Japan Diaries 4: Day 320
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Day 320: September 17, 2022
Saturday - 9.17-19 Family Road Trip D1
September 19 (Monday) is Keiro no Hi or Respect of the Aged Day. It is a public holiday here in Japan. It only means that today is the start of this month's first long weekend. Yup, you read that right. It's the first as September 23 (Friday) is Autumnal Equinox Day which is also a holiday here in Japan.
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| One of the tunnels from Rumoi City to the town of Takasu |
Here's what we did on the first day of our 9.17-19 Family Road Trip.
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| First stop: Arashiyama Observation Deck |
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| We followed the manmade pathway going to the observation deck |
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| Asahikawa City as seen from the Arashiyama Observation Deck |
We left Rumoi City at around 6AM (the earliest we have done so far) to go to the town of Takasu (鷹栖町). Our first destination is the Arashiyama Observation Deck (嵐山展望台
) on the outskirts of town. It has an amazing view of Asahikawa City.
From there, we drove towards the town center. On the way, we stopped by Melody Bridge (メロディー橋). The bridge has xylophone bars installed on its railings, making it an interesting destination for those who love music.
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| We bought breakfast at Seicomart Shunkodai |
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| Asahikawa City manhole cover |
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| Takasu Shrine torii gate |
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| Takasu Shrine |
After satisfying our curiosity we drove to Takasu Shrine (鷹栖神社). Ironically, I mistook it as the major shrine of Takasu because of its name. However, it was actually inside Asahikawa City (旭川市). The main shrine of Takasu is the Takasu Ichiman Shrine (鷹栖八幡神社) in the center of town. Regardless, we still explored the Takasu Shrine and also paid our respects before heading back to Takasu (鷹栖町)to visit the Takasu Ichiman Shrine.
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| We drove back to Takasu and stopped at Green Park |
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| We ate breakfast at Green Park |
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| Hello, Anpanman! |
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| Takasu Hachiman Shrine |
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| We drove past Ikoi Square |
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| Takasu manhole cover |
The return trip took only 4 minutes. When we got to Takasu Ichiman Shrine (鷹栖八幡神社), we saw that it was just next to Green Park (緑地公園). Because we were alone, we decided to eat breakfast at the park before heading to the shrine to pay our respects and pray.
We next went to the Tambo Art (Art on Rice Fields) (東鷹栖・田んぼアート) on Asahikawa's northeastern outskirts. We were 5 days late since the observation deck had already closed. Despite this, we were able to capture the rice field art from the ground.
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| Pippu manhole cover |
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| Next stop: Pippu Station |
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| Pippu Pokemon manhole cover |
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| The Redbrick warehouses in front of Pippu Station |
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| Snowberry-chan |
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| Pippu Shrine |
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| There were giant pumpkins displayed on the grounds of Pippu Shrine |
From there, our next stop is the town of Pippu (比布町). We visited Pippu Station (比布駅) to take photos of the Pippu Pokemon Manhole Cover (Pippu Pokefuta). Ella and I also bought the famed strawberry soft cream before leaving. Our last stop was the Pippu Shrine (比布神社) where we offered some prayers and paid our respects.
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| Toma Roadside Station |
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| We tried the watermelon soft cream of Toma Roadside Station |
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| Toma Shrine Torii Gate |
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| Toma Shrine |
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| Toma Bell Cave |
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| We had fun exploring Toma Limestone Cave |
The next town on our itinerary is Toma (当麻町). Our first stop in town is the Toma Roadside Station (道の駅 とうま) to get the stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. From there, we headed to Toma Shrine (當麻神社). After offering our prayers, we drove to the outskirts of town to visit one of the highlights of this trip which is the Toma Bell Cave / Toma Limestone Cave (当麻鐘乳洞). We were surprised at how beautiful the cave and it was worth driving out of the way.
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| On our way to the town of Aibetsu |
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| Aibetsu Shrine torii gate |
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| Aibetsu Shrine |
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| Aibetsu Rural Park |
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| Aibetsu manhole cover |
We then visited the town of Aibetsu (愛別町). The trip to town was a quick one as we only visited the Aibetsu Shrine (愛別神社) and the Aibetsu Rural Park (愛別町農村公園).
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| Heading to our next town - Kamikawa |
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| Bell of Espoir |
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| Inside the Bell of Espoir |
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| The view from the top floor of the Bell of Espoir |
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| Ogamigawa Shrine torii gate |
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| Ogamigawa Shrine |
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| Kamikawa manhole cover |
From Aibetsu, we drove to the town of Kamikawa (上川町). Our first stop was the Bell of Espoir (エスポワールの鐘). This observatory has an amazing view of the town. From there, we headed to Ogamigawa Shrine (大上川神社) to pay respects and offer prayers.
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| Before leaving the town we bought some snacks at 711 Kamikawa |
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| Passed through the 3.27-kilometer Kamikoshi Tunnel along E39 going to our next destination |
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| Maruseppu Roadside Station |
Before leaving the town, we first bought groceries and snacks at De Marche and 711 Kamikawa. Our last stop for the day is the town of Engaru (遠軽町). To reach it, we used the Kamikawa-Sounkyo Interchange. It would have cut our trip by almost 20 minutes if we had used Route 333. This allowed us to visit Roadside Station "Maruseppu" (道の駅 まるせっぷ) before it closed. Hence, I still got the physical and digital roadside station stamps for my Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally.
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| We pitched our tent at Maruseppuikoinomori Camping Ground |
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| Dinner time |
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| Maruseppu Onsen Yamabiko |
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| Time to freshen up before calling it a day. |
From there, we drove to Maruseppuikoinomori Camping Ground (丸瀬布いこいの森キャンプ場) to set up camp for the day. After paying the camping fees, we pitched our tent by the river. We had our yakiniku night before walking to the nearby Maruseppu Onsen Yamabiko (丸瀬布温泉やまびこ) to clean and relax our bodies after being on the road the whole day.
That wraps up the first day of our 9.17-19 Family Road Trip. See you tomorrow.
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I love your family adventures. Take care!
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