Hokkaido

Shiretoko & Lakes in East Hokkaido

Enjoy the earliest autumn of Japan in Hokkaido

Takako Sakamoto Sep 11, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The sky above Mt. Oakan turning purple in strips</p>

<p>Local popular mascot I met at the Mikaeri Mountain Pass in Shiretoko</p>

<p>The Oshin-koshin Falls don't fall vertically, but they slide down the rock surface</p>

<p>Looking back at Shari Town from around the entrance to the Shiretoko Mountain Pass</p>

<p>The highest mountain in the Shiretoko Peninsula</p>

<p>White birch trees with soft green leaves...a familiar sight in Hokkaido</p>

<p>Following the name of the Mikaeri Mountain Pass (Mikaeri = look back), this Ezo red fox saw me off looking back at me again and again</p>

<p>I enjoyed the tandem paragliding from the top of the Bihoro Mountain Pass, appreciating the view of Lake Kussharo below</p>

<p>Although it was cloudy and I couldn't see the clear blue sky, I fully enjoyed the first paragliding experience of my life...I felt SO GOOD!</p>

<p>Amazing rosy sky reflecting on Lake Akan</p>

<p>Lake Mashu in the late afternoon sun...Lake Mashu under the clear blue sky is as beautiful as when it's misty!</p>

<p>Early autumn foliage viewed from Takimi Bridge along Route Marimo near the Lake Akan</p>

At the end of September two years ago, I visited Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Heritage Site in Japan.

I had made a reservation for the Shiretoko Cruise beforehand, but unfortunately the sea was rough and the cruise was canceled. To top it all off, brown bears were spotted in the area and I could only see two of the five famous lakes in Shiretoko.

However, as a 'die hard' photographer, I didn't give up easily. I changed my plans on the spot and explored the lakes in Eastern Hokkaido instead.

Magnificent Nature of Hokkaido

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...