Sounkyo Hyobaku (Ice Waterfall) Festival in Hokkaido, Japan

41th Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival
Admission fee: 500 yen

On the way to go to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival 

(Japanese: Sounkyo Hyobaku Matsuri, 層雲峡氷瀑まつり） from the hotel.

Near the entrance of the festival. It was very fantastic!

Snow huts

Firework of Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

It was such a beautiful moment. We forgot the coldness!

Ice sculpture of Salmons in the snow hut

Coins were embedded in the ice sculptures.

Ice sculpture of cute character in the snow hut

Ice sculpture of Jizō/Ojizō-sama in the snow hut

Ice sculpture of Mercy Goddess in the snow hut

 

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the other side of the river

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Inside an ice cave

 

There were so many icicles inside the ice cave when we looked up.

 Illumination inside the ice cave

Ice pub inside the ice cave

There was a big Sake barrel made in Asahikawa on the icy bar counter.

There was an icy stairs to go up to the roof of the ice cave. 

The view from the roof of the ice cave.

How fantastic!

This is the big main ice cave.

One of the entrance was shaped like a dragon.

 Shinto shrine torii (gate) of Hyobaku shrine

Icy egg inside the snow dome of Hyobaku shrine.

 Ice rock climbing

 

Snow tubing

 We can buy and est some snacks & hot drinks at the warm place.

icy river of Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

Episode of Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

First step to go to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival, you need to pass through icy stairs till the entrance. It is very slippery. Some people were falling down from the icy stairs while we were going down. Tomo & Chouchou succeeded to go down icy stairs and arrive at the entrance somehow. There were many snow huts near the entrance so we were about to visit. Then firework started. So we enjoyed the firework first, then we visited snow huts. Inside the snow huts, we could find interesting ice sculptures. You may find your favorite one. 

Next, we went to the other side of the river. We found a huge ice cave. We could enter inside the ice cave. Inside the ice cave was also lit up with many colors. We also found many icicles inside the cave. It was scary at the beginning. We felt they might drop on us.... But, actually, inside the cave, illumination was too beautiful to be afraid of that. We were eager to take photos of the beauty of illumination inside the cave. So we easily forgot our fear and coldness.

There was an ice pub. Unfortunately we couldn't drink there. It would be nicer and more enjoyable if we can really drink Sake in the ice pub!

Not only inside but also above the ice cave was very fantastic. It was amazing to look down all the colorful snow huts from the roof of the ice cave!

It was the first time for us to enjoy such an icy world in Japan! It was very exciting. Snow festival is more famous but actually ice festival is also super nice! We liked Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival a lot. Please enjoy such a fantastic ice festival !

 

Tomo & Chouchou's advice for the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival

1)To go to the entrace, we must go down the icy stairs. It was very slippery and scary. Some people were falling down from the icy stairs. You had better wear non-slip shoes!

2)There are some attractions such as ice rock climbing, snow tubing. For family, especially for kids, it would be enjoyable to do.

3)If you feel easily cold, you can enter the store to warm up yourself. There is a stove inside the store. You can get some warm foods and hot drinks there.

Episode of Hotel in Sounkyo

Tomo & Chouchou thought we would stay at Hotel Taisetsu because the photo of that hotel was on the travel brochure and it looked very nice. However only our group of this tour, people of the same bus, had to stay at Sounkyo Kanko Hotel.

So we were a bit disappointed... however Sounkyo Kanko Horel was very close to the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. After 3 minutes walk, we could arrive there. So as a result, it was very convenient to walk on an icy road at night.

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Travel Itinerary of Hokkaido Snow Festival tour Tomo & Chouchou joined

Travel agent：Club Tourism International Inc.
Date: Feb in 2016 (2 nights 3 days)

1st day: Arrive at Wakkanai airport　⇒　Scallop lunch at Wakkanai station which has northernmost railroad track　⇒　Snow activities such as snow rafting, snow mobile, snow tube at Soya Fureai Park (Japanese: Soya Fureai Koen, 宗谷ふれあい公園）　⇒　Visit Cape Sōya (Japanese: Sōya-Misaki, 宗谷岬), where is the northernmost point of Japan. Visit Drift Ice Hall too.　⇒　Watch Russian musical ensemble at Wakkanai Sakhalin Hall (Japanese: Wakkanai Sakhalin Kan, 稚内サハリン館)　⇒　 Stay at Hotel Meguma in Wakkanai. Enjoy Wakkanai hot spring and Soya crab dinner course.

2nd day: Visit Lake Kutcharo (Japanese: Kutcharo-ko, クッチャロ湖) in Hamatombetsu (浜頓別).　⇒　Go to Cape Drift Ice / Cape Ryuhyo (Japanese: Ryuhyo-misaki, 流氷岬) in Monbetsu (紋別). Bord on the drift ice crusher "Garinko Ⅱ".　⇒　Stay at Sounkyo Kankou Hotel (層雲峡観光ホテル). Enjoy  41th Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival at night.

3rd day: Enjoy snow sculpture and ice sculpture of 67th Sapporo Snow Festival.　⇒　Eat Sapporo Ramen (Japanese:  ラーメン, which is a Japanese noodle soup) at New Chitose Airport Terminal (Japanese: Shin Chitose Kuko, 新千歳空港)  　⇒　Fly back to go home.

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Travel review of Hokkaido Snow Festival group tour

Tomo & Chouchou had dreamed of traveling to the snow festival in Hokkaido. Our dream came true with this tour!

There are so many snow festivals in Hokkaido. Sapporo Snow Festival is the most famous one. With this tour, we could go to two festivals "Sapporo Snow Festival" and "Sounkyo Hyobaku Festival". Normally it costs a lot to travel to Hokkaido during snow festival season. With this group tour, we could travel at a relatively reasonable price. So we were very lucky. We could also visit the northernmost point of Japan and board the drift ice crusher. Even though we couldn't see the drift ice, 2016 was not so enough cold to see the drift ice, it was enjoyable to look for the drift ice. All the foods that we ate were good. We were really satisfied with this tour.

Relating article
other winter festivals in the world

* Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, Japan

* Montreal Snow Festival, Canada

* Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada

* Winterlude & Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Canada


 

Fukiware Falls (Fukiware-no-Taki) in Gunma, Japan

Fukiware Falls [Japanese: Fukiware-no-taki：吹割の滝] is called as "Niagara falls in the Orient [Japanese: 東洋のナイアガラ]".

Fukiware Falls is one of the Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
Location : in Gunma prefecture [Japanese: 群馬県]


 

Got off the tour bus

 

 

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Walked in Fukiware Canyon (or Katashina Canyon)

[Japanese: Fukiware-Keikoku: 吹割渓谷 or Katashina-Keikoku: 片品渓谷].

 

 

We could start to see a part of Fukiware Falls.
We could see the waterfall crevice,

but we couldn't see whole Fukiware Falls from here.

 

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Walked more.

Water drops into the cracks between two mass of rocks.
We could also see the bridge behind the Fukiware Falls from here.

 

 

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Walked more.

We could see the V-shaped rock erosion and basin under the waterfall.

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Near the Fukiware Falls

There was a stream near the Fukiware Falls.

 

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Walked along the stream.

 

 

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We found interesting things.

the first one

A part of the cliff looks like a human face.

 

 

Could you find a face? 

 

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For Tomo, it looked like a eggplant-shaped face with fat lips.
  

 The second one. 

Do you see something?

This rock is officially called "rock of female demon's mask [Japanese: Hannya-iwa: 般若岩]".
 

 

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For Tomo, they looked like a ghost or death.

She saw two scary faces with big mouths open.

 

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After we went further,

we found the Masutobi Falls [Japanese: Masutobi-no-taki: 鱒飛の滝]

 

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We went back to the tour bus. 

Episode of Fukiware Falls

Tomo & Chouchou went to Fukiware falls [Fukiware-no-taki; 吹割の滝] in Gunma prefecture with a bus tour. Fukiware Falls are called as "Niagara falls in the Orient" and also one of the Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls.
Tomo & Chouchou have been to the Niagara Falls in Canada. So we were excited to see the "Niagara Falls in the Orient" in Japan.
In the photo of the travel brochure, water flows into the crack between two mass of rocks. It didn't look same as the Niagara Falls but it was rare for us to see such waterfalls. That excited us a lot.
After getting off the bus, we walked in Fukiware Canyon [Fukiware-Keikoku; 吹割渓谷]. Fukiware Canyon is also called Katashina Canyon (Katashina-Keikoku; 片品渓谷].
We could start to see a part of Fukiware Falls. We could see the waterfall crevice but we couldn't see whole Fukiware Falls from there.
After walking more, we started to see that water drops into the cracks between two mass of rocks. We could also see the bridge behind the Fukiware Falls.
After going ahead more, we could see the V-shaped rock erosion and basin under the waterfall.
Fukiware Falls is about 7m high and 30m in width and located around the middle of the Katashina river. We were moved to see such special waterfalls. We wanted to approach closer to the eroded rift but it was slippery and dangerous, so we couldn't approach more.
There was a stream near the Fukiware Falls. While walking along the stream, we found interesting things. Tomo has lots of imaginations, so she could see some faces on the rocks. Rock of female demon's mask [Hannya-iwa; 般若岩] was very scary. 

We wanted to go further to see more but we had to go back to the tour bus. It was anyway enjoyable to see the colored leaves and to discover the Fukiware Falls. 

Tomo & Chouchou's advice for Fukiware Falls

1) If you go forward further from Rock of female demon's mask [Hannya-iwa], you will find the Masutobi Falls [Masutobi-no-taki; 鱒飛の滝].
Tomo & Chouchou didn't have so much time to look around in Fukiware Canyon because of the tour schedule. But there are so many attractive places to see around the Fukiware Falls. So we advise you to take time and look around there.
For example, you can visit several bridges, all the three waterfall view spots, and the god of mountain called "Jyuni-sama; 十二様". You can also see the Wedded Rock (Meoto-iwa; 夫婦岩) and the wide rock called "Senjo-jiki; 千畳敷".

2) The Fukiware Falls is the good place to see the colored leaves too.
It is very soothing place and it helps to reduce stress. Please enjoy free negative air ionization therapy!

Information

Address: Tonemachi-Okkai, Numata, Gunma [群馬県沼田市利根町追貝]
Access:  It takes for 40 minutes from JR Numata station [JR沼田駅] by Kanetsu Kotsu Bus [関越交通バス] direction to Kamata, Tokura, Oshimizu [鎌田・戸倉・大清水方面行].  Get off at "Fukiware-no-taki [吹割の滝]" bus stop and walk 10 minutes.
Free access 
Best time for colored leaves:  from end of Oct. to beggining of Nov.
Attention! The path along the waterfalls is closed from December to March.


Other places in Gunma, Japan

- Oze Marshland [Ozegahara] hike

- Mt.Motoshirane hike & Yugama in Kusatsu

Canela in Brazil

Canela is a town located in Rio Grande do Sul.

 

the Cathedral of Stone/ Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes
[Portuguese: Catedral of Pedra/ Catedral Nossa Senhora de Lourdes]

 

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the Ferradura Park/ Horseshoe Park 

[Portugues: Parque da Ferradura].

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- Caracol State Park -

[Parque Estadual do Caracol]

There was a waterfall called "Caracol falls 

[Portuguese: Cascata do Caracol]".

 

We found another waterfall upstream called "Corredeiras".
 

 

There are lots of tropical trees in the Caracol State Park.

We found a big tall tree!!
We hugged that tree and we got the power from the tree.

Episode of Canela

One of our Brazilian friends drove from Porto Alegre to Canela. Another one of our Brazilian friends waited for us in Canela. His family are from Canela. He brought us to the beautiful places in Canela.
There was the nature in Canela. Canela has peaceful atmosphere.
We were so nervous in the big cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro because it was not so safe. On the other hand, we could be relaxed in Canela.
 

First, we went to see the Cathedral of Stone/ Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes [Catedral of Pedra/ Catedral Nossa Senhora de Lourdes in Portugues] which is located in the center of the town. It was a big beautiful Catholic church.

Next, we went to the Ferradura Park/ Horseshoe Park [Parque da Ferradura].
Ferradura means a horseshoe in Portugues. This Park was named as Ferradura" because the jungle shape in this park looked like a horseshoe. After we heard this story, we  saw the landscape again. It really looked like a horseshoe! :-)
When Tomo saw this landscape, Tomo was so moved. The nature made her cry.
We were overwhelmed by the greatness and power of the big nature. We felt human beings were very tiny comparing to such scale of the nature. We also felt that our worries were nothing and we even felt ashamed to worry such tiny stuff.

We also went to the Caracol State Park [Parque Estadual do Caracol].
In the Caracol State Park, there was a waterfall called Caracol falls [Cascata do Caracol]. When we went up along the river, we could see the another waterfall called Corredeiras. In Parque Estadual do Caracol, there are lots of tropical trees.
Walking in the park was enough enjoyable. While walking in the Caracol State Park, we found a big tall tree! We hugged that tree and we got the power from the tree!
 

Canela is famous for the natural parks. We think natural parks in Canela are powerful energy spots! We were healed by the power of the nature in Canela!

Relating articles

* Sightseeing city bus tour in Porto Alegre

* Sightseeing places in Porto Alegre (2)

* Gaúcho (Cowboy) & Brazilian specialty (Churrasco, Chimarrão, Cachaça)

* Downtown "Centro" in Rio de Janeiro

* São Paulo

Hiking - Parc Natural de la Vall de Sorteny, Andorra

3rd day of Pyrenees hiking in Andorra

Location: Sorteny Natural Park [Catalan: Parc Natural de la Vall de Sorteny]

Area in Andorra: in Ordino

Hiking course: Information ⇒ Boanical Garden ⇒ Information 

Hiking level: Easy hiking,  For beginner

Tourist Information in Sorteny Natural Park 

Information is the starting point of any hiking course in Sorteny.
The skilled guide is there.

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We walked along the Sorteny river [riu de Sorteny].

We hiked through the forest.
We could see many kinds of flowers on the trail.

We could have nice view of mountains from the hill.

- In Botanical Garden - 

We could see so many varieties of flowers.

 

Cariofillata Montana (Geum Montanum), Geum Muntanyenc

Colombine Meadow-Rue (ThalictrumAquilegifolium)

Pyrenean Lily (Lilium Pyrenacium)

White Masterwort (Astrantia Major)

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On the way to go back down

We could see the waterfall.

 

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Go back to the information.

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Go to have lunch at good restaurant.

Episode of hiking in Sorteny Natural Park

Tomo & Chouchou decided to hike in Sorteny Natural Park [Parc Natural de la Vall de Sorteny] in Ordino because we can see the beautiful nature and flowers of the Pyrenees there. However we were so tired because we had hiked for two days and it was the third day. So we decided to go to easy-short hiking course for the beginners.
Firstly, we went to the information in Sorteny Natural Park which is the starting point of any hiking course in Sorteny. The guide who was in the information was super kind!! He explained the detail of hiking course or hiking trails.
After his advice, we decided to hike Botanical Garden course. We walked along the Sorteny river [riu de Sorteny], we hiked through the forest, and we could see many kinds of flowers on the trail. We could also see mountains from the hill close to the Botanical Garden. We could enjoy many varieties of flowers that we have never seen in Botanical Garden. At the end of hiking, we enjoyed to see the waterfall.
After finishing hiking, we went back to the information to thank to the guide.
Then we asked if the guide knows good restaurant near the Sorteny Natural Park.
He kindly told the address of the good restaurant and meals. He was very cheerful and super kind. Tomo & Chouchou were very happy to meet such a nice person in Andorra! It was a wonderful encounter!!


Relating articles

* Andorra la Vella

* Hiking - Lake Juclar in Canillo

* Hiking - Fontverd Route in Escardes-Engordany

* Delicious meals and wine in Andorra

Hiking - Lake Juclar in Canillo, Andorra (1)

Andorra is a small country located on the border of France and Spain and in the middle of the Pyrenees mountain.

Canillo is in the north-east of Andorra.

Hiking course: to go to Lake Juclar

Our hiking date: Mid-June

At the starting point of hiking, 

we could see the horses on the hill & lots of yellow flowers of the Pyrenees.

At the starting point, there were also a stream beside.

 It was around the Bridge Baladosa.

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At the beginning of hiking, we had to climb up the rocks.

It was tiring but it was not so difficult.

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After walking for a while, we found the waterfalls.
We felt so good with staying beside the waterfall.

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After keep going up, we found the snow.
 It was in the mid-June but there were still a few snow remaining.

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Some flowers that we found in the Pyrenees mountains.

Alpine Pasqueflower

Autumn crocus flower

to be continuted to next page 'part 2'

Episode of Lake Juclar hiking 

Tomo & Chouchou went to Andorra for hiking. Because Andorra is located in the middle of the Pyrenees mountain, so it's like a paradise for hikers!
We bought a hiking book of Andorra at the tourist information in Andorra la Vella. We chose a course to go until Juclar Lake.
At the starting point, we could see the horses on the hill and lots of yellow flowers of the Pyrenees. There were also a stream beside. We already felt that this hike would be great.
At the beginning, we walked on the flat area. But quickly we had to climb up the rocks. It was tiring but it was not so difficult to climb.
After walking for a while, we found the waterfalls. It was a nice surprise.
After keep going up, we found the snow. Another good surprise! We went to the Pyrenees in the mid. June but there were still a few snow remaining. We could enjoy the snow in summer!
During the hike, we could also enjoy the flowers which grow in the Pyrenees mountains. They were colorful and beautiful. 

to be continuted to next page 'part 2'

Relating articles

* Andorra la Vella in the Principality of Andorra

* Hiking - Parc Natural de la Vall de Sorteny

* Hiking - Fontverd Route [Escardes-Engordany]

Kokonoe "Dream" Big Suspension Bridge in Oita, Japan

Kokonoe Dream big suspension bridge "Kokonoe-Yume-Otsurihashi"
Location: in Kokonoe, Kusu-gun, Oita in Kyushu.
The height of suspension bridge is 173m.
The length of suspension bridge is 390m.
The width of suspension bridge is 1.5m.
This suspension bridge is made to sustain Adult (65kg) x 1800 people weight.
It's the highest and the longest suspension bridge only for the pedestrian in Japan.

Kokonoe Dream big suspension bridge 

[Japanese: 九重”夢”大吊橋]

Kyusuikei [Japanese: 九酔渓] from the suspension bridge.

 
  Medaki waterfall [雌滝]: left waterfall on the photo, 93m height. 

Odaki waterfall [雄滝]: right waterfall on the photo, 83m height.

Odaki waterfall is also called Shindo-no-Taki [Japanese: 震動の滝]. 

Shindo-no-Taki (=Odaki) is the one of the Japan's Top 100 waterfalls.

Episode of Kokonoe Dream big suspension bridge

Tomo&Chouchou went to see the big suspension bridge called "Kokonoe-Yume-Otsurihashi"which is located in Kokonoe, Kusu-gun, Oita in Kyushu.
As it is the highest and the longest suspension bridge only for the pedestrian in Japan, it was very long and a little bit scary to pass.
From the suspension bridge, we could see mountains, ravine, Medaki waterfall [雌滝] and Odaki waterfall [雄滝] . It was splendid.
Many people visited Kokonoe dream big suspension bridge. As many people were passing the suspension bridge, we felt the suspension bridge was shaking. When we looked down from the bridge, we got scared. We tried not to see below while walking. We sometimes worried about the suspension bridge was enough supportable or not. We also tried not to think about it while walking. The width of suspension bridge was not so wide. And it was divided for two-way. It means only one way to one direction. So it was difficult to stop and take photos as it was crowded. 

 

Tomo&Chouchou's advice for Kokonoe-Yume-Otsuribashi

If you want to take time to see the landscape, please try to go there on weekday.
Then it will be less people and easy to visit.


Information
Address: 1208 Tano, Kokonoe-machi, Kusu-gun, Oita
住所：大分県玖珠郡九重町大字田野１２０８番地

Opening hours: 8:30 - 17:00 (From Jul. to Oct.: until 18:00)
admission: 30 min. prior to the closing time

Open all year around

admission (round trip): adult 500yen, elementary school student 200yen