The Backpack Adventures

Summer is here, and there’s no better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing treat. In Hokkaido , Japan’s northernmost island, soft cream isn’t just a dessert—it’s an experience.  Cool Treats in Hokkaido: Exploring Unique Soft Cream Flavors for the Summer Known for its premium dairy products, Hokkaido offers an array of soft cream flavors that go beyond the usual vanilla and chocolate. From locally sourced lavender and melon to unusual twists like konbu and piman , each cone tells a story of the region’s rich agricultural heritage and creative culinary flair. So, grab a spoon and join us on a journey around Hokkaido to savor the most unique soft cream flavors this vast prefecture has to offer this summer! Here's a list of unique soft cream flavors that I have tried here in Hokkaido so far: Black Sesame Soft Cream - Engaru Roadside Station Blue Soft Cream - Blue Pond Cafe and Gifts near Biei Blue Pond Shibazakura Soft Cream - Shibazakura Takinoue Park Piman Soft Cream -...

Day 510: March 26, 2023 Sunday – Sapporo x Ishikari Road Trip Team Nicerio is off to another weekend road trip Driving through Sapporo City First stop: Makomanai Takino Cemetery Moai Statues of Makomanai Takino Cemetery Hill of the Buddha  Stonehenge of Makomanai Takino Cemetery We started our day early to beat the traffic and reach Sapporo City ( 札幌市 ) before the predicted rain. After a smooth day, we first visited Makomanai Takino Cemetery , where we explored the beautifully crafted Moai Statues , the Hill of the Buddha , and Stonehenge . These magnificent statues and sculptures were not only pleasing to the eye but also gave us a glimpse of what the real ones look like making our dream of visiting them in the future. Next stop: Sapporo Salmon Museum These are but two of the hundreds of fish in the museum These are actually rainbow trouts Next, we visited the  Sapporo Salmon Museum , which was more informative than initially thought. The museum had an extensive collection...

Okuni Shrine ( 大國神社 ) is one of the main shrines of Fukagawa City. It is located at 2400 Ichimicho Ichimi, Fukagawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Okuni Shrine Okuni Shrine Details Okuni Shrine , located in the heart of the Honmura area of Fukagawa City, has a fascinating history that dates back to the late 19th century. The shrine was founded in 1897 when a commemorative marker was erected and a religious ceremony was held to honor the site. The following year, in 1900, officers from the First Battalion of the village’s Tonden Infantry , inspired by the picturesque hill to the east of Honmura 6-chome (present-day location), built a small shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami , the Sun Goddess. Okuni Shrine - Fukagawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture As the years passed, the shrine began to grow. In 1907, the construction of the main hall, offering hall, worship hall, and office marked a significant expansion. By August 1912, Okuni Shrine became a designated site for offering s...