Thank you for the 365 days we’ve journeyed together. It has truly been a
memorable year. Just like the one before, you brought countless blessings and
new travel adventures into my life, for which I am deeply grateful.
Let's look back and see what milestones we've crossed and
achieved this year.
1. This year, there were 377 published articles (That's 7 more articles than last year 😄😄).
2. I have reached a total of 4.8 million views (That's 800K new
views this year).
3. I got my contract renewed as an ALT under the JET
Programme. I’m officially in my 5th year as an ALT. This year is also my last
full year as an ALT for Rumoi Subprefecture.
4. I received a special mention from Japanese Ambassador to
the Philippines Endo Kazuya during his speech at the 2025 JET Programme
Fellowship Reception on July 26, 2025.
5. I passed my JLPT N5 test! This achievement has boosted my confidence. It’s my first step toward my goal, and I hope that in the future, I’ll be able to speak Japanese fluently. 😍
6. My New Kamalayang Panlipunan 4 and 6 under Abiva Publishing House was published. I now have 7 published works.
Welcome to the family, Riri
7. We bought a new car—a Nissan Serena, which we fondly named Riri. We also sold our trusted Suzuki Swift, Ruru, since we can’t manage two vehicles.
I made myself into an anime character, and this would be the "mascot" of The Backpack Adventures
8. Exactly on July 1, I launched the official Facebook page of The Backpack Adventures. At first, I felt a bit sad that fewer than a thousand of my friends followed after my initial invite. But I was pleasantly surprised when many long-time readers of my blog began to follow the page. I also promoted it across various other pages. By the end of the year, the page had grown to more than 5,000 followers.
Speaking of travels, here are the highlights of my travels
for each month last year:
January 1 - Kai was finally out of the hospital after being confined for several days
February 8- Team Nicerio visits Aizan Museum, Aibetsu
February 8 - Team Nicerio enjoys the Sounkyo Ice Fall Festival in Kamikawa
February 8 - Team Nicerio enjoys the Asahikawa Winter Festival Day 1
February 9 - Asahikawa Winter Festival Day 2
February 11 - Dined at Ramen Tonta in Shintotsukawa
🌜February
March 2- Pipa no Yu Yurinkan, Bibai City
March 15 - Ella's Graduation from Midorigaoka Elementary School
March 22- Chippubetsu weekend trip
March 23 - Morinoyu Hotel Hanakagura, Higashikagura
March 30 to 31 - 2-Day Birthday Road Trip to Otaru
🌜 March
April 18 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 1, Chitose & Sapporo
April 19- Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 2, Sapporo
April 20 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 3, Sapporo & Ishikari
April 21 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 4, Rumoi
April 22 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 5, Wakkanai
April 23 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 6, Sapporo
April 24 - Team Nicerio Road Trip Day 7, Chitose
April 28 - Senba Park
🌜 April
May 5 - Hanami at Kitoushi Forest Park Family Travel Village
May 5 - Kitoshi Observatory
May 17 - Kamiyubetsu Tulip Festival 2025
May 17 - Black soft cream at Engaru Forest Okhotsk Roadside Station
May 18 - Gokazan Park Camping Grounds
May 18 - Monbetsu Crab Claw Statue
May 18 - Takinoue Shibazakura Festival 2025
May 18 - Side trip to Toma Roadside Station
🌜 May
June 21 - Rumoi Shrine
June 21 - Chairumo
June 22 - Asagiri port visit
June 22 - Rumoi Taishi Festival 2025
June 28 - Akabira Tokugawa Castle
June 28 - Ashibetsu Catbus
June 28 - Camping at Kanayamakohan Camping Ground
June 28 - Swimming at Mina-Mina Beach in Shimukappu
June 29 - Lake Kanayama Lavender Field
June 29 - Furano Cheese Factory
June 29 - Furano City Museum
🌜 June
July 5 - We celebrated Kai's 2nd Birthday
July 5 - I attended what would probably be my last Rumoi High School Festival
July 6 - I visited Uryu Ricefield Art for the first time
July 6 - Took my N5 JLPT test at Sapporo Convention Center
July 19 - Asahikawa Family bonding trip
July 20 - Conquered Hokkaido's highest peak - Asahidake with my friends
July 21 - Blueberry picking at Mashike
July 26 - We attended the Rumoi Dontou Festival despite the continuous rains
July 27 - Solo onsen trip to Asahi Onsen in Embetsu
🌜 July
August 3 - We attended the Hokuryu Sunflower Festival in the town of Hokuryu
August 3 - We visited the Asahikawa Rice Field Art 2025 in Asahikawa City
August 10 - Rumoi Block karaoke night at Karaoke Utaya in Rumoi City
August 11 - We watched the Rumoi Fireworks Festival at Rumoi Port, Rumoi City
August 13 - Obon Road Trip D1 - We revisited the town of Yoichi
August 13 - Obon Road Trip D1 - We visited the newest roadside station of Hokkaido - Furubira Roadside Station in Furubira
August 13 - Obon Road Trip D1 - We camped at Bikuni Kodomari Campsite in Shakotan
August 14 - Obon Road Trip D2 - Onsen at Kyogoku Hot Springs and Community Center in Kyogoku
August 14 - Obon Road Trip Day 2 - We camped at Kyogoku Three U park Camping Ground for two days
August 15 - Obon Road Trip Day 3 - We visited Fukidashi Park in Kyowa
August 15 - Obon Road Trip Day 3 - Quick visit to Roadside Rest Area "Bōyō-Nakayama" in Kimobetsu
August 15 - Obon Road Trip Day 3 - We visited Hamamasu Local Museum in Ishikari City
August 24 - BBQ bonding with Matsuda-sensei and his family at Reuke Farm in Rumoi City
August 25 - The JLPT test results are out. I passed N5. It's the lowest proficiency level, but it made me more confident in learning Japanese.
August 31 - Bonding with Kai and Ella at Senba Park in Rumoi City
🌜August
September 6 - Bonding with ALTs at Karakure in the town of Obira
September 15 - Family day at Asahikawa Science Museum
September 20 - We visited the Takikawa Folk Museum in Takikawa City
September 20 - Visited Oohata Meatshop in Shintotsukawa to buy high-quality meat for our visit to Ebata-sensei
September 20 - Dinner with Ebata-sensei in Rumoi City
September 23 - Blueberry picking at Maruzen Sato Orchard in Mashike
September 23 - Family bonding in Senba Park in Rumoi City
September 23 - Transferred to Takasago Park for our afternoon family bonding in Rumoi City
September 28 - Walking along Rumoi River
🌜September
October 4 - Side trip to the Urausu Local History Museum in the town of Urausu
October 4 - Side trip to Osokinai Shrine in Urausu on my way to New Chitose Airport
October 4 - Went to New Chitose Airport in Chitose City for my flight to Kumatori in Osaka
October 5 - Stopover at Shima Cafe in Osaka City while looking for a suitable parking area for our visit to EXPO 25
October 6 - Visited the EXPO 2025 with the Kameyama Family
October 6 - Late-night ramen at Ichiran Ramen in Izumiotsu City
October 7 - Breakfast at Sakura Cafe in Izumisano City
October 7 - Quick visit to Pokémon Store New Chitose Airport in Chitose City
October 12 - Family bonding at AEON Mall West Store in Asahikawa City
October 13 - Kai's play day at Chairumo in Rumoi City
October 18 - Father and Daughter trip to Sensai no Yu-En in Chitose City after driving my wife and Kai to the airport for their vacation to the Philippines
October 18 - Dinner at Tamafuji in Chitose City
October 19 - "Car-ping" at Chitose Roadside Station
October 19 - Watched the salmon swim upriver at Chitose River
October 19 - Explored and enjoyed the Chitose Aquarium in Chitose City
October 19 - Visited the Kuriyama Town Pioneer Museum in the town of Kuriyama
October 19 - Visited Yutarikkan in the town of Yuni
October 19 - Paid respects to the guardian of the town at Hokuryu Shrine in Numata town
October 31 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D1 - Toma Town Local History Museum in the town of Toma
🌜October
November 1 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D2 - Yubetsu Shrine in Yubetsu
November 1 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D2 - Kerochikotsu Park in Yubetsu
November 1 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D2 - Saroma Roadside Station in Saroma
November 1 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D2 - Abashiri Folk Museum in Abashiri City
November 1 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D2 - Onsen and "Car-ping" at Kiyosato Roadside Station in Kiyosato
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - Kiyosato Space Observatory in Kiyosato
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - Memorial Hall of Sister Cities in Shari
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - Betsukari Roadside Station in Betsukari
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - Mt. Io in Teshikaga
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - Tsubetsu Wood Craft Museum Kinos in Tsubetsu
November 2 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D3 - "Car-ping" at Kitami Roadside Station in Kitami City
November 3 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D4 - Sounkyo in Kamikawa
November 3 - Culture Day 2025 Road Trip D4 - Osamunai Shrine in Fukagawa City
November 8 - Iemanja Concert in Rumoi City
November 15 - Sunagawa City Local Reference Room in Sunagawa City
November 15 - 711 series EMU (Red Train) in Iwamizawa City
November 15 - Yuni Town Cultural Exchange Center in Yuni
November 15 - Team Nicerio Reunited at New Chitose Airport in Chitose City
🌜 November
December 16 - Rumoi English Conversation Club bounenkai in Rumoi City
December 19 - Overnight stay at Teshio Onsen Yubae in Teshio
🌜December
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sorrowful truth that this year has not ended without loss. We said goodbye to two remarkable souls who inspired me and embodied the values I hold dear—Judge Frank Caprio and Charlie Kirk. I also lost a dear friend, Mate Hart, who tragically passed away in a boating accident in Europe. May he rest in peace.
As we reflect on their lives, may we cherish the joy they brought, the lessons they taught, and the love they shared so generously. Though their absence leaves a deep ache, their legacy will continue to guide and uplift us. Let us honor them by carrying forward the kindness and strength they embodied.
With a heart still heavy but filled with hope, I now look toward 2026. May it bring brighter days, renewed strength, and fresh opportunities. Farewell, 2025—thank you for the memories, both joyous and bittersweet.
Kuriyama Park ( 栗山公園 ) is a spacious public park in the town of Kuriyama. The park is located at 2 Chome-38-16 Sakuraoka in the town of Kuriyama, Yubari District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Kuriyama Park Kuriyama Park Details Located at the foot of Mt. Daishi in Hokkaido, Kuriyama Park is a scenic and family-friendly destination that attracts over 102,000 visitors annually. Spanning an impressive 24 hectares—roughly the size of five Sapporo Domes—this expansive park offers a delightful mix of nature, recreational activities, and seasonal beauty, making it a must-visit spot for anyone exploring Hokkaido. Kuriyama Park - Kuriyama town, Hokkaido Prefecture Key Attractions at Kuriyama Park Welcome to 栗山公園 Kuriyama Park map Kuriyama town 's tourist map Nakayoshi Zoo: A Fun, Free Experience for All Ages Nakayoshi Zoo Animal feeding activity in Nakayoshi Zoo A major highlight of Kuriyama Park is the Nakayoshi Zoo , which offers free entry and is home to a var...
Shari Shrine ( 斜里神社 ) is one of the main shrines of the town of Shari. It is located at 44-2 Honmachi in the town of Shari, Shari District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Shari Shrine Shari Shrine Details Shari Shrine stands as a testament to the town's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Founded on August 21, 1795, by Murayama Denbei , a sushi restaurant contractor, the shrine has been a symbol of protection and prosperity for the community. Shari Shrine - Shari town, Hokkaido Prefecture A Shrine Rooted in Maritime Tradition Initially revered as a guardian deity for bountiful catches and maritime safety, Shari Shrine ’s significance grew alongside the town’s development. In 1836, stone lanterns were donated by Mikami Banshichi and Sumiyoshimaru Seiroku , subordinates of Tonoju, further solidifying the shrine's place as a spiritual anchor for the fishing community. Shari Shrine 's main torii gate 斜里神社 One of Shari Shrine 's chozuya Shari Shrine 's choz...
10 Things to Do in Kaizuka City Kaizuka ( 貝塚市 ) is a city in Osaka Prefecture, Japan . Kaizuka City was established on April 1, 1889, and became a city on October 1, 1943. The city is historically known for its production of wooden combs made from boxwood. The kanji used for its name kai ( 貝 ) means shellfish and zuka ( 塚 ) means mound. For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Kaizuka City : Kaizuka City manhole cover 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Kaizuka City . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is common around the city. Kanda Shrine 2. Visit the Kanda Shrine ( 感田神社 ). It’s located near Kaizuka Station and can easily be reached on foot. It’s a popular shrine among locals so please make sure to keep the peace or the place. This shrine also celebrates the Taikodai Festival so if you time your visit in July then you might be able to witness it. You can also pay your respects and offer praye...
Fugoppe Cave ( フゴッペ洞窟 ) is a cultural protection and exhibition facility located at 87 Sakaemachi in the town of Yoichi, Yoichi District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Fugoppe Cave Fugoppe Cave Details Tucked into the quiet hillside of Maruyama near National Road 5 in the outskirts of the town of Yoichi, Fugoppe Cave is one of Japan’s most mysterious and historically significant archaeological sites. Designated a National Historic Site on November 14, 1953 , this ancient cave offers a rare glimpse into post-Jomon period life through more than 800 rock carvings etched into its sandstone walls. Fugoppe Cave - Yoichi town, Hokkaido Prefecture What makes Fugoppe Cave truly exceptional is its rarity— only one other site in the entire Japanese archipelago , Temiya Cave in nearby Otaru, contains similar carvings. Among the more than 700 known cave sites across Japan, Fugoppe stands out as a unique treasure of prehistoric artistry and cultural expression. Location and Discovery ...
Bifuka Roadside Station ( 道の駅 びふか ) is one of the 128 roadside stations all over Hokkaido. It is located at 307-1 Ote, in the town of Bifuka in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Bifuka Roadside Station Bifuka Roadside Station details Conveniently located on National Route 4, Bifuka Roadside Station offers visitors an enchanting experience with its medieval European castle-style building, designed by a renowned Italian architect. Situated against the backdrop of Bifuka Forest Park and the flowing Teshio River, this station boasts numerous outdoor amenities including hot springs, campgrounds, and cozy cottages. Bifuka Roadside Station was one of the first to be registered as a roadside station in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, giving it registration number 5. Bifuka Roadside Station - Bifuka town, Hokkaido Prefecture Bifuka Roadside Station takes pride in its extensive selection of local delicacies, highlighting specialties like "Mori no Shizuku," a refreshing ...
Located upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay and within the Singapore River Planning Area, Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore that has become quite famous to tourists for its nightlife and food. Clarke Quay Clarke Quay History Clarke Quay and the street next to it -Clarke Street, was named after Sir Andrew Clarke . He was Singapore's second governor who was known for playing a key role in making Singapore a major port among the Malay colonies in the late 17th century. It played a huge part in the prosperity of Singapore during colonial times. Clarke Quay - Singapore Warehouses were built in Clarke Quay for the tons of goods that were transported daily from the commercial center in Boat Quay. However, it was during this time that the Singapore River became heavily polluted. Because of this, the government decided to relocate the cargo services to a new modern facility in Pasir Panjang in the 20th century, and because o...
Updated: October 30, 2020 Our adventure today will take us 46.11 kilometers south from kilometer 0 in Manila. The historic atmosphere still lingers due to the historical landmarks that you can see all around this place. One of the most famous landmarks this city has to offer is the Rizal Shine or more popularly known as Rizal's house. However I'm not here to give you a history adventure but instead, I will tell you the different side of this city. 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa Calamba City in the province of Laguna is a city that has more resorts than the number of days in a year. Because of the fast-growing number of resorts (661 and counting), this city earned the nickname Resort Capital of the Philippines. 88 Hotspring Resort and Spa - Calamba, Laguna Travelers and resort seekers who didn't read my blog The Adventurer's List would surely be unprepared for what's to come. It would surely take a day for you to choose and pick the most suitable reso...
Pokémon Center Sapporo ( ポケモンセンターサッポロ ) is the 25th Pokémon Center spread across Japan and is one of the two in Hokkaido. It is located on the 8th floor, Daimaru Sapporo Store, 4-7 Kita 5-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku in Sapporo City, Japan . Pokémon Center Sapporo Pokemon Center Sapporo Details Located on the 8th floor of Daimaru Sapporo Store , Pokémon Center Sapporo is a haven for Pokémon enthusiasts of all ages. Since its initial opening on March 6, 2009, the store has undergone a couple of relocations—from Sapporo Esta 9F on December 1, 2016, to its current convenient location near Sapporo Station. Pokemon Center Sapporo - Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a delightful statue of Pikachu, Alolan Vulpix, and Sobble, setting the tone for an exciting shopping experience. Despite being smaller compared to other Pokémon Centers in Japan, the store boasts a wide range of merchandise, including plushies, battle cards, apparel, and even the latest Pokém...
Located in the heart of Bulusan Volcano National Park in the town of Bulusan, Sorsogon, Bulusan Lake is an elevated lake that currently serves as one of the province's top eco-tourism destinations. Bulusan Lake Bulusan Lake Details With an elevation of 360 meters or 1180 feet, Lake Bulusan is believed by some to be one of the former craters of the still active Mt. Bulusan (Bulusan Volcano) . After driving for several kilometers, we finally found saw the signage that points us to our destination... Continue driving for 1.7 kilometers through this scenic road until you reach the parking area at the end of the road. Presently, the lake and the forest surrounding it are transformed into an eco-tourism destination. The entrance to the lake is found on its southeastern side and a road was paved to connect the lake to Maharlika Highway hence the possibility to bring your car along. However, keep in mind that parking here is limited so better come early to get...
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...
.jpg "November 15 - 711 series EMU (Red Train) in Iwamizawa City")
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