The Backpack Adventures

Weekend 99: September 23 – 24, 2023 Day 691: September 23, 2023 Saturday – Rumoi It was a beautiful day here in Rumoi City—bright, breezy, and just the kind of weather that makes you feel extra thankful to be where you are. We didn’t plan any road trips today since our Japanese friends, Ikuko-san and Kanda-sensei, were coming over for dinner.  The morning was spent doing some light chores around the house. My wife and I also finalized our menu for the evening—something simple but special. Rumoi Shinkin Bank Around 10 AM, we drove to Rumoi Shinkin Bank to run a quick errand. After that, we made a rather unusual stop at Rumoi Golden Beach—not to relax or swim, but to hunt for Sprite! Believe it or not, Sprite isn’t very common in our city, and we needed it for one of the dishes we were preparing. Thankfully, the vending machine near the beach came to the rescue. Bonding at Golden Beach Rumoi Golden Beach Rumoi It has been some time since we had Sprite. We saw these at the vending ma...

10 More Things to Do in Kushiro City Kushiro ( 釧路市 ) is a scenic port city located in Hokkaido's Kushiro Subprefecture, Japan . The city is one of those places that just has plenty of places to visit and things to do. That’s why I’m back with another article about 10 More Things to Do in Kushiro City .   Starbucks Kushiro Tsurumibashi 1. Sip coffee and enjoy the view of the Shinkushiro River from Starbucks Kushiro Tsurumibashi ( スターバックス コーヒー 釧路鶴見橋店 ) . As of this writing, this Starbucks store is the easternmost stand-alone branch in Japan. Nabekyu 2. Dine at  Nabekyu  ( なべきゅう ) , a charming, family-run restaurant operated by a friendly elderly couple. Known for its delicious  wakasagi tempura  (Japanese smelt), this cozy spot offers a warm, homey atmosphere that makes you feel like you're eating at a local’s kitchen table. A true hidden gem for comfort food lovers!   Kushiro Zoo 3.  Visit  Kushiro Zoo  ( 釧路市動物園 ) . Although it’s a go...