Friday, October 27, 2006

Hokkaido Was Cold!

Last weekend I was in Hokkaido because I had something to do. Hokkaido was cold as might be expected. At Orofure-toge (pass) of 930 meters high, the temperature was 2 degrees; we saw a little snow dancing in the wind.

I have enjoyed a hot spring at Noboribetsu. The place name “Noboribebetsu” derives from the language of the Ainu people who are indigenous to Hokkaido. It means a dark (nupuru) river(=pet); the river is clouding because the hot spring water is coming into it. There are eleven kinds of spring quality; Noboribetsu ranks in the top three of hot spring spots in Japan. I also enjoyed outdoor hot spring baths. When I got out of the bath tub, my body and towel became cold immediately. I was happy to find quite nice wash places. They were separated one by one and have a plastic stool higher than usual. It seems to me this improvement was made especially for foreign tourists. I was very much satisfied to feel my smooth skin.


(Noboribetsu River from Noboribetsu Shin-Ohashi(=new big bridge))

(Upper Side from Noboribetsu Shin-Ohashi)

(Jigokudani (=Hell Valley)

1 comment:

Barba said...

Summary in Japanese (日本語要約)

【北海道は寒かった!】
先週末は、用事があって北海道にいた。北海道はさすがに寒かった。930 mのオロフレ峠では、気温が2度だった。小雪が風に舞うのが見られた。

登別では、温泉を楽しんだ。登別という地名は、北海道の先住民のアイヌ民族の言葉に由来している。”ヌプル ペッ” 濃い色の川という意味。温泉水が流れ込むので川が濁っているのだ。11種の泉質を有し、日本の温泉地のトップスリーに入る。露天風呂も楽しんだ。浴槽から出ると、すぐに体もタオルも冷たくなった。かなりいい洗い場があったのが嬉しかった。一つ一つが仕切られていて、普通のより高いプラスティックのいすが置いてあった。お肌もすべすべになって大満足!