Day 732: November 3, 2023
Friday – Culture Day 2023 Road Trip D1
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| Day 1 of 3 of our 3-day Culture Day 2023 Road Trip |
It’s Friday, the close of a long work week, when I would normally be at Tomamae Commercial High School. However, today is Bunka no Hi (Culture Day) in Japan, which makes it a perfect opportunity to take a break from routine. Instead of working, I planned a road trip with my family to explore the scenic municipalities of Tokachi Subprefecture.
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| Good morning, Kai! |
Since we live in Rumoi City, more than three hours away from Tokachi, we woke up before sunrise to make the most of our 3-day Culture Day 2023 Road Trip. Our goal was to visit as many municipalities in Tokachi Subprefecture as possible. We hit the road at around 5 AM, taking a few breaks along the way to stretch our legs and grab some much-needed coffee. Our first stop was at Ashibetsu Roadside Station in Ashibetsu City (芦別市). We have visited this roadside station several times already and already gotten its stamp, so our visit was simply a toilet stop on our long drive.
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| Minamifurano Roadside Station |
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| It's our second time visiting Minamifurano Roadside Station |
Not long after, we made another stop at Minamifurano Roadside Station in the town of Minamifurano (南富良野町). Surrounded by scenic countryside views, this station gave us a refreshing pause before continuing deeper into Tokachi. It was the perfect chance to relax, take in the landscape, and prepare for the day’s adventures ahead
After leaving Minamifurano, it took us less than an hour to arrive at our first destination of the day—the charming town of Shimizu (清水町). The town is widely known for its thriving dairy and cattle farms, which play a vital role in Tokachi’s reputation as one of Hokkaido’s agricultural centers.
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| National Route 973 |
Beyond its farmlands, Shimizu is also celebrated for the Pekerebetsu River, regarded as one of the cleanest and clearest rivers in the prefecture. The river’s crystal waters not only reflect the town’s pristine natural environment but also serve as a source of pride for the community. This combination of agricultural abundance and unspoiled nature makes Shimizu a place where rural traditions and scenic beauty come together seamlessly.
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| Shimizu Shrine's torii gate |
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| Shimizu Shrine |
In Shimizu, our first stop was Shimizu Shrine, a peaceful place of worship surrounded by tall trees that offered a sense of serenity. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals, we made sure to stop by to pay respects and offer prayers in each new municipality's shrine that we visited.
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| Tokachi-Shimizu Station |
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| Shimizu town's tourist map |
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| Shimizu town's town map |
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| We also had a photo with the cute house in front of the station. Can you spot the cats? |
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| These words actually sum up our life here |
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| Quick stop at 711 Shimizu to buy breakfast |
From there, we headed to Tokachi-Shimizu Station, the town’s railway hub. Though modest in size, the station reflects the charm of rural Hokkaido and serves as a vital gateway connecting Shimizu to the rest of the region. It was interesting to see how such small stations remain essential lifelines for local communities. Before heading to our next stop, we made a quick stop at 711 Shimizu to buy some snacks.
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| This is one of the most beautiful parking spots on today's road trip |
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| Shimizu Park |
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| The autumn foliage really did add beauty to the park |
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| Our first family picture for the day |
Our last stop in Shimizu was Shimizu Park, a peaceful green space ideal for a leisurely walk. The park’s expansive grounds and natural surroundings beautifully showcased the town’s harmony between agricultural life and preserved nature. Visiting during autumn, we were captivated by the vibrant foliage, which added a magical touch to the scenery. What was meant to be a brief stop turned into a longer stay, as we took advantage of the countless opportunities for photos and memories.
Our next stop was the town of Shikaoi (鹿追町). The name itself, meaning "following/hunting deer," reflects the town's historical connection to deer hunting. Today, Shikaoi is a prominent agricultural hub in the region, specializing in potatoes, sugar beets, and beans.
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| Shikaoi Roadside Station |
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| Kutekuu - Shikaoi's mascot |
In Shikaoi, our exploration began at Shikaoi Roadside Station, a welcoming stop that offered local produce, snacks, and a chance to get a feel for the town’s agricultural roots. As part of our Hokkaido 179 travel goals, we made sure to visit all the roadside stations of Hokkaido, and for today's road trip, this roadside station is the newest one that we checked off our list.
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| Senno Park |
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| The centerpiece of Senno Park |
Next, we visited Senno Park, a serene green space perfect for a relaxing stroll. It is part of the Shikaoi Roadside Station, and it connects the roadside station with other nearby facilities.
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| Shikaoi Chomin Hall |
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| This beautiful tree captivated us so much that we had hundreds of photos with it. |
Our next stop was Shikaoi Chomin Hall. While we didn’t go inside, we were captivated by the magnificent tree on its grounds, made even more stunning by the vibrant autumn colors.
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| Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum |
From the park, we were also able to see the Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum, which is famous for its art exhibits. However, we also skipped it and just admired its facade from a distance.
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| Shikaoi Shrine's torii gate |
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| Shikaoi Shrine's chozuya |
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| Shikaoi Shrine |
Shikaoi Shrine was the second shrine we visited that day, included as part of our Hokkaido 179 goal to visit at least one main shrine in every municipality. |
| Urimaku Roadside Station |
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| Halloween is in the air |
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| We tried the taiyaki sold at the roadside station, and it was good. |
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| There is also a coin-operated mechanical horse inside the roadside station, worth trying. |
From there, we drove to Urimaku Roadside Station, where we sampled local delicacies and picked up souvenirs, giving us a deeper appreciation of Shikaoi’s agricultural products. The station is also known for its horseback riding activities, featuring a riding park on the grounds and even a mechanical horse inside. We had fun trying the mechanical horse, and of course, we didn’t miss collecting the roadside station stamp for our collection. Before leaving, we treated ourselves to some freshly made taiyaki from the station’s shop.
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| National Route 85 |
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| Shikaribetsu Lakebed Railway |
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| This place gives the Spirited Away vibes |
We also visited the Shikaribetsu Lakebed Railway, a small but fascinating attraction that showcases the history of transportation in the area and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape. It reminded us of the Sunken Railway or Sea Railway in the animated film Spirited Away.
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| Ogigahara Observation Deck |
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| The view from the Ogigahara Observation Deck |
Finally, we capped off our day at Ogigahara Observation Deck, where panoramic views of Shikaoi and its rolling fields left us in awe of the town’s natural beauty. Each stop offered a unique glimpse into Shikaoi’s history, culture, and scenic wonders
Continuing our journey via Route 274, we reached the town of Shihoro (士幌町). It was intriguing to learn that this town boasts more cattle and cows than residents. The abundance of livestock contributes to Shihoro's reputation for exceptional milk and beef products.
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| Shihoro Roadside Station 'Pier 21 Shihoro' |
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| It's milking time! |
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| Cuteness overload |
In Shihoro, our first stop was Shihoro Roadside Station 'Pier 21 Shihoro.' The station featured a wide array of local products, snacks, and fresh produce, providing a glimpse into the town’s vibrant agricultural scene. Before leaving, we made sure to collect the roadside station stamp for our growing collection.
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| Shihoro Transportation Park |
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| A preserved freight train is displayed behind the former station |
We then headed to Shihoro Transportation Park, a fascinating attraction showcasing a preserved freight train and transport-related exhibits inside the former Shihoro Station. Walking through the park gave us insight into the town’s history of mobility and infrastructure.
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| Shihoro Shrine's torii gate |
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| Shihoro Shrine |
Next, we visited Shihoro Shrine, a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by trees. The shrine provided a quiet moment to appreciate local spiritual traditions and the town’s historical heritage.
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| Shihoro-Onsen Roadside Station |
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| Inside Shihoro-Onsen Roadside Station |
Our final stop in Shihoro was Shihoro-Onsen Roadside Station. We wanted to enjoy taking a dip in its famed onsen, but we still had several places to visit. So we just got its roadside station stamp and admired the interior of its building before heading to our next stop.
Heading south, we arrived in the town of Otofuke (音更町), known for its thriving bean industry. As the second most populous municipality in Tokachi Subprefecture, the town offered a rich mix of cultural landmarks and local attractions.
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| Senjojiki Park |
Our first stop was Senjojiki Park, which is connected to the shrine. It seemed we were a few days late, as most of the autumn foliage had already fallen. Regardless, my daughter and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the park on our way to the shrine, taking in the peaceful surroundings.
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| Otofuke Shrine's torii gate |
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| Otofuke Shrine |
Next, we visited Otofuke Shrine, a serene and spiritual spot nestled among trees. As with the other shrines we visited, we took time to pay our respects and offer prayers. Had we come a few days earlier, the shrine grounds would have been beautifully blanketed with vibrant autumn foliage, adding even more charm to the peaceful setting
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| The Backpack Adventures visits Otofuke Roadside Station |
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| Otofuke Roadside Station |
We then headed to Otofuke Roadside Station, where we sampled regional delicacies and picked up local produce and souvenirs. The station offered a delicious taste of the town’s agricultural bounty and a glimpse into everyday life in Otofuke. Before exploring the grounds, we made sure to collect the roadside station stamp for our growing collection.
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| Natsuzora Area |
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| Welcome to Otofuke |
One of the highlights of the station was the Natsuzora Area, which features the film set of Shibata Farm from the popular series 'Natsuzora.' Walking through the set, we felt immersed in the story’s backdrop and gained a deeper appreciation for Otofuke’s connection to Japanese media and culture. The experience added a unique blend of entertainment and local history to our visit
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| Showa Shell Sekiyu Otofuke Gas Station |
Before leaving Otofuke, we stopped to refuel at Showa Shell Sekiyu Otofuke Gas Station. The quick break gave us a chance to stretch our legs and prepare for the final leg of our day’s journey.
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| Obihiro Shrine's main torii gate |
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| Obihiro Shrine grounds |
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| Obihiro Shrine |
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| Heading to our next generation |
Our last destination was Obihiro City (帯広市), the capital of Tokachi Subprefecture. Our first stop in the city was Obihiro Shrine, a peaceful and historic site where we admired traditional architecture and observed local worship practices. The serene atmosphere offered a glimpse into the spiritual life of the community.
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| Tokachi Gokoku Shrine's torii gate |
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| Tokachi Gokoku Shrine |
Next, we visited Tokachi Gokoku Shrine, another important religious site in Obihiro. The shrine is actually connected to Obihiro Shrine and can easily be accessed on foot.
Checking in at Minpaku Kuroya
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| We met Chako, the Cat Director of Minpaku Kuroya |
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| Our host requested that Ella play the piano. |
After a long day of exploration, we checked into Minpaku Kuroya, our cozy Airbnb for the night. The owner of the house was really friendly, and aside from him, we also got to meet his friendly cat Chako, who serves as the director of the residence.
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| Butadon Pancho |
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| My dinner for the night - 8-meat butadon |
Feeling hungry and eager to try the local cuisine, we headed to Butadon Pancho, famous as the home of the original Obihiro butadon. The restaurant was lively and welcoming, showcasing a local specialty that many rave about. While we had high expectations, we found the dish to be rather average in both taste and portion size, which was a surprising contrast to the glowing reviews we had read online. Despite this, it was still enjoyable to experience a key part of Obihiro’s culinary culture.
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| On our way to the parking area, we saw Obihiro's famed Basha Bar |
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| 2nd Street Shirakabadori |
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| There were plenty of winter jackets for sale as it was almost winter season |
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| Before heading home, we had a late-night snack at the McDonald's next to 2nd Street Shirakabadori |
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| Itadakimasu! |
To end the day on a lighter note, we visited 2nd Street Shirakabadori to browse through its diverse clothing selection. My wife even managed to find a few stylish items for our son, Kai. Before calling it a day and heading back home, we made a quick stop at the nearby McDonald's to grab some food.
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| Oyasuminasai everyone! See you tomorrow! |
Our first day of the road trip was a success, covering Shimizu, Shikaoi, Shihoro, Otofuke, and Obihiro City. With two more days remaining on our 3-Day Culture Day 2023 Road Trip, I am excited to explore new municipalities and continue our journey toward achieving our Hokkaido179 goal—to visit all 179 municipalities in Hokkaido.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 105
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 105
Ashibetsu Roadside Station
Minamifurano Roadside Station
Shimizu Shrine
Shimizu Park
Shikaoi Roadside Station
Shikaoi Shrine
Urimaku Roadside Station
Shikaribetsu Lakebed Railway
Shihoro Roadside Station “PIA21 Shihoro”
Shihoro Shrine
Shihoro Transportation Park
Shihoro-Onsen Roadside Station
Otofuke Shrine
Otofuke Roadside Station
Natsuzora Area
Obihiro Shrine
Tokachi Gokoku Shrine
Hokkaido Manhole Covers
Japan's Awesome Manhole Covers
A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City
10 Things to Do in Minamifurano
10 Things to Do in Shimizu
10 Things to Do in Shikaoi
10 Things to Do in Shihoro
10 Things to Do in Otofuke
10 Things to Do in Obihiro City
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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