Shinshinotsu, village in Ishikari district, Hokkaido, Japan
Shinshinotsu is a small village in Hokkaido surrounded by extensive rice fields and open plains. The settlement spreads along the Ishikari River with scattered houses, cultivated fields, and wide quiet roads.
The village originated in Ainu times along this river and was later resettled by Japanese farmers in the 1800s who focused on rice cultivation. The settlement developed around farming and has maintained this rural character ever since.
The village name comes from the Ainu language and means 'meandering river'. Local people gather for harvest festivals with music and community meals that keep farming traditions alive and connect generations together.
The village sits about 1 hour by car from Sapporo and is easily accessible for day visits. Visitors can walk through open fields, fish on the frozen river in winter, and visit the constellation observatory at Fureai Park.
The village has a constellation observatory in Fureai Park with exceptionally clear skies where visitors can view stars and occasionally meteor showers with the naked eye or telescopes. A larger new observatory was planned for fall 2023.
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