The Charming Illuminated Butterfly Of Mount Hakodate

Hakodate (函館), Oshima (渡島) 
Hokkaido, Japan

Summer 2011

Mount Hakodate (函館山, Hakodate Yama) is a 334 metre high, wooded mountain at the southern end of the peninsula on which much of central Hakodate is located. On clear days and nights, it allows an unblocked view of the city and the Tsugaru Strait. The spectacular view of the fan-shaped "illuminated butterfly" has been included among Japan's three best night views alongside the views from Nagasaki's Mount Inasa and Kobe's Mount Rokko.

Well-known for its seafood and sushi, especially its squid, it is said that the bright lights from the illuminated butterfly attracts squids to the nearby waiting nets of the fisherman.

Awaiting the ropeway cable car at the base station...

A mystical feeling as we ascend into the clouds...

  

Imagine our utter disappointment as the view was completely obscured by clouds right at the top...

 Our guide told us, it's possible that on some nights, the clouds will part for some fortunate visitors.
So we waited...

Then slowly, bit by bit, as if by magic, the clouds drifted away - and the butterfly appeared.
And, like the squids, we were totally charmed by the beauty of the lights... 

 

 

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The full album is available at:
The Charming Illuminated Butterfly Of Mount Hakodate

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Sources

• "Mt. Hakodate, Million-dollar night view" (17 April 2012). WAttention. Retrieved from http://www.wattention.com/trip-to-japan/hokkaido/hakodate/mt-hakodate.
• "Mount Hakodate (Hakodateyama)" (17 April 2012). japan-guide.com. Retrieved from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5354.html.

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Lake Tōya's Spellbinding Sunrises & Summer Fireworks

Shikotsu-Tōya National Park (支笏洞爺国立公園), Abuta (虻田)
Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan
Summer 2011

Located in the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, in Abuta District, Lake Tōya (洞爺湖 Tōyako) is a volcanic caldera lake. It is one of Hokkaido's three most impressive landscapes.

In 1910, as a result of the volcanic activity of Mount Yosomi - one of Mount Usu's parasitic cones, hot springs started to well out of the earth and onsen (hot springs) started to open up for business as far back as 1917.

The stratovolcano of Mount Usu lies on the southern rim of the caldera. The lake is nearly circular, being 10 kilometers in diameter from east-west and 9 kilometers from North-South. The lake's biggest town, Tōyako Onsen (洞爺湖温泉) is located on its western shore. The town Tōyako is located on the other side of the lake.

Every year 3 million visitors come to the area to see and the active volcanoes and visit the activity centres which are set against the backdrop of Mount Yotei - Hokkaido's very own Mount Fuji.
   

The majestic view from the viewing platform...

   
Charming little outhouses with a wigwam... 

  
A fisherman whiles his time away in a soothing sunset...

 

  
Dazzling fireworks - Such is the charm of watching fireworks after dinner dressed in a yukata by the lakeside...

  
The sun rises at 4am here. The amazing view from our window and the spellbinding colours of the Tōya sunrise...

 

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The full album is available at:
Lake Tōya's Spellbinding Sunrises & Summer Fireworks

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Sources

• "Toyako Onsen" (16 April 2012). Toyako Onsen Tourist Association. Retrieved from http://www.laketoya.com/en/sight.html (Expired as of 2014).
• "Lake Tōya" (16 April 2012). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_T%C5%8Dya.

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Sounkyo's Silver Streams

Sounkyo Gorge (層雲峡)
Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園)
Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
Summer 2011

The Sounkyo Gorge is situated at the foot of Mount Daisetsuzan, which is called the "roof of Hokkaido". The giant gorge, bordered by 100-metre cliffs formed by the erosion of tuff, stretches for 24 kilometres along the Ishikari River and forms the centre of the Daisetsuzan National Park.

Of the many waterfalls which grace this canyon, there are two of distinction: 1) the "Ginga no Taki" (Milky Way Falls), where the water falls so thin and sleekly it is like a delicate white thread, and 2) "Ryuusei no Taki" (Shooting Star Falls), where it comes down thick and powerfully. Nicknamed "Onnadaki" (lady falls) and "Otokodaki" (gentleman falls), they are in the top hundred waterfalls in Japan in terms of beauty.

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The full album is available at:
Sounkyo's Silver Streams

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Sources

• "Soun-kyo Gorge" (16 April 2012). Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Retrieved from http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hokkaido/souunnkyou.html. (Expired as of 2014)
   
• "View Spot" (16 April 2012). Sounkyo Tourist Association. Retrieved from http://www.sounkyo.net/english/spot/index.html. (Expired as of 2014)

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Romance In The Bay At Matsushima

Matsushima (松島), Miyagi (宮城)

Tohoku, Honshu, Japan

Autumn 2009

For hundreds of years Matsushima Bay (松島) has been celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views. It is  is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The bay is dotted by over 260 small islands (shima) covered by pine trees (matsu) - hence the name. The view of Matsushima changes from place-to-place and from-season-to-season, which earns it its well-deserved status.
  

 
  

A good way to enjoy the bay is to get on a cruise boat. There are round trips starting and ending at Matsushima which run on an hourly basis. The cruise will allows an up-close view of fascinating-shaped islands like Niōjima (with its Donald Duck façade), Senganjima (Masamune Date's favorite island), Misagojima (two lion-headed islands linked by a bridge), and Meganejima (two people holding hands).
  

 

  
The windows on the boat are cleaned before every cruise - Helps ensure all passengers get a good view of the bay - We were very impressed by the efficiency and attention to details!
 

Feed for birds at 100 yen per pack - Calbee crisps!

The sight was awesome! Hundreds and hundreds of them...

  

The gulls are experts at catching the crisps!

  

Seagull in action : Target in sight - It swoops down - and gets it!

 

Silhouettes in the sunset...

Sunset at 1630 hours... A magnificent sight!

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The full album is available at:
Romance In The Bay At Matsushima

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