Japan 2nd trip 6th day, Sep 22nd Morning, The Snow Crystals Museum - Asahikawa, Hokkaido

Japan's most beautiful snow crystals are observed in the Mt. Taisetsu mountain chain and so, located at the foot of Mt. Taisetsu, this museum offers an interesting impression of a snow corridor with illuminated ice walls. The pictures of snow crystals are particularly attractive considering it took more than 20-years to take the images.

Asahikawa city view

The crystals museum

Stairs down to museum

If you are interested to know about a history of crystal.

The architecture of the museum shows little or no Japanese influence, but rather looks like a Austrian castle somehow mysteriously transported to northern Japan.

The Crystals

Japan 2nd trip 5th day, Sep 21st Afternoon, Mount Kurodake - Sounkyo, Hokkaido

Sounkyo is a touristy hot spring resort in a narrow valley of Daisetsuzan National Park with a pleasant village center, onsen baths and beautiful nearby waterfalls. It is also a good base for walks and hiking tours into the national park.

The Sounkyo Ropeway departs from next to the Sounkyo Visitor Center in the recently redeveloped village center. It is followed by a chair lift, which brings you to within a 1-2 hour hike of the summit of Mount Kurodake (1984 meters). The classic 1-2 day tour for advanced hikers continues from the summit of Kurodake to the summit of Asahidake, from where one can descend to Asahidake Onsen. 

Ready for riding up

Unfortunately we come a bit late, the park is close quite early.

We see something phenomenal @ the sky

Our favorite hotel, Toyoko-Inn.

Japan 2nd trip 5th day, Sep 21st Morning, Ice Pavilion - Kamikawa, Hokkaido

Mourning journey is Ice Pavilion @ Kamikawa. We will experience -20 degree up to -40 degree Celsius. Bloody freezzinggg ...

It takes about 20 minutes walk from JR Station and we are quite surprised by this city, very quit, almost don't see anyone.

But this city indeed has a beautiful landscape view

Finally we arrive @ Ice Pavilion

This is surely experience we are looking for. As a summer people, we love to experience the winter!!!

Frozen towels

-41 degree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy we are :)

Great experience for sure !!!

Continue to afternoon journey ...