Day 594: June 18, 2023
Sunday – Father and Daughter Road Trip 3: Father's Day Trip
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| It's my 3rd road trip with my daughter while my wife is in Osaka. |
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| Stopover at Route 239 |
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| -41.2 degrees Celsius Monument |
We had an amazing adventure exploring the picturesque spots around Horokanai (幌加内町). Our journey started at Lake Shumarinai, a serene and expansive lake surrounded by lush forests. The tranquil beauty of the lake is perfect for a relaxing escape into nature. We enjoyed the cool breeze and admired the crystal-clear waters, which reflected the surrounding landscape like a mirror.
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| The view from the observation deck |
Next, we visited the Lake Shumarinai Observation Deck, a fantastic vantage point that offers a panoramic view of the lake and its surroundings. It’s the perfect spot for taking photos or simply soaking in the breathtaking scenery.
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| Tenbo-dai |
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| The view from the observation deck |
Before driving further away from Lake Shumaranai, we made one final stop at another observation deck called Tenbō-dai, located along Route 275. This spot provided a different perspective of the lake, showcasing its beauty from another angle. The view was equally captivating, making it a fitting end to our visit.
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| Route 275 |
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| Exploring the park |
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| There were plenty of butterflies when we visited |
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| The Crystal Peak |
We then headed to the Moshiri Crystal Park, a charming and unique destination in Horokanai. This spot is known for being the place where the coldest temperature in the region was recorded. Unlike our first visit, we strolled around the park to take a photo of its flora and fauna. It added a delightful touch to our trip, with its beautiful landscape and tranquil ambiance. It felt like a hidden gem where we could appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Our next destination was Nayoro City (名寄市). Along the way, we came across a scenic spot along Route 688 and couldn’t resist stopping to take dozens of photos at the Mizuho Parking Area. After enjoying the views, we resumed our journey to the city. As it was already noon, we decided to have lunch first. I recalled a ramen restaurant recommended by a student, so I entered it into Google Maps and set off in that direction.
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| Ella ordered her favorite Miso Ramen |
After a satisfying lunch at
Kamekin Shokudo, where we enjoyed delicious local ramen, we embarked on an eventful journey exploring some of Nayoro City’s unique attractions.
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| Former Teshio-Yayoi stop |
Our first stop was the
SL Snow Removal Train "Kimaroki", a fascinating relic of Hokkaido’s snowy history. The train, specifically designed for clearing heavy snow from railway tracks, gave us a glimpse into the ingenuity and resilience required to navigate the harsh winters of northern Japan.
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| Inside the museum |
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| We spent an hour exploring the museum |
Next, we visited the
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum, which offered an enriching experience with its exhibits detailing the culture, natural history, and lifestyle of the city.
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| Nayoro-kun - Nayoro's mascot |
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| This roadside station is popular for its daifuku |
Lastly, we stopped at the
Nayoro Roadside Station, a perfect place to rest, shop for local products, and enjoy the charm of a small-town marketplace.
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| We tried the sheep-feeding activity for just 100 yen |
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| The view here is amazing, too |
With these highlights behind us, we headed to
Shibetsu City (士別市) to visit the picturesque
Sheep and Cloud Hill. The rolling green landscape dotted with sheep created a serene and idyllic setting that was perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll and photography.
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| We saw this cute, friendly fox along Route 239 |
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| Mike saw something move in the bushes, and he went to investigate. Turns out it was a family of deer |
As we drove back to Tomamae along Route 239, the journey turned into an unexpected wildlife adventure. We spotted numerous foxes along the roadside, their vibrant orange coats standing out against the natural surroundings. Captivated by their presence, we took plenty of photos, capturing the beauty of these iconic Hokkaido creatures in their natural habitat. It was a memorable experience that added a touch of the wild to our day’s exploration.
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| Tomamae's Candle Rock |
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| The view from Route 232 |
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| Uehira Greenhill Wind Farm |
Our road trip with Mike didn't end when we got to Tomamae. We brought him to a parking area to view Candle Rock and drove uphill to see the Uehira Greenhill Wind Farm. We drove Mike back to his place before driving back to Rumoi.
We made a brief toilet break at Obira Roadside Station and witnessed the sunset at Herring Cultural Historical Park, also called Nishin Bunka Historical Park, just across Ororon Road.
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| We had salmon for dinner. |
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend. We were able to revisit the towns of Tomamae, Obira, and Horokanai, as well as the cities of Nayoro and Shibetsu. We're excited to visit a new municipality for our #Hokkaido179 goal next week. I was tired from driving the whole day, so we only had salad for dinner. But it was worth it. This road trip was definitely a memorable one.Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 85
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 85
Tomamaeda Bear
Lake Shumaranai
I heard there are a lot of bears in Hokkaido. Please be careful.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. There are a lot of bear attacks this year alone. Thank you so much!
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