Day 621: July 15, 2023
Saturday – Father and Daughter Road Trip 5: Northeastern Hokkaido Trip Day 1
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| Father and Daughter Road Trip 5 |
It was a cloudy morning in Rumoi City as Ella and I prepared for our road trip adventure across various municipalities in Hokkaido, Japan. Despite the weather forecast predicting rain in the afternoon, we were determined to make the most of our long weekend, as this coming Monday is Marine Day, which is a holiday here in Japan. Our original plan was to camp throughout the weekend, but due to the predicted rainy weather, we came up with the idea of finding a free camping area and sleeping in the car instead.
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| Banana Pavilion |
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| Inside Banana Pavilion |
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| Tropical rainforest experience |
Leaving Rumoi City at 8:30 AM, our first stop was Asahikawa City (旭川市), a vibrant urban center in Hokkaido. We visited several noteworthy places, including the Asahikawa City Gesuishori Center, which is a sewage treatment center on the outskirts of the city. We didn’t go there to see waste, though; we went there to check out the Banana Pavilion.
In addition to admiring tropical plants, we added an Asahikawa manhole card to our collection, showcasing the city's bronze manhole cover. Naturally, we took a photo of the bronze Asahikawa manhole cover, which is located in front of the Asahikawa City Gesuishori Center.  |
| Nakane Dermatology Clinic |
We also stopped by the Asahikawa Roadside Station, a hub for local produce, crafts, and culinary delights, for a quick toilet break. Lastly, Ella had her appointment at Nakane Dermatology Clinic, which was the main purpose of our visit to Asahikawa City.  |
| Modasekiyu R 39 Tomaten |
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| Densuke watermelons |
Heading out of Asahikawa, we ventured to the charming town of Toma (当麻町), which is known for its delicious densuke watermelons. Despite our brief stay, we made sure to visit Toma Roadside Station, a popular rest area where visitors can unwind and sample local delicacies.
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| Ella ordered the shoyu ramen... |
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| I got the ginger ramen from the Toma Roadside Station Restaurant |
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| We bought the watermelon soft cream for dessert |
We indulged in bowls of ginger ramen and shoyu ramen at Toma Roadside Station Restaurant. To satisfy our sweet cravings, we treated ourselves to watermelon soft cream, a refreshing dessert option that is the most popular dessert product.
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| Driving through Route 61 |
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| Iwaonaikotenbo Parking Lot |
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| Route 61 and Iwaonai Bridge |
Continuing our journey, we made a short stop at the Iwaonaikotenbo Parking Lot in Shibetsu City (士別市). This break allowed us to stretch our legs and take in the scenic surroundings before embarking on a longer drive to the town of Shimokawa (下川町).
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| Welcome to Shimokawa |
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| Shimokawa Bustling Square |
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| Shimokawa Shrine's torii gate |
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| Shimokawa Shrine |
This was our first time visiting Shimokawa, and we were eager to explore its attractions. We paid a visit to the Shimokawa Bustling Square, a picturesque train station that offers a glimpse into the local transportation system. We also visited Shimokawa Shrine, a place of cultural significance, to pay respects and offer prayers as part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals.
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| Keirinkan |
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| Inside the Keirinkan |
After that, we headed to the nearby Municipal Keirinkan, a community center that hosts various events and activities, to see what it had to offer. We found out that it was almost empty except for the small library and a piano inside.
While our original itinerary included visits to Sakuragaoka Park and Zo no Hana Forest Park Observation Deck, the inclement weather prevented us from experiencing these outdoor attractions. Undeterred, we left Shimokawa and set our sights on the village of Nishiokoppe (西興部村), another new destination for us.
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| Nishiokoppe Roadside Station |
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| We tried the chocolate mix soft cream, which the roadside station is known for |
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| A photo with Setoshi-kun, Nishiokoppe's mascot |
Our first stop in Nishiokoppe was the Nishiokoppe Roadside Station, where we indulged in milk chocolate mix soft cream, a local specialty.
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| Kamiokoppe Railway Museum |
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| The preserved diesel train at Kamiokoppe Railway Museum |
Next, we visited the Kamiokoppe Railway Museum, which highlights the history and importance of rail transport in the village. Since it was raining when we arrived, our stay was brief, and we eventually decided to continue driving to the village proper.
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| Nishiokoppe Village Local Museum |
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| Inside Nishiokoppe Village Local Museum |
When we got to the village, we went to the Nishiokoppe Village Folk Museum, an immersive experience that offers insight into the rich cultural heritage and history of Nishiokoppe. What's more amazing is that it's free to enter that why didn't miss it out.
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| Hotel Rimu |
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| We enjoyed the onsen of Hotel Rimu |
After we had explored the museum, Ella and I decided to have a relaxing dip in the onsen of Hotel Rimu. We paid a nominal fee of 500 yen per person to enjoy the soothing waters, which left us feeling rejuvenated. The onsen's impeccable cleanliness impressed us, and we couldn't resist taking advantage of the tatami rest area and coin-operated massage chair for additional relaxation. |
| Seicomart Nishiokoppe |
Having worked up an appetite, we planned to dine at Hungry Hall (はらぺこ堂) but discovered that it had already closed for the day. With no more options available, we purchased food from Seicomart Nishiokoppe, and we settled in at the Nishiokoppe Forest Park Camping Ground's parking area to enjoy our dinner. Exhausted from the day's adventures, we decided to forego watching a movie and instead opted for a single episode of the 5th season of Slam Dunk.
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| Time to call it a night! See you in tomorrow's adventures! |
Reflecting on the day, we were pleased with our exploration of two new municipalities – Shimokawa and Nishiokoppe – as well as our return visits to Asahikawa and Toma. The next day promised further adventures as we planned to drive eastward and visit and explore three more municipalities for the first time. Stay tuned for the continuation of our Northeastern Road Trip!Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 89
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 89
Japan Diaries 4: Day 622
Banana Pavilion
Asahikawa Roadside Station
Toma Roadside Station
Shimokawa Bustling Square
Shimokawa Shrine
Keirinkan
Nishiokoppe Roadside Station
Kamiokoppe Railway Museum
Nishiokoppe Village Folk Museum
Hotel Rimu
Nishiokoppe Forest Park Camping Ground
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