Weekend 91: July 29 – 30, 2023
Day 635: July 29, 2023
Saturday – Sibling Road Trip 5
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| Sibling Road Trip 5 |
Today was an absolutely beautiful day, filled with both joy and a tinge of sadness. It marked the last full day of my siblings' visit here, and we made sure to make the most of it with an exciting road trip to the neighboring town of Mashike.
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| Former Mashike Station |
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| Inside the Former Mashike Station |
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| The former Rumoi Line that leads to Mashike from Rumoi City |
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| Mashike Station was the last stop of the Rumoi Line |
The morning sun greeted us warmly as we set off from Rumoi City around 11 AM, all eager to explore the charm of the town of Mashike. Our first stop was the historic Former Mashike Station, steeped in history and character.
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| The Former Tomidaya Ryokan |
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| Inside the Former Tomidaya Ryokan |
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| Kazemachishokudo Information Center |
From there, we strolled to the Kazemachishokudo Information Center, where we discovered intriguing details about the town's cultural heritage. We also captured some photos inside, the iconic filming location of Ken Takakura's movie Eki Station.  |
| Former Merchant Maruichi Honma Residence |
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| Team Nicerio inside the Former Merchant Maruichi Honma Residence |
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| Inside Former Merchant Maruichi Honma Residence |
Just a few meters away stands the Former Merchant Maruichi Honma Residence, a remarkable symbol of the region's historical prosperity. We took our time exploring this surprisingly spacious site, which featured numerous fascinating exhibits
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| Kunimare Sake Brewery |
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| Free sake tasting |
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| We also tried the sake ice cream |
We couldn't miss the opportunity to visit the renowned Kunimare Sake Brewery, indulging in the flavors of local craftsmanship. It's sad that I wasn't able to try the sake as I was driving, but I'm happy my siblings were able to try it.
We then made a brief stop at Mashike Itsukushima Shrine, a peaceful haven within the lively town, to pay our respects and offer prayers.
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| Maruzen Sato Orchard |
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| It's blueberry season when we visited, so we indulged ourselves with as many blueberries as we could eat |
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| We were also able to do some cherry picking during our visit. |
Later in the day, we arrived at the charming Maruzen Sato Orchard, where we enjoyed picking blueberries and cherries, relishing the fresh flavors of nature.
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| Rumoi Donto Festival 2023 |
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| One of the large andon floats of the festival |
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| This is my favorite andon float |
Around 4 PM, we returned to Rumoi City, enjoying the short drive as a chance to rest and freshen up before the evening’s festivities. The highlight of the night awaited us in Honcho 2 District—the much-anticipated Rumoi Dontou Festival 2023. After a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the festival returned in all its glory, and my siblings were lucky to experience this grand celebration during their brief visit.
As illuminated floats gracefully paraded by, the atmosphere came alive with laughter, cheers, and the city’s vibrant energy. It was truly heartwarming to see the community reunite in a joyous celebration of life and tradition.
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| Dinner at Sukiya before going home. |
As night fell, we ended the day with a heartwarming dinner at Sukiya, generously treated by my sister Aya. Back home, my siblings packed for their departure, making the evening bittersweet as we reflected on our cherished time together. Though their departure brings mixed emotions, the love, laughter, and unforgettable moments will remain close to my heart.
Day 636: July 30, 2023
Sunday – Farewell, Pat & Aya / Hello, KC & Kai
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| Last drive with my siblings for their visit to Hokkaido |
Today was a mix of emotions, as the cloudy skies matched the sadness of saying goodbye to my beloved siblings. It marked their departure back to the Philippines, and we had an early start, leaving Rumoi City at 5:50 AM to head towards New Chitose Airport in Chitose City. Although it was time to bid farewell, I wanted to make their last moments in Japan special, so we opted for the longer coastal route via Mashike and Ishikari City, promising them scenic views along the way.
During our coastal drive, we made a brief stop at the picturesque Shirogane Falls in Ishikari City. The beauty of the cascading water amidst lush greenery provided a serene moment to cherish. |
| Arrived at New Chitose Airport |
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| Mandatory "Hokkaido Love" photo for Patrick and Aya |
Unfortunately, our time was limited due to their 10:50 AM flight, so we chose to head directly to New Chitose Airport, skipping other nearby attractions. We arrived at 9:50 AM, and my siblings promptly checked in their baggage. With some extra time to spare, we explored the airport and stopped by the Pokémon Store New Chitose Airport, where my sister happily added the store-exclusive Pikachu to her collection.
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| We didn't miss out on trying the New Chitose Airport stamp rally |
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| We also visited the Royce Chocolate World inside the airport while hunting for the stamps |
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| Time for Patrick and Aya to go to the departure area |
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| Until your next visit! 👋👋 |
The New Chitose Airport Stamp Rally proved to be a fun and rewarding activity, and we completed it in less than 20 minutes, earning some prizes to bring back as mementos. The moment of farewell arrived, and my heart felt heavy as my sister and brother bid us goodbye, promising to meet again soon.
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| Ella tried the free flight simulator game |
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| Lunch time: Food Court Miso Ramen for me |
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| Beef bowl for Ella |
As for me and Ella, we remained at the airport, awaiting the arrival of my wife, KC, and the newest addition to our family, Leonne Hokkaido "Kai." Their flight was delayed, and we patiently waited until 2:50 PM. We spent our time bonding, exploring the airport, and eating ramen in the food court.
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| Welcome back to Hokkaido, Mommy and Kai! |
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| Ella is now a big sister! |
When they arrived, I felt a wave of happiness seeing my wife again after what felt like such a long time. We were excited to have Kai with us and looked forward to sharing moments together as a family.
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| Hotel Mystays Sapporo Station |
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| Our place for the night - Room 414 |
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| Inside Room 414 |
It had been a tiring day, and I was starting to feel fatigued. Thankfully, my wife had planned ahead, and we checked into Room 414 at Hotel Mystays Sapporo Station. It was a relief not having to make a long drive home that afternoon. I spent the rest of the day relaxing with my family in the comfort of our hotel room.
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| I'm thankful for the new addition to our family |
As I reflect on this fulfilling weekend, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to bond with my siblings after years of separation. The highlight, however, was the moment I finally laid eyes on my son for the first time – an experience so precious and priceless that words fail to capture its depth.Now, as the evening unfolds, I look forward to spending more time with my family and cherishing every moment we have together.Maruzen Sato Orchard Revisited 2023
Rumoi Donto Festival 2023
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