2012 Hokkaido Trip

[gaijin]

I decided to take 5 days off from work and head to Hokkaido to visit these places. Hokkaido has reputation to have wide roads, few cars, nice scenery and good foods. Here are some of the pictures.


Shiretoko, World Heritage Site (Hokkaido NorthEast)


I am pointing to Russian Islands of Sakkalin


Somewhere in the middle of Hokkaido


Catching the ferry back to Japanese Mainland, Honshu


Big Crabs to eat at Hakodate, Southern part of Hokkaido


Hidako Bear on Hwy 274




Hokkaido Highest Point, Japan too


Road to Otaru


Famous Otaru Canel


Otaru Famous Intersection


View of Lake Toya


Low on Gas


I am having breakfast. Since I do not cook, this type of stores are my main supply sources


Very interesting restaurant in Hokadate, serve fishy stuffs


Visited Abashiri Prison Mesuem, stove exhaust pipe is the main heater. Even with this heat, temperature in prison is around - 7 degrees C.


If it is raining outside, prisoners will do some work, separate beans in this case


Hokkaido with large roads, few car


Sleeping quarter for prison, wooden block served as pillow. Guard will hit wooden block to wake them up


Camping is our main accommodation

Short summary about Abashiri Prison History. Concerning about Russian, Japanese government brought up all prisoners around the country and get them to clear trees, rocks for the road that connect Abashiri Village to Asahikawa. Have road also create businesses for Hokkaido.
On daily average, 8 prisoners die everyday from hard work, illness and other reasons. Peoples of Hokkaido owned these prisoners great deal.

[Catchina]

Very interesting, it looks like there is still snow in places. I'm sure you meant "big crabs"

What is the story of the bear?

[fleuger99]

Thanks for sharing information and pics from your trip. Looks like you had a great time. Lake Toya looks great and the prison museum looks interesting.

[sjbmw]

Excellent!

The pics are great, thanks.

[Henrysheem]

Thanks for sharing your photos Looks delicious. One of these days I'll get back for another trip to Japan. I have never been to Hokkaido.

:cool2:

[kirby]

WOW,
Been a few places in Japan, always been good but w/o guide would have been lost!

Thanks!