It is hard to describe the beauty if Hokkaido in a few sentences. I am going to try and make an effort. Located in the northernmost tip of Japan, Hokkaido is a large island quite different from neighboring Honshu, which is where most of Japanese humanity exists. Blessed with acres of open farmland, beautiful mountains and hot springs, a trip to Hokkaido transports you to a different planet. When we landed in Asahikawa airport in northern central Hokkaido, we could immediately perceive the difference from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, it seemed quiet here, one could actually hear insects and not the sound of cars. The vastness of the landscape made us feel we were back in the American outdoors- the scale of things was so different.
We visited several flower farms as this is the season to see lavender, and many different varieties of wildflowers. The smell of lavender was overpowering, as was the beauty of the scores of planted flowers! we did not know where to take a picture there were so many pretty sites! we saw many beautiful butterflies! – the flower farm even offered lavender ice cream and soda, which was purple in color but did not taste like lavender(thank god!)
We also saw the amazing Asahidake area, famous for the Daisetzusan national park and Tenninkyo onsen. The Tenninkyo area has a wonderful easy hike to the base of a waterfall which on a rainy day was breathtakingly beautiful. The stillness of the forest, the loud rumble of the waterfall as it sloshed against some huge rock faces was both humbling and powerful.
The interesting part about travel in Japan is that landscapes vary but there is almost always an onsen or hot spring to be found. A soak in the hot waters of Shirogane Onsen was cleansing and relaxing. What a great way to end the day!
Nihon Musings 
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