Lake Poroto (B&W Panorama)
One of the tourist location in Hokkaido is Shiraoi which lies on the shores of Lake Poroto. Here you will find a traditional Ainu Village, run by museum staff that depict the traditional crafts with dance and songs of the Ainu people.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani
Noboribetsu-onsen town is famous for its hot springs, which its main source comes from the Jigokudani (Hell Valley) located just above the town.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani
During the visit to the park, you can find hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activity. The smell of sulphur permeates the area as well as the Noboribetsu Onsen town itself - it takes sometime to get use to it.
Odori Park
Our first encounter of sakura blooming was in Sapporo's Odori Park. However, due to the sparseness of the park, the effect was not felt and we left the area, feeling disappointed that we had missed the blooming sight. Little that we know, we would leave Hokkaido feeling satisfied by the end of our trip.
Bear Cub
One of the few bear cubs we could find in the Showashinzan Kumabokujo (Showa shinzan bear ranch). From the information given, this is one of the seven bear cubs born at the bear ranch in 2010.
Mt Showa Ezo Brown Bear
Showashinzan Kumabokujo (Showa shinzan bear ranch) was a stop in the Hokkaido tour. Here you find Ezo brown bears held in large concrete "pen", and being trained to stand on its hind feet and wave its paws in reward of apples.
Mt Showa Ezo Brown Bear
Tourists are encouraged to buy apples to throw to the bears, and are "rewarded" with sights of them catching the apples.
Swan at Lake Toya
We reach Lake Toya in the afternoon, so we had some time to walk around the area. Some of us took a short boat ride around the Lake and visited the island in the middle of the lake. During this time, we saw swans moving around in the lake.
Collage of Hanabi at Lake Toya
A collection of Hanabi (fireworks) seen during the night stay at Lake Toya. Since 1981, fireworks display can be viewed daily at 8.45pm from 28 April to 31 October (exception of bad weather).
Collage of Hanabi at Lake Toya
Another collection of Hanabi (fireworks) in Lake Toya. Depending on your room location, you might be able to catch this fireworks display from the comfort of your room.
Dawn at Lake Toya (Panorama)
Woke up rather early the next morning in time for this dawn shot. Went back to sleep again after that, it was still too early to do anything else!
Goryokaku Park
We have often heard about being in Japan during the sakura period and how beautiful it is, until in 2010, where we headed out to Hokkaido for a holiday. There in Goryokaku Park, we finally managed to catch this sight, and yes, it's a beauty to behold.
The blossoming starts in Okinawa and it slowly spreads across Japan, until it reaches Hokkaido in April. Hokkaido is the last location to catch this blossoming of the sakura flowers which to Japan, it means spring has come.
Husky at Goryokaku Park
Owner of this Siberian husky must have brought it along for the Hanami at the park.
Kid at Goryokaku Park
It was a day of fun for these kids, out in the Goryokaku Park, enjoying a "Hanami" day. Hanami is the centuries-old practice of picnicking under a blooming sakura or ume tree by the Japanese.
Chochin (Japanese Paper Lanterns)
As part of the tour, we were brought to Sensoji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. There you will walk through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), into a short shopping street, Nakamise-dori. Beyond the Hozomon (Treasure House Gate) is the main temple hall. These chochin (paper lanterns) can be found next to the main temple hall
Seagull at Goryokaku Park
Grounds of the Goryokaku Park are popular spot for Sakura hanami. Goryokaku was once a fort during the short-lived Republic of Ezo. Today, Goryokaku park is located in the city of Hakodate in Hokkaido.