Furano in Full Bloom: A Journey of Color and Memories - 29th - 31st July 2005

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In late July 2005, my wife and I visited Furano in Hokkaido. Furano is known for its beautiful natural scenery and rich colors, and the lavender fields were especially delightful. 

What impressed us most was Shikisai-no-Oka, where a vast expanse of flowers in red, yellow, white, blue, and purple created a truly breathtaking view. The sight of these vibrant flowers gently swaying in the breeze, along with their subtle fragrance, remains an unforgettable memory even today.

We also visited the filming locations of the popular television series Kita no Kuni kara (“From the North Country”) and enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere of the story. In addition, during a tour of a wine cellar, we had the opportunity to learn about the wine culture nurtured by Furano’s unique climate and environment.

Furthermore, we visited a railway station used as a filming location for the movie Poppoya (“Railroad Man”), where the quiet surroundings allowed us to reflect on the lingering impressions of the film. Our journey to Furano, where nature, culture, and personal memories came together, remains deeply cherished by both of us.

Although digitizing these film photographs from more than twenty years ago required considerable effort, seeing images of my younger self and my wife made me truly glad that I undertook the process.

Nikon F2 AS
Nikon F3 HP
Nikon F5
AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D
Kodak Gold 100

Shikisai-no-Oka 

Itis a vast, iconic tourist garden located in Biei, a beautiful town adjacent to the Furano area. From spring through autumn, dozens of varieties of colorful flowers bloom in vibrant stripes across 15 hectares of gently rolling hills, creating a spectacular view that looks just like a "rainbow carpet."







Lake Kanayama Lakeside Park
It is a beautiful park surrounded by rich nature in Minamifurano, Hokkaido. Visitors can enjoy a grand panoramic view that combines the calm lake and the majestic mountains.


Monologue Tree
The "Monologue Tree" is a beautiful, solitary white birch standing quietly in the vast fields of Rokugo, Furano, in Hokkaido. While white birches typically grow in clusters, this tree stands completely alone—a striking image that inspired its name, meaning "soliloquy," through a public naming contest. Famous as a filming location for the TV drama Kita no Kuni kara (From the Northern Country), its contrast with the yellow barn in the background beautifully captures Hokkaido’s idyllic charm. Living resiliently amidst Furano’s harsh natural environment, this tree continues to bring a sense of quiet peace to the hearts of all who visit.

Unfortunately, due to recent typhoons, strong winds, and heavy snow, the tree has broken. It is no longer possible to see this beautiful solitary tree.


Goro's Stone House

It is an iconic filming location for the famous Japanese TV drama Kita no Kuni kara (From the Northern Country), located in Rokugo, Furano City. This is the fifth house built by the main character, Goro Kuroita, who constructed it entirely by himself using a massive amount of stones cleared from the local fields. The house appeared in the series from the 1995 special Himitsu (Secrets) through to the final episode. The house is filled with resourcefulness and wisdom, showcasing a sustainable lifestyle with its stone walls, chimney, and a windmill used to pump water for the bath. With sheep grazing peacefully in the pasture upfront, this scenic spot allows visitors to truly step into the world of the drama and experience Goro’s warm and heartfelt way of life.


Ikutora Station
The Station, located on the JR Nemuro Main Line in the town of Minamifurano, is famously known across Japan as the filming location for the movie Poppoya (The Railway Man), where it appeared under the fictional name "Horomai Station." To this day, the area outside the station still preserves the nostalgic wooden station building constructed specifically for the film, along with the original street sets that captured the heart of the protagonist, played by the legendary actor Ken Takakura. Inside the station building, visitors can explore a rich collection of actual costumes, props, and photographs from the shooting. It continues to be a cherished destination for many fans, offering a wonderful opportunity to immerse oneself in the touching and evocative world of the film.



Domaine Raison

It is a stylish multi-purpose winery located in the town of Nakafurano, Hokkaido, built around the unique concept of "creating wine together with goats." Situated on a hill overlooking the majestic Tokachidake mountain range, the estate features sprawling vineyards, a boutique shop, a café and restaurant, and goat barns. The winery is distinguished by its commitment to sustainable, circular agriculture, using goat manure as compost to enrich the soil in which their wine grapes are grown. Visitors can enjoy exceptional wines and delicious sweets made from fresh goat milk, all while surrounded by the beauty of nature.





Flower Land Kamifurano

It is characterized by its colorful flower fields that stretch endlessly across the rolling slopes, alongside the charming appearance of a white-walled, red-roofed building—housing park facilities such as shops and rest areas—visible in the distance.



   Camera : Nikon F2 AS, Nikon F3 HP, Nikon F5 
                   at KenRockwell.com
                   AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D
                   at KenRockwell.com


   English   Japanese

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Location: 日本、〒071-0473 北海道上川郡美瑛町新星四季彩の丘 第３

Comments

  1. ShiroYuki_Mot23/6/26 17:42

    流石、富良野って感じですね。　また、お天気にも恵まれ、気持ちいいコマの連続です。
    またもや、いいものを見させて戴き、ごちそうさま！ です。　:)
    ネガからのデジタル化、退色って、厄介でしょうね。　心なしか、シアンが少し強い気もしますが、ネガの色調なのか補正なのか ... 。

    It really captures the essence of Furano. Blessed with great weather, too—it’s a wonderful series of shots.
    Thanks for sharing such great images—it’s a real treat for the eyes! :)
    Digitizing from negatives must be tricky, especially with the issue of fading. I get the slight impression that the cyan is a bit strong, though I wonder if that’s just the inherent tone of the negative or a result of the color correction...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dararin Darling23/6/26 19:19

      褪色を補正するのは本当に大変です。一発で決まる場合もあれば10回やっても決まらない場合もあります。私のフィルムの場合、青色が抜けて全体が黄色くなる傾向があるので、青を補正し、その後に赤を補正しています。シアンが強いと感じるというのはおっしゃる通りで赤をどこまで強く補正していくかによります。一枚の写真を修整するのに１０分以上かかりますが、いろいろ試行錯誤しながら楽しみながらやっています。１９９４～２００５年くらいのフィルムがまだ全然手つかずの状態なので、私のライフワークになっちゃいそうです。

      Correcting fading is truly a difficult process. Sometimes I can get it right in a single attempt, while at other times it can take ten tries and still not turn out as intended. With my film, there is a tendency for the blue tones to fade, causing the overall image to take on a yellowish cast. So I first adjust the blue tones and then move on to correcting the red.
      You are absolutely right in noting that the cyan can appear quite strong—it really depends on how far I push the red correction. It usually takes more than ten minutes to retouch a single photograph, but I genuinely enjoy the process of experimenting and refining the results. I still have a large number of films from around 1994 to 2005 that remain untouched, so this may well become a lifelong project for me.

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