Memanbetsu, Ozora
Märchen Hill Counting the row of trees, then a cheese snack
At Märchen Hill, 7 larches stand in a row beyond the broad fields. After parking on a summer afternoon and enjoying the view, I’d like to take a snack break with some cheese from Ozora.
A summer scene in late June. I’d like to take in the wheat fields and hilltop trees together with the wide sky.
SummerAn afternoon in late June
A summer afternoon break in front of the hill
One afternoon in late June, I stopped at Märchen Hill beside Route 39. When I parked and stepped outside, slender trees stood in a row on the hill. A gentle breeze slipped under the pale purple cardigan I wore over a white blouse.
Counting the trees one by one, I found 7 in the main row. The land sloped gently from the nearby wheat field to the top of the hill. I liked seeing the sky between the trees, and watched for a while from this side of the fence.
In the wheat field, I could also see marks left by farmwork stretching towards the hill. Following them as far as the boundary with the next field made me feel this was land where people worked. I don’t think I’d have noticed these small details if I’d only driven past.
For my break, I had some Ozora smoked cheese ready. As I drew a little of the thin stick out of its paper wrapping, I caught its smoky smell. Tasting it beside the car, this time I lifted my eyes from the fields to the sky.
When I’d heard the name, I’d imagined a pretty little hill, but the real landscape was broad and the row of trees stood out clearly. Even after finishing my snack, I wanted to look a little longer. I was glad I’d chosen this as a place to stop during the trip.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialty
Ozora smoked cheese
Thin sticks of cheese smoked with cherry wood. I’d choose this local snack, which you can pull apart to eat, for a break on the drive.
Highlights
The row of 7 larches
7 larches line the gentle hilltop. I liked the sky showing between the trees and watched for a while from this side of the fence.
The shapes of fields reaching towards the hill
Looking at the spread of wheat and the boundaries between the fields lets you feel the breadth of Memanbetsu’s farmland.
Road and trip details
Route 39 — Märchen Hill
- By car from JR Abashiri Station
- About 15 minutes
- The hill’s featured trees
- 7 larches
Farmland scenery beside the national road in Memanbetsu, Ozora.
The official guide gives about 15 minutes by car from JR Abashiri Station. I’d like to add a break overlooking the fields to a journey along Route 39.
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