My first time driving in Japan.

After landing in New Chitose airport, took train to Obihiro and stayed overnight. Picked up rental car on next morning then drove to Akan-ko. Stayed in Tsuruga onsen ryokan for the first time. 

Akan-ko 

It was a rainy and cold day, around 11C if my memory was correct even in end May.

Higashi-Mokoto Shibazakura Park (東藻琴芝桜公園)

It was a rainy day with drizzles at times, but the scenery was awesome with the scale of Shibazakura on the hill slope.

official website

Kussharo-ko

visited this lake for the first time and immediately fell in love with it. It was serene with almost perfect reflections from the hotel garden and from room.

Tokachigawa onsen

stayed in this onsen for the first time and would return another 5 times.

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Yuni Garden

The Yuni Garden is a huge English garden. Various flowers were blooming in late June when we visited. Worthy to spend a few hours there for those who love gardens and flowers.

related website

Shikotsu-ko

Second visit in Shikotsu-ko for relaxing onsen stay.

Toya-ko

Visited and stayed in Toya-ko 4th time.  The sculptures around the lake rim are interesting.

Fireworks in the evening and on the next day before returning to Sapporo

Visited Hokkaido in late June for 1 week after the 3.11 Tohoku big earthquake to support Japan.

CTS > Yubari > Tokachigawa onsen > Furano > Toya-ko > Sapporo

Obihiro

After a brief overnight stay in Yubari, drove to Obihiro and stayed in our favourite Tokachigawa onsen with ensuite rotenburo again.

Biei+Furano

Minami-Furano

stopped by serene Kanayama-ko while driving en route to Furano.

Tomita Farm

flowers were blooming such as Iris, Dahlia, Gazania, Poppy and early Lavender indoor flower beds etc.

Senbou-toge, Flowerland

Stopped by Senbou-toge for panoramic view of Tokachi plain, and to our surprise Wisteria (Fuji) was blooming in the resting area. Wild Lupins were blooming here and there on the road side and Flowerland.

Shikisai-no-oka, Biei Patchwork Road

Dropped by Shikisai-no-oka as usual and had quick lunch there. Re-visited some famous trees in that area before visiting the Philosophical Tree. We did not realize this would be our last encounter 🙁

==> Part 2 ==>