Japan Diaries 4: Day 367

Japan Diaries 4: Day 367

Day 367: November 3, 2022

Thursday – "Culture Day" Road Trip 2022

Today is Culture Day here in Japan. It's yet another holiday. It means only one thing. We're going on another road trip.

Bibai City manhole cover
Bibai City manhole cover

In the itinerary that I made, we would be driving south to visit the cities of Bibai, Mikasa, and Iwamisawa. However, we were adamant that we would push through with today’s plan because last night, the weather forecast said that there would be heavy rain the whole day. That’s why we left Rumoi City quite late because my wife and I had to weigh it through before agreeing that we should go. It did rain when we were driving through Uryu but turned into a drizzle when we got to our first destination.

Bibai City colored manhole cover
Bibai City colored manhole cover

Sorachi Shrine
Sorachi Shrine

Sorachi Shrine torii gate
Sorachi Shrine's torii gate

We went to Bibai City (美唄市) as the first stop on our "Culture Day" Road Trip 2022. Before the mines were shut down in 1972, the city produced more than a million tons of coal a year. Bibai City's current priorities are agriculture and tourism. It is one of the best places to watch the greater white-fronted geese in April during one of their stops in their long northward migration. Our first stop in Bibai City is the Sorachi Shrine. We paid respects and offered some prayers for this trip. 

Bibai City History Museum
Bibai City History Museum

Inside Bibai City History Museum
Inside Bibai City History Museum

We learned a lot about the history of Bibai City
We learned a lot about the history of Bibai City after visiting the Bibai City History Museum

From there, we walked to the nearby Bibai City History Museum. The museum was fantastic, and even my wife, who isn't a big fan of museums, was impressed. We learned a lot about the city's history and were astounded by the historical artifacts on display.

Bibai Tondenheiya
Bibai Tondenheiya

Bibai Tondenheiya was closed during our visit
Bibai Tondenheiya was closed during our visit

Our last stop is another historical destination which is Bibai Tondenheiya. Sadly, it was closed during our visit as it is open only from May to October. Regardless, I was able to take a picture of the colored manhole cover of Bibai.

Mikasa City manhole cover
Mikasa City manhole cover

From there, our next stop is the city of Mikasa (三笠市). The city is famous for historical things like old trains and fossils.

Shoku no Kura Outdoor Shops
Shoku no Kura Outdoor Shops

The first destination on our list is the Mikasa Roadside Station where my daughter and I got the roadside station stamp for our Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. We also got to buy vegetables and fruits in the nearby Shoku no Kura Outdoor Shops.

Sun Farm Mikasa Agricultural Museum
Sun Farm Mikasa Agricultural Museum

Of course, we had to check that out too. However, the building was already closed this season
Of course, we had to check that out too. However, the building was already closed this season

We then drove going to Mikasa City Proper
We then drove going to the central part of Mikasa City

We also walked to the nearby Sun Farm Mikasa Agricultural Museum. Sadly, it was closed for this season. Regardless, we still took photos with its large water wheel. 

Icho Dori Road
Icho Dori Road 

Icho Dori Road

Icho Dori Road

Ichikichi Shrine's torii gate
Ichikichi Shrine's Torii gate

Ichikichi Shrine
Ichikichi Shrine

We then drove eastwards and visited Ichikichi Shrine to pay respects and offer some prayers. It was near Icho Dori Road which is a very scenic road during autumn as the leaves of the trees that line up the road are now all yellow.

Mikasa City Museum
Mikasa City Museum

Mikasa City's Pokemon manhole cover
Mikasa City's Pokemon manhole cover

There are numerous ammonite fossils on display here
There are numerous ammonite fossils on display here

Ella enjoyed watching some documentaries about dinosaurs
Ella enjoyed watching some documentaries about dinosaurs

Mikasa City Museum's T-rex fossil
Mikasa City Museum's T-rex fossil

Our last stop in Mikasa is the Mikasa City Museum. It is popular for its fossil displays, and it once held an exhibit of Pokemon Fossils. Speaking of Pokemon, the museum also houses the Mikasa Pokefuta, or Pokemon Manhole Cover. You can see this near the museum's entrance.

There is a bridge behind Mikasa City Museum
There is a bridge behind Mikasa City Museum

It crosses Ikushunbetsu River
It crosses Ikushunbetsu River and leads to Mikasa Geopark Geosite Open Air Museum Area

We all enjoyed the museum displays as we learned a lot about dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

Next stop: Iwamizawa City
Next stop: Iwamizawa City

Iwamizawa City Hall
Iwamizawa City Hall

It was past lunchtime when we left Mikasa City for Iwamizawa City (岩見沢市), the capital of Sorachi Subprefecture. It is currently the most populated city in the subprefecture.

Iwamizawa Shrine's torii gate
Iwamizawa Shrine's torii gate

Iwamizawa Shrine
Iwamizawa Shrine

Our first stop is the Iwamizawa Shrine where we pay respects and offer prayers.


Ella and I visited the nearby Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space
Ella and I visited the nearby Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space

Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space
Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space

My daughter and I then walked to the nearby Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space. This park was built to commemorate Iwamizawa City’s sister city of Pocatello, Idaho in the United States of America.

Uobei Iwamizawa
Uobei Iwamizawa

Late lunch at Uobei Iwamizawa
Late lunch at Uobei Iwamizawa

These are what we ordered
These are some of the food that we ordered...

For late lunch, we ate at Uobei Iwamizawa. It’s a conveyor belt sushi that has branches all around Japan. This would be the second time that we ate at Uobei as we already tried the one in Asahikawa. As expected, we had a great meal that would fuel our trip back home.

2nd Street Iwamizawa
2nd Street Iwamizawa

Aside from clothes, Ella also looked for toys to "rescue"
Aside from clothes, Ella also looked for toys to "rescue"

Iwamizawa City manhole cover
Iwamizawa City manhole cover

Our final stop in Iwamizawa was 2nd Street Iwamizawa, where we went shopping. Mr. Toshi called us just before we left the city. He informed us of our winter vacation plans. He suggested that we drive to Hiroshima Prefecture and explore the historical sites there, such as the famous Torii of Miyajima. Of course, this made us super excited.

Overall, not only were we fulfilled as we visited 3 new cities today. We also went home with our stomachs full and spirits high. Until the next road trip!

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 53
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 53
Sorachi Shrine
Bibai City History Museum
Mikasa Roadside Station

Ichikichi Shrine
Mikasa City Museum

Iwamizawa Shrine
Hatogaoka Memorial Green Space

Comments

  1. That street in Mikasa City is very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely agree. We were lucky to be able to time our visit in the peak of Autumn.

      Delete

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

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-tourism Park - Cavite

Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba - Laguna

10 More Things to Do in Asahikawa City

Iwao Onsen Attamaru - Hokkaido

Japan Diaries 4: Day 387

First Filipino Family to Visit All 179 Municipalities of Hokkaido: A Memorable Adventure

Bonifacio Shrine in Indang - Cavite

Japan Diaries 4: Week 56