Weekend 67: February 11 – 12, 2023
Day 467: February 11, 2023
Saturday – Asahikawa Roadtrip with the Tomamae Gang
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| Heading out of Rumoi City via Route 233 |
It’s a beautiful morning. Today, the Tomamae ALTs will be going on a road trip with our JTE Hasegawa-sensei. We will be heading to Asahikawa City (旭川市) for the Asahikawa Winter Festival 2023. Our pick-up point is at my place.
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| Togeshita-Numata Line to Asahikawa City |
Jon and Mike drove to Rumoi from Tomamae, and Hasegawa-sensei came to pick us up around 9 AM. Knowing Hasegawa-sensei’s passion for being different, we took the road less traveled, the Togeshita-Numata Line going to Asahikawa.
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| Ishikari River |
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| Waiting for the Super Kamui Train |
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| Finally, the Super Kamui train! |
We took a side trip to one of the places that he frequently visits during summer, which is near Inoo Bridge on the outskirts of Asahikawa city. Not only did we enjoy the beautiful river view, but we also got to watch the Super Kamui train pass by the snow tracks going to Hakodate.
Asahikawa Winter Festival 2023
Hasegawa-sensei then drove us and dropped us at Tokiwadori so that we could enjoy the Asahikawa Winter Festival along the Ishikari River. Hasegawa-sensei is not a fan of the festival, so he decided to spend time somewhere else and then pick us up again after 2 hours. It was my first time experiencing the Asahikawa Winter Festival. Although it is not as big as the Sapporo Snow Festival, which I attended last week, it has its beauty. Not to mention, a smaller crowd.
After exploring the festival grounds, we went to the following places:
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| The bridge going to the pavilion behind the shrine |
✦ Tokiwa Park
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| Asahikawa Central Library |
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| Inside Asahikawa Central Library |
✦ Asahikawa Central Library
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| Asahikawa Turnaround / Rotunda |
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| Asahibashi |
Hasegawa-sensei arrived at the library a little after 4 to pick us up. From there, we drove to the following places:
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| Next destination: Bookoff Asahikawa Sahimachi |
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| There are plenty of books sold here. The majority of them are Japanese books though |
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| There are also action figures and games |
✦ Bookoff Asahikawa Sahimachi
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| Next stop: Hard Off Asahikawa Pulp Town |
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| This place has plenty of pre-loved stuff for sale |
✦ Hard Off Asahikawa Pulp Town
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| Last stop for the day: Ramen Sugawara |
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| Ramen Sugawara |
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| Apparently, a lot of famous people have already eaten at this ramen shop |
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| I ordered Miso Ramen |
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| There was a "mini blizzard" on our way back to Rumoi City |
Before going home, we went to Ramen Sugawara for dinner. The meal was generously paid for by Mike (Thanks Mike!). Our trip back home was a bit scary as it was snowy plus Hasegawa-sensei's love for the back roads. Thankfully, we all got home safely. Thanks, Hasegawa-sensei for the memorable day!
Overall, it was a fun day trip to Asahikawa City with the other ALTs. I do hope we get to have more trips together in the future.
Day 468: February 12, 2023
Sunday – Rumoi
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| I needed to remove the snow from Ruru because we will head out later. |
It’s a snowy day today. We spent most of the morning at home studying Japanese and doing some household chores.
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| After picking up Kiaya, we drove to the "hidden" coffee shop of Rumoi City |
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| Café Kuri |
We drove to pick up Kiaya at Seicomart Okimi at around 2 PM as planned. From there, we headed to Café Kuri in Suehirocho in Rumoi City.
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| Cafe Kuri's Special Ice Cream |
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| The cafe only makes 2 of this per day |
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| I got the smaller version of it as Ella got the last one |
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| Bonding at Cafe Kuri |
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| Ella wanted more, so we got her another one. |
Café Kuri is a hidden gem of Rumoi City. Although it does not have an eye-catching façade, the homey atmosphere inside and the quality and price of the food make it a place that I’d return to.
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| After our ice cream bonding, my family and I walked to DCM to buy some supplies |
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| Ella got a mini bench for her doll house |
We had an amazing time together and were happy to finally reconnect with Kiaya. We talked about a lot of things and were saddened to learn that she wouldn’t be recontracting for the next school year. We left around 6 PM and then drove Kiaya back to her place before driving back home. We headed out again, but this time, we were on foot. We headed to DCM to buy some supplies for Ella's project. From there, we returned home, had dinner, and called it a day.
Overall, it was another weekend well spent. I got to hang out with different sets of friends. I also traveled to Asahikawa City to experience the Asahikawa Winter Festival for the first time.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 67
Japan Diaries 4: Day 467
Asahikawa Winter Festival 2023
Tokiwa Park
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