~Lake Akan~

Lake Akan is a lake in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. It is located in Akan National Park and is a Ramsar Site. Lake Akan is a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park.

It is home to marimo, a rare algae species that forms itself into beautiful green balls. 

Left alone for a few centuries, Lake Akan's marimo can reach the size of soccer balls. The algae have been designated a National Special Natural Monument.

The

lakeside

hot spring

resort of Akankohan

is the only town around

the lake. It has several ryokan,

some of which have hot spring baths

with views of the lake on their upper floors.

Several hotels open their baths to non-guests

during the day for typically 500 to 1500 yen. Lake

Akan is about 75 kilometers north of Kushiro. Akan 

Bus operates 4-5 buses per day between Kushiro and the lake,

 stopping at Kushiro Airport along the way. Direct public transportation 

between Lake Akan and the national park's other lakes is virtually non-existent.

Matsumae Park...

Matsumae Koen ( Park ) is a restored castle in of the last "Matsumae Castle" as the center of the park in Matsushiro, Matsumae town, Hokkaido, Japan. 

Over 250 kinds of Cherry blossoms have been planted in or around Matsumae park. The beautiful flowers can be seen from late April to early May.

The "blood cherry" is more popular with a cherry Wizard "Do not pray for people not to cut down cherry tree" story is known. In the canteen will sell some made ​​with unique cherry dessert. Hokkaido after a long winter, the weather warming, flourishing. Therefore, besides cherry, but also can enjoy a variety of flowers.

Matsumae Park contains the castle and clan temples of the Matsumae samurai clan that once administered this northernmost part of the Japanese civilisation,until complete subjugation of Hokkaido in the

19th century. Undoubtably, the best part of the Park are

the temples, which, although not very old when 

compared to the more famous temples of Kyoto

and Nara, have some of the most detailed and 

gorgeous carvings throughout Japan. The clan

cemetery is situated among towering pine 

trees, giving a very atmospheric feel,

and well worth a wander between

the moss-covered and lichen-wrapped

tombstones (some of which look modern, 

which may mean that the descendants are

still using the site today). And of course, visiting 

during the cherry blossom season is an added bonus.

 It's for sure a well worth a detour if travelling through Hokkaido.

Besides that, Matsumae Park is selected as one of 100 famous cherry viewing places in Japan.

"4 Sisters Izakaya Bar"

The bar Four Sisters Izakaya is located in Kushiro City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. 

The 

original

 name of the 

bar Four Sisters

 Izakaya was Hamakko

 Izakaya. Chinese famous

 film director Feng Xiao Gang

 shoot parts of his film "If You Are The One"

 at Hamakko Izakaya in Kushiro City in 2008 and

 fabricated a new name Four Sisters Izakaya and 

used the advertisement with a picture of four girls.

 The film became widely well received and Michiko Mano 

changed her bar Hamakko Izakaya into Four Sisters Izakaya. 

The Four Sisters Izakaya became famous ever since.As the main 

setting for the latter part of the movie is the eastern part of Hokkaido, 

the popularity of the movie created a boom in sightseeing tours of Hokkaido in China. In fact, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Hokkaido was increased by 20 times from the previous year under the influence 

of this movie.

Mihama♥American♥Village

The 

Mihama 

American 

Village is a large

entertainment complex located in central Okinawa Honto.  It is located in central Okinawa 

Honto, about 

15 kilometers 

north of Naha, 

Japan. 

Many American military bases are located in the area, and the entertainment complex' theme of Americana provides a nostalgic pleasure for residents of the bases as well as an interesting diversion for the locals. The Mihama American Village resembles a big American shopping mall with lots of shops, restaurants, cafes and a large parking lot.

The most recognizable feature of the American

Village is the large Ferris Wheel. The Americana theme is found at many establishments, such as fashion shops selling American brand clothing or restaurants specializing in hot dogs and hamburgers. American and Japanese movies are shown at the Mihama 7 Plex movie theater. Just a few steps away along the waterfront is Sunset Beach. Facing westward, the beach is a good place 

to catch the sunset 

and is a popular spot 

for barbecues.

Built on reclaimed land, the village is a perfect destination for families with a vast range of shops, restaurants, entertainment facilities. The village provides a nostalgic outlet for international visitors, military personnel and their families, and also an interesting diversion for local residents. 

Shuri Castle ~~

Shuri Castle is a Ryukyuan castle in Shuri, Okinawa. It was the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed. Beginning in 1992, it was reconstructed on the original site based on photographs, historical records, and memory.

A city district of Naha today, Shuri is the name of the former capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Shuri Castle (Shurijo) served as the administrative center and residence of the Ryukyu kings for several centuries until Okinawa became a Japanese prefecture in 1879. The castle is included as one of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Castles of the Ryukyu Kingdom sites.

Shuri Castle was originally built in the late 1300s, and played an integral role in the political unification of the island. Wars and fires destroyed the castle multiple times over the centuries, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The current buildings are beautiful reconstructions dating from 1992. The approach to the castle's central buildings leads through multiple gates, including the well known Shureimon Gate. The castle's hilltop location allows for nice views over Naha along the way.

**Snow Museum**

The Snow Crystal Museum of Asahikawa, Hokkaido in Japan is a small, understated “museum” purely dedicated to snowflakes. 

The museum is reminiscent of a European castle and belongs to the Hokkaido Folk Arts and Crafts Village, which also includes the International Dyeing and Weaving Art Museum and the Yukara Ori Craft Museum.

On the outside the snow museum looked like a castle, and inside it was exquisitely decorated with chandeliers, a sky ceiling fresco, spiral staircase, which all evoked the sense that in some sort of a fairytale. Not to mention the walkway through the ice crystals, allowing you to admire its beauty without having to contend with biting zero degree temperatures.

The appearance white, European-style church is like snow galleries, interior is maintained at minus 15-20 degrees in temperature, creating a feeling of exposure to snow and ice. 

It is divided into several sections, including Blu-ray and ice composition, Takashi Matsuo painted on both sides of the "Natural Snow in Winter" ice fresco corridors covered by enormous roof mural "North of The Sky " which are painted by Takashi Matsuo and other seven artists. 

The audience hall and wedding hall which can accommodate 200 audiences, exhibition of photographs of the snow and ice and a variety of expert ice crystals snow Crystals Museum, and decorated with flowers pattern, next to snow themed paintings decorative cycles ladder, etc. All these can make the audience feel the cold but beautiful snow in charm.

# Emerald Beach #

This beach is located on the west coast of Okinawa Honto : Okinawa's main island.

 

This beach is the ideal place to discover the clear waters of Okinawa beaches.
Note that it is the only beach in Japan located in a lagoon; furthermore, the water was given an “AA” rating for its quality and beauty. It is one of the best spots to swim in Japan.

The beach is divided into three areas: one for playing, one for resting and one for viewing. Each of the three areas is about 150 meters long. A number of facilities and water activities are available to visitors.

The beach was selected as one of the "55 best beaches in Japan" by the Environmental Agency in May 1998 and was again selected as one of the "88 best beaches in Japan" in May 2001 by the Ministry of the Environment.

It is carefully supervised for the safety and comfort of the visitors and to protect the environment.