Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 43

Weekend 43: August 27-28, 2022

Day 299: August 27, 2022

Saturday – "8/27" Family Road Trip

It’s another weekend. It only means one thing, I’m off on another road trip with my family. For this adventure, we plan to go on another overnight camping to Sorachi Sub-prefecture.

Uryu (雨竜町)
We made a brief stopover on one of the scenic roads of Uryu

Uryu (雨竜町)
Uryu (雨竜町)

We left our home in Rumoi City at around 8AM. For this trip, we used the Rumoi Interchange for the first time. This also meant we finally got to drive over the 50-speed limit for the first time.

Uryu manhole cover

Uryu Roadside Station

Inside Kyoun Tsujii Gallery


Our first destination is the town of Uryu (雨竜町). We did a stopover at the Uryu Roadside Station. We were in luck as it was the 25th Anniversary of the roadside station. We received a 300-gram rice packet for free. 

From there, we went to the Uryu Shrine to pay respects and offer some prayers.

Our next stop is the town of Shintotsukawa (新十津川町). We visited the following places in Shintotsukawa:




➢ Shintotsukawa Town Museum

From there, we drove to Takikawa City (滝川市), only a few kilometers away. These are the places that we visited in Takikawa City:


2nd Street Takikawa

Inside 2nd Street Takikawa

➣ 2nd Street Takikawa



Takikawa Tourist Information Center

I got a collectible Takikawa Manhole Cover card from the Takikawa Tourist Information Center

➣ Takikawa Tourist Information Center


Takikawa JR Station

A glider on display in front of the Takikawa JR Station

Takikawa JR Station eki stamp

➣ Takikawa JR Station




Takikawa AEON

KFC for dinner!

Then crepe for dessert

➣ Takikawa AEON

We planned to go camping in Chippubetsu but because it rained hard, we decided to cancel the plan and just drive back home after eating at KFC in Takikawa AEON.



Day 300: August 28, 2022

Sunday – A Road Trip with Matsuda-sensei

Last week, Matsuda-sensei sent me a message asking me if I was available today to accompany him to tour his former students who are visiting Rumoi from Wakkanai. Well, of course, I made sure I’m available. Matsuda-sensei picked me up from home at around 11AM. We then drove to Rumoi Roadside Station to pick up his former students.

Cloudy day at Senbodai

We ate lunch at C-Restaurant

We first brought them to Senbodai so that they could enjoy the panoramic view of Rumoi City. We didn’t stay there long though as it was already lunchtime when we got there. Hence, we drove to C-Restaurant for lunch.

We drove to Mashike via Route 231

Maruzen Sato Orchards

Grape Picking at Godokaisha Maruzen Satokaju Orchards

The grapes here are juicy and delicious


After the sumptuous meal, we drove to Maruzen Sato Orchards, or simply Sato Orchards in the town of Mashike. For 850 yen per person, we got to pick and eat grapes until we couldn’t anymore. I didn’t miss the opportunity to buy a bunch of grapes to bring home to my family too.

Mashike Riverside Park

Shokanbetsu River

After eating our limit, we went to the nearby Mashike Riverside Park to talk for a walk and enjoy the beauty of the Shokanbetsu River and the nature surrounding Mashike.

Kunimare Sake Brewery

From there, we went to Kunimare Sake Brewery to see if there were omiyage/souvenirs that we might like. Luckily, we were already indoors when it started to rain hard. We stayed in Kunimare Sake Brewery for about an hour waiting for the rain to stop. Sadly it did not, instead, Matsuda-sensei braved the rain and walked back to the car to drive it to Kunimare Sake Brewery to pick us up.

We explored Uminofurusatokan


For the last stop for the day, we drove back to Rumoi and then went to Uminofurusatokan. We explored its museum and then headed up to the viewing area on the second floor. Although we wanted to go down Cape Ogon, it was still drizzling so we just contented ourselves with the view from the observation area.

To wrap up the day, we drove Matsuda-sensei’s students back to Rumoi Roadside Station and bid them goodbye. After which, Matsuda-sensei drove me home and we bid each other goodbye as well.

Here's our food for tonight

Overall, it was a fun experience hanging out with my JTE and his former students. What’s more, is that I got to do an ocular of the town of Mashike and found interesting activities that I think are really enjoyable to my wife and daughter. Well, that’s it for today, it's another work week again tomorrow. See you!

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 43
Japan Diaries 4: Day 299
Uryu Roadside Station
Uryu Shrine
Shintotsukawa Shrine
Shintotsukawa Town Museum
Takikawa Shrine
Takikawa Roadside Station
Senbodai
Mashike Riverside Park
Kunimare Sake Brewery
Uminofurasatokan
Location: 28-3 Manju, Uryu, Uryu District, Hokkaido 078-2600, 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

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

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

Quituinan Hills - Albay

Image
Located at Barangay Tinago, Camalig in the province of Albay, Quituinan Hills is one of the most beautiful yet least known tourist destinations of the town.  Quituinan Hills Quituinan Hills Details For those who have visited Quituinan Hills on a clear day, I bet they'd agree with me when I say that this place is among the top places in the province to view Mayon Volcano. Aside from that, the best way to describe Quituinan Hills is that it has a ranch-like feel. Well, that's probably due to the fact that the developed part of the hill is really a ranch named Quituinan Ranch .  Road to Quituinan Hills Welcome to Quituinan Hills This place is a great location for picnics with friends and family. You can either rent a cottage (small P100; big P500) or bring and pitch a tent (P100 space rental) in one of the allowable areas of the hill. Other activities offered here are horseback riding (P60 per 15 minutes) and ATV rental (P200 per 15 minutes). You can also explore
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Image
10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) is the second largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Its name came from the misinterpretation of the Ainu name for the Asahi River. The Ainu called it Chiu Pet , which means "River of Waves," but it was misinterpreted as Chup Pet , which means "Sun River," and therefore became known as Asahi River in Japanese. For those planning to visit Asahikawa City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City : Asahikawa Manhole Cover 1. Take a picture of Asahikawa’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole design not counting the special  Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover . Asahikawa Roadside Station 2. Visit  Asahikawa Roadside Station . You can buy souvenirs, eat authentic Asahikawa ramen, and also get the Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As a bonus, you will also find the Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, a
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

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

88 Hotspring Resort and Spa - Laguna

Image
Updated: October 30, 2020 Our adventure today will take us  46.11 kilometers south from kilometer 0 in Manila. The historic atmosphere still lingers due to the historical landmarks that you can see all around this place. One of the most famous landmarks this city has to offer is the Rizal Shine or more popularly known as Rizal's house. However I'm not here to give you a history adventure but instead, I will tell you the different side of this city. 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa Calamba City in the province of Laguna is a city that has more resorts than the number of days in a year. Because of the fast-growing number of resorts (661 and counting), this city earned the nickname Resort Capital of the Philippines.  88 Hotspring Resort and Spa - Calamba, Laguna Travelers and resort seekers who didn't read my blog  The Adventurer's List  would surely be unprepared for what's to come. It would surely take a day for you to choose and pick the most suitable resort f
Keep reading

First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin

Image
Japan has always been the best country when it comes to souvenirs. Each city prides itself on its own product which is perfectly suited for the different tastes of tourists. As a travel blogger whose interest is mostly culture and history, I'm naturally inclined to buy souvenirs that remind me of the rich history and culture of the places that I have visited. Oftentimes, I am left with no other option but to buy refrigerator magnets, key chains, and pins. However, during my last visit to Japan, I discovered and got a unique souvenir that I think you'd also love to take home (and bring back to Japan next time you visit). This souvenir would surely remind you of Japan's cultural, religious, and historic side... this souvenir is none other than a goshuin collection. First Timer's Guide to Collecting Goshuin A goshuin is described as a temple or shrine stamp/seal that is written by a temple priest called a kannushi in a special notebook called goshuincho which tran
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