Japan Diaries 4: Day 503

Japan Diaries 4: Day 503

Day 503: March 19, 2023

Sunday – Tsukigata x Tobetsu x Ebetsu Road Trip

Team Nicerio goes on another road trip.
It's a sunny day today so Team Nicerio heads out for another road trip.

Driving through the snowy Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway
Driving through the snowy Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway

The snowcapped Shokanbetsu mountain range as seen from Route 275
The snowcapped Shokanbetsu mountain range as seen from Route 275

It’s another Sunday! It’s going to be sunny the whole day according to the weather forecast. It only means one thing! It’s a perfect day to go on a road trip. I got up early to cook breakfast but instead of eating it at home, we decided to eat it somewhere.

The road to Tsukigata Maruyama Viewing Platform
The road going up to Tsukigata Maruyama Viewing Platform

We left Rumoi City (留萌市) at a little past 7 AM to go to Tobetsu which is a 2-hour drive. Since my pregnant wife is driving, we need to have frequent rest stops. So for this trip, our first stop was the town of Tsukigata (月形町). We planned to go to Tsukigata Maruyama Viewing Platform to eat our breakfast but the road up was still covered in snow. So we decided to look for another place to eat instead.

Tsukigata Shrine's torii gate
Kabato Shrine's torii gate

Tsukigata Shrine - now in ruins
Kabato Shrine - now in ruins

Tsukigata Onsen Hotel
Tsukigata Onsen Hotel

We found a spot in Tsukigata Onsen Hotel to eat breakfast
We found a spot in Tsukigata Onsen Hotel to eat breakfast

KC Nicerio at Tsukigata Onsen Hotel
My wife enjoyed the warmth of the place but my daughter and I enjoyed sliding in the snow pile outside (see video below)

We drove by the Kabato Shrine while looking for a place to eat. We were surprised to discover that it had collapsed, most likely due to the severe snowfall in the region. We ultimately settled on Tsukigata Onsen Hotel. We entered the annex building and there was a big table for guests. Since the place is open to the public, we decided that it’s a good place to eat our food. The hotel staff was accommodating even if we weren’t guests.

Off to our next town destination - Tobetsu
Off to our next town destination - Tobetsu

After eating breakfast, we continued our drive to the town of Tobetsu (当別町). Because most of the places in the prefecture are still buried in snow, we had to skip the outdoor places in our itinerary.


Tobetsu Shrine's torii gate
Tobetsu Shrine's Torii gate

Tobetsu Shrine
Tobetsu Shrine

Seicomart Yayoi Branch in Tobetsu
Seicomart Yayoi Branch in Tobetsu

The first place that we visited in Tobetsu is the Tobetsu Shrine. My daughter and I paid our respects and offered our prayers before heading our way. Of course, we didn’t forget our “first-time visit wish” tradition which was to make a wish. Before leaving the town proper, we made a quick stop at Seicomart in the Yayoi District of Tobetsu to buy some drinks.

Tobetsu Roadside Station
Tobetsu Roadside Station

The Tobetsu Pokemon manhole cover is installed outside the roadside station
The Tobetsu Pokemon manhole cover is installed outside the roadside station

I got the Tobetsu Roadside Station stamp
I got the Tobetsu Roadside Station stamp

Sweden soft cream mix
Sweden soft cream mix

Tobetsu Roadside Station colored manhole cover
Tobetsu colored manhole cover

From there, we drove to the Tobetsu Roadside Station / Roadside Station The Nordic Winds Tobetsu. We got the roadside station stamp and also tried out some of the unique products sold there like the Tobetsu dorayaki and the Sweden Soft Cream. Why the name Sweden? That’s because the soft cream is colored yellow and blue which are the primary colors of the flag of Sweden.

Next stop: Ebetsu City
Next stop: Ebetsu City

Ebetsu City manhole cover 1
Ebetsu City manhole cover #1

Ebetsu City manhole cover #2
Ebetsu City manhole #2

Ebetsu Shrine's torii gate
Ebetsu Shrine's torii gate

Ebetsu Shrine
Ebetsu Shrine

After eating our snacks and taking our toilet break. We proceeded to our next destination which was Ebetsu City (江別市). The first destination that we visited was the Ebetsu Shrine. Like in all the shrines that we visited my daughter and I paid our respects and offered our prayers.

Ebetsu City Local History Museum
Ebetsu City Local History Museum

The ancient pots on display inside Ebetsu City Local History Museum
The ancient pots on display inside Ebetsu City Local History Museum

There is also an exhibit of preserved butterflies
There is also an exhibit of preserved butterflies

The museum staff was really kind. He went to give us brochures when he found out that we were exploring the city.
The museum staff was really kind. He went to give us brochures when he found out that we were exploring the city.

We then drove to the nearby Ebetsu City Local History Museum. We learned a lot about the history of Embetsu City because of the numerous displays inside the museum. What I liked most was the butterfly room as it reminded me of what my father and I did together before which was to catch and preserve butterflies. Aside from that, the museum staff here was a nice man. He gave us several brochures and was genuinely interested when he found out that I’m an ALT in Rumoi and that I’m Filipino.

Nishikiyama Tenmangu Shrine's torii gate
Nishikiyama Tenmangu Shrine's torii gate

Nishikiyama Tenmangu Shrine
Nishikiyama Tenmangu Shrine

One of the art installations installed in Nishikiyama Green Space
One of the art installations installed in Nishikiyama Green Space

Ebetsu City Local Museum Annex/Tonden Museum
Ebetsu City Local Museum Annex / Tonden Museum

From there, we drove to Nishikiyama Tenmangu Shrine which is another historic shrine inside the city. Beside the shrine is the Ebetsu City Local Museum Annex/Tonden Museum. Sadly, it was still closed for the season.

2nd Street Ebetsu Shop
2nd Street Ebetsu Shop

Inside 2nd Street Ebetsu Shop
Inside 2nd Street Ebetsu Shop

As part of the deal, we then went to the 2nd Street Ebetsu Shop to check if there were any good deals on items and products for babies. Of course, there were, as we got to buy some clothes and a seat for bathing which cost less than a thousand yen.

Hard-Off Ebetsu
Hard-Off Ebetsu

Ella found some toys here for her collection
Ella found some toys here for her collection

Inside Hard-Off Ebetsu
Inside Hard-Off Ebetsu

We also went to Hard-Off Ebetsu but they have very few products for babies. What we enjoyed there were the toys and the numerous gadgets on sale. However, we didn’t buy anything as we were there for baby products. Regardless, I’d bring my younger brother there as he collects toy cars and there were hundreds there.


Machimura Farm / Milk Garden Ebetsu
Machimura Farm / Milk Garden Ebetsu 

They sell a variety of milk and milk-based products
They sell a variety of milk and milk-based products

Machimura Farm / Milk Garden Ebetsu
Machimura Farm / Milk Garden Ebetsu

We were supposed to go to Ebetsu City Ceramic Art Center but it was almost 4 PM and we still needed to drive for about 2 hours to reach home so we decided not to pursue the plan but to visit it on another day instead. 
Before going home, we drove to Machimura Farm / Milk Garden Ebetsu located on the outskirts of Ebetsu City. Aside from enjoying the ambiance, we went into the big red barn and bought their famed milk to bring home.

Driving through National Route 275
Driving through National Route 275

Roadside Station Den-en-no-Sato Uryu
Uryu Roadside Station / Roadside Station Den-en-no-Sato Uryu

On our way home, we did a quick toilet break at Uryu Roadside StationRoadside Station Den-en-no-Sato Uryu in the town of Uryu (雨竜町). The roadside station was already closed but the toilet area was still open to motorists. 

Fukagawa Rumoi Expressway
Fukagawa Rumoi Expressway

Maxvalu
A quick stop at MaxValu in Rumoi to buy ingredients for tonight's dinner

We also stopped by the 
MaxValu in Rumoi City to buy Shinramen as I was craving something spicy. We got home at around 7 PM officially wrapping up our weekend road trip.


Overall, this weekend was very productive. We were able to visit Tobetsu town and Ebetsu City for the first time. We also got to revisit Tsukigata and Uryu. Please join us on our next road trip. Thanks, guys!

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 72
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 72
Kabato Shrine
Tobetsu Shrine
Tobetsu Roadside Station
Ebetsu Shrine
Ebetsu City Local History Museum
Nishikiyama Tenmangu
Machimura Farm Milk Garden Ebetsu

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