Japan Diaries 4: Day 870
Day 870: March 20, 2024 Wednesday – Vernal Equinox Day x Asahikawa City It's Vernal Equinox Day . Time for another road trip Today marked Vernal Equinox Day ( 春分の日 ) , a national holiday in Japan that quietly signals the changing of seasons. Once known as Shun-ki Kōreisai ( 春季皇霊祭 ) , it was established in 1878 as a day to honor past emperors and members of the imperial family. After the war, it evolved into a non-religious holiday, and these days, it feels more like a gentle pause before winter finally loosens its grip. Off to Asahikawa With clear skies overhead and Ruru’s newly installed tires giving us extra confidence on the road, my family and I decided it was the perfect excuse for a short road trip. We kept things simple and familiar, choosing Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) as our destination rather than heading too far. 2nd Street Hanasaki Branch Ella and Kai went to check out the toy section first Mega Don Quixote There are just a lot of gachapons here There are also a lot of p...
