GARINKO 2

*A happy New Year 2001!

On January 1 (2001), I went to Monbetsu on the coast of "Sea of Okhotsk" to see the rising sun and celebrated the begining of the new century. There is a unique ship of ice breaker, "Garinko 2"here in Monbetsu, Hokkaido. I will show you this unique ship.

GARINKO 2

Garinko 2

This is "Garinko 2"!! She is a red painted ship like "Yamal". It was very very cold in Monbetsu.

There were ship models of "Ex-Garinko"(left) and "Garinko 2"(right) in "Garinko Station". "Ex-Garinko" was built in 1981 as an ice breaker in Alaska. After that, she was purchased by town of Monbetsu, and reconstructed into a excursion boat. Many tourists went on board her. "Garinko 2" was built in 1997. 150G/T. Very small ship (boat?).

But a new years cruising was called off because of yesterday's bad weather. Oh, no!!! So, a new years event took place at Okhotsk Tower instead of Garinko 2.

OKHOTSK TOWER

Okhotsk Tower

This is "Okhotsk Tower". It is 38.5m in hight. A wind was so cold. Icy!

Port of Monbetsu

Port of Monbetsu. Monbetsu is derived from Ainu. It means "a calm river". The fishing industry is flourishing in this town.

Sea of Okhotsk

It's daybreak of new century! But I didn't know when the day dawned.:-) A happy new year and new century to you!

This event is "Kagami Biraki". "Kagami Biraki" means....It's difficult to translate into English. Well, it means "break a round lid of barrel". In Japan merchants often treat customers to sake on New Year's Day. I don't know its purpose. It's a kind of tradition.

*Toso
Sake steeped in toso herbs. Drinking toso on New Year's Day was traditionally thought to prevent illness.

Zouni

*Zouni
Zouni is a special New Year's soup with rice cakes, vegetables, etc.

Recently Hokkaido is a popular place to see in Taiwan or Korea. Snow and ice is rare for them.

A seal

GARINKO 2

Garinko 2

I almost forget "Garinko 2". I will show you this ship. Let's go more closely.

Bow

She has special 2 screws in bow. These screws are the secrets of popularity among tourists (or ship lovers).

Ice Breaker

This screw was associated with "Mole" in TV movie "Thunderbirds". Do you know "Thunderbirds"? This British TV movie is very popular in Japan, too. I watched this TV program in my childhood.

A signboard of this ship. It's far from excellent. Maybe some amateur drew this signboard.

Pass. capacity is 195. You can see life rafts.

Aft

In summer, "Garinko 2" is used as a charter boat or a fishing boat.

MONBETSU PRINCE HOTEL

Monbetsu Prince Hotel

This is the biggest hotel in Monbetsu :-) Opened in 1989. I think there are many "Prince Hotel" in the world.

A breakfast. It is "Osechi ryori"(New Year's food). But this "Osechi ryori" is not good. Too salty for me.

Souvenirs. Most souvenirs are products of crabs.

MONBETSU ITSUKUSHIMA SHINTO SHRINE

Monbetsu Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

Japanese people visit shrines to pray for health and happiness for comming year. I visited "Monbetsu Itsukushima Shinto Shrine".

The Rising Sun

Garinko 2

This music is downloaded from Our MIDI Jukebox download archives.

01/06/05