白絹之床 / Shirokinu-no Toko

白絹之床（伊達市）是北湯沢溫泉的著名觀光景點。源泉就在長流川的附近，但一部分是從川底湧出的溫泉。因此水中的岩石受到溫泉的影響會變成薄黃綠色。清流流經這裡時，會形成宛如涓絲般的白色線條，因此稱作白絹之床。在白絹之床的前面有遊憩步道和泡腳池。

Shirokinu-no Toko (Date City) is a sightseeing spot at Kitayuzawa hot spring. The source of this hot spring is very close to Osaru River, and one of the fountainheads is actually in the river. In this part of the river, the color of the rocks is light yellowish green because of the sulphur in the spring water. Shirokinu-no Toko stands for White Silk Bed in English. This is because, when the very clean water goes through this section of the river, the water bubbles are like white beautiful silk threads. There is a walking path and free foot bathing facility in front of Shirokinu-no Toko.

地球岬 / Cape Chikyu

地球岬（室蘭市）面向太平洋，也有燈塔在那裡。名字的由來是阿伊努人稱這裡為「母親大地的懸崖」，發音為Chikiu(發音和日語的《地球》相同)。海岬的地形為高出海面100公尺的懸崖峭壁。是室蘭市的著名景點。也是著名的日出景點，元旦當天有很多的人會特地來看元旦的第一道曙光。站在展望台上就可以很清楚看到地球是圓球狀。

Cape Chikyu (Muroran City), with its proudly standing lighthouse, faces the Pacific Ocean. The name of the Cape stands for earth in English, but it’s actually derived from the Ainu language’s “Poro Chikepu”, which means a cliff of the Motherland. The cape has a cliff which towers one hundred meters above sea level. Because of the magnificent view, it’s a well-known viewing spot. Also, Cape Chikyu is renowned as a mecca for people to come to on January 1st to see the first sunrise of the New Year. There is a observation area, where you can see the curvature of the earth because of the slightly curved horizon.

支笏湖野鳥之森&休憩村園地 / Yachou-no Mori (Bird Forest) and Kyukamura Enchi (Holiday Village Park)

支笏湖野鳥之森&休憩村園地（位於千歲市）是比鄰於遊覽船乘船碼頭的公園。有生長超過100年的大樹，以及藤蔓植物。如果在夏天到訪這裡，因為上下左右都是綠色，可以體驗到宛如被綠色的世界包圍般的不可思議的感覺。也很適合來賞野鳥。也有步行來回約1～2小時的健行步道，可以一邊聆聽野鳥的鳴叫聲一邊享受森林浴。

Yachou-no Mori (Bird Forest) and Kyukamura Enchi (Holiday Village Park) at Lake Shikotsu (Chitose City) is near Shikotsu hot springs and cruise boat platform. There are large trees and vines over a century old here. When visiting this place in summer, one might feel a mysterious oneness with nature - in a green world, surrounded by green. This location is good to enjoy bird watching, hear birds’ songs. There is a path in the forest to walk also, which takes one and half to two hours return, even allowing for time for forest bathing.

鳶尾花公園 / Although Ayame Park

鳶尾花公園（位於岩見沢市）是位在住宅區當中的廣大公園（佔地44,000㎡，比札幌巨蛋稍微小一些）。有168種約一萬二千株的鳶尾花和菖蒲花。每年的7月中旬會舉辦「彩花祭」，會有許多人來而很熱鬧。也有被稱為「鳶尾花親近館」的休息空間。是個也有以花為主題的小型溫室的公園。

Although Ayame Park (Iwamizawa City) is in a residential area, it’s quite big. At 44,000㎡, it’s just a little smaller than Sapporo Dome. There are 168 species, predominantly consisting of Siberian iris - Ayame in Japanese - and another type of iris - Hana Shoubu - planted there. In total there are 12000 flowers. The Saika Festival is held in the middle of July every year; with not only local people but also flower enthusiasts taking part. Ayame Fureai Kan, a sort of visitor center, provides a space for visitors to take a rest. There is a green house for flowers although it’s not so big.

山線鐵橋 / The Yamasen Railway Bridge

山線鐵橋（位於千歲市）原本是1899年架設在空知川上北海道最古老的鐵橋。之後，為了搬運建設發電廠所需要的建材由王子製紙公司買下來。此鐵橋在苫小牧和支笏湖之間行駛的山線鐵路被轉移之前，一直使用到1951年為止。鐵橋成為了令人感到懷舊的造景藝術品，並且在1997年時整建成小公園，讓人們可以在上面步行通過。

The Yamasen Railway Bridge (Chitose City) was built over the Sorachi River in 1899, and is the oldest iron bridge in Hokkaido. After a few decades, Oji Paper purchased the bridge, and moved it to its present location in order to facilitate the transportation of building materials for a power plant. Then, it was called Yamasen Line between Tomakomai and Lake Shikotsu. The iron bridge was in commission until 1951, but was later demolished on site. Following its demolition, it was laid to rest in the forest next to the lake, giving visitors a feeling of nostalgia. However, in 1997, the location was remodelled as a park, and visitors began to enjoy walking it, and taking in the scenery.

山中牧場 / Yamanaka Dairy Farm

山中牧場（位於赤井川村）經營著酪農事業，此外也生產乳製品和豬肉相關產品。直營門市位在連結小樽市和俱知安町的國道393號沿線上。有很多人在兜風途中會順道去店面，夏天受歡迎的商品是牛奶和霜淇淋，也有販賣奶油、火腿、培根和香腸。山中牧場是這個地區地產地銷的先驅牧場。從札幌都市圈可以當天來回。

Yamanaka Dairy Farm (Akaigawa Village) operates its own dairy and pork products factory. Their flagship store, near Kiroro Ski Resort, is on route 393, which connects Otaru City and Kutchan Town. This shop is a good place to have a breather during a one day trip around the Sapporo area. In summer, their soft ice cream is especially popular, as well as their fresh milk. Butter, pork, ham, bacon and sausages are sold too, as well as condensed milk. Yamanaka Dairy Farm is a pioneer of local production for local consumption in the area. They have a shop in the central Otaru and Esta in Sapporo too.

繡球花 / Hydrangea flowers

北海道的賞花信息「繡球花」

北海道的繡球花賞花時期是從7月上旬到中旬。繡球花作為與雨很相襯的花種。本州是在6月下旬到7月上旬濕度也很高的梅雨季節為繡球花的賞花季。雖然北海道沒有梅雨，近幾年類似梅雨規模天氣的雨天也很常見。也有許多人說是因為全球的氣候變遷所造成的。在札幌市區的公園等地到處都可以看到繡球花。

Hokkaido Flower Information

Hydrangea flowers

The best season for seeing hydrangea flowers in Hokkaido is the beginning and middle of July. In Japanese culture, hydrangeas (ajisai in Japanese) remind people of the rainy season, or Tsuyu. Tsuyu is a seasonal word of haiku (Japanese poems consisting of 17 syllables). In Honshu, the Tsuyu season is at the end of June and the beginning of July. People say that Hokkaido doesn’t have a Tsuyu season, but lately the Tsuyu has visited every year. Some say it is because of climate change. Anyway, in Sapporo, hydrangea flowers can be seen everywhere in parks and the like.

薰衣草 / Lavender

北海道的賞花信息「薰衣草」

薰衣草的觀賞時期是在7月上旬到中旬。6月下旬或是7月下旬也有早開花以及晚開花的薰衣草可以觀賞。說到北海道的薰衣草，就想到富良野地區。中富良野町的富田農場是在1958年開始正式栽培薰衣草，並且普及到富良野地區。這裡製造以及販賣使用薰衣草香氣的各式各樣的商品。

Hokkaido Flower Information

Lavender

The best season for seeing lavender in Hokkaido is the beginning and middle of July. Lavender blooms with small purple flowers, and its aroma is famous for its relaxation properties. In Hokkaido, the mecca of lavender is the Furano area. Nakafurano Town, which houses Farm Tomita, in particular is very special. In 1958, the founder of Farm Tomita started to grow lavender and it has spread ever since. There are many everyday goods or souvenirs using lavender oil or flowers available at the farm, as well as different foods. Lavender soft ice cream is one of them. There are also some well-known spots for seeing lavender in Sapporo.