Japan Diaries 4: Day 314

 

Day 314: September 11, 2022

Sunday - 9.9-11 Family Road Trip D3

It's another lovely Sunday morning. Today marks the end of our September 9-11 Family Road Trip. We planned to visit some of the cities and towns in Sorachi Subprefecture on this trip.

Elm Highland Resort Kazokuryokomura Camping Ground

Sculpture Park Sakiyama


7-Eleven: Akabira Bunkyocho

We bought our favorite 711 coffee and some food for breakfast

My daughter walked around and photographed the sculptures at the Sculpture Park Sakiyama before we left Elm Highland Resort Kazokuryokomura Camping Ground in Akabira City (赤平市).

We drove through Shin-Utashinai Tunnel on Route 114.

Utashinai Pioneering Monument

Myooji

Utashinai City as seen from Myooji

Things we saw on Myooji grounds

Shinoji 

Utashinai manhole cover

From there, we drove to Utashinai City (歌志内市). Although it was not part of our original itinerary, we visited Myooji because it caught our eye while driving to Utashinai Shrine. Aside from that, we also got to visit Shinoji because we got lost looking for the road going up to the shrine. 

Speaking of which, Utashinai Shrine gave us a hard time because when we found the road we were disappointed to discover that it was already reclaimed by plants. It left me and my daughter no choice but to go up the hill on foot. Luckily there were steps near the Utashinai Library parking area. 

Utashinai Shrine's main torii at the far end of the street 

Ella and I had a terrific time bonding as we walked up to the shrine and talked about a variety of topics. We returned to the car after paying our respects and praying, and then we went to Utashinai Roadside Station to obtain the roadside station stamp for my Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally.


Yo8055 Suyuni60 218 preserved trains

Our next stop is the town of Kamisunagawa (上砂川町). We visited the Former Kamisunagawa Station. My daughter and I learned something about the old station and the town. We wanted to know more so we headed to the Kamisunagawa Coal Mine Museum. 


We were amazed to meet the director of the museum who turned out to be a dog named Shitan. Kamisunagawa Coal Mine Museum has very informative displays about the coal mine era. 


Off to Sunagawa City

From there, we visited Kamisunagawa Shrine to pay respects and offer prayers before leaving the town. It was noontime when we left Kamisunagawa. My daughter requested to have some playtime. Luckily, I made sure to include a destination in the itinerary for her. Our next stop is Sunagawa City (砂川市). 

Sunagawa Highway Oasis

The city is home to the Kodomo no Kuni or Children's Country. It's sort of a theme park but what it lacks in rides makes up for unique opportunities to learn while playing. We stayed there for about an hour and a half before proceeding to the nearby Sunagawa Highway Oasis to buy some souvenirs and also snacks to eat. 

Driving through Route 1027

Next stop: Kitakaro

We tried Kitakaro's creampuff and soft cream

While inputting the information about our next destination in Google Maps, I saw a place worth including in our itinerary which was Kitakaro. It is a confectionery that is popular for its soft cream and creampuff. We purchase these and true enough they lived up to our expectations. 

Before leaving Sunagawa, we went to Sunagawa Shrine before leaving the city and offered prayers and paid respects. 

Naie manhole cover

Naie Roadside Station

You will find a Showa-era house inside Naie Roadside Station

Naie Shrine's main torii

Naie Shrine

Our next destination is the little town of Naie (奈井江町), located south of Sunagawa City. It is a little town with its own charm and character. We began by visiting Naie Roadside Station "Hausjarvi Naie" to obtain a roadside station stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. We didn't leave town until we had visited the town's main shrine, in this case, Naie Shrine.

Driving along Route 283 going back to Rumoi City

Urausu Roadside Station

We bought some vegetables at Fureai Plaza

After Naie, we crossed the Ishikari River to revisit the town of Urausu (浦臼町). I included it in the itinerary because it is on the way home and the last time we visited it was during a very brief toilet stop in its roadside station last August 22, 2022, during our From Osaka with Love D4 trip. For this visit, we went to Fureai Plaza and bought vegetables there. 

The minipark across the street from Urausu Roadside Station

Urausu Shrine's main torii

The old train track near the shrine

Heading up Urausu Shrine

Urausu Shrine

Finally, we found the Urausu manhole cover. We needed to clean it though as it was covered in sand

Urausu manhole cover

Ella and I then went up to Urausu Shrine to pay respects and offer a prayer. We didn't stay long though as we still have a long way to go to get back home. From Urausu, it's about an hour and 12 minutes drive to return to our Rumoi City home. We were all getting hungry but since no one wanted to cook dinner when we got back home, I searched for a nice place to eat dinner along the way home. 

)
日の出ドライブイン
Hinode Drive-in

We ate dinner at Hinode Drive-in

It was already dark when we finished eating.

That brought us to Hinode Drive-in (日の出ドライブイン) in the town of Uryu (雨竜町). The food was good and the price was reasonable. It was the perfect stop before reaching home. 

Driving along Route 275 heading back home

We got home at around 8 PM and just like our previous road trips, we just unloaded our stuff, rested a bit, and then took a refreshing shower before calling it a day. 

Overall, we visited 4 new cities and 4 new towns. We also got to revisit 3 cities/towns. This makes me look forward to where we'll go next weekend.

Read more:



Location: Naie, Sorachi District, Hokkaido, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 17, 2024 at 8:51 AM

    Great! I look forward to more of your trips. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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

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

Utashinai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Utashinai Roadside Station , formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol ( 道の駅 うたしないチロルの湯 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Utashinai Roadside Station Utashinai Roadside Station details Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station , located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities. Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture One of the standout features of  Utashinai Roadside Station  is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind. The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature The map of Utashinai
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Utashinai City

Image
10 Things to Do in Utashinai City Utashinai ( 歌志内市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is the smallest city in the country in terms of population. The city got its name when the railway was established in the region. It derived its name from the sound of the river coursing through the vicinity, referred to as " Otashinai ". For those planning to visit the town of Utashinai to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Utashinai City : Utashinai manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Utashinai . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is common around town. The colored manhole cover can be found along Route 691. Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover 2. Check out the newly installed Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover at Utashinai Roadside Station. It features both Vulpix and its Alolan counterpart together with Joltik. Former Sorachi Coal Mine Club (旧空知炭鉱倶楽部) 3. Visit the  Former Sorachi Coal Mine Clu
Keep reading

Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Ashibetsu Roadside Station ( 道の駅 スタープラザ芦別 ) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Ashibetsu Roadside Station Ashibetsu Roadside Station details Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu" . It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer. Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City

Image
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City Ashibetsu ( 芦別市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is theorized that the city got its name from the Ainu word “ as pet , " meaning “ the river that flows in a shrub ”. Aside from that, other historians also believed that it came from the Ainu word “ hasi pet ” which means “ the standing river ”. In both theories, the name refers to the Ashibetsu River, which flows through the city. For those planning to visit the city of Ashibetsu to check what it has to offer, here are the  10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu : Ashibetsu City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Ashibetsu . So far, I have seen four unique manhole covers which are common in the central part of the city. There are colored versions of these which are installed along Route 452. There is also a special Anne of Canadian World manhole cover found only in the Canadian World Park. Hokkaido Dai Kannon 2. Take a photo of the  Hokkaido Dai Kannon
Keep reading

Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Hokkaido

Image
Akabira Tokugawa Castle ( 赤平徳川城 ) is a replica castle located along National Route 38 at 174 Horookacho, Akabira City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Akabira Tokugawa Castle Akabira Tokugawa Castle details Akabira Tokugawa Castle may not be a real historical site, but its story is just as fascinating. Built in 1991 by Matsuzawa Yoroi Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of festival dolls, Akabira Tokugawa Castle has served as a showroom and manufacturing factory. It boasts four floors of unique and interesting attractions, including a souvenir and doll-making demonstration area on the first floor, an impressive doll display and sales area on the second and third floors, a Hina doll display and Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor, and an armored helmet exhibit on the fifth floor. The castle also has a sixth floor, which once served as an observatory tower. Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Akabira City, Hokkaido Prefecture Although the castle is currently closed to the public, it remains a symbol of
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Biei

Image
10 Things to Do in Biei Biei ( 美瑛町 ) is a small town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido. It is famous for its beautiful nature, particularly the flower fields and the iconic trees. The town is one of "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages". Biei got its name from the Biei River that flows to it. The river got its name from the Ainu word piye which means oily or greasy. This is because the water has a murky appearance. For those planning to visit Biei to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things To Do in Biei : Biei manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Biei's unique manhole cover . So far, I have seen only one manhole cover design. It’s common and can be seen around town. Rent a bike and explore Biei 2. Rent a bike and explore Biei town proper and the nearby scenic spots. There are plenty of rental shops near Biei JR Station. You can also ask the rental shops for a “Biei-by-bike itinerary”. Biei Roadside Station 3. Head over to Biei Roadside Station  formall
Keep reading

Nakajima Island - Hokkaido

Image
Nakajima Island  ( 中島 ) is a tiny volcanic island in Hokkaido, Japan , located in the heart of Lake Toya. Its western side is under the jurisdiction of the town of Toyako while its eastern side is part of the town of Sobetsu. Nakajima Island   Nakajima Island details Nakajima Island has a radius of roughly 3.6 kilometers and is densely forested. It was produced by volcanic activity around 7,000 years ago. Because of its magnificent environment and natural hot springs, the island is a popular tourist attraction. Nakajima Island  - Toyako and Sobetsu On the island, various hiking routes lead to observation platforms with breathtaking views of Lake Toya and the neighboring mountains. Tourists may also explore the island's woodlands, where they can witness a variety of plant and wildlife species, such as deer and rabbits. Lake Toya Cruise Nakajima Island Pier The  Nakajima Mizuminomori Museum  is also located on the island. It is a natural history museum that houses several displays a
Keep reading

Tanbo Art Asahikawa 2022 - Hokkaido

Image
Tanbo Art ( 東鷹栖・田んぼアート ) is a rice paddy exhibit dubbed rice field art. It is located at Higashitakasu 7 Sen, Asahikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Tanbo Art Asahikawa 2022 Tanbo Art 2022 details Tanbo Art  was started by the youth group of JA Taisetsu. This unique form of art involves creating intricate designs on rice fields. The first rice paddy art was made way back in 2006. It featured the majestic Daisetsuzan. Tanbo Art  - Asahikawa City, Hokkaido The process of creating  Tanbo Art  is as fascinating as the art itself. The artists use different colors of rice plants to create amazing patterns and images, from traditional Japanese scenes to abstract designs. The planting, nurturing, and harvesting of rice is carefully timed and planned to create the desired effect. Tanbo Art Observatory The rice up close Each year, new designs are created and visitors are encouraged to come and enjoy the beauty of the fields. Visitors can view the magnificent rice art from mid-July to mi
Keep reading