Day 623: July 17, 2023
Monday – Father and Daughter Road Trip 5: Northeastern Hokkaido Trip Day 3
Today is Marine Day (海の日), a special public holiday here in Japan. It also marks the final day of our unforgettable “Northeastern Hokkaido Trip”. We began our day at the picturesque Kutcharo Lakeside Campground in the charming town of Hamatombetsu (浜頓別町). Despite the persistent rain, we embraced the adventure that awaited us and made some modifications to our itinerary before embarking on our journey.
Before bidding farewell to Hamatombetsu, we made a brief stop at the Hamatombetsu Roadside Station. The cold wind at the lakeside campground had made it a challenge to step out of the car, so we took the opportunity to freshen up and organize our belongings for the road ahead at the warmth of the roadside station. |
| F104 jet plane |
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| Ella is on one of the obstacle courses in the park |
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| SL 49648 |
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| Our car Ruru, looks like another display in the park |
Our next destination was the town of Nakatombetsu (中頓別町), which we were revisiting for the second time. During our previous visit, we had only managed to visit and explore the shrine and the roadside station. This time, we were determined to make the most of our stay and visit the places we had missed. Our itinerary included the expansive Kotobuki Park, designed for children, where we marveled at the restored SL 49648 and F104 jet plane displayed within its grounds. The park also boasted a golf course and a thrilling go-kart track. |
| Former Nakatombetsu Station, now Nakatombetsu Bus Stop |
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| Inside the Nakatombetsu Bus Stop |
We also made sure to visit the Former Nakatombetsu Station, a beautifully restored building that once served as a train station but now functions as a bus station. It is now part of the Tenpoku Line Memorial Park. Witnessing the preservation of history in such a tangible way was fascinating.
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| A replica of the 100-gram gold nugget from the town's river. |
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| Thank you so much, Junko-san! |
Our curiosity led us to the Nakatombetsu Town Local History Museum, where we had the pleasure of meeting Junko-san, a friendly volunteer who shared captivating stories about the town's rich history. She was kind enough to tour us through the museum.
Before bidding farewell to Nakatombetsu, we couldn't resist revisiting the Roadside Station "Pinneshiri." On our previous visit, Ella had missed out on acquiring the roadside station stamp, so it was an opportunity for us to complete our collection.
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| Tenpoku Line Reference Room |
From there, we embarked on a journey to revisit the village of Otoineppu (音威子府村). Our exploration of the village included stops at the Otoineppu Roadside Station, the Tenpoku Line Reference Room, where we delved into the history of the Tenpoku Line connecting the village to Wakkanai via the Sea of Okhotsk.
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| One of the museum's most popular exhibits |
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| There are artisans who do woodwork in one of the warehouses near the museum |
Our last stop in the village was the Eco Museum Osashima Center, where we admired the intricate woodwork of the late Bikki Sunazawa. It was surprisingly a beautiful museum in the outskirts of Ottoinepu.
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| Welcome to Nakagawa |
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| Nakagawa manhole cover |
Our main destination for the day was the tranquil town of Nakagawa (中川町), which we were visiting for the first time. We had missed it on our previous "Drive Up North Road Trip" due to its secluded location.
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| Nakagawa Roadside Station |
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| Stamina Baked Katsu Curry |
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| Homemade Haskap Soft Cream |
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| Stamina Hormone Ramen |
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| We got the Nakagawa Roadside Station stamp |
Our Nakagawa adventure included a visit to the Nakagawa Roadside Station, where we indulged in the flavors of the region, trying the Stamina Hormone Ramen, Stamina Baked Katsu Curry, and the delicious Homemade Haskap Soft Cream. My daughter and I didn't forget to get the stamp of the roadside station for our stamp collection.
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| Exploring the town of Nakagawa |
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| Teshio-Nakagawa Station |
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| Nakagawa Shrine's torii gate |
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| Nakagawa Shrine |
We also explored the Teshio-Nakagawa Station, a charming spot that exuded a nostalgic atmosphere, and before leaving the town, we paid our respects at the Nakagawa Shrine, which is part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals of visiting a main shrine of a municipality that we visited for the first time.
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| Nakagawa Eco Museum Center |
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| Ella had fun digging for dinosaurs |
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| Nakagawa Eco Museum Center exhibits |
Our last stop in Nakagawa was the Nakagawa Eco Museum Center. Once a school, it has been transformed into a museum showcasing fossils and other historical artifacts for which Nakagawa is renowned. I highly recommend visiting this place if you’re interested in exploring the prehistory of not just Nakagawa but also Hokkaido.
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| Quick stop at Shosanbetsu village |
With the clock nearing 2:50 PM, we had initially planned to relax and rejuvenate at either the Asahi Onsen in the town of Embetsu or the Shasanbetsu Onsen Hotel Misaki no Yu in the village of Shosanbetsu. However, considering the risk of driving in the dark along the Ororon Line, known for its active deer population, we decided to prioritize safety and forgo the hot springs. Nevertheless, we couldn't resist making a brief stop at Shosanbetsu village, capturing a photograph of the colored Shosanbetsu manhole cover as a memento of our journey and as part of my growing collection of unique manhole covers of Japan.We got home around 4 PM, tired but happy from our adventure. After unpacking, I quickly took care of the laundry. Later, my daughter and I relaxed by binge-watching the sixth season of the Japanese anime Slam Dunk. It was the perfect way to end the day.
Looking back on our Northeastern Hokkaido trip, I feel grateful for the memories we made and the amazing places we explored. Each town and village had something special to offer, showcasing the region’s culture and natural beauty. Until our next trip, I’ll treasure these memories and look forward to the adventures ahead.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 90
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 90Japan Diaries 4: Day 627
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