Day 622: July 16, 2023
Saturday – Father and Daughter Road Trip 5: Northeastern Hokkaido Trip Day 2
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| It was our first time sleeping in the car, and it was very memorable |
It’s the 2nd Day of our “Father and Daughter Road Trip 5: Northeastern Hokkaido Trip” and like yesterday, it was rainy. The rain didn't dampen our spirits, though, as we embarked on a journey through the lesser-known towns of northeastern Hokkaido.
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| Nishiokoppe Shrine's torii gate |
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| Nishiokoppe Shrine |
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| We passed by the Nishiokoppe Village Local Museum on our drive out of the village |
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| We detoured a bit at Seicomart Nishiokoppe to buy breakfast |
From Nishiokoppe Forest Park Campsite, we headed up the hill where Nishiokoppe Shrine was located. As part of our family tradition, we paid our respects and offered prayers. We also made several wishes before leaving. What I like about this shrine is that it has a serene surrounding, which allowed us a moment of introspection that would set the tone for the rest of our adventure.
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| Saruru Shrine's torii gate |
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| Saruru Shrine |
We then drove out of the town proper to visit Saruru Shrine in the Saruru District several kilometers south. It was an unmanned shrine, but it was equally important to the locals. We also offered prayers here.
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| Saruru's Pioneer Origin Monument |
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| Saruru Beach |
We also had the chance to visit the Pioneer Origin Monument by Saruru Beach, which commemorates the town's early settlers in the Saruru District. The area where the monument stands is quite scenic. Sadly, the dark clouds, strong winds, and strong waves made it feel like it was a dangerous place to be.
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| Okoppe Roadside Station |
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| Okoppe's milk soft cream |
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| Okoppe Transportation Memorial Museum |
From there, we drove back to the Okoppe Roadside Station in the town proper. At the roadside station, we stumbled upon a bit of the town’s transportation history – the Okoppe Transportation Memorial Museum. To satisfy our sweet tooth, we indulged in the delectable milk soft cream, a local specialty.
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| Joy Park |
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| D51 365's driving wheels |
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| Rugosa Express |
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| Inside Rugosa Express |
Outside the roadside station was the vast park called Joy Park. There were several unique things to see, like the Steam locomotive D51 365's driving wheels and the repurposed Rugosa Express, which serves as free lodging for those who want to use it for the night.
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| Okoppe Town Hall |
Before leaving the town, we made a short visit to the Okoppe Town Hall to take a photo of the Okoppe colored manhole cover displayed near its entrance. These artistic manhole covers have always been one of the things that I look for when we visit a new municipality in Japan.
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| Omu Shrine's torii gate |
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| Omu Shrine |
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| Omu Roadside Station |
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| Omu Roadside Station observation deck |
We then drove to the Omu Roadside Station, and we were delighted to discover the Omu manhole card, a collectible that reminded us of our journey through these remarkable towns. Surprisingly, the Omu colored manhole cover is also inside the roadside station, so it's like hitting two birds with one stone. Of course, we didn’t miss the roadside station stamp for our Hokkaido Stamp Rally collection.  |
| Roadside Rest Area "Marine Island Okashima” |
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| Ella ordered the seafood curry set for lunch |
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| Had a photo with Esashi-kun, the town's mascot |
Our next destination was Esashi (枝幸町), a town steeped in history and nature. At the Esashi Roadside Station, officially called Roadside Rest Area "Marine Island Okashima”, we savored the seafood set curry and hot curry, local delicacies that satisfied our hunger. We didn't miss out on collecting the roadside station stamp for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally.
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| Mt. Mikasa Tenbokaku Observatory |
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| Since the view was covered with fog, we just enjoyed a drink in the cafe inside the observatory |
We then drove up to the peak of Mt. Mikasa to see the famed view from the Mt. Mikasa Tenbokaku Observatory. Sadly, the mountain was covered in fog which also obstructed the view. With that, we just enjoyed the Twice float and Mystery float in the cafe inside the observatory, which were both eye-pleasing and refreshing drinks.
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| Okhotsk Museum Esashi |
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| Inside the Okhotsk Museum Esashi |
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| Esashi Itsukushima Shrine's torii gate |
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| Esashi Itsukushima Shrine |
From there, we went to Esashi Itsukushima Shrine, with its revered torii gate, offering a spiritual experience. This is the last shrine in our itinerary for today.
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| Apollo Station Esashi |
Before leaving the town proper, I decided to fill up the tank at Apollo Station Esashi. It was a wise decision as the gas stations along the way were already closed. |
| Usutaibe Senjoiwa Rock |
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| We wanted to go down there too, but the rocks were slippery and we didn't want to risk it. |
To wrap up our exploration of Esashi, we made a brief stop at Usutaibe Senjoiwa Camping Ground to view the Usutaibe Senjoiwa Rock. Upon seeing it, we were in awe of its mesmerizing rock formations. However, the rain intensified, forcing us to skip other stops in Esashi. Instead, we headed to Sarufutsu Park Camping Ground in the village of Sarufutsu (猿払村) for our planned overnight stay.
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| Sarufutsu Tourism Festival at Sarufutsu Park Camping Ground |
To our surprise, the camping ground was the main venue for the Sarufutsu Tourism Festival. Despite the cold wind and rain, we watched the festival briefly before seeking shelter at the Sarufutsu Roadside Station. Unfortunately, plans to visit Hotel Sarufutsu for a day spa were dashed as it was closed due to the event.
Undeterred, we decided to drive to the town of Hamatombetsu (浜頓別町) for our overnight stay. We have already camped here last year, so we were familiar with the Kutcharo Lakeside Campground. It proved to be a welcoming retreat, with only a few campers present.
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| Hamatombetsu Onsen Foot Bath |
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| It's onsen time! |
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| All fresh and ready to call it a day |
Before settling in, we made a detour to the Hamatombetsu Onsen Foot Bath, a missed opportunity from our previous visit. The foot bath provided a blissful respite, followed by a visit to Hamatombetsu Onsen Wing, where we indulged in the rejuvenating waters of its day spa facility.
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| Seicomart Hamatombetsu Midorigaoka |
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| Time to call it a day. Good night, everyone! See you all on the last day of our 3-day adventure! |
Our hunger beckoned us to Seicomart Hamatombetsu Midorigaoka, where we purchased food for dinner. Back at Kutcharo Lakeside Campground, we dined while immersing ourselves in the nostalgic anime series Slam Dunk.Although the rain obscured our view of Kutcharo Lake, our experience was still enriched by the unique destinations we explored and the moments of tranquility and discovery we cherished along the way. The hidden gems of Japan's northern region have left an indelible mark on our hearts, making us yearn for future adventures in uncharted territories. Please join us for the last day of our Northeastern Road Trip tomorrow.Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 89
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 89
Japan Diaries 4: Day 621
%20manhole%20cover%201.jpg "Esashi manhole cover # 1")
%20manhole%20cover%202.jpg "Esashi manhole cover #2")
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