Japan Diaries 4: Day 286

Day 286: August 14, 2022

Sunday - Drive Up North Day 3

Early morning stroll around Wakkanai Forest Park Camping Ground

After the drizzle early this morning, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. For today’s itinerary, we would stay in Wakkanai City (稚内市) and explore Central Wakkanai and other nearby tourist spots on the outskirts of the city.

A quick stop at Gate of Ice and Snow

Gate of Ice and Snow (氷雪の門)

After packing up our tent, we left Wakkanai Forest Park Camping Ground and drove down to Central Wakkanai City. Before leaving the hill, we quickly stopped at the Gate of Ice and Snow for some pictures.

Northernmost McDonald’s in Japan

Time for breakfast

We didn't miss taking photos with the Northernmost Mcdonald’s in Japan marker

Since the tourist spots in the city are still mostly closed, we decided to eat breakfast first at the Northernmost McDonald’s in Japan. We got to take photos with Ronald McDonald and the inscription that we are in the northernmost McDonald’s in the country.

We drove back to the city center

Wakkanaishi Port Service Center

Cheap but quality bath at Wakkanaishi Port Service Center

After eating breakfast, we drove to the Wakkanaishi Port Service Center for cheap but quality baths. 

Heading out of the city center

Next stop: Wakkanai Animal Land

It was fun interacting with the numerous animals in Wakkanai Animal Land.


We then continued our trip by driving eastward to Wakkanai Animal Land. Ella had fun interacting with the animals and I enjoyed taking photos of them.

Driving along Fukuko Dori going to our next destination

Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall

Ella had her usual manhole cover shot here

RX-78-2 Gundam manhole cover

Inside the Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall

Wakkanai Fukuko Market

From there, we went back to Central Wakkanai. We first visited Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall and checked out the Wakkanai Fukuko Market for souvenirs. I learned a lot about the history of Karafuto Prefecture after visiting the Wakkanai City Karafuto Memorial Hall.

We wanted to try La Seine but it was fully booked

Wakkanai Roadside Station / Wakkanai JR Station

We found the Wakkanai Pokemon manhole cover

We looked for a nearby place to eat but were disappointed that the restaurant of our choice was fully booked when we arrived. Hence, we drove to Wakkanai Roadside Station as there are more choices of restaurants in the area.

Lunch at Fujita Shokudo 

Ella had some playground time at the free playground on the 2nd Floor of the Wakkanai Roadside Station building

We settled at the Fujita Shokudo for lunch. It is inside Wakkanai Roadside Station. The food was just OK and was enough to fill our stomachs. We then spent some time in the Wakkanai Roadside Station waiting for the 3 PM check-in of The Stay Wakkanai where we will spend the night. Luckily, there was a free playground there to keep Ella entertained. We also met a Tokyoite family we were coincidentally also waiting for their check-in in The Stay Wakkanai. Ella and their children instantly became friends.

Our home for the day - The Stay Wakkanai

We bought bento for dinner at the Seicomart near the station

When we got to check into our room, we spent some time resting before heading out to buy bento dinner at the Seicomart across the street from our place.

Wrapping up the day at Room 103

Overall, even though we planned to camp the whole trip, we needed to check in today as most of our devices were already drained including our 2 portable chargers. Aside from that, it’s a great feeling to finally lie down in a soft bed.

Well then, it's time for us to call it a night! See you on the 4th day of our Drive Up North road trip!


Location: 2-chōme-12-16 Chūō, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 097-0022, Japan

Comments

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp - Batangas

Image
Located in the municipality of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas, Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is one of the few privately owned resorts in the area that doesn't really require memberships for visitors to enjoy. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Munting Buhangin Beach Camp Details Although Munting Buhangin Beach Camp doesn't have white sand to boast, it's quite an isolated place which makes the resort stand out. Its light brown sand, sprinkled with different kinds of shells, is cleaned daily by the dedicated staff of the resort. Sadly, during my visit, a broken piece of glass buried in the sand gave one of my toes a deep cut but I know that it's just a rare case (no one needs to be fired) and nobody wanted that to happen. Munting Buhangin Beach - Nasugbu, Batangas  One of the best places to go camping...  ...or rent nipa huts and treehouse You might want to try kayaking here too Going up: parking / Going down: beach Munting Buhangin Beach Camp is ide
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

National Shrine of St. Padre Pio - Batangas

Image
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa  St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Keep reading

Barcelona Ruins Park - Sorsogon

Image
Located on the coastal area of the town Barcelona in the province of Sorsogon, Barcelona Ruins Park refers to the park where century-old ruins of Spanish colonial-era buildings are found. Barcelona Ruins Park Barcelona Ruins Park History Speaking of the ruins of Spanish Colonial-era buildings, there are two such ruins in Barcelona Ruins Park . The school building ruins at the southeastern tip of the park and the prominent Presidencia building ruins in the northwestern tip of the park.  The ruins of the Presidencia building as seen from across the street A closer look at the Presidencia Building The ruins of the school building at the far end of Barcelona Ruins Park The Presidencia building was once the office of the governadorcillo during the colonial period. If you're wondering why the building seems massive in size, well it's because it doubled as a fortress that guards the town against the pirates and Moro raider that once frequently attacks Spanish-cont
Keep reading

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Image
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected.
Keep reading

List of Festivals in the Philippines: April

Image
Do you want to witness and be part of the exciting and colorful cultural activities in the Philippines in this month of  April ?   Please check out the list of popular fiestas or festivals happening this April . Rodeo Masbateno Festival Location:  Masbate City, Province of Masbate Details:  The festival is celebrated every 9th to 14th of April. Its highlights are the bull riding competition, lassoing, 2-4 carambola, and bulldogging. This festival showcases the "cowboy skills" of the Masbatenos. Kangayedan Festival Location:  Pagudpod, Province of Ilocos Norte Details:  The festival is celebrated every 22nd to the 26th of April. Its highlight is the parade of cultural dances. This festival's objective is to safeguard the ecological beauty from destruction and also to renew the vow of the townspeople to replenish and protect the environment.  Butanding Festival Location:  Donsol, Province of Sorsogon Details:  The festival is celebrated every 28th of April to t
Keep reading

Cagayan Adventure: Palaui Island

Image
Our adventure today takes us 457 kilometers northwest of kilometer 0 in Manila. Located in the municipality of Sta. Ana in the province of Cagayan, Palaui Island is every backpacker's / island hopper's dream destination. Palaui Island Palaui Island Details  Palaui Island was declared a National Marine Reserve on August 28, 1994. It is home to countless species of migratory birds, corals, fishes, and even plants.  Palaui Island -  Sta. Ana, Cagayan Palaui Island as seen from San Vicente Port Palaui Island got into the international spotlight after it was used as the filming location for Survivor: Cagayan and Survivor: Blood vs. Water. Not only that, but Palaui Island is also placed in the 10th spot in CNN's World's 100 Best Beaches list. Dos Hermanos Islands as seen from Palaui Island Panoramic view of Palaui Island from Mt. Kabo My group visited the island to see its "raw" beauty. You see, the negative effect of becoming a popular island
Keep reading

Sato Auto Campground of Firefly - Hokkaido

Image
Sato Auto Campground of Firefly ( ほたるの里オートキャンプ場 ) is the nearest campsite to the famed Horoshin Spa of Numata. It is located at 612 Horoshin in the town of Numata in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Sato Auto Campground of Firefly Sato Auto Campground of Firefly details If you're looking for a tranquil getaway surrounded by nature, Sato Auto Campground of Firefly in Hokkaido is the perfect destination. The lush greenery of the Horoshin district provides an idyllic setting for your vacation. Sato Auto Campground of Firefly  - Numata town, Hokkaido Prefecture The campground is open from early June until September and offers a variety of accommodation options, including campsites and cottages. Reservations are accepted by phone from the second Monday of April and can be quite competitive, so be sure to book early to secure your spot. Administration Building Administration Building A miniature water wheel display Sato Auto Campground of Firefly map Upon reservation, customers receive a c
Keep reading

Japan Diaries 2: Day 2

Image
Day 2 May 18, 2018 Rinku Premium Outlets We woke up to another great morning. The weather was predicted to be fine throughout the day so I brought the kids to the park (actually parks) in the neighborhood of Tsubasagaokakita and Tsubasagaokanishi first thing in the morning.  Go, Ella! Let's try out the other playground shall we Walking back home After an hour or so Ella and Zaq decided that they had enough playground time for the day so we walked back home and arrived just in time for breakfast.  Shopping at Nitori Izumisano There are plenty of products here that you might want to buy Since today was the last full day of Zaq and his family in Japan , we accompanied them on their trips to buy pasalubong and souvenirs around Osaka. Our first destination for the day was Nitori (store) in Izumisano. We also bought some Japanese unique products here for our house like the Japanese Style Diatomite Bath Mat and other household and cookware products.  We
Keep reading