Kamikawa Town | Hokkaido Tours and Travel

The gateway to Daisetsuzan National Park, one of Japan's largest mountain parks. Home to three hot spring resorts, Sounkyo Onsen, Aizankei Onsen, and Takagen Onsen, the town is rich in tourist attractions unique to the great outdoors, and is a town of tourism and forestry where you can enjoy the magnificent nature and hot springs.

Q: What was your farming experience like?

A: It was good to be able to experience farm work appropriate to the season. It wasn't just harvesting, but I got to personally experience the entire process from harvesting to sorting, bagging, and delivery to the sales outlet. I also got to experience some of the important work that goes on after the harvest, such as weeding the fields, cutting and removing the mulch from the corn fields after harvest, picking up stones to prepare the seedbeds, and removing the soil from the potatoes, which are all part of the necessary preparations for the soil in the fields. I was also taught the names of the varieties, and had a great time working up a sweat.

Q: Would you like to visit Kamikawa Town again in the future? Please tell us the reason why.

A: I would like to visit again. The reason is the kindness of the local people. Whether I spoke to them in shops or around town, I found most people to be open and talkative. They were kind and helpful to tourists like me.

Q: What did you think of the agricultural experience? Is there anything else you would like to try in the future?

A: I was very happy to be able to experience a variety of work, from harvesting to removing the crops after harvesting and picking up stones to prepare the ground for new cultivation. In the future, I would also like to try picking flowers and grafting.

Q: After your long-term stay in Kamikawa Town, what was the most memorable event, landscape, view, or conversation with a local person? Why was it so memorable?

A: I was impressed by the work experience at the host company, the interactions and conversations with the host families and employees, the casual conversations at the barbecue, and the consideration and smiles from everyone. I was also happy to hear many people say thank you for coming.

Q: Please tell us how you feel after the tour. Please tell us as much as possible about your feelings about accepting the monitor tour.

A: It was better than I expected. I realized that meeting new people is important and a good thing. I think the participants really got into the farming spirit.

Q: Please tell us your impressions, such as any memorable interactions with the tour participants.

A: It was impressive to see the excitement on the faces of the customers when they tasted the freshly harvested produce.

Q:モニターツアー実施後の感想をお聞かせください

A: At first, it was hard to get used to the extreme cold, but I gradually learned the steps to making a frozen waterfall and it became fun. I was happy to see a small frozen waterfall the day after I finished working. I also got to know the local workers better, and spending time with them warmed my heart. My stay in Kamikawa was such a good memory that I was sad to say goodbye on the last day.

Q: Please tell us your impressions after the seven day tour.

A: I felt that the charms of Kamikawa were its magnificent nature, hot springs, and the people! The workers are welcoming and kind, and I really enjoyed chatting with them during my stay. I felt like I had found a second home, and I would definitely like to visit again.

Q:モニターツアー実施後の感想をお聞かせください

A: I was nervous about my first experience, but they provided me with work clothes and boots, so I was able to spend the time without worrying about the cold. I was also worried about whether I would be able to get along with the workers, but they were friendly and kind enough to teach me how to do the work. Carrying ice was hard work, but once I got used to it, it felt like good exercise, and I had a lot of fun. Bathing in the hot springs after work was also something to look forward to!

Q: If you were to help out again next year or later, what would you like to do?

I will continue to help with the Ice Waterfall Festival, of course, but in the winter I will shovel snow from homes and hotels, and in the summer I will help with agriculture and forestry, go shopping, and do anything I can to help. It was a fulfilling stay, and I enjoyed interacting with the people I met in the town and had a smile on my face the whole time. I'd like to attend the actual Ice Waterfall Festival!

Q:モニターツアー実施後の感想をお聞かせください

A: I was worried whether people living in the metropolitan area would be able to work in such a cold climate, but the two of them worked hard and were a great help given the labor shortage. With the two of them here, we had fun chatting during breaks and the work site became brighter and more fun.

Q: Is there anywhere you'd like to go in the future?

A: We would like to continue cooperating in creating and verifying systems that can help tourists.
Please come to Kamikawa to see the Ice Waterfall Festival!

～Sounkyo Gorge Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival 2024～
Jan. 27th (Saturday) to Mar. 17th (Sunday), 2024