The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
Posts tagged Southwest Welcome Party
HAJET Southwest Welcome Party 2011
Aug 23rd
Welcome to hell!
When:
Start – 2pm August 27th
End – 12pm/noon August 28th
Where:
Poroto Campgrounds, Shiraoi
How to get there:
Train/Bus: Shiraoi JR station (白老 ・しらおい)
From the station, it is an 11 minute drive. Shuttle volunteers with own car wanted – please see contact below!
To get to the festival:
Train: From Shiraoi to Noboribetsu (350Y) runs about once every hour and last train back from Noboribetsu is at 10:18pm
By carpool: The HAJET event page on facebook is an excellent place to look for those who want carpool and find Designated Drivers.
CONTACT: Carlee Miller southwestern.rep@hajet.org or 080-4043-5408
Details:
The Noboribetsu Hell Festival is held every year the last Saturday and Sunday of August. Many JETs and non-JETs come from all over Hokkaido to see this fun and unique festival. Noboribetsu is known Japan-wide for its famous sulfur-hot springs and nice onsen hotels and resorts. Don’t miss this opportunity to come and see one of Hokkaido’s most well-known festivals in action!
Due to there not being any campgrounds actually in Noboribetsu, the nearest campground is in Shiraoi. I stayed at this campground last year during the festival and it was a well-kept and friendly campground with onsite trash and open grilling permitted.
What to bring:
Tent (or reserve and rent one from HEC)
Sleeping bag and sleeping mat
Tarps (in case of rain)
Warm clothes (the nights get chilly!)
Bug spray and repellant
Personal Hygiene kit
Yourself and your beverage(s) of choice
Cost:
Campground – 400Y per person, per night
(If you want to rent a bungalow, they are 5000Y per night, but you will have to make your own arrangements.)
HAJET BBQ – Free for HAJET members, 500Y per person for Non-Members
Tent Rental – Available from HEC for 500Y per person per night. Contact either myself or hec@hajet.org to reserve a tent. (Please arrange who you will be sharing a tent with before making a tent reservation or let the HEC person know that you are willing to share with whoever needs room.)
Schedule*:
Saturday
2pm – setting up camp and BBQ (volunteers always welcome!)
3pm – HEC Back Sale
3:30pm – BBQ starts
Tentative Menu:
Hamburgers
Hot dogs/Sausage
Veggie yakisoba
5pm – BBQ ends and clean up begins
After 5pm – free time
Because many people will want to travel into the nearby Noboribetsu for the festival, I have put the BBQ in the mid-afternoon so that people can comfortably snack from all the different festival foods during the parade and drumming events. I’m hoping this will be a very laid-back welcome to the Southwest. Please let me know if you have any questions at southwestern.rep@hajet.org.
Southwest Welcome Party 2010
Aug 29th
Southwest Welcome Party 2010
September 18th-20th
At Lake Toya
How to get there:
TRAIN: using JR Hokkaido – get off at Touya (洞爺).
From the train station: local (Donan) bus and/or volunteer shuttle (See times in the Hokkaido JET Forum).
Contact Information: Carlee Miller, HAJET Southwest Rep: southwestern.rep@hajet.org
Campground Office: 0142-66-7022.
For more information regarding Welcome Parties, please visit the HAJET forums http://www.hokkaidojets.org/.
Nightly fireworks displays over the lake starting at 8:45pm! (weather permitting)
For more information please visit this thread in the Hokkaido JET forums.
Schedule of Events:
Saturday
AM – travel to Lake Touya
noon – 4:30pm exploring Lake Touya
3pm – whacky Japanese 100Y store games! (bring any you find and I’ll do the same!)
4:30pm –HAJET Musical information meeting and auditions
5:30pm – Any other necessary HAJET/event announcements to be made and enkai preparation
6:30pm – Enkai starts
7:30pm – HEC Fundraiser -Bake sale
10/11pm – quiet time starts (let’s be respectful to our Japanese camping neighbors!)
Sunday
Free time
3pm – Official end to Welcome Party
Things to do in the area:
- There is an onsen across the path from the campgrounds. Cost is 390Y for one person. Bring a towel and your favorite loofah!
- Walking and cycling.
- Canoeing
- Swan boat rental
Other information
There is a 2-day Hike/Walk happening at Lake Touya on the 19th and 20th, so you could plan to stick around during that time if you are interested. Information regarding the hike is in the September Polestar under the Southwest Happenings.
