Japan Diaries 4: Day 505

Day 505: March 21, 2023

Tuesday – Vernal Equinox Day Road Trip

It's a holiday today so we're heading out for another road trip
It's a holiday today, so we're heading out for another road trip

Spring has officially arrived in Japan, marked by the celebration of Vernal Equinox Day on March 21st. It is a public holiday in the country, and many people take advantage of the beautiful weather to go on road trips and explore the natural beauty of the countryside. This year, my wife and I decided to embark on a road trip to the picturesque towns of Biei, Kamifurano, and Furano City.

Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway
We drove along the Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway towards Asahikawa City

First stop: Moda Club Serufu Asahikawa to fill up our gas tank
First stop: Moda Club Serufu Asahikawa to fill up our gas tank

711 at 6 Chome-1-2 Chuwa 8 Jo, Asahikawa, Hokkaido
We then bought some food for breakfast at the nearby 711

We started our journey early in the morning from Rumoi City (留萌市), which is located in the northern part of Hokkaido. The weather was perfect, and we were excited to explore the countryside. Our first stop was at Moda Club Serufu Asahikawa in Asahikawa City (旭川市), where we filled up our tank and grabbed some breakfast from the nearby 711.

Route 452
Driving to Biei via Route 452

We found a scenic road near the Seven Stars Tree
We found a scenic road near the Seven Stars Tree

Seven Stars Tree Biei
Seven Stars Tree

Next stop: Parent and Child Tree
Next stop: Parent and Child Tree 

We weren't allowed to go near the tree so I just used the maximum zoom of my phone to take a picture of it.
We weren't allowed to go near the tree so I just used the maximum zoom of my phone to take a picture of it. 

Tree of Ken and Mary Biei
Tree of Ken and Mary

Our first destination was the Seven Stars Tree, located in the northern part of Biei (美瑛町). The tree is a natural wonder and is believed to be over 200 years old. This tree was made popular when it was featured in a cigarette advertisement in 1976. We then visited the Parent and Child Tree and the Tree of Ken and Mary, both of which are famous landmarks in Biei. 

Biei manhole cover
Biei manhole cover

We saw this retired train displayed in a vacant lot in front of Biei Shrine
We saw this retired train displayed in a vacant lot in front of Biei Shrine

Biei Shrine's Torii gate
Biei Shrine's Torii gate

Biei Shrine
Biei Shrine

Nakamachi Park - Biei, Hokkaido
Nakamachi Park

The restored SL 49600 is displayed in the park
The restored SL 49600 is displayed in the park

Four Seasons Tower - Biei, Hokkaido
Four Seasons Tower

The view from the observation platform of the Four Seasons Tower
The view from the observation platform of the Four Seasons Tower

Biei Station - Biei town, Hokkaido
We went to get our eki stamp from Biei JR Station or simply Biei Station

We were lucky as there was a train that arrived at the station during our visit
We were lucky as there was a train that arrived at the station during our visit

The bus stop outside Biei Station
The bus stop outside Biei Station

This bus stop was a filming location in Episode 6 of the Netflix series "First Love"
This bus stop was a filming location in Episode 6 of the Netflix series "First Love"

After exploring these beautiful locations, we made our way to the town center to visit the Biei Shrine to pay our respects and do our family tradition of offering prayer and making a wish. From there, we drove to the nearby Nakamachi Park, Four Seasons Tower, and Biei JR Station.

Trick Art Museum - Kamifurano town, Hokkaido
The Kamifurano Trick Art Museum or simply Trick Art Museum

Trick Art Museum in Kamifurano
We first had fun playing on the snow outside the Trick Art Museum...

Kamifurano Trick Art Museum
We first had fun playing on the snow outside the Trick Art Museum...

Miyamatoge Art Park has a great view of Mt. Tokachi and Mt. Furano
Miyamatoge Art Park has a great view of Mt. Tokachi and Mt. Furano

Next, we drove to the town of Kamifurano (上富良野町), where we visited several places. First on our list was the Trick Art Museum. It was a lot of fun, and we spent a good amount of time taking photos with the interactive paintings.

Driving through Route 237 going to Kamifurano town proper
Driving through Route 237 going to Kamifurano town proper

Kamifurano manhole cover - Hokkaido
Kamifurano manhole cover

Kamifurano Shrine's Torii gate
Kamifurano Shrine's Torii gate

Kamifurano Shrine - Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Kamifurano Shrine

Hinode Park in winter - Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Hinode Park

Kamifurano Pokemon manhole cover
Kamifurano Pokemon manhole cover

Panorama Road - Kamifurano, Hokkaido
Panorama Road

We were lucky as there were only a few people when we got to Panorama Road
We were lucky as there were only a few people when we got to Panorama Road

From there, we drove to the Kamifurano Shrine to offer prayers and pay respects. It was a peaceful and serene place, where we contemplated. Our next destination was Hinode Park, mostly covered with snow. Thankfully, the Kamifurano Pokemon manhole cover has a cover and was protected so we were able to take a photo of it before hitting the road again and going to the scenic Panorama Road before leaving the town.

Driving to our next destination: Furano City
Driving to our next destination: Furano City

Looking for a parking space near Furano Shrine
Looking for a parking space near Furano Shrine

Furano City manhole cover 1
Furano City manhole cover 1

Furano City manhole cover 2
Furano City manhole cover 2

Furano City manhole cover 3
Furano City manhole cover 3

Furano Shrine's Torii gate
Furano Shrine's Torii gate

Furano Shrine
Furano Shrine

McDonald's Furano
McDonald's Furano

Late lunch at McDonald's Furano
Here's what we ate for lunch

Ningle Terrace - Furano City, Hokkaido
Ningle Terrace

Ningle Terrace - Furano City
This is our last destination for today

Kitanominedori - Furano City
Driving through Kitanominedori Street on the way back to Rumoi City

We saw the Akabira Tokugawa Castle along the way
We saw the Akabira Tokugawa Castle along the way

Our last stop was Furano City (富良野市), where we visited the Furano Shrine, McDonald’s Furano, and Ningle Terrace. The Furano Shrine is a beautiful place and is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates traditional Japanese architecture. McDonald’s Furano is an interesting location due to its unique design. We also visited Ningle Terrace, which is a collection of small cottages that house boutique stores and cafes.

2nd Street Takikawa
2nd Street Takikawa 

Driving back home via the Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway
Driving back home via the Fukagawa - Rumoi Expressway

I still have the energy to attend the Rumoi English Chat Club
I still have the energy to attend the Rumoi English Chat Club

As the sun began to set, we decided to head back home. But before that, we made a quick stop at 2nd Street in Takikawa City to buy some baby clothes. When we finally reached home, I still had one more activity left for the day. I attended the Rumoi English Chat Club, held in Asuka. We discussed the topic of "surprise." I shared my experience of taking the driving test for my Japanese driver's license, which was a surprise in many ways.


Overall, it was a fantastic day with adventure, exploration, and surprises. Our Vernal Equinox Road Trip was an excellent way to celebrate the arrival of spring, and I can't wait to plan our next road trip. Suppose you ever find yourself in Hokkaido during the Vernal Equinox Day. In that case, I highly recommend taking a road trip to explore the beautiful countryside and experience the joys of spring in Japan.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 73
Location: Furano, Hokkaido, Japan

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