Hokkaido and Farewell to Japan – Japan Episode 8

By C.I. Sivasubramanian
Aged 96, Retired Director, Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi

Introduction by Venkat
In this concluding episode on Japan travel, the train experience continues with an amazing trip through the longest tunnel under water. The places covered include the volcanic region of Hokkaido, lake Toya and two live volcanic mountains. It is interesting to note the information on ethnicity of the Japanese and the strong presence of Indians in Japan. These eight episodes on Japanese life and culture have given beautiful insights with lively descriptions to relish. Thanks to Mr. C. I. Sivasubramanian.

Hokkaido and Farewell to Japan – Japan Episode 8

Hokkaido

On the fifth day, we took a train going north towards the island of Hokkaido. We had to change the trains at two places, called Morioka, up to which the Shinkansen took us, and Aomori. From Morioka, we took limited express trains. The train from Aomori took us under the sea, through a tunnel built to link the Island of Hokkaido. The tunnel, called Seikan, was 54 km long, the longest ever built. We kept awake, in the middle of the night when the train was going in the tunnel. It took about 40 minutes or so to cross the tunnel and emerge from the other side.

In the early morning next day, we reached Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. It was too early in the day to go out into the city and therefore we decided to take another train and go round the volcanic region. Hokkaido is full of volcanic mountains, some of which are alive even today. Our train took us to a place called Toya and from there we took a bus to Lake Toya (Toya Ko). This lake and the mountains in the lake were formed by the volcanic eruptions in the nearby mountains and there are lots of hot springs around this region. It was a grand sight to see huge mountains inside a lake. Close by there was a science museum where the actual eruptions of a volcano in 1977 were reproduced by images and mock-ups with good sound effects.

From there we took another bus to reach two mountains, called Mt. Usu and Mt. Shova shinzan, which were live volcanoes! One could see the smoke emitting from both the mountains, located close to each other. There is an aerial ropeway running to Mt. Usu and we took it to reach a point in the mountain from where we could see more of smoke not only from one area but from several spots from Mt. Usu as also from Mt. Shova Shinzan. We could also view the Lake Toya from this place. It was a thrilling experience to see live volcanoes. I do not know how people living there stay there without any fear as Mt. Usu erupted as recently as in 1977 although they have been assured by the authorities that these volcanoes are not dangerous and are not likely to erupt in the near future.

Back at Sapporo late in the evening, we had a little time before catching our train back for Tokyo and took a stroll in the city centre, called O-dori promenade. There were lots of flowers all around arranged beautifully all along the promenade and people selling corns, boiled potatoes and ice cream. We were told that Sapporo ice creams were very popular, as dairying is an important industry in this part of Japan. We saw a hundred-year old clock tower on the way and a replica of Tokyo tower in this area, all illuminated. We thought that we should have spent a little more time in Sapporo, which seemed a lively city.

They say that Hokkaido and their inhabitants are different ethnically from Japan. The people have different features and customs. Some claim that the original Japanese came from this island, and yet others say that the present day Japanese came from immigrants from Korea. Whatever it may be, Hokkaido is very much part of Japan now and is an important source of supplies of dairy products – and beer- to the whole of Japan.

We reached Tokyo the next day, by around 10:30 AM, again keeping awake when the train went through the tunnel under the sea. We wished we saw the actual water as we do in the sea world around the glass case in America! But that would have been perhaps very dangerous in the real sea.

That was the last day for the use of Japan Rail pass. While I took rest, my wife and our son-in-law went for another short ride by train in the evening to a place called Chiba, not far from Tokyo, to complete their quota of travel for one full week!

Altogether it was a wonderful experience travelling through the length and breadth of Japan. We wished we had more breathing time to see these places at a more leisurely pace.

Indian community

I want to tell you about the Indian community in Japan. There is a sizeable Indian community in Japan. There are a few who are settled in Japan for over 20 years, Jewellers, Restaurateurs and other businessmen. There are youngsters, especially software engineers, who come on short postings in Japanese companies. An Indian gentleman, by name, APS Mani, takes the lead role and organizes monthly meetings at a common place where Sahasranamam is recited followed by sumptuous dinner or lunch depending on when the function starts, usually on a Saturday. We meet a number of our brethren at these functions and exchange pleasantries with them, thanks largely to Mr. Mani.

By C.I. Sivasubramanian
Aged 96, Retired Director, Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi

Mr. Sivasubramanian hails from Coimbatore. He has been living in Delhi throughout life. He was employed with the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and retired as Director in 1986.

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