Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki begins exploring the charms of Hokuryu Town! [April 2024]

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

April 1, 2024, the beginning of the new fiscal year 2024.
Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro visited Hokuryu Town.

Mayor Sasaki's hour-and-a-half town tour included the precious Edaibetsu Dam, where meltwater irrigates the town's fields, crossing the Mitani district and reaching the town border with Mashike Town to see the majestic Mount Edai, the fields where snow-melting agents had been sprayed, and interacting with farmers hard at work setting up seedling greenhouses.

"I'm so glad you came all the way here! Please come again!"
"The townspeople said with happy smiles, and Mayor Sasaki engaged in lively conversation!!!

With the arrival of spring, nature sprouts new life, and farmers steadily begin their work...

The new fiscal year will begin with an exchange between the townspeople and Mayor Sasaki while experiencing the magnificent natural beauty of Hokuryu Town!

Mayor Sasaki is scheduled to visit the town about once a month from now on. Please look forward to Mayor Sasaki's next visit!!!

Edaibetsu Dam: A view of the sacred Edaibetsu Dam that irrigates the town's fields


Etaibetsu Dam
Etaibetsu Dam
Mayor Sasaki looks over the dam with deep emotion
Mayor Sasaki looks over the dam with deep emotion

Border area with Mashike Town

Mount Edai with its snow remaining towering majestically

Mount Edai with its snow remaining towering majestically
Mount Edai with its snow remaining towering majestically

A field where snow-melting agents were sprayed

Snow-melting agent-covered farmland can be seen all over town

Snow-melting agent patterns on fields
Snow-melting agent patterns on fields
Basking in the spring sunshine, feeling the budding of life...
Basking in the spring sunshine, feeling the budding of life...

Conversation with townspeople during snow removal work

Interacting with townspeople during snow removal work
Interacting with townspeople during snow removal work
There was a lot of conversation about how difficult it is to clear the snow walls!
There was a lot of conversation about how difficult it is to clear the snow walls!

A conversation with farmers as they begin preparations for planting

With farmers starting preparations for planting...
With farmers starting preparations for planting...

Seedling greenhouse installation work begins

Seedling greenhouse installation work
Seedling greenhouse installation work
I also had lively conversations with the new young people...
I also had lively conversations with the new young people...

Scenery near the observation hill

The view from near Observation Hill...
The view from near Observation Hill...
With a view of the entire town...
With a view of the entire town...

Sunflower Park with a view of Hokuryu Onsen

Sunflower Park with a view of Hokuryu Onsen
Sunflower Park with a view of Hokuryu Onsen

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, this precious moment of interaction between Mayor Sasaki and the farmers who are now hard at work on their farms will shed light on the hearts of the townspeople and promote the revitalization of the town.

Other photos

◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)

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