and use to be
designated for veterans of the Russo-Japanese War. Lonely Planet also explains
that there are statues of a demon named Yukujin that
can be seen all over. No worries though, Lonely Planets says that he is meant
to spread good luck and fortune.
Yuki Matsuri
These people are visiting Yuki Matsuri,
which a snow festival held in Sapporo every February. Each year sculptors from
all over the world come here to create works of art from snow and ice. This is
one of Japan�s most famous winter festivals and has been going on since 1950.
It started when some high school students had made a few snow statues in Odori
park. Now over 2 million visitors come from all over Japan and the world to
witness this event.
Submitted by Davis Clouse on March 29, 2019.