Winter markers, ascending from Fukiage onsen

Daisetzusan, Toya-ko and Iwate prefecture - the snowy highlights of Northern Japan: 12 to 15 March 2017

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March 14th 2017
Unlike arriving in unknown territory, the Furano area didn't demand a map. Picking up where 2016 left off, we collected our snow shoes and had a short test run near one of the fairways at Furano golf course. Still in deep snow, ones ball would definitely be invisible here, and the 19th hole was closed. Johns shoe gear with the heel bar that flicked up was to prove invaluable for th ... read more

Asia » Japan » Hokkaido

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more