This is Tomohiro Nakamichi from Shibecha Town, Hokkaido. In my series "Shibecha Days," I share the charms of Shibecha from my perspective. This time, I'd like to introduce you to "Spring in Shibecha."

What comes to mind when you hear the word "spring"? Many of you might think of cherry blossoms, but for me, having started a new life in Shibecha, Hokkaido, it's the fresh greenery.

Just when I think winter is ending, the plants and trees suddenly burst into life (it feels that sudden), painting the entire landscape in green. It's a breathtaking sight. The vibrant breath of green is something you can truly feel precisely because of Hokkaido's stark winter scenery. While it may be a familiar sight for many, for me, this green of spring is incredibly impressive.

Mount Nishibetsu and pastures dyed in fresh green

Spring is also the season when various plants begin to sprout. While it's easy to be captivated by Hokkaido's vast landscapes, if you casually look down at the ground or the scenery before you, you can feel the small lives of the plants.

A cluster of dandelions blooming at the Tawa-daira Observatory

Ezo mountain cherry blossoms can be seen at Tawa-daira

The white birch, a symbolic tree of Hokkaido, also turns a fresh green

And spring is, without a doubt, the season for wild animals. They begin raising their young everywhere, making the atmosphere feel lively. In Shibecha Town, you can see not only foxes and deer but also the red-crowned cranes, a special natural monument of Japan, raising their chicks.

Shibecha Town has abundant water sources and high-quality wetlands, providing the perfect environment for animals to protect themselves from predators. While the red-crowned cranes are famous in winter, they are actually resident birds that stay all year round. During the spring breeding season, there are fewer photographers, making Shibecha a hidden gem for spotting these cranes.

A red-crowned crane family. You can start seeing them from late spring

A fox family. If you're lucky, you might spot them by the roadside

Ezo deer, having survived the harsh winter, come to the pastures for fresh grass

An Ezo mountain hare after shedding its winter coat. They raise their young in the pastures

The list goes on and on; spring is a brilliant season for animals and plants in Shibecha, and indeed all of Hokkaido. Even in the pastures you might normally pass by without a second thought, if you look closely, you'll find they are teeming with life. I encourage you all to come and see the nature of Shibecha Town with your own eyes. I'm sure even familiar landscapes will look completely different.

The last thing I want to introduce is the beauty of the sunset. I feel that the sunsets during this season are particularly beautiful compared to the rest of the year. Perhaps due to weather and temperature conditions, the sunsets often have a beautiful, fiery glow.

Also, unlike in winter, clouds often form, adding an extra layer of beauty to the evening scenery. This sunset was one of the things that moved me when I moved to Shibecha Town.

When I lived in the city, it was normal for the sun to hide between buildings and set behind them. But here, the sun sinks beyond the horizon. And even after it sets, you can still enjoy gazing at the glowing sky.

The sun setting over Mount Nishibetsu

A sunset and a deer. A scene like this is unique to Shibecha with its many plains

Sunset at Lake Shirarutoro. You can watch the sun sink below the horizon with the lake

What did you think? This time, I've shared what I personally find charming about spring in Shibecha Town. These scenes are truly common sights here.

When you're sightseeing, I hope you'll look beyond the famous spots and pay attention to all sorts of places. I'm sure you'll discover a new charm of Hokkaido.