Kitami (北見市 Kitami-shi)

The Kitami is located at the north of the center of Hokkaido and faces the Sea of Okhotsk. Famous sights include ice floes in the Sea of Okhotsk viewed in wintertime and the Onneyu spa that takes its name from the Ainu word for "large hot spring. As of April 30, 2017, the city has a population of 119,135, with 61,504 households, a population density of 83 persons per km². The total area is 1,427.56 km² (551.18 sq mi). Kitami Flower Paradise it is nothing but a flower garden that has a variety of flowers in every season. The site is about 6 times larger than Tokyo Dome. You will be delighted by seeing and admiring azaleas, moss phloxes, tulips and reddish pink blossoms in spring, hydrangeas, roses, lilies, babies' breath and cosmoses in summer, chrysanthemums, dahlias, orpines and so on in fall. Kaoryanse Park  is built along the bank of the Tokoro river. It is a park of water and herbs. In its center is a large fountain, the park's symbol, and surrounding it are over 50 kinds of herbs that are planted by Kitami citizens.

Kaoryanse Festival is held every July. Michino Eki Onneyuonsen, aka, "Clean Plaza Onneyu",  is the first road station after Sekihoku pass where you can acquire information about the highways and road conditions in the Abashiri district. Next to the road station is Karakuri Okoku where you can buy a variety of specialty items. You can also eat delicious ice cream and light meals there. On the premises, there is a mechanical cuckoo clock. Wild-parks include Nakanoshimakouen (Nakanoshima park). This park surrounds the delta where Tokoro river and Muka river meet. Beeches, elms and willows provide perches for the wagtails, bulbuls, Japanese waxwings and other birds that gather in the park. Wakka Genseikaen (Abashiri Semi-National Park, The Hokkaido Heritage) is unique it represents  ecosystem of sea plants spreads up to the sandbar that separates the Okhotsk Sea and Lake Saroma. Over 300 kinds of flowers bloom every season. It was selected as a Hokkaido Heritage Site in October 2001. For those who like history and old ruins the spot prepared a surprise, the most catchy is Tanno Historic National Hall of Records Tanno-cho was founded by the Tonden soldiers who settled there in 1897 and 1898. Historical records from that time displays houses of Tonden soldiers, portraits of soldiers and pioneers, agricultural machines and records of the historic spot “Kusarizuka” (The Chain Mound). Okhotsk Ki no Plaza (Okhotsk Plaza of Wood) This plaza serves to encourage, promote and educate about forestry and wood crafts in the Okhotsk area. Wood crafts, wooden furniture and so on are exhibited in the permanent exhibition room. Kitami is truly a wonderful place to go and stay - the variety of attractions and beautiful countrysides make you feel like home!

Bibliography:

1. "Official website of Kitami City" (in Japanese). Japan: Kitami City. Retrieved 15 May 2017
2. "The Inconvenient Journey between Sapporo and Nokkeushi−the Opening of the Ikeda Railway Line". city.kitami.lg.jp. City of Kitami. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
3. "Kitami Mint Commemoration Hall Mint Distillation Hall". kitamikanko.jp. Kitami Tourism. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
4. "Peppermint Era Inns". city.kitami.lg.jp. City of Kitami. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
5. "Facts about the Kitami Institute of Technology". kitami-it.ac.jp. National University Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 February 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
6. "History". rchokkaido-cn.ac.jp. Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
7. "Kitami Winter Festival". kitamikanko.jp. Kitami Tourism. Retrieved 2011-05-29.