Atsuta in the summer

Atsuta is a beautiful village just north of Sapporo. It's right along the coast to the Sea of Japan. As you can see, it's located with one side to the ocean and mountain on the other. I was blessed to be placed here by the JET program for one year. In the summer, Atsuta gets really busy with tourists coming for the beaches. In the winter, there are winter activities such as snow shoeing and skiing (the ski slope will be closed starting 2008 *sob*).

The population of the village is only about 1500 people. It's a village untouched by modern day technology and still has the atmosphere of Japan many many years ago. During my year here, I witnessed the struggle it takes with the rapid loss of population, among with many other problems for its residents. However, for tourists, it's an amazing place to visit and to see true Japanese life in the "inakas" (if that's what you're into seeing).

This is the main street of Atsuta, or so called "downtown" *lol*. With the loss of population, many stores had to close down. As I walk along the street, I can still picture the crowd roaming down the street in the old days. But looking at the present state, I can't stop but wonder "How's the town going to be next?"

One of the main income for people still residing in Atsuta is fishery. In the summer, Atsuta has morning fish market which attracts tourists and people from the city to come and purchase top-notch seafood. Living in the gifts village, I was lucky to have eaten tons of yummy food.

Atsuta probably has the most beautiful ocean along the western coast of Hokkaido. There are several beaches that's open to the public along the stretch of Atsuta. There was a small sandy beach about 2 minutes walk from my place (see corresponding picture). The water is clean, but darker in colour compared to those in the tropics. I was surprised to find how warm the water is though. I was able to swim in the ocean up until October and it still felt warm. Other than swimming, many surfers also come here to catch some waves.

Atsuta is also known for having the most beautiful sunset in Japan. The sunset is best viewed from its famous tourist spot "Lover's Sanctury". It's a small castle-like building built on top of the hill in Atsuta park. It is said that lovers that padlock their names to the wires there will be together forever.The sunset is so amazing in the sense that there are never 2 days with the same sunset. After work everyday, I would jog up the hill to catch the sunset. The sun radiates out different colours: yellow, orange, pink, purple, you name it. The clouds form different shape to compliment the sun. The Sea of Japan slowly absorbs the sun as it falls down to horizon. No words or photos can capture how amazing Atsuta's sunset can be until you've seen it with your own naked eyes.