In the outskirts of Shikaoi Town in Tokachi, Hokkaido, the Tokachi Millennium Forest spreads out with the Hidaka Mountains as a backdrop. It may be more fitting to call it a forest rather than a garden. Admission used to be free, but now there is a fee. We enjoyed a delicious iced coffee at the garden cafe, feeling the breeze blowing through.

On the third day of our trip to Hokkaido in September 2017, our main purpose was to explore the Tokachi Garden Highway. Ever since being impressed by the gardens around Asahikawa two years ago, I have been eager to visit this place. This garden has won awards from the British Garden Designers Association and is known for its beauty. The vast grounds also include a farm where you can enjoy activities like Segway tours and interacting with animals. We tried a yogurt drink at the cheese making workshop, which had a strong cheese aroma and was highly recommended.

I visited the Thousand-Year Forest in Oike, Tokachi Shimizu-cho for a weekend garden tour. The entrance fee is 1200 yen to enter the area with a restaurant, but the information center is free. The French restaurant has changed a lot, and now they only offer curry on a one-plate lunch. Due to the impact of the pandemic, they are struggling with limited staff and resources. Unfortunately, I had to give up on having a meal there. The garden is spacious with a well-maintained walking trail, and I was able to find the Rose Garden at the end. The colorful flowers were beautifully arranged, and the sight of butterflies dancing around was spectacular. I also saw small goats leisurely eating grass inside a fence. I bought some valuable goat cheese that is only available in the summer from the shop at the information center. It has a unique taste with a hint of sheep's milk aroma. I enjoyed it with some flavorful olive oil. I hope more customers return soon, and the place can regain its former lively atmosphere with the right staffing.

"The Thousand-Year Forest" is a place in Tokachi where I visited today. It is a facility that seems to have invested a lot of money in it. You can play with goats, ride a Segway, and it's quite an interesting place. I even bought some soba noodles at the shop there. They had two options, "50% buckwheat flour" and "80% buckwheat flour." Of course, I chose the "80% buckwheat flour" one. The lady at the shop was very friendly and the soba noodles, although not the best I've had, were still decent. It was a good experience trying Tokachi soba noodles, and I enjoyed it."