Day 705: October 7, 2023
Saturday – 3-Day “Sports Day” Road Trip D1
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| First day of our 3-Day “Sports Day” Road Trip |
Today marked the beginning of our much-anticipated 3-day adventure, which I’ve proudly named the “Sports Day” Road Trip. The name reflects the energy and excitement we feel for this journey—an experience that’s all about movement, exploration, and discovery. Despite waking up to a cloudy morning in Rumoi City, we refused to let the gloomy weather dampen our enthusiasm. Armed with optimism and a well-planned itinerary, we set out on this trip with one clear mission: to explore every town and village that surrounds the breathtaking Shakotan Peninsula. Known for its rugged coastline, turquoise waters, and charming fishing towns, this area has always been on our travel bucket list. Now, we’re finally turning that dream into reality, ready to embrace whatever adventures and surprises await us along the way.
We set off bright and early at 6:50 AM, ready for the adventures that awaited us. Our first destination was the town of Yoichi (余市町), a 3-hour and 20-minute drive from Rumoi City. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate upon our arrival in Yoichi, and it started to rain. As a result, we had to exclude some outdoor destinations from our itinerary.
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| Fugoppe Cave |
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| Welcome to Fugoppe Cave |
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| Inside Fugoppe Cave |
Despite the rain, we made the most of our time in Yoichi by exploring several fascinating spots. Our first stop was Fugoppe Cave, an archaeological site showcasing a remarkable collection of Ainu tools and pottery. The true highlight of this historic site is the ancient cave murals, a captivating glimpse into the lives of the people who once inhabited the area.
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| Yoichi Roadside Station |
Our next stop was the Yoichi Roadside Station, officially called Road Station Space Apple Yoichi. We dropped by to grab the roadside station stamp and enjoy a hearty breakfast. It was the perfect little break, though I had to multitask a bit—I joined an online meeting with my co-authors from Abiva Publishing House right there over coffee and pastries! We chatted about our upcoming project, which involves updating and revising the Kamalayang Panlipunan series. It felt surreal blending work and travel, but that’s the beauty of road trips—you never know where life will take you next.
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| Space Dome Yoichi |
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| Welcome to Space Dome Yoichi |
After breakfast, we headed to the nearby Space Dome Yoichi, a fascinating science museum dedicated to the wonders of space exploration. The highlight of the museum is its tribute to Mohri Mamoru, Japan’s very first astronaut, who proudly hails from Yoichi.
Inside Space Dome Yoichi
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| Kai, enjoying the 3D movie inside the Space Dome Yoichi |
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| Space Dome Yoichi's souvenir shop |
Inside, we were greeted by exhibits showcasing rockets, satellites, and interactive displays that make you feel like you’re preparing for a space mission yourself. It was both educational and inspiring—a perfect stop for science enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. Standing there, learning about how someone from this quiet town made it to space, was truly awe-inspiring.
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| Shimoyoichi Unjoya Trading Post Historical Site |
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| I got our tickets and brochures. It's time to go inside the museum |
When we stepped out of the Space Dome Yoichi, the rain showed no signs of stopping, so we decided to skip the outdoor spots and head to another indoor destination. Our next stop was the Shimoyoichi Unjoya Trading Post Historical Site—a hidden gem that turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the day. To our surprise, we were the only visitors, which meant we had the entire museum all to ourselves!
Inside Shimoyoichi Unjoya Trading Post Historical Site
The exhibits beautifully showcase the Unjo family’s thriving trading business from centuries past, with well-preserved artifacts and displays that give you a glimpse into the life and commerce of old Yoichi. Walking through those quiet rooms felt like stepping back in time—it was both peaceful and fascinating.
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| Hamanaka Moire Beach |
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| The waves were strong, but they added drama to the beautiful scenery |
Right across from the museum is the expansive Yoichigyoko Water Park, which we were eager to explore. Unfortunately, the heavy rain made it impossible to enjoy the park’s open spaces. Still, I didn’t want to leave without taking in a bit of Yoichi’s natural beauty, so I made a quick stop to admire the nearby Hamanaka Moire Beach. Even under the gloomy skies, the view was stunning—the sound of the waves and the sight of the rugged coastline added a serene touch to an otherwise rainy day. It was a quiet reminder of why this region is so captivating, no matter the weather.
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| Yoichi Shrine's torii gate |
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| Yoichi Shrine |
Keeping up with our tradition of visiting the main shrine in every municipality we explore, our next stop was Yoichi Shrine. Tucked away in a peaceful spot, the shrine offered a calm and spiritual break from the rain-soaked day. We took a few quiet moments to offer prayers and pay our respects, reflecting on the journey so far and wishing for good weather ahead. There’s something truly grounding about visiting these shrines—they connect you to the history, culture, and soul of each place in a way that no other attraction can.
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| AEON Mall Otaru – Wing Bay Otaru |
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| 2nd STREET Wing Bay Otaru Shop |
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| Ella had a blast trying out the arcade games. |
With some spare time left in our day, we decided to make an impromptu stop at AEON Mall Otaru – Wing Bay Otaru, one of the largest shopping complexes in Hokkaido. It was the perfect way to escape the gloomy weather and still have some fun. We wandered through the different shops, checking out everything from local goods to trendy finds. Ella, on the other hand, couldn’t resist the arcade and ended up having a blast playing games—it added a playful twist to our road trip! Before leaving, we also popped into the 2nd STREET Wing Bay Otaru Shop, a popular spot for second-hand treasures, just to see what unique items it had to offer.
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| Otaru Narutoya Wing Bay Otaru Branch |
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| We tried the famed Naruto Chicken set meal for dinner |
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| Otaru Narutoya Wing Bay Otaru Branch menu |
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| Itadakimasu! |
Just as we were about to leave and head to Naruto Main Shop in Inaho District for dinner, we stumbled upon a smaller branch of Naruto in the mall's food court. We couldn't resist trying their lip-smacking fried chicken with its crispy skin, which reminded us of Max’s Restaurant back in the Philippines.
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| Hostel Junpu Manpan |
Satisfied with our meal, we then checked in at Hostel Junpu Manpan, our accommodation for the night. Surprisingly, the hostel, though slightly dated in appearance, was impeccably clean, which was a pleasant surprise.
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| Zodakeyamasho Temple |
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| These Buddhas will protect our car tonight |
The only minor drawback was the absence of a nearby parking area. Thankfully, the student in charge kindly suggested we could park within the grounds of Zodakeyamasho Temple, just about 300 meters away. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reassurance, believing that the spirits and deities of the shrine would watch over our car for the night, making it feel like a safe and protected spot.
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| Here's our room at Hostel Junpu Manpan |
Knowing that tomorrow would bring another long day of adventures, we decided to turn in early. After a refreshing shower, we settled in and called it a night, letting the calm of the hostel wrap up our eventful first day of the road trip.
All in all, our first day of the 3-Day "Sports Day" Road Trip was eventful, despite the rain. We had the opportunity to visit Yoichi for the first time, as well as rediscover and explore some parts of Otaru City. Tomorrow, we're keeping our fingers crossed for better weather as we continue our adventure.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 100
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 101
Japan Diaries 4: Day 706
Fugoppe Cave
Yoichi Roadside Station
Space Dome
Shimoyoichi Unjoya Trading Post Historical Site
Yoichi Shrine
Hokkaido Manhole Covers
Japan's Awesome Manhole Covers
A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps
10 Things to Do in Yoichi
10 Things to Do in Otaru City
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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