王小鈞's Reviews Page 13/25

Lake Toya

There is no better attraction than the natural landscape of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. The area around a caldera lake, Lake Toya , and an active volcano, Mt.Usu, was designated as the Toya- Usu Unesco Global Geopark in UNESCO Global Geopark.

• Lake Toya and Noboribetsu
• Nature Spots

Lake Toya in winter is as beautiful as a still painting❄️
The ground is covered in white snow, and the lake reflects the distant mountains. It feels quiet and soothing. Standing by the lake, with the magnificent scenery shaped by volcanoes right in front of you, you can really feel both the power and gentleness of nature.

Shikotsu-Toya National Park

The Shikotsu-Toya National Park is located in the southwest of Hokkaido and the scale of the ground reaches 993km.

• Chitose and Tomakomai
• Parks & Gardens

Winter in Hokkaido is almost unfairly beautiful! Surrounded by snow the whole way, I arrived around Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya, and the scenery looked just like a postcard.
This area is known as a “museum of active volcanoes.” The lake views are gorgeous, and you can also feel the unique landforms created by volcanic activity. Winter is less lively than summer, but it has a quiet, mysterious atmosphere. Standing by the lake in the cold wind, watching the snow-covered mountains reflected on the water, I couldn’t help but stop and take it all in.

Goryokaku Park

Goryokaku, a Western-style fortress, was built in 1866 and served as the political capital of Hokkaido until the new Meiji government took over. It later became a popular tourist attraction after it was opened to the public as "Goryokaku Park" in 1914 and was designated as a national special historic site.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Parks & Gardens

Goryokaku Park in Hakodate is dressed in a silvery-white blanket of snow in winter. The star-shaped fort covered in snow feels quiet and magical.
Walking through the snow and taking in the pure white scenery feels like stepping into a winter painting.
It may not have the romance of cherry blossom season, but Goryokaku in winter has a peaceful, mysterious charm. You may even get to enjoy the romantic nighttime illuminations.
No matter which season you visit, you can experience a different kind of beauty.

Onuma Quasi National Park

In July 1958, Onuma Quasi-National Park was designated as the 13th in the nation and the only quasi-national park in southern Hokkaido.

• Hakodate and Matsumae
• Parks & Gardens

Onuma Quasi-National Park is the kind of place you fall in love with as soon as you arrive.
When I visited in autumn, the lake reflected the mountains covered in red and yellow maple leaves, like stepping into a natural painting. In winter, it wears a silvery-white coat, and the quiet lake scenery paired with the snow creates a completely different dreamy atmosphere.
After visiting twice and experiencing Onuma Quasi-National Park in both fall and winter, I really felt the charm of Hokkaido’s changing seasons.
It turns out that the same place can show you an entirely different view just by visiting in another season. Next time, I’d love to explore Onuma in spring or summer and see the beauty of all four seasons.

Oirase Stream

Oirase Stream, a renowned tourist attraction awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide, stretches approximately 14 kilometers from the shores of Lake Towada at Nenokuchi to Yakeyama. It's a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, celebrated for its waterfalls, clear streams, giant rocks, and steep cliffs.

• Aomori
• Nature Spots

Oirase Stream in the fall is so beautiful you won’t want to leave!
Walking slowly along the stream, with the sound of flowing water in your ears and golden maple leaves covering the mountains in front of you, every scene looked like a postcard as sunlight filtered through the forest.
Of all the places on this trip, Oirase Stream was my favorite. It really makes you want to experience every season here: the fresh green of spring, the cool air of summer, the red maples of fall, and the snowy scenery of winter. I hope I can come back someday to enjoy its beauty in a different season.

Statue of Maidens

A pair of bronze statues standing on the lakeshore of Yasumiya at Lake Towada. Built in 1953 to mark the 15th anniversary of Lake Towada’s designation as a national park, the statues honor three key figures who helped introduce Lake Towada and Oirase to a wider audience and contributed to the national park designation: writer Keigetsu Omachi, then Aomori Governor Chiyosaburo Takeda, and local village mayor Koichi Ogasawara. Created by sculptor and poet Kotaro Takamura, it’s also known as his final work.

• Aomori
• Tourist Attractions

The two maidens quietly face each other beside the beautiful lake, and it feels like time slows down here. Besides appreciating the artwork, don’t forget to take that classic photo together.
In fall, the lakeside turns golden, and with the statues and the calm lake surface, it’s so beautiful you won’t want to leave.
A must-visit spot at Lake Towada. If you come here, you have to take a photo!

Towada Lake Sightseeing Cruise

Lake Towada is a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity that began roughly 200,000 years ago. Renowned as one of Aomori’s most scenic destinations, it offers breathtaking views that can be fully enjoyed from the water aboard a sightseeing cruise.

• Aomori
• Experiences Facilities

Lake Towada in the fall is so stunning that you can’t stop taking photos. Once you board the sightseeing cruise and slowly make your way across the lake, the 50-minute ride feels just right for taking in the mountain scenery all around, painted red and yellow with autumn leaves.
As the wind blows over the lake and the boat gently rocks, all you see is the beauty of nature. There isn’t much noise, just a deeply soothing feeling.
Fall at Lake Towada is truly worth experiencing in person.

Lake Towada

Lake Towada spans over Towada City, Aomori and Kosaka Town of Kazuno county, Akita. The volcanic activities of Mt. Towada, which began almost 200,000 years ago, has created the caldera lake. The 12th largest lake in Japan, the 3rd in depth, it is designated as Japan's Area of Special Scenic Beauty and a natural monument along with the Oirase Gorge stemming from the lake.

• Aomori
• Akita
• Nature Spots

Lake Towada in the fall is as beautiful as a painting slowly unfolding.
The lake reflects the reds, yellows, and oranges of the surrounding mountains and forests. The calm water and stunning scenery made me want to stop and take photos with every step along the shore.
This beauty, shaped by nature over countless years, was all right there in front of me. It really made me feel the true meaning of travel.
If you’re visiting Tohoku, autumn at Lake Towada is absolutely worth remembering!

Lake Tazawa

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan at 423.4m deep. The lake, with its breathtakingly beautiful cobalt blue surface, is a scenic spot in Akita Prefecture, selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. In 2022, the moon rising over Lake Tazawa will be recognized as one of Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Moons, adding even more charm to the lake.

• Akita
• Nature Spots

Lake Tazawa is so beautiful, I couldn’t help but stay a little longer 💙
The water has a dreamy cobalt blue color and is so clear it looks like it has a filter on it. No wonder it’s known as Japan’s deepest lake. The weather was great that day, and the sunlight sparkling on the lake, with the mountains in the background, made every random photo look amazing.
There isn’t much noise or bustle here. Just quietly taking in the lake view made the trip feel extra relaxing and totally worth it.

Ouchi-juku

More than 30 thatched-roof homes stand in Ouchi-juku, where the townscape still reflects the Edo-Period. It used to prosper as a post station along the former Aizu West Highway 400 years ago.

• Fukushima
• Famous Places

Ouchi-juku feels like stepping right into the Edo period. The whole street is lined with thatched-roof houses and charming old-fashioned scenery. Walking through it feels like traveling back in time, and every corner has so much character and is perfect for photos.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late this time, and most of the shops had already closed, so I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to try the local food. Still, with fewer crowds, I was able to capture the quiet beauty of this old village, which became a lovely memory in its own way.
Next time, I’ll definitely come earlier and take my time exploring!