Weekend 126: March 30 – 31, 2024
Day 880: March 30, 2024
Saturday – Spring Break Day 1 x Flight to Osaka
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| Off to New Chitose Airport for our 5-day Spring Break Trip |
It was a crisp and picturesque day in Rumoi City, and the excitement of our 5-day spring break trip to Osaka was already in the air. Today was our departure day, with an afternoon flight from New Chitose Airport to Kansai International Airport. Instead of our usual routine, we decided to use the New Chitose Airport long-term parking, making the three-hour drive from Rumoi a bit more relaxed and straightforward.
We left early to give ourselves plenty of time for a few detours before our 5:35 PM flight. Along the way, we made several stops, the first of which was at the Shinshinotsu Roadside Station in the village of Shinshinotsu. It was a good chance to stretch, rest a bit, and collect another online stamp for the Hokkaido Stamp Rally.
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| Family Mart at Yumai District in Chitose City |
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| Checking out what to eat for lunch |
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| This is what we bought for lunch. |
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| Itadakimasu! |
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| Quick stop at Tsuruha |
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| 2nd Street Chitose |
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| Seiyōken - One of the filming locations of First Love |
After that, we stopped by a Family Mart in the Yumai District of Chitose City for lunch, then headed to the nearby Tsuruha to buy some medicine for Kai. Since we still had plenty of time before our flight, we decided to drop by 2nd Street Chitose to see what it had to offer. We also made a brief stop at Seiyōken. Although the restaurant has already closed, it was used as a filming location for the drama First Love and served as the setting for one of the show’s most important scenes.
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| Chitose Outlet Mall Rera |
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| Interesting artwork made of pots |
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| Chitose Outlet Mall Rera looks like a ghost town |
We then continued on to our next stop. Chitose Outlet Mall Rera reminded me of Rinku Premium Outlet in Osaka. Although the mall still showed signs of the pandemic, with many empty spaces, we spent quite some time at ABC Mart looking for shoes for Ella.
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| We parked Ruru at the long-term parking near the airport |
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| Welcome to New Chitose Airport |
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| We had that mandatory family selfie with the HokkaidoLove standee |
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| #HokkaidoLove |
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| Drive-In Ito Butadon Meijin |
Royce Chocolate World
After buying Ella’s shoes, we finally headed to New Chitose Airport, but before that, we parked Ruru at the affordable long-term parking area. The shuttle service to the terminal was convenient, and we arrived with time to spare. A couple of hours before boarding, we wandered around the airport, picked up some souvenirs from Royce Chocolate, and visited their Mini Chocolate Museum.
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| Time to check in our baggage |
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| Waiting to board the plane |
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| Finally! The plane is here. |
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| We were one of the first to go on the plane |
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| This is one of my favorite views |
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| Mr. Toshi came to pick us up from Kansai International Airport |
We boarded our Jetstar flight GK156 at 5:20 PM and landed at Kansai International Airport around 8 PM. Mr. Toshi kindly picked us up and drove us to his home, marking the start of the Osaka leg of our trip.
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| Before heading home, we stopped by Kura Sushi Izumisano for dinner |
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| Home Sweet Home |
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| Ella and Yomo |
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| Finally, we're back to our favorite room. |
Before calling it a night, we had dinner at Kura Sushi Izumisano, a familiar place from our past visits. Back at the house, Mr. Toshi and I stayed up late, talking over drinks the way family does. We talked about life in Hokkaido and shared stories about Kai, finally turning in around 1 AM, tired but grateful for a good start to our spring break.
Day 881: March 31, 2024
Sunday – Spring Break Day 2 x My Birthday
The skies over Kumatori, Osaka, were covered in thick clouds today, but inside the house, the atmosphere felt warm and quietly celebratory. It was my birthday. Normally, this would be a day spent going out and exploring, but this year turned out differently. With Mr. Toshi dealing with car trouble, our plans naturally shifted. In a way, it felt like the day was asking us to slow down, and I did not mind that at all.
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| It's a cloudy day on my birthday |
The clouds had a strange yellowish tint, likely from sand carried over from afar, and it served as a reminder of how unpredictable nature can be. With my dust allergy acting up, staying indoors felt like the wiser choice. Sometimes listening to your body is part of the celebration, too.
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| Birthday celebration at Kin no Buta |
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| The highlight of today's feast - Shabu Shabu |
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| Matcha-themed food for dessert |
Even with the change in plans, the day turned out better than expected. Andy, a close friend and Akiko’s husband, joined us for a birthday dinner at Kin no Buta in Izumi City. The eat-all-you-can shabu-shabu came highly recommended by my wife, and it truly lived up to it. Sitting around the table, enjoying good food and conversation, I felt genuinely grateful to be spending my birthday this way.
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| Birthday celebration with family and friends |
We got home around 9 PM, but the night was far from over. Andy stayed the night, while Akiko’s husband headed back to Suita City. Back at the house, Mr. Toshi, Andy, and I stayed up late, talking, laughing, and sharing stories the way friends do when time feels generous. By the time the clock crept past 2 AM and the house finally grew quiet, I felt deeply thankful. It was a simple birthday, spent mostly indoors, but it was filled with warmth, friendship, and the kind of moments that stay with you long after the day ends.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Week 126
Japan Diaries 4: Day 880
Japan Diaries 4: Day 881
Shinshinotsu Roadside Station
10 Things to Do in Shinshinotsu
10 Things to Do in Chitose City
10 Things to Do in Kumatori
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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Japan Diaries 4: Week 125
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 125
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Japan Diaries 4: Week 127
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 127
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