Japan Diaries 4: Day 572

Day 572: May 27, 2023

Day 572: May 27, 2023

Saturday – Flower Festival Road Trip Part 1

Flower Festival Road Trip Part 1
Flower Festival Road Trip Part 1

24-hour Coin Operated Car Wash in Motokawacho
A quick stop at the car wash before heading out of Rumoi City


Today was a jam-packed day full of adventures and discoveries. We woke up to a bright and beautiful morning here in Rumoi City (留萌市). To start our day, we left Rumoi at 7:40 AM to head to Asahikawa City for Ella's doctor's appointment. Before setting off, we stopped at the 24-hour Coin-Operated Car Wash in Motokawacho to give our car, Ruru, a thorough cleaning, especially the stubborn insect splatters on the windshield.

Nakane Dermatology Clinic
Nakane Dermatology Clinic

We left Ruru in the parking of AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki Mae
We left Ruru in the parking of AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki Mae

Next stop: haircut at Barber Plage
Next stop: haircut at Barber Plage

After the car wash, we headed straight to Nakane Dermatology Clinic in Asahikawa City (旭川市) for Ella's appointment. Once we were done there, we decided to park our car at the AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki Mae next to the Asahikawa JR Station. But before all the shopping and exploration, we stopped by Barber Plage on Heiwa Shopping Street for some haircuts. The shop was bustling with customers, and I ended up waiting for almost two hours to get mine done.

We explored Asahikawa Station a bit
We explored Asahikawa Station a bit

Lunch at Pepper Lunch at the food court of AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki Mae
Lunch at Pepper Lunch at the food court of AEON Mall Asahikawa Eki Mae

Team Nicerio heads to the Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023

Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023
Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023

Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023

Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023



Finally, all trimmed up and looking sharp, we explored the station and then the mall before having lunch at the food court. Feeling full and content, we then drove to the Ebeotsucho District in Takikawa City (滝川市) for the Nanohana Festival celebration. The sight of the vast field of nanohana was absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed the festival thoroughly, having previously only seen a much smaller field at the Reuke Farm in Rumoi City.

Takikawa Roadside Station - Takikawa City, Hokkaido
Takikawa Roadside Station

Photo op with Jingi River
Photo op with Jingi River

Second Street Takikawa - Takikawa City
Second Street Takikawa

Shopping for pre-loved maternity dress
Shopping for a pre-loved maternity dress

Our next stop was the Takikawa Roadside Station, where we browsed through various booths of locally produced goods and food stalls. We had to cut short our time there as we had to get to Second Street Takikawa for some baby clothes shopping. 

COCOWA - Hokuryu
Grocery shopping at COCOWA

We ate some donuts that we bought in AEON Mall before heading back home
We ate some donuts that we bought in AEON Mall before heading back home

We were soon back on the road again, heading towards home. We made a brief stop at Cocowa in the town of Hokuryu (北竜町) to buy some food so that my wife wouldn't need to cook when we got back home. From there, we continued on our trip to Rumoi City, finally arriving home safely at 7 PM.

As we have another busy day ahead, with plans for Flower Festival Road Trip Part 2 tomorrow, we have turned in early. We're so excited about what the day has in store for us, as our first destination is three hours away, and we go to bed both exhausted and happy.

Read more:

Takikawa Nanohana Festival 2023
Takikawa Roadside Station
Location: Takikawa, Hokkaido, Japan

Comments

Post a Comment

Please Follow my Official FB Page

The Backpack Adventures

Please Follow my Family FB Page

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

National Shrine of St. Padre Pio - Batangas

Image
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa  St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli...
Keep reading

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

Patungan Beach - Cavite

Image
Located in Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Patungan) in Maragondon , Cavite, Patungan Beach is one of the province's little-known beach destinations. It is situated inside Patungang Cove which is south of Mt. Palay Palay which is also known as Pico de Loro . Patungan Beach Patungan Beach Details The area near Patungan Beach is home to about 100 - 200 families, most of which are fishermen hence the alternate name of the barangay - Patungan Fishing Village . According to the locals that I interviewed, their place was once an isolated  barangay , reachable only by boat, horse, or foot. Thankfully, with the completion of the  Nasugbu - Ternate Highway  and  Kaybiang Tunnel , the barangay was finally connected to the province. However, there is still no direct public transportation system that serves the area coming from Manila.  Patungan Beach - Maragondon, Cavite The beach from a distance Check out these photos of Patungan Beach: Just a heads up, ...
Keep reading

Cavite Adventure: Tagaytay City

Image
Tagaytay City Tagaytay City details Our adventure today takes us about 55 kilometers south of Kilometer 0 in Manila. Tagaytay City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the province of Cavite. Taal Volcano as seen from Tagaytay City Known as " The Country's Second Summer Capital ", Tagaytay City 's proximity to Manila makes it a frequent destination for those who are on a budget adventure or those who are just escaping the city life. Tagaytay City 's unique blend of beautiful scenery and semi-temperate climate makes tourists and adventurers come back for more. My friends and my old ride Since my wife and I live near Tagaytay City , we have the convenience of going there anytime we want to. I, for one, have been to Tagaytay plenty of times and experienced a lot of memorable things there. The most unforgettable one that I have was when I experienced zero visibility when I drove through a very thick mist that blanketed the city during ...
Keep reading

Ilocos Sur Adventure: Vigan City

Image
Our adventure today takes us about 400 kilometers northwest of Kilometer 0 in Manila. Vigan City , the capital of Ilocos Sur, was recently converted into a component city last January 21, 2001. Aside from that, Vigan was also listed as one of the World Heritage Sites in the Philippines by UNESCO. Vigan City Vigan City details So what's unique with Vigan City ? Imagine yourself living during the Spanish Colonial days when the kalesa (horse-drawn carriages) rules the cobblestone streets and century-old houses, not buildings, conquered the landscape. Vigan City offers you the same colonial-era backdrop minus the people walking around with DSLRs and GoPros. Team Nicerio visits Vigan City Vigan City details Vigan City was earlier known as "Ciudad Fernandina" during the Spanish Era. However, the origin of the city's name is said to come from different sources. Some say it came from the Chinese word "Bee Gan" or beautiful shore. While others say that it came...
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

Takayama City - Gifu

Image
Located in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City  ( 高山 ) is said to be in the heart of the Japanese Alps. It also currently has the largest geographic area of any municipality in Japan . Takayama City  ( 高山 ) Takayama City History Takayama City is also called Hida-Takayama in reference to the old Hida province and also to differentiate it from other places in Japan with the same name. The name  Takayama  means "tall mountain", probably in reference to the mountains that surround it.  Takayama City's famed Sanmachi Suji Part of the town near the Old Town District as seen from our room in the hotel Walking the streets of Takayama City Crossing the Nakabashi Bridge The history of the creation of Takayama started with its establishment in 1889. During that time, it was the most populous municipality in Gifu Prefecture. In 1936, the town merged with the town of Onada forming the city of Takayama. It continued to grow as it annexed ...
Keep reading

Mayon Rest House & Mayon Planetarium - Albay

Image
Located halfway to the peak of the eastern slope of Mayon Volcano and in the jurisdiction of Tabaco City in the province of Albay is the Mayon Skyline View Deck also known as the  Mayon Rest House . Mayon Rest House and Mayon Planitarium Mayon Rest House and Mayon Planetarium details Mayon Rest House and Mayon Planetarium - Tabaco City, Albay Formerly known as the Mayon Skyline Hotel , the establishment was long been shut down due to the unpredictability of Mayon Volcano. Luckily for the aging establishment, it was preserved by the local government of Tabaco City. The place was also improved by adding the planetarium, zip line, and wall climbing facilities also known as the Mayon Planetarium and Science Park . However, during our visit, it was only the planetarium that was functional.  Mayon Rest House and Mayon Planetarium as seen from the foot of the volcano Going up to another area of Mayon Planetarium Sadly, Mt. Mayon is not in the mood to be seen in th...
Keep reading

Fort Siloso Skywalk - Singapore

Image
Located on the western side of Sentosa Island in Singapore , Fort Siloso Skywalk is an 11-story, 181-meter long skywalk trail that leads visitors from the Siloso Beach area to Fort Siloso . Fort Siloso Skywalk Fort Siloso Skywalk The Fort Siloso Skywalk was launched with the Sentosa Cable Car Line in 2015. Its 11-story tower comes complete with an elevator that brings visitors to the view deck.  Fort Siloso Skywalk - Singapore From the deck, visitors may choose to follow the 181-meter long skywalk trail that snakes above the trees going to Fort Siloso or simply enjoy the panoramic view of the skyscrapers of Singapore and the forests, cable cars, and beach events of Sentosa Island . Let's go up to Fort Siloso Skywalk tower! Can you spot my wife KC? Get your cameras ready! Whoaaaa! It's a see-through glass! Going back to the 181-meter long skywalk trail, you'd notice that there are several covered areas spread throughout the trail. These covered...
Keep reading

Daraga Church Revisited 2021

Image
The last time I visited Daraga Church was during the 4th day of our CamSur - Albay Road Trip last 2014. Since that's almost a decade ago, I made sure to include it in our itinerary for the 8th day of our 2021 Bicol Road Trip .  Daraga Church Revisited 2021 Daraga Church details For those who are unfamiliar with Daraga Church , it is located in Santa Maria Street, Daraga in the province of Albay. The church is formally called Nuestra Senora de la Porteria Parish Church ( Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church ). Daraga Church - Daraga, Albay Daraga Church was built under the supervision of the Franciscans sometime in 1773. the church was placed under the patronage of the Our Lady of the Gate. Daraga Church Facade Sadly, Mayon Volcano was not visible during our visit Daraga Church NHI Marker Can you spot the scary tarsier? The church facade is known for its Churrigueresque architectural style. It was built using materials that are abundant in the area like volcanic rock, wood, and...
Keep reading