The Backpack Adventures

Harunire Tree ( ハルニレの木 ) or Toyokoro Harunire Tree is a popular scenic spot and also a landmark of the town of Toyokoro. It is located at Horooka in the town of Toyokoro, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Harunire Tree Harunire Tree Details The Harunire Tree (Japanese Elm) is one of Toyokoro Town’s most beloved natural landmarks and a romantic symbol of enduring love. Standing gracefully along the banks of the Tokachi River in Hokkaido, this magnificent tree is actually two Japanese elms that have grown together as one . For over a century, the Harunire Tree has inspired countless visitors with its beauty and symbolism. Harunire Tree - Toyokoro town, Hokkaido Prefecture A Century-Old Beauty Estimated to be around 150 years old , the Harunire Tree is admired for its majestic form with branches stretching symmetrically on both sides. Its trunk measures about 3.6 meters in circumference , reaches a height of 18 meters , and spreads 23 meters wide . Throughout the...

Moiwa Shrine ( 茂岩神社 ) is one of the main shrines of the town of Toyokoro. It is located at 136 Moiwashinwamachi in the town of Toyokoro, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Moiwa Shrine Moiwa Shrine Details Established in May 1899 , Moiwa Shrine serves as the spiritual centerpiece of Toyokoro’s Moiwa area in Hokkaido, Japan. When the headman’s office was created, the first headman,  Seiji Sasaki , together with the local residents, felt the need for a sacred place of worship. On November 3, 1899 , they founded the shrine at its current location to enshrine Amaterasu Omikami , the sun goddess and one of the most important deities in Shinto belief. Moiwa Shrine - Tokoyoro town, Hokkaido Prefecture Growth and Transformation Through the Years A new shrine building was constructed in 1915, marking the start of Moiwa Shrine ’s transformation into the guardian deity of the Moiwa community. Over time, the shrine grounds were continuously improved, reflecting the str...