Day 650: August 13, 2023
Sunday – Minamifurano, Shintoku, and Memuro Day Trip
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| Minamifurano, Shintoku, and Memuro Day Trip |
It's a beautiful sunny day, creating the perfect setting for a road trip across Hokkaido. Despite the forecasted heat in Rumoi City peaking at noon, we eagerly embarked on this road trip to Kamikawa and the Tokachi region of Hokkaido. My wife enthusiastically supported my spur-of-the-moment idea, and together we planned a fun day trip.
For today’s road trip, we planned to explore the towns of Minamifurano, Shintoku, Shimizu, and Memuro. Since the town of Minamifurano was three hours away, we took a break at Utashinai Roadside Station in Utashinai City (歌志内市) to stretch and use the restroom. Although we had visited this station last year, we were drawn back by the addition of a new highlight— the Utashinai Pokémon manhole cover, one of Hokkaido’s latest Pokéfutas. It features Vulpix, Alolan Vulpix, and Joltik. While my wife picked up fresh cucumbers and eggplants at great prices, we enjoyed the cozy and familiar charm of this delightful roadside stop.
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| Minamifurano Roadside Station |
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| Inside Minamifurano Roadside Station |
Resuming our drive, we continued on to the picturesque town of Minamifurano (南富良野町), which is now just an hour and a half away. Our first stop was at the Minamifurano Roadside Station. This cozy spot offered a chance to relax and explore local specialties, setting the tone for the charming experiences ahead.
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| Nanpu Forest Bakery |
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| We bought some bread and tried it. True enough, it was delicious. |
Next, we visited the aromatic Nanpu Forest Bakery, which is also in the roadside station grounds. The delightful scent of freshly baked goods greeted us as we indulged in some treats, making this stop a feast for the senses.
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| Montbell Minamifurano Shop |
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| There was a wall-climbing facility inside the shop |
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Montbell Minamifurano Shop was a haven. We browsed through an impressive selection of outdoor gear and apparel, adding a touch of adventure to our visit.
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| Minamifurano Sewage Treatment Plant |
An unexpected yet intriguing stop was the Minamifurano Sewage Treatment Plant. We went here not because we wanted to learn about the sewage system of the town, but simply because the Minamifurano colored manhole cover was installed here. We didn't stay long, though, as we still had plenty of places to visit.
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| Ikutora Station |
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| We checked out the "Poppoya" exhibits inside the station |
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| A preserved train and Daruma Shokudo, a Poppoya filming spot, capture Shintoku's charm and cinematic history near the station. |
We made a quick stop at Ikutora Station, a quaint rural train station that exuded charm and simplicity. It was a peaceful reminder of the slower pace of life in the countryside. It's also a filming location for Ken Takakura's 1999 Japanese classic film "Poppoya" and has exhibits from it.
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| Minamifurano Shrine's torii gate |
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| Minamifurano Shrine |
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| Minamifurano as seen from the shrine grounds |
Finally, we visited the tranquil Minamifurano Shrine. Here, we took a moment to offer our respects and prayers, connecting deeply with the serene and spiritual essence of the land.
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| Passing through a tunnel on National Route 38 |
Our next stop is Shintoku (新得町), a town that welcomed us with its natural beauty and unique attractions.
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| Karikachi Plateau Park |
Our first stop was Karikachi Plateau Park, a serene location offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. The park’s tranquil ambiance made it an ideal place to pause and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
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| The preserved D59672 locomotive is on display here |
As train enthusiasts, we were thrilled to see the D59672 locomotive. This historic train evoked a sense of nostalgia, serving as a reminder of Shintoku’s connection to the railways and its historical significance.
Speaking of preserved trains, we saw the D5195 locomotive displayed in the Shintoku Town SL Square, which was our next stop. This place is in the northern outskirts of the town and is beside the Sekisho Line. There is also a walking path there called Karachi Poppo Road, which we explored for a bit.
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| Shintoku Station |
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| Ella saw this Mediterranean Katydid and "rescued" it after someone stepped on it. |
From there, we stopped at Shintoku Station to collect a station stamp—a keepsake of our visit—and to admire the Shintoku Pokémon Manhole Cover, which added a fun and playful touch to the day’s experience. It features Alolan Vulpix and Teddiursa.
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| Steps leading to Shintoku Shrine |
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| Shintoku Shrine |
Before leaving the town, we visited the Shintoku Shrine. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals, we made sure to include it in our itinerary. Like what we always do, we paid respects and offered prayers before heading to our next destination.
Though the town of Shimizu (清水町) was initially part of our plan, time constraints led us to skip it and head directly to Memuro (芽室町), the final town on our itinerary—a decision we didn’t regret.
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| Hagorotei Memuro |
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| Itadakimasu! |
Our first stop in the town was Hagorotei Memuro, a delightful conveyor belt sushi restaurant renowned for its top-quality offerings. It was the perfect place to satisfy our sushi cravings and enjoy a delicious meal.
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| Memuro Town Library |
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| Inside the Memuro Town Library |
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| Team Nicerio visits the Memuro Town Library |
Next, we visited the nearby Memuro Town Library, a quiet haven where we took a moment to relax and appreciate the town's peaceful atmosphere.
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| Memuro Shrine's torii gate |
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| Memuro Shrine |
Our final stop on the itinerary was the serene Memuro Shrine, where, as with the other shrines we visited, we took a moment to pay our respects and offer prayers.
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| Hokuren Memurodai 2 Serufu SS |
The sun slowly dipped below the horizon as we bid farewell to Memuro. Before leaving, we made a brief stop at Hokuren Memurodai 2 Serufu SS to refuel Ruru for the long journey back.
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| It's a foggy drive back home |
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| 711 Ashibetsu Kita-Yojo |
After a quick stop at 711 Ashibetsu Kita-Yojo for coffee and a break, we returned to Rumoi by 9:30 PM, exhausted but fulfilled. The day was not only memorable but also marked our son Kai’s first out-of-town road trip—a cherished family milestone.
We've now ventured into three new towns in Hokkaido, marking our progress toward the goal of visiting all 179 towns. Our tally stands at 101, and while the finish line may seem distant, the experiences we gather along the way make the journey all the more worthwhile. With the hope that my term as an ALT allows us to achieve this ambitious goal, I bid farewell to this day, grateful for the adventures it bestowed upon us.Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 93
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 93
Utashinai Roadside StationHagorotei Memuro
Memuro Town Library
Memuro Shrine
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