Day 517: April 2, 2023
Sunday – Birthday Road Trip Day 2
This morning greeted us with beautiful weather—sunny skies as promised by the forecast. Despite a long, restful sleep, we realized we had skipped essential tasks last night, like taking a bath and updating today’s itinerary. This oversight cost us an hour from our planned schedule.
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| Q Fox GMG Hotel |
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| The hotel's restaurant is in the building across the street |
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| The restaurant has a nice interior design |
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| The food selection isn't that much but it's good |
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| Itadakimasu! |
We started the day with a simple yet satisfying breakfast at Q Fox GMG Hotel in Kutchan (倶知安町). The meal was hearty enough to fuel us for the adventures ahead.
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| After breakfast, we're back on the road. Route 343 |
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| Annupuri Gondola Station |
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| We bought a ticket to ride the gondola going to the summit station |
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| Riding the gondola up Mt. Niseko-Annupuri |
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| Mt. Niseko-Annupuri |
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| Heading back down to the gondola station at the foot of the mountain |
Our journey began in Niseko (ニセコ), where we boarded the gondola at Annupuri Gondola Station. The ride to the station near Mt. Niseko-Annupuri’s summit was breathtaking. From the gondola, the views were magnificent—Mt. Yotei stood majestically, offering snowboarders and skiers an epic backdrop for photos. The sweeping vistas of Niseko and Rankoshi slopes and plains were worth every yen spent.
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| Off to the town of Rankoshi via Route 343 then Route 5 |
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| Filling up the tank of Ruru at the Hokuren Rankoshi Self SS / JA gas station |
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| Shiribetsugawa Lan Lan Park |
After descending, we drove to
Rankoshi (蘭越町), stopping first at the
Hokuren Rankoshi Self SS / JA gas station to fill up for the long drive south. Next, we visited
Shiribetsugawa Lan Lan Park. Though still snow-covered in parts, the accessible riverside reminded me of
Kamikochi’s Azusa River in Nagano Prefecture. This town is known for the
Shiribetsu River which is one of the cleanest rivers in
Japan.
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| Rankoshi Roadside Station "Rankoshi Furusato no Oka" |
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| Inside Rankoshi Roadside Station |
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| Rankoshi Menayahata Shrine's torii gate |
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| Rankoshi Menayahata Shrine |
We collected our first roadside station stamp of the day at Rankoshi Roadside Station "Rankoshi Furusato no Oka" and visited
Rankoshi Menayahata Shrine to pay our respects. From there, we continued to the town of
Kuromatsunai (黒松内町), known as the northernmost area in
Japan where beech trees grow naturally. These trees are designated as a natural treasure of the town.
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| Kuromatsunai (黒松内町) |
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| Kuromatsunai Roadside Station |
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| Kuromatsunai Roadside Station's bakery |
In Kuromatsunai, our first stop was the Kuromatsunai Roadside Station, a charming hub that offered a glimpse into the town's unique character. Here, we added another stamp to our Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally collection, a growing testament to our journey across the island. It is popularly known for the bread in its bakery.
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| On the way to Kuromatsunai town proper. |
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| Kuromatsunai town proper |
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| Matsuryuyamahorasan Temple's torii gate |
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| Matsuryuyamahorasan Temple |
Next, we visited the Matsuryuyamahorasan Temple. The temple ground isn't that big but it exuded a tranquil atmosphere, inviting us to pause and reflect. Across the street, we found Otori Shrine, a sacred site steeped in tradition.
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| Otori Shrine's torii gate |
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| Otori Shrine |
As part of our family tradition, my daughter and I took the opportunity at both locations to pay our respects, offer heartfelt prayers, and make our customary father-daughter wishes. These moments of connection and shared intention added a deeply personal touch to our visit, making Kuromatsunai more than just a stop—it became a meaningful chapter in our journey.
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| Driving to our next town - Yakumo (八雲町) |
With time pressing, we made the difficult decision to skip the town of Oshamambe and proceed directly to Yakumo (八雲町), a town close to our hearts as it is the hometown of our friend Flong, a Filipino ALT based here.
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| The small red shrine near the Black Rock Formations of Shumakamui |
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| Black Rock Formations of Shumakamui |
Our first stop was the Black Rock Formations of Shumakamui, a fascinating natural formation on the town's northern outskirts. The unique, rugged beauty of these rocks stood in stark contrast to the tranquil waters surrounding them, making it a sight to behold.
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| Yakumo High School |
As we entered the town proper, we passed by Yakumo High School, where Flong teaches. Although we didn’t have time for a visit, we decided to take a photo as a surprise for her later—a small gesture to celebrate her connection to this wonderful place.
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| Yakumo Shrine |
Before leaving Yakumo, we visited Yakumo Shrine to pay our respects, offer prayers, and continue our family tradition of making wishes together. The shrine’s serene atmosphere provided a moment of peace amidst our bustling itinerary.
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| View of Mt. Komagatake as seen from the Asahioka Parking Area |
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| Mt. Komagatake as seen from National Route 5 |
On our way out, we made a quick stop at the Asahioka Parking Area along National Route 5 to take in the breathtaking panoramic view of Mt. Komagatake. The majestic mountain, framed by the vast skies, was a perfect farewell to Yakumo—a town filled with natural wonders and fond memories.
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| More pictures of Mt. Komagatake from National Route 5 |
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| Roadside Rest Area "You-Yū-Mori" |
In Mori (森町), we quickly stopped at the Roadside Rest Area "You-Yū-Mori" for another stamp, snapping photos of a nearby park before continuing to Hakodate City (函館市). Arriving before sunset, we checked several sites off tomorrow’s itinerary.
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| Next stop: Hakodate City |
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| Our first stop in Hakodate City - Goryokaku Tower |
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| Ella and I enjoyed the view from Goryokaku Tower |
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| Goryokaku as seen from the tower |
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| We saw Hakodate's famed tram. Hopefully, we get to ride it someday. |
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| Hakodate Gokoku Shrine's torii gate |
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| Hakodate Gokoku Shrine |
The Goryokaku Tower provided a breathtaking panoramic view of Hakodate, showcasing not only the sprawling city but also the iconic star-shaped fortress below. It was a remarkable sight, especially when looking down at the carefully designed layout of the star-shaped Goryokaku Park and its surrounding areas. My daughter and I took our time, soaking in the beautiful landscape and marveling at the city’s blend of modernity and historical charm. Afterward, we drove to Hakodate Gokoku Shrine, a serene and peaceful spot that allowed us to reflect amidst its quiet surroundings. We also offered prayers and did our family tradition of making a wish before heading to our next destination.
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| Heading to Hakodate Park |
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| We first went to the Observation Deck at the northern end of the park |
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| Hakodate Park |
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| Children’s World |
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| Former Hakodate City Museum Building No. 2 |
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| Check out this cute cat in Hakodate Park |
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| Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma |
Next, we explored the nearby Hakodate Park, a place where my daughter had fun riding the attractions in Children’s World. We explored the park in search of the Hakodate Pokémon manhole cover, which we saw near the Former Hakodate City Museum Building No. 2, but we didn't go inside as we were pressed for time. Before leaving, we made a quick stop and had a photo taken with the Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma.
We also took time to visit the historic churches of Motomachi, including St. John’s Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Catholic Church Hakodate Motomachi. Each church had its own unique charm, reflecting the city’s rich multicultural history, and they offered a wonderful glimpse into the past.
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| Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station |
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| We got the ropeway tickets and also the Hakodate Ropeway stamp |
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| Riding the Hakodate Ropeway up Mt. Hakodate |
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| Check out how crowded the Mt. Hakodate Observatory is |
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| Team Nicerio at Mt. Hakodate Observatory |
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| Mt. Hakodate |
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| We're back to the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway - Mountain Base Station |
Our exploration culminated with a ride on the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway, which offered a stunning view of the city. Despite the crowds, the glittering night view from the top was absolutely magical. The city’s lights twinkled like a thousand stars, and I managed to capture the moment with a time-lapse video that I will cherish as a reminder of this unforgettable experience.
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| Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Shop |
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| We tried the Chinese Burger and the Lucky Burger for the first time |
Dinner at Lucky Pierrot Bay Area Main Shop was the perfect conclusion to our day. The Chinese Burger set I ordered was delicious, and my wife and daughter thoroughly enjoyed their Lucky Burgers. The casual yet cozy atmosphere made it the ideal place to unwind and savor a memorable meal after a day of exploration. It was a wonderful way to wrap up our visit to Hakodate, and I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to such a fulfilling day.
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| Toyoko Inn Shin Hakodate Hokuto Eki Minamiguchi |
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| Time to check into our room |
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| We were given Room 404. It wasn't that big, but for a family of 3, it was spacious enough. |
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| Zushihokki Statue |
Finally, we drove to Hokuto City (北斗市) to stay at Toyoko Inn Shin Hakodate Hokuto Eki Minamiguchi. A quick photo with the Zushihokki Statue wrapped up our adventure today. Before calling it a day, I reviewed our itinerary for the 3rd day of our road trip.
Today, we visited 2 new cities and 4 towns, marking 85 of 179 municipalities in our #Hokkaido179 goal. It was a fulfilling journey, and we’re ready for more tomorrow.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 74
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 74
Japan Diaries 4: Day 516
Annupuri Gondola Station
Shiribetsugawa Lan Lan Park
Rankoshi Roadside Station / Roadside Rest Area “Rankoshi Furusato no Oka”
Rankoshi Menayahata Shrine
Kuromatsunai Roadside Station / Roadside Rest Area “Kuromatsunai”
Otori Shrine
Kuroiwa Strangely Shaped Rocks (Shumakamuy)
Yakumo Shrine
Mori Roadside Station / Roadside Rest Area “You-Yu-Mori”
Goryukaku Tower
Hakodate Gokoku Shrine
Hakodate Park
Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma
St. John’s Church
Russian Orthodox Church
Catholic Church Hakodate Motomachi
Nijukkenzaka
Shin-Hakodate Hokuto Station10 More Things to Do in Niseko
10 Things to Do in Rankoshi
10 Things to Do in Kuromatsunai
10 Things to Do in Yakumo
10 Things to Do in Mori
10 Things to Do in Hakodate City
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