Weekend 83: June 3 – 4, 2023
Day 579: June 3, 2023
Saturday – Rumoi
Today was a rather eventful day here in Rumoi City, and it's a bittersweet one for me. Not only is it a rainy day, but it's also my wife's last full day here before she flies to Osaka in preparation for the birth of our child. The rain seems to mirror the emotions swirling within me, a mix of anticipation and a tinge of sadness.
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| Here's our car until Ruru is repaired |
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| We test-drove it going to the Engan Bus Office to buy this month's supply of Moekko Free Tickets |
The morning started at 10 AM when the insurance company delivered the rental car to our house. We had made arrangements for it to be brought over, and after a brief explanation of the rental terms, my family and I embarked on our day's errands. Our first stop was the Engan Bus Office in Akemotocho district to purchase this month's Moekko Free Ticket supply. It's a convenient pass that allows unlimited travel on the local bus network, and we wanted to ensure we had it for the upcoming days.
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| Rumoi Shinkin Bank |
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| Grocery shopping at COOP |
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| Check out the price of one small watermelon 😮😮😮 |
Next on the agenda was a visit to Rumoi Shinkin Bank to withdraw our funds for the month. It's always a practical step to take care of financial matters, and we wanted to have everything sorted before my wife's departure. With the necessary finances in hand, we then made our way to COOP, a local grocery store, to buy our monthly groceries. Despite the rain, the bustling atmosphere in the store somehow managed to lift our spirits.
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| Jabba Coin Laundromat |
We ended the day with one last errand, heading to Jabba Coin Laundromat to use their dryer service. Since we would be traveling to Chitose City tomorrow for my wife's flight, we wouldn't have time to dry our clothes. It felt important to get everything in order before our departure, ensuring a smooth start to the next chapter of our journey.
Tomorrow marks a significant transition as my wife begins a new chapter in her journey to motherhood. She’ll be flying to Osaka to receive the best care for the birth of our child, and while I’m filled with joy and anticipation, there’s a bittersweet feeling knowing we’ll be apart. For now, I’ll treasure this rainy day in Rumoi City, holding on to the memories of our last day together before our paths temporarily diverge.
Day 580: June 4, 2023
Sunday – Chitose City x Shintotsukawa
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| Today, we'd be driving my wife to New Chitose Airport for her flight to Osaka. We all cried before this picture. |
Today, the rain gently persisted, unfazed by our plans. Despite the gloomy weather, our trip to Chitose City (千歳市) went ahead as planned, with flights remaining unaffected. We left Rumoi City early at 7 AM, starting a journey filled with a mix of excitement and a touch of sadness.
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| We arrived at the New Chitose Airport parking |
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| Inside New Chitose Airport |
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| Steiff Teddy Bear |
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| Steiff Festival Plaza display |
We arrived at New Chitose International Airport a little after 10 AM, thankful for a smooth and safe trip. With my wife’s flight scheduled for 2:40 PM, we had a few hours to spend at the airport. To make the most of our time, we decided to explore.
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| Chitose Airport Pilot Pikachu |
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| Chitose Airport Pilot Pikachu keychain |
We bought omiyage from Royce Chocolate World and also checked out its mini-museum
Our first stop was the New Chitose Pokémon Store, a delightful spot for fans of the franchise. The vibrant displays and adorable items brought smiles to our faces, lightening the mood. From there, we visited Royce Chocolate World to pick out omiyage, sweet souvenirs for our Japanese family—a thoughtful way to share a piece of our journey.
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| Starbucks in New Chitose Airport |
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| Safe flights to Osaka mommy! |
At Starbucks, we shared one last coffee together, cherishing a quiet moment before my wife’s departure. As the clock neared 1 PM, we headed to the check-in counter.
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| We did the New Chitose Airport Stamp Rally |
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| Ella and I went around New Chitose Airport a bit to complete the stamp rally |
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| We took a break from our activities to watch my wife's flight take off. |
We also checked out the Airport History Museum
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| We're back collecting the airport stamps |
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| New Chitose Airport Stamp #6 |
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| We got a prize from Flyers for collecting all the stamps |
To distract our daughter from the sadness, I took her around the airport for the New Chitose Airport Stamp Rally. Together, we explored the Airport History Museum, learning about aviation while collecting stamps. Completing the rally and redeeming fun freebies brought her some excitement and relief from the bittersweet day.
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| We won a Mitsuri Kanroji from the UFO Catcher at Apina Amusement Place |
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| Time to drive back home |
Looking for more fun, we tried the UFO Catcher Game at Apina Amusement Place. To our delight, we won a plushie of Mitsuri Kanroji, an anime character, which brought much-needed laughter and smiles.
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| Shintotsukawa Product Center |
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| From Left to right - Totsukawa Village's Denshi-kun, Nara City's Sento-kun, and Shintotsukawa's Komezo Totsukawa |
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| They sell different flavors of ice cream here, made in the town |
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| Shintotsukawa's mascot - Komezo Totsukawa |
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| We tried the Shintotsukawa Ice Milk Melon flavor |
Originally, we planned to visit COSTCO Sapporo after leaving the airport, but the long drive changed our minds. Instead, we stopped by the Shintotsukawa Product Center to stretch and enjoy the local offerings. We couldn’t resist buying their Shintotsukawa Ice Milk Melon flavor, a refreshing treat for the road.
As the day came to an end and rain softly tapped on the windshield, a sense of finality set in. This weekend marked the last time the three of us would be together before welcoming a new member into our family. The realization was bittersweet, blending the emotions of farewell and anticipation for what was ahead.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 83
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