Japan Diaries 4: Day 322

 

Day 322: September 19, 2022

Monday - Respect for the Aged Day / 9.17-19 Family Road Trip D3

Today marked the conclusion of our 3-day road trip, which happened to coincide with Respect of the Aged Day here in Japan. It was both a public holiday and the last day of our September 17-19 Family Road Trip.

Yobitoura Camping Ground (呼人浦キャンプ場)
Good morning, from Yobitoura Camping Ground

Lake Notoro (能取湖)
Lake Notoro (能取湖)

Lake Notoro (能取湖)

For our final day's itinerary, we decided to explore Abashiri City (網走市) before heading back home, making pit stops in the charming towns and cities along the way.

Ubaranai Sango Grassland (卯原内サンゴ草群落地)
Ubaranai Sango Grassland (卯原内サンゴ草群落地)

Ubaranai Sango Grassland (卯原内サンゴ草群落地)

Starting from the Yobitoura Camping Ground (呼人浦キャンプ場), we retraced our route toward Lake Notoro (能取湖), which we missed yesterday. Our first destination was the Ubaranai Sango Grassland (卯原内サンゴ草群落地), renowned for its vast 3.8-hectare coral grass field. Arriving early in the morning proved a brilliant idea, granting us the privilege of having the place all to ourselves. Though we couldn't linger for long, our schedule was packed with exciting places to visit.

Abashiri Shrine (網走神社)
Abashiri Shrine's torii gate

Abashiri Shrine (網走神社)
Abashiri Shrine (網走神社)

McDonald's Abashiri
McDonald's Abashiri

Breakfast at McDonald's Abashiri
Breakfast time!

Returning to Abashiri City, we made a stop at the Abashiri Shrine (網走神社) while waiting for our next attraction to open. To pass the time, we indulged in breakfast at McDonald's Abashiri, a perfect prelude to our visit to the Ryuho-Kaido Abashiri Roadside Station (道の駅 流氷街道網走).

Ryuho-Kaido Abashiri Roadside Station (道の駅 流氷街道網走)
Ryuho-Kaido Abashiri Roadside Station

Abashiri Pokemon Manhole Cover
Abashiri Manhole Cover

Abashiri Roadside Station
Checking out the unique vending machines outside the roadside station

Abashiri Roadside Station
Shopping for souvenirs and omiyage

Here, my wife couldn't resist the opportunity to purchase fresh produce at more reasonable prices than the typical grocery store. My daughter, Ella, and I, on the other hand, ensured we collected the roadside station stamp and digital stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. We also took a moment to capture a photo of the Abashiri Pokefuta (Pokemon Manhole Cover) found within the roadside station grounds.

Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ)
Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ)

Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ)

Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ)

Leaving Abashiri City, we continued our journey to the town of Ozora (大空町). Our first stop was at the Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ) to collect the roadside station stamp. 


Memambetsu Shrine (女満別神社)
Memambetsu Shrine's torii gate

Memambetsu Shrine (女満別神社)
Memambetsu Shrine (女満別神社)

From there, we headed to Memambetsu Shrine (女満別神社) to pay our respects and offer prayers.

Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)
Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)

Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)

Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)

Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)

Ozora Pokemon manhole cover
Ozora Pokefuta

女満別駅保存車輌

Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅)

Our final stop in the area was the Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅), albeit it is covered up due to renovation. Our main goal was to photograph the Ozora Pokefuta located in the park in front of the JR Station. There was also a preserved locomotive near the station so it's a bonus.  

Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社)
Bihoro Shrine's torii

Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社)
Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社)

Bihoro Manhole Cover
Bihoro Manhole Cover

Route 217

Onion farms of Bihoro

Bihorokoku Park (美幌航空公園)
Bihoro Aviation Park (美幌航空公園)

Moving on to the town of Bihoro (美幌町), we limited our visit to Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社) and Bihorokoku Park or Bihoro Aviation Park (美幌航空公園), considering our ambitious itinerary and my wife's anticipation of shopping in Kitami City (北見市).

Kitami Shrine (北見神社)
Kitami Shrine's torii gate

Kitami Shrine (北見神社)
Kitami Shrine (北見神社)

Kitaozan Manabuho Temple (北王山 学宝寺)
Kitaozan Manabuho Temple (北王山 学宝寺)

Knowing that her shopping time was precious, I suggested a detour to Kitami Shrine (北見神社) and the Kitaozan Manabuho Temple (北王山 学宝寺), to which she graciously agreed.


2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店)
2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店)

2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店)

2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店)

From the shrine, we proceeded to 2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店), where we indulged in shopping for about an hour before resuming our journey back home.

Roadside Rest Area "Onneyu Onsen" (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉)
Roadside Rest Area "Onneyu Onsen" (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉)

Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower (ハト時計塔「果夢林」)
Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower (ハト時計塔「果夢林」)


Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館)
Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館)

Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館)


Before departing Kitami, we paused at the Roadside Rest Area "Onneyu Onsen" (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉) on its outskirts. We also explored the Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower (ハト時計塔「果夢林」) and the Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館), both located within the vicinity of the roadside station.

It was a rainy drive through Route 39

Our drive from there to Rumoi City was smooth until the weather took a turn for the worse, and it started raining heavily. We found ourselves navigating mountain roads, where visibility became challenging due to thick fog and rain.

UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店)
UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店)

UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店)

Both my wife and I were mentally and physically drained after this experience, not to mention hungry. My wife suggested we try UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店), a popular conveyor belt sushi spot in Asahikawa City. Naturally, I readily agreed.

UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店)

UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店)
Finished!


We finally arrived at UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama after enduring the heavy rain and challenging mountain roads. Despite a lengthy 30-minute wait in a queue, the delicious food and the opportunity to rest made it all worthwhile.

Sadly, the rain continued to pour as we returned home to Rumoi City from Asahikawa City. Nonetheless, we safely arrived around 11 PM, concluding our 3-day Family Road Trip.

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Comments

  1. I will copy this road trip when we visit next year.

    ReplyDelete

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