Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 70

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 70

Weekend 70: March 4 – 5, 2023

Day 488: March 4, 2023

Saturday – Rumoi x Mashike

Ebata Dental Clinic
Ebata Dental Clinic

We got up early today to get ready for our dental appointment at the Ebata Dental Clinic in Rumoi City. Even though our appointment was still at 10 a.m. and the dental clinic was also in the city, we departed before 9 a.m. so that we would have enough time to move around in case something came up. The dentist was quite pleasant. He can communicate in English, which helped the check-up and dental operations go well. My kid got her teeth cleaned, while my wife and I both had fillings.

Driving through Route 231 going to Mashike
Driving through Route 231 going to Mashike

Motojinya
Mashike Town Comprehensive Exchange Promotion Facility "Motojinya"

We then returned home to have lunch and rest. By 1 PM, we went out again. We were planning on going to the Rumoi City Library again. For a change, I proposed that we drive to the town of Mashike (増毛町) and see what the Mashike Town Comprehensive Exchange Promotion Facility "Motojinya", also known simply as Motojinya, has to offer.

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

Team Nicerio visits Motojinya

When we arrived, my daughter and I had a great time exploring the museum inside Motojinya while my wife stayed in the library. There was a section of the museum where visitors could try on Japanese samurai armor. We also learned a lot about Mashike's history via the museum's historical relics and info boards.

Time to head back to Rumoi City
Time to head back to Rumoi City

Quick grocery at COOP before heading back home
Quick grocery at COOP before heading back home

We stayed in Motojinya until its closing time. From Mashike, we drove back to Rumoi and had a quick grocery stop at COOP to buy some ingredients, as my wife asked me to cook her favorite dish. To cut a long story short, we had an amazing dinner, and before calling it a day, we watched several episodes of the Japanese mystery drama "Erased" on Netflix.

Day 489: March 5, 2023

Sunday – Takikawa x Asahikawa

Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway
Driving along the Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway

Takikawa's Fureai Bridge
Takikawa's Fureai Bridge

It’s another beautiful winter morning here in Rumoi City. It’s perfect as we planned to head out again today. We will go to Takikawa City (滝川市) in the morning and then to Asahikawa City (旭川市) in the afternoon.

These are the places that we visited in Takikawa City:

2nd Street Takikawa
2nd Street Takikawa
➤  2nd Street Takikawa



From Takikawa City, we needed to drive 50 minutes to our next destination - Asahikawa City
From Takikawa City, we needed to drive 50 minutes to our next destination - Asahikawa City

From Takikawa City, we drove to Asahikawa City. Our first stop was the AEON Mall West Store in Midorimachi, where we had a late lunch at Saizeriya.

AEON Mall West Store
AEON Mall West Store

Saizeriya
Saizeriya

Lunch at Saizeriya
Lunch at Saizeriya

The Spring Event in AEON Mall West Store
The Spring Event in AEON Mall West Store

Check out what Ella wrote in her wish board
Check out what Ella wrote on her wish board

We tried the Sakura Blooming Saku Frappucino of Starbucks
We tried the Sakura Blooming Saku Frappucino from Starbucks

We then went to the Starbucks, which is also inside the mall, to get some coffee. I ordered the 2023 limited-time Sakura Blooming Saku Frappucino to experience what the hype was all about. It was good, but honestly, I still prefer my all-time favorite coffee jelly.

Asahikawa Driver’s License Center
Asahikawa Driver’s License Center 

It's test driving time
It's test driving time

We left AEON Mall West Store at around 5:30 PM to go to the Asahikawa Driver’s License Center for my 6 – 8 PM driving course reservation. This is my last reservation for this month. After this, I will be waiting for my practical driving test schedule, which I hope to pass to get my Japanese Driver’s License to drive around Japan. From there, we drove back home to Rumoi City to call it a day.


Overall, this week was very productive. We are now worry-free when it comes to our oral health. Aside from that, we also got to resume our road trips by visiting Mashike, Takikawa, and Asahikawa this week. Hopefully, I get to pass my practical driver’s exam so that I can drive around Hokkaido to complete our #Hokkaido179 goals.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 70
Location: Mashike, Mashike District, Hokkaido, 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

Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Image
Our adventure today takes us to a mountain south of Metro Manila. Mt. Gulugod Baboy  (other variations Mt. Gulugod-Baboy ) is located in Anilao, Mabini in the province of Batangas. Gulugod-baboy is a Filipino phrase that means "pig's spine." The mountain got its name from the contours of the peaks which resemble a pig's back as seen from Janao Bay. Mt. Gulugod Baboy Mt. Gulugod Baboy details Mt. Gulugod Baboy - Mabini, Batangas Mt. Gulugod Baboy , despite being called a mountain, may also be referred to as a hill. This is because of the fact that the distinction between a hill and a mountain remains subjective and unclear. (As you may know, the maximum height of a hill is still being contested.) I'm taking a picture of my friend Raine doing a Teletubby jump Mt. Gulugod Baboy fun moments Other Teletubby moments... So what's the big deal? Mt. Gulugod Baboy stands 525 meters above sea level. Typically, landforms reaching 500 feet (152 ...
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 celeb...
Keep reading

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Quezon

Image
Kamay ni Hesus Shrine,  or simply Kamay ni Hesus   is a famous religious shrine and grotto. It is l ocated in Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban in the province of Quezon. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Kamay ni Hesus Shrine History Also known as  Via Dolorosa Grotto , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine was built under the initiative of Fr. Joseph "Joey" Faller in 2003. He is known as a gifted healing priest. Due to Fr. Faller's healing masses, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine became one of the country's most visited healing centers. Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Lucban, Quezon Statues of saints can be seen in different areas of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine A replica of Pieta by Michelangelo Pilgrims look like ants from a distance. Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church Inside the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church One of the highlights of Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is the 50-foot statue of Christ with his arm wide open found on the top of a hill. This statue is often referred to as the Risen Christ or Ascending ...
Keep reading

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - Hyogo

Image
Connecting the island of Awaji and Kobe City which are both in Hyogo Prefecture, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge  ( 明石海峡大橋 )  is the longest bridge in Japan to date.  Akashi Kaikyo Bridge History Prior to the construction of the  Akashi Kaikyo Bridge , ferries carried passengers across the Akashi Strait. However, the strait is known to be a dangerous waterway that already took countless lives. The most famous of which was in 1955 when two ferries sank in the strait during a storm. This tragedy claimed 168 lives and was said to be what convinced the Japanese government to develop plans to construct a bridge. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge as seen from Awajishima Crossing Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from Kobe City Akashi Kaikyo Bridge  ( 明石海峡大橋 ) However, it took almost 30 years for the plans to come to reality. Construction of the bridge started in 1988 it involved 100 contractors and hundreds of laborers. The bridge finally opened to the public 10 years later on April 5,...
Keep reading

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Image
Located in Rosario in the province of Cavite, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros is famously known as the location of the historic Tejeros Convention of 1897. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros Casa Hacienda de Tejeros history Casa Hacienda de Tejeros was originally built in the 17th century. The hacienda and its surrounding lands were formerly owned by the Augustinian Recollects. The estate was once the largest and grandest estate in the country. It once covered as much as 1,125 hectares with the casa occupying 4 hectares of it. Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Rosario, Cavite The NHI Marker of the Casa Hacienda de Tejeros The name tejeros came from the Spanish name tejer , which means "to weave". It's due to the fact that the weaving industry is one of the major industries of the municipality of Rosario. Going back to its historical importance, Casa Hacienda de Tejeros played an important role in 1897 when it hosted the assembly that the new leaders of the revolution were elected. ...
Keep reading

Tenryuji - Kyoto

Image
Located in 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Tenryuji ( 天龍寺 )  is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto City. Tenryuji  ( 天龍寺 ) Tenryuji History Tenryuji was built under the instructions of shogun Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo who had passed away that year. The temple's name tenryu  literally translates to the "dragon of the sky". The name came from a dream of Ashikaga Takauji's younger brother Tadayoshi. The temple was completed at around 1345 and the eminent Rinzai Zen master Muso Soseki was appointed as its founding abbot after which the temple prospered as the most important Rinzai temple in Kyoto. With that, the temple's land grew to as big as 33 hectares.  Muso Soseki Now going back to Muso Soseki ... He was known as the most famous monk of his time. Aside from being a Rinzai Zen Buddhist, he was also a teacher, calligraphist, poet, and garden designer. Although he has ...
Keep reading

Senjojiki - Wakayama

Image
Located in Nishimuro District in the town of Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture, Senjojiki ( 千畳敷 ) is the name given to the multi-tiered rock formations in the southwestern coast of the town. Senjojiki  ( 千畳敷 ) Senjojiki Details The name  Senjojiki   literally translates to " thousand tatami mats ", a name that probably tries to describe the picturesque rock formations on the coast which to an imaginative mind really does look like thousands of interwoven tatami mats. Senjojiki - Shirahama , Wakayama Prefecture Welcome to Senjojiki (Rock Formations)... ...which is part of Yoshi-Kumano National Park Here's what you should know... Senjojiki is a great alternative destination if Shirarahama Beach turns out to be crowded. Although not as popular and well-promoted as Shirahama Beach , Senjojiki offers visitors Instagram-worthy spots, and best of all, a quiet escape from the noise of the crowd. The most popular of which is the plateau-like rock formati...
Keep reading

Visita Iglesia Cavite Loop

Image
Visita Iglesia is a Catholic tradition of visiting churches during Holy Week. It is one of the traditions followed by my family that I cherish the most because it gives our family a chance to reunite and go on road trips together.  2018 Visita Iglesia: Cavite Loop 2018 Visita Iglesia: Cavite Loop For our 2018 Visita Iglesia , my family and I decided to follow what is dubbed the Cavite Loop . This refers to the route around the towns in the province of Cavite where Spanish Colonial Era churches are located.  Bacoor Church  - Bacoor City, Cavite Bacoor Church interior Since we live somewhere in Bacoor City, our first destination is, of course, our very own St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church which is simply referred to as Bacoor Church . Despite living in the same municipality, I have to admit that this was only my third time visiting Bacoor Church. The reason behind it is simple, we have our own parish in our subdivision, and Bacoor Church is quite ...
Keep reading

Kamikochi - Nagano

Image
Located deep in the Hida Mountain Range in the western regions of Nagano Prefecture, Kamikochi  ( 上高地 ) is a popular remote tourist destination that offers one of the most spectacular views of what is dubbed as Japan 's Northern Alps.   Kamikochi  ( 上高地 ) Kamikochi Details The name Kamikochi could be translated to " upper highland " due to its topographic characteristics. To be more exact, Kamikochi is a 15-kilometer long plateau in the Azusa River Valley. It is surrounded by four of Japan's highest peaks namely Yakedake (2455m), Nishihotakadake (2909), Maehotakadake (3090m), and Okuhotakadake (3190m).  Kamikochi - Nagano Prefecture The male and female kappa... Kamikochi's mascot In the past, Kamikochi was one of the main sources of logs in the region. However, due to the sudden interest in recreational mountaineering in Japan brought by the writings of Reverend Walter Weston , a lot of locals lobbied to preserve the Kamikochi area and the Norther...
Keep reading