Hokkaido - a Japanese Island in Northeast Asian Perspective

Keynote

Looking back the history, one could realize that the borderlines that lie between countries as we see them today are not necessarily very old and even they were not critical in the day-to-day life then, and that trades and cultural exchanges took place more frequently than one would imagine.

Hideo Matsumoto, a medical doctor, speculates that the origin of the Japanese is the Buryat who lived in proximity to Lake Baikal in Russia. On the other hand, it is a common practice in linguistic analysis to apply the knowledge of Polynesian language in order to determine the semantics of the old Japanese language. Of course, there are other academic theories, and heated discussions exist with respect to the origin of the Japanese. Under such circumstance, it would not be appropriate to hasten to come to a conclusion. However, it would be safe to say that the Japanese race, language, culture, etc., had been formulated with the influence from remote locations even beyond the Asian territory.

For those who are interested in understanding different culture and history by means of travel, bicycle would be the best because of its speed at which ancient people would have travelled. Suppose you wished to travel just like the way ancient people did but using bicycle, you might be able to see something that the ancient people did. That is the type of the tour we strive to propose.

We at JCN have broadened our vision to cover the borderless route, and begun exploring the possibility to team up with groups in other countries that can share our vision. In order to pursue that direction, we planned The Hokkaido Run 2005. The theme is "Hokkaido - the Entry to Japan" not "Hokkaido - the Northern Territory of Japan". We wish to meet with people along the route and exchange opinions on the idea of the borderless cycling route.

About this preliminary Run 2005 (closed)

We are just started to design this trans-asian cycling route. To build it better, we decided to hold preliminary run in Hokkaido. We hope to see you along this run and want to exchange friendship and many different ideas of such borderless route.

Details about the run

Location: from Wakkanai to Sapporo, Hokkaido

Date: from 18th to 25th september 2005

Schedule:(date/section/stay/ approximate distance/attraction)

Total 8 days/ 600km

Route Map

17th(sat.)

Eve of the Run /Wakkanai Shinrinkouen Campground / Cycling around Cape Noshappu.

Wakkanai Shinrinkouen Campground

18th(sun.)

From Wakkanai to Hamatonbetsu /Kuccharokohan Campground / 85km /Cape Soya.

Kuccharokohan Campground

19th(mon.)

From Hamatonbetus to Utanobori / Utanobori hureainomori campground / 60km / Lake Kuccharo, Placer gold.

Utanobori hureainomori campground

20th(tue.)

From Utanobori to Nayoro / Nayoro tomute bunkanomori campground /90km /forested dirt road or driving a tram.

Nayoro tomute bunkanomori campground

21st(wed.)

From Nayoro to Asahikawa /Shunkoudaikouen green sport shisetsu campground / 80km / Shiokari pass.

Shunkoudaikouen green sport shisetsu campground

22nd(thu.)

From Asahikawa to Furano / Hoshini tenotodokuoka campground / 60km / Biei.

Hoshini tenotodokuoka campground

23rd(Fri.)

From Furano to Katsurazawako / Katsurazawako National campground / 70km / Furano, Rokugou.

Katsurazawako National campground

24th(sat.)

From Katsurazawako to Yubari / Sekitan-no rekishi mura family campground / 60km / Yubari.

Sekitan-no rekishi mura family campground

25th(sun.)

From Yubari to Sapporo / 75km / Shiroishi cycling road.

Accommodation

We are supposed to camp every night. Most campgrounds are free (or about 500 yen/person).

If you want to stay in a room, please let us know in advance. We will book them for you. Rooms may be shared with other tourists (ex. Y.H.) would cost about 6000 yen/night with dinner and breakfast.

Application

Please email to us with following information; Family name, Given name, sex, nationality, Address, Telephone Number, email address, web site, period of participation. (weather if you want to stay in hotel or not.)

Participation fee

Free, but please carry travel insurance by yourself.