A Hidden Gem of Hokkaido’s Historical past & Journey • Simply One Cookbook - いろいろジャポン|無断複写・転載を禁じます。

From million-year-old fossils and historic coal mines to the fun of ice fishing on a frozen lake and carving by way of recent powder on the slopes, Mikasa is a metropolis that performed a key position in shaping Hokkaido’s historical past.

Old rusty coal mine tower covered in snow

I’ve been residing in Hokkaido for practically 5 years, but there’s nonetheless a lot left to discover. Just lately, I used to be fortunate sufficient to be invited and proven round Mikasa Metropolis, a hidden gem nestled between Furano and Sapporo—simply an hour’s journey from both.

As soon as a bustling coal-producing hub, Mikasa was one among Hokkaido’s most thriving cities, however right this moment, it stays comparatively unknown to many, myself included. Nonetheless, this charming metropolis affords a wealth of experiences, from ice fishing on a frozen lake and thrilling winter sports activities to exploring its wealthy historical past by way of scenic treks. Whether or not you’re in search of journey or a deeper connection to Hokkaido’s previous, Mikasa’s prime location makes it a superb stopover when touring to Furano or Asahikawa.

Issues to Do in Mikasa Metropolis

Mikasa Metropolis Museum

Museum room with large fossils on display

Mikasa has a wealthy and engaging historical past, greatest explored on the Mikasa Metropolis Museum. As one among six designated geoparks in Hokkaido, Mikasa’s historical past dates again to 1868 when coal—as soon as known as “burning stone”—was found.

The Horonai Coal Mine, which started operations in 1879, led to a booming financial system and inhabitants development. By the Fifties, Mikasa had over 60,000 residents, however when the coal mines closed, the inhabitants declined to round 10,000 right this moment.

My favourite a part of the museum was the fossil room. It options an spectacular assortment of over 1,000 fossils, together with ammonites, inoceramus (bivalve shells), and marine reptiles, all relationship again greater than 100 million years. These unbelievable specimens had been found throughout central Hokkaido, spanning from the northern to the southern tip.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is a placing show of ammonites, showcasing their immense dimension—starting from 50 cm to 130 cm—whereas providing fascinating insights into their formation. One of the vital exceptional finds is a fossilized cranium of a newly found Mosasaurus species, unearthed in Mikasa. This extraordinary specimen has been designated a nationwide pure monument and is taken into account one of many best-preserved Mosasaurus skulls in Japan.

Ice Fishing on Lake Katsurazawa

Walking over frozen lake with mountain in the background

A quintessential winter expertise in Hokkaido is ice fishing, often called wakasagitsuri (ワカサギ釣り). Situated on the japanese facet of town, Lake Katsurazawa transforms right into a picturesque frozen panorama in winter, making it the proper spot for ice fishing.

Every little thing you want—fishing rods, bait, and heat shelters—is offered, so all it’s important to convey is heat clothes. Instructors will information you thru the method, instructing you the best way to catch wakasagi (Japanese smelt) utilizing small fishing rods.

I’ve been ice fishing in numerous areas a number of instances and normally solely caught a number of wakasagi, however on this journey, I managed to catch round 30 fish in simply 20 minutes—excess of on any of my earlier makes an attempt! Whether or not it was luck or Mikasa’s attraction, it was a memorable expertise I extremely suggest.

Tip: Visiting in summer season? Attempt stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) on the lake’s crystal-clear waters!

Winter Sports activities at Katsurazawa Ski Space

For these trying to hit the slopes, Katsurazawa Ski Space is a implausible spot. Whereas it has only one ski elevate, the terrain is ideal for learners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Center slope: 9-degree gradient
Higher slope: 30-degree gradient
Rental gear out there
Weekdays: No lengthy traces, good for observe

In summer season, the realm transforms right into a standard tenting vacation spot. For households or non-skiers, snow tubing and banana boat rides are additionally out there on weekends.

After snowboarding, heat up on the onsite café, the place you may take pleasure in Japanese consolation meals like curry, ramen, and tonkatsu.

Dine at a Historic 100-12 months-Previous Restaurant

If you wish to expertise a style of Mikasa’s historical past, head to Sarashina Shokudo (更科食堂), situated simply exterior town heart. As soon as a part of a bustling leisure district with over 100 retailers, eating places, and bars, this historic eatery is the one restaurant that has survived two fires and has been serving prospects for over 100 years. Stepping inside seems like touring again in time, with its cozy, Showa-era-inspired ambiance.

Sarashina Shokudo focuses on do-it-yourself sarashina soba—delicate white buckwheat noodles made solely from the central a part of the buckwheat grain. This provides the noodles a softer texture that’s simpler to slurp and a extra refined style in comparison with common soba. The dipping sauce was filled with taste, with a deep umami and slight sweetness.

Locals usually order zarusoba (chilly dipping soba noodles) alongside one of many restaurant’s signature donburi (rice bowls), so I adopted go well with and tried the ezoshikadon (venison rice bowl)—a dish showcasing one among Hokkaido’s hottest meats.

Along with soba and donburi, the menu additionally includes a choice of ramen bowls, which the employees talked about are equally standard amongst prospects.

Snowshoeing at Ponbetsu Coal Mine

One other option to delve into Mikasa’s industrial previous is by becoming a member of a snowshoeing tour across the Former Ponbetsu Coal Mine Headframe. A Japanese-speaking information (with an English information out there) will offer you snowshoes and lead you thru the historic coal mine services whereas sharing the positioning’s wealthy historical past.

The spotlight of the tour is the headframe, which as soon as housed a elevate that transported miners deep underground. This huge construction, together with the mine shaft, extends over 700 meters—making it taller than Tokyo SkyTree!

What really amazed me was the open-air elevate system: 4 stacked open cages, every holding simply two individuals, that descended at an astonishing 43 kilometers per hour. For comparability, Tokyo Skytree’s high-tech elevators journey at 36 kilometers per hour—that means these miners plunged into the depths even quicker.

Strolling among the many deserted buildings, I used to be struck by their quiet, nearly solemn magnificence. Time and heavy snowfall had taken their toll—rust crept alongside the perimeters, roofs had caved in, and the once-thriving website now stood in eerie silence. But, regardless of their decay, these buildings nonetheless echo Mikasa’s historical past, offering a glimpse into the lives of those that as soon as labored right here.

Go to Hokkaido’s First Michi-no-Eki

Roadside station building covered in snow

Each time I journey, I all the time make some extent to go to the native Michi-no-Eki, or roadside stations. Mikasa proudly holds the excellence of being dwelling to Hokkaido’s very first Michi-no-Eki. Right here, you’ll discover a wide range of native specialties, together with regionally produced wines, distinctive souvenirs, and handcrafted trinkets.

The adjoining constructing includes a numerous choice of eating places, providing all the pieces from pizza to yakitori. I made a decision to attempt one among Mikasa’s signature dishes—charcoal-fried hen. Paying homage to town’s coal-mining heritage, this fried hen is seasoned with regionally grown garlic and onions, marinated in a particular hen soy sauce, and infused with charcoal powder for a particular taste and look.

Subsequent to the Michi-no-Eki is Taiko no Yu, an onsen facility with a number of indoor and out of doors baths and a enterprise lodge for many who want to keep the night time.

Find out how to Get to Mikasa Metropolis

I extremely suggest driving to and round Mikasa, as some areas will be troublesome to entry. You possibly can lease a automotive in Sapporo and drive there in about an hour or lease one from Iwamizawa Station for a shorter journey.

From Sapporo Station, take the Hakodate Line Native to Iwamizawa Station, which takes roughly 40 minutes and prices 970 yen. There are a number of automotive rental spots out there on the station, or alternatively, you may take a bus to Mikasa.

Take the quantity 22 bus to Ikushumbetsucho, which is able to take an extra 50 minutes and value 710 yen. This can convey you inside strolling distance of town museum and the snowshoeing expertise.