by glen on September 2, 2011
This summer many local companies and individuals came together to try and make a difference in the lives of people living in the earthquake and tsunami affected regions on the main island of Honshu. Groups were invited to stay in the Niseko Hirafu, property owners and management companies generously donated accommodation, the Japanese government offered subsidized travel assistance, local business donated services and local people volunteered time to help out.
The Niseko Tsunami Relief Program looked after the group and offered a large range of activities for participants from English lessons, games, all kinds to sports including hiking and much more – the weekly BBQ’s were also held drawing large numbers.
It was really good meeting some of participants and I went hiking a few times with different groups.
A lot to the kids from down south haven’t been able to get outdoors as much as usual so they were having lot’s of fun running around which was good to see.
Locals helping out with BBQ duties !
Near the BBQ venue I had never really taken much notice of the mini waterfall and pond in the park just below the J First hotel and it was nice to see the kids catching tadpoles and cooling down there during the hot weather.
Wishing all the participants the best back home.
Tagged as:
hiking,
Hirafu,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
people,
Photography
by glen on August 21, 2011
After a doubtful start to the day with a heavy downpour threatening the festival the sun returned stalls were relocated to drier ground and the festival went on.
(click on the images to view them at a larger sizes)
Young and old turned out in large numbers making this years festival a huge success.
One of the activities that really united the festival goers was the Bon Odori Dance – in this Bon Odori Panorama you can see the dancers making their way around the festival tower in unison.
There were a huge number of food stalls providing an amazing array of international foods from traditional Japanese festival BBQ to Indian and french flavors.
One of the more spectacular events of the festival was the Mochi and Candy toss where people scrambled to grab as much as they could.
There was a brief spell of rain which sent everyone in search for cover but this didn’t last long before the fire was raging.
The Yotei Taiko Drumming group fired up the crowd with a typically energetic performance and i did my best to get down the front and stay low to shoot this Yotei Taiko Panorama unfortunately i didn’t have space to move my big head out of the way !!
I put my camera away for the final fireworks display and enjoyed the moment with my wife and friends.
Thanks to everyone who contributed towards producing the event – no doubt a great time had by all.
Tagged as:
cultural,
Hirafu,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
Kutchan,
niseko,
panorama,
people,
Photography,
shops
Last night Sunday Monday Cinema held its opening night party and screening
of 180˚ South a film about adventure and environmentalism.
(click on the images to view them at a larger sizes)
Sunday Monday Cinema is held every Sunday and Monday in Kutchan at the summer perennial summer favorite Pelican Burger
The set up in the shop is pretty cool with good image quality and sound so check it out when you get the chance – Kutchan now has a mini cinema YESSSSSS !
Tagged as:
cinema,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
Kutchan,
niseko,
people,
Photography,
Restaurant,
shops
I’d forgotten how much fun Cricket can be. After a few weeks away it was cool to catch up with some friends jump in the car and take a road trip up to Jozankei just out side of Sapporo.
Great weather welcomed us and 2 teams ready to do battle – it was basically India and Pakistan v’s the World, the World being a rag tag collection of expats from all over and 1 Japanese guy.
(click on the images to view them at a larger sizes)
Being Australian and bought up on cricket i was keen but i hadn’t actually played cricket for about 25 years but before i knew it found myself steaming in to the crease fancying myself as a pace man. It didn’t quite work out as a was hoping no glory and lots of wides.
The rules have changed since i last played with the advent of Twenty20 apparently and anything bowled down the leg side is a wide…anyway it was all good although we got smashed.
The world went in to bat and I thought we were doing pretty well when all of a sudden we were rocked by a stunning HAT TRICK.
Brendon Simon and Sam all gone in 3 Balls – ouch.
Kiwi Brendon restored some pride for the World but it wasn’t quite enough and we were down going into the lunch break but not out of the game. Check out the serious lunch BBQ.
At the end of the day India Pakistan were too good for the World ( no one was blaming the full stomachs or copious amount of beer consumed ) will be interesting to see how the World recovers before next match.
If you would like to see more pics from the day there is a larger collection of shots here .
Tagged as:
bbq,
cricket,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
people,
Photography,
spring
by glen on April 15, 2011
Spring has rolled around for another year and I thought it would be fun to make a 4 spot virtual tour of the Spring Park in Hirafu.
This virtual tour is made from 98 shots so it took a while to put together. Click on the red icons to move around the park and can also zoom in and out with shift/command. Still a few weeks left of good skiing and riding on the mountain.
Tagged as:
Hirafu,
Hokkaido,
Japan,
niseko,
panorama,
people,
Photography,
skiing,
snowboarding,
spring,
virtual-tour,
winter
