Japan Diaries 4: Day 322
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Day 322: September 19, 2022
Monday - Respect for the Aged Day / 9.17-19 Family Road Trip D3
Today marked the conclusion of our 3-day road trip, which happened to coincide with Respect of the Aged Day here in Japan. It was both a public holiday and the last day of our September 17-19 Family Road Trip.
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| Good morning, from Yobitoura Camping Ground |
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| Lake Notoro (能取湖) |
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For our final day's itinerary, we decided to explore Abashiri City (網走市) before heading back home, making pit stops in the charming towns and cities along the way.
Starting from the Yobitoura Camping Ground (呼人浦キャンプ場), we retraced our route toward Lake Notoro (能取湖), which we missed yesterday. Our first destination was the Ubaranai Sango Grassland (卯原内サンゴ草群落地), renowned for its vast 3.8-hectare coral grass field. Arriving early in the morning proved a brilliant idea, granting us the privilege of having the place all to ourselves. Though we couldn't linger for long, our schedule was packed with exciting places to visit.
Returning to Abashiri City, we made a stop at the Abashiri Shrine (網走神社) while waiting for our next attraction to open. To pass the time, we indulged in breakfast at McDonald's Abashiri, a perfect prelude to our visit to the Ryuho-Kaido Abashiri Roadside Station (道の駅 流氷街道網走).
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| Ryuho-Kaido Abashiri Roadside Station |
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| Abashiri Manhole Cover |
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| Checking out the unique vending machines outside the roadside station |
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| Shopping for souvenirs and omiyage |
Here, my wife couldn't resist the opportunity to purchase fresh produce at more reasonable prices than the typical grocery store. My daughter, Ella, and I, on the other hand, ensured we collected the roadside station stamp and digital stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. We also took a moment to capture a photo of the Abashiri Pokefuta (Pokemon Manhole Cover) found within the roadside station grounds.
Leaving Abashiri City, we continued our journey to the town of Ozora (大空町). Our first stop was at the Ozora Roadside Station (道の駅 メルヘンの丘めまんべつ) to collect the roadside station stamp.
Our final stop in the area was the Memambetsu JR Station (女満別駅), albeit it is covered up due to renovation. Our main goal was to photograph the Ozora Pokefuta located in the park in front of the JR Station. There was also a preserved locomotive near the station so it's a bonus.
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| Bihoro Shrine's torii |
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| Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社) |
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| Bihoro Manhole Cover |
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| Route 217 |
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| Onion farms of Bihoro |
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| Bihoro Aviation Park (美幌航空公園) |
Moving on to the town of Bihoro (美幌町), we limited our visit to Bihoro Shrine (美幌神社) and Bihorokoku Park or Bihoro Aviation Park (美幌航空公園), considering our ambitious itinerary and my wife's anticipation of shopping in Kitami City (北見市).
Knowing that her shopping time was precious, I suggested a detour to Kitami Shrine (北見神社) and the Kitaozan Manabuho Temple (北王山 学宝寺), to which she graciously agreed.
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| 2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店) |
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From the shrine, we proceeded to 2nd Street Kitami (セカンドストリート北見店), where we indulged in shopping for about an hour before resuming our journey back home.
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| Roadside Rest Area "Onneyu Onsen" (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉) |
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| Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower (ハト時計塔「果夢林」) |
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| Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館) |
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Before departing Kitami, we paused at the Roadside Rest Area "Onneyu Onsen" (道の駅 おんねゆ温泉) on its outskirts. We also explored the Karakuri Cuckoo Clock Tower (ハト時計塔「果夢林」) and the Northern Daichi Aquarium (北の大地の水族館), both located within the vicinity of the roadside station.
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| It was a rainy drive through Route 39 |
Our drive from there to Rumoi City was smooth until the weather took a turn for the worse, and it started raining heavily. We found ourselves navigating mountain roads, where visibility became challenging due to thick fog and rain.
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| UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店) |
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Both my wife and I were mentally and physically drained after this experience, not to mention hungry. My wife suggested we try UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama (魚べい 旭川永山店), a popular conveyor belt sushi spot in Asahikawa City. Naturally, I readily agreed.
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| Finished! |
We finally arrived at UOBEI Asahikawa Nagayama after enduring the heavy rain and challenging mountain roads. Despite a lengthy 30-minute wait in a queue, the delicious food and the opportunity to rest made it all worthwhile.
Sadly, the rain continued to pour as we returned home to Rumoi City from Asahikawa City. Nonetheless, we safely arrived around 11 PM, concluding our 3-day Family Road Trip.
I will copy this road trip when we visit next year.
ReplyDeletePlease do! Enjoy and be safe.
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