Visitor Center Report

Even though snow has fallen in the second half of May, the forecast for the days ahead predicts warm temperatures.
The weather has been frustratingly unpredictable the past few years. However, we would like to inform readers that plans for the reopening of roads to Kogen Onsen and Ginsendai have been announced.
Unseasonable snow like we just had may fall again, so please view information on road openings as a “plan” only.
Below is a link to the Kamikawa Town website. (The site can also be accessed from “road information” on the main page of the Visitor Center’s website.)
http://www.town.kamikawa.hokkaido.jp/section/sangyoukeizai/chs8120000001a4v.html
Please be advised, however, that although the Aizankei Kamikawa route (Prefectural Route 223) is open (note: it continues to be closed today due to the snow; it will remain closed until the snow
melts), the section up to the Aizankei hut will be closed until mid-July for road improvement work.
Below is the link to Aizankei Club’s website. (The site can also be accessed from “convenient facilities” on the main page of the Visitor Center’s website.)
http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~aizankei/aizankeikurabu.html
Photo: The Aizankei hut (photo taken last year)

Today, a Visitor Center course on “Bird-watching and Rikuman Kiyokawa” was held.
Although the snow that began yesterday and today’s rain and cold held down the number of participants, the course included detailed explanations by the instructor and received favorable comments at its conclusion.
The participants saw a total of 20 bird species, including Cyanoptila cyanomelana, Ficedula narcissina, Turdus chrysolaus, and Scolopax rusticola. They were particularly lucky to see the Scolopax rusticola, which are nocturnal but sometimes appear at dawn and dusk.
The next course will be on the “Kumoigahara Marshland” of the Aizan Gorge. It is scheduled for May 25.
Openings are still available, so please call to reserve one.
Photo: Near the Rikuman cycling road May 18

Beginning last night and continuing into today, snow has been falling throughout the Sounkyo Gorge and creating a wintry landscape.
The Cerasus sargentii and Rhododendron dauricum that had been blooming so beautifully are now completely covered with snow.
The gorge is also full of snow.
And the weather forecast predicts snow for today as well.
Since yesterday, all of the passes, the national route, and other roads have been closed to traffic.
Detailed road information is provided on the Visitor Center’s website. Please take a look at it before making any trips.
In addition, the Aizankei Kamikawa route (Prefectural Route 223) was open on the 15th but is closed today due to snow.
The effects of the snow will likely last more several days.
For the time being, roads in the area are closed to cars on summer tires.
Photos: Near Shichiken Peak, Sounkyo (left); snow-covered cherry blossoms and azaleas (center and right) May 17

The 2014 schedule for Visitor Center courses is now available.
Please find it on the main page of the Visitor Center’s website:
http://sounkyovc.net/vc-info/vc-inf.htm
There are still openings available for the bird-watching course scheduled for May 18 and the Kumoigahara Marshland course on May 25.
Please join us!
We are waiting for your call.
01658-9-4400
Photos: A Cyanoptila cyanomelana seen at Rikuman in May of last year (left) and a pink Helonias kawanoi seen at Kumoigahara last June