Japan Diaries 4: Day 342


Day 342: October 9, 2022

Sunday – 10.8-10 Family Road Trip D2

Our view from Room 818 of Dormy Inn Tomakomai
Our view from Room 818 of Dormy Inn Tomakomai

Breakfast time!
Breakfast time!

Itadakemasu!
Itadakemasu! šŸ™

Bye for now, Dormy Inn Tomakomai
Bye for now, Dormy Inn Tomakomai


It's a beautiful Sunday! Today marked the second day of our multi-day road trip adventure.  Our journey unfolded with a delightful breakfast at Dormy Inn Tomakomai, setting the perfect tone for the day.

Tarumaezan Shrine torii gate
Tarumaezan Shrine torii gate 

Tarumaezan Shrine
Tarumaezan Shrine

The initial leg of our expedition led us to the heart of Tomakomai City (č‹«å°ē‰§åø‚), where our first stop, the Tarumaezan Shrine, awaited. In its serene surroundings, we offered prayers and paid our respects, embracing the spiritual essence of the place. 

Tomakomai Midorigaoka Park
Tomakomai Midorigaoka Park

Midorigaoka Park Observation Deck
Midorigaoka Park Observation Deck

The view from Midorigaoka Park Observation Deck
The view from Midorigaoka Park Observation Deck


Following this soulful beginning, we embarked on a short drive to Tomakomai Midorigaoka Park, where my daughter gleefully played in the playground while we eagerly awaited the opening of the Midorigaoka Observation Deck. The panoramic view of the city from atop the deck was simply breathtaking, creating lasting memories for my daughter and me.

Tomakomai Pokemon mamhole cover
Tomakomai Pokemon manhole cover

Idemitsu Culture Park
Idemitsu Culture Park

We then parked our car at Tomakomai City General Gymnasium and strolled to the Idemitsu Culture Park's southern clearing, capturing the whimsical Tomakomai Pokemon manhole cover or simply Tomakomai Pokefuta through our lens. 

Mir Spacecraft Museum
Mir Spacecraft Museum

The Mir Spacecraft
The Mir Spacecraft

Tomakomai City Technology Center
Tomakomai City Technology Center

Trying out one of the interactive displays in Tomakomai City Technology Center
Trying out one of the interactive displays in Tomakomai City Technology Center

C11 133
The preserved C11 133 train outside the Tomakomai City Technology Center

The Mir Spacecraft Museum and the Tomakomai City Technology Center were our next destinations, offering a fascinating blend of history and technology. The interactive displays at the technology center added an extra layer of enjoyment to our visit.

Tomakomai City
Driving around Tomakomai City

Mega Don Quijote Tomakomai
Mega Don Quijote Tomakomai

Mega Don Quijote Tomakomai
Shopping time

2nd Street Tomakomai
2nd Street Tomakomai

Before leaving the city, we ventured to Mega Don Quijote Tomakomai and 2nd Street Tomakomai, indulging in a shopping spree for both ingredients and winter clothing. 

Shiraoi manhole cover
Shiraoi manhole cover

Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine torii gate
Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine torii gate

Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine
Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine

Sendai Domain Shiraoi Jinya Museum
Sendai Domain Shiraoi Jinya Museum

Sendai Domain Shiraoi Jinya Museum
How I wish I could wear one of these

Our next stop was Shiraoi (ē™½č€ē”ŗ), a town in the Iburi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, where we paid our respects at the Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine and delved into the rich history at Sendai Domain Shiraoi Jinya Museum.

Kani Goten
Kani Goten

Continuing our journey, we made a brief stop at Kani Goten, a seafood market with a distinctive giant bear atop its roof, creating a picturesque scene. 

Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe
Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe

Noboribetsu Pokemon manhole cover
Noboribetsu Pokemon manhole cover

Our next destination was Noboribetsu City (ē™»åˆ„åø‚), we first headed to the Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, where we managed found our second Pokemon manhole cover for the day. The Noboribetsu Pokemon manhole cover features Vulpix and Bewear.

The Noboribetsu Red Demon (ē™»åˆ„ę±ć‚¤ćƒ³ć‚æćƒ¼å‰ ꭓčæŽé¬¼åƒ)
The Noboribetsu Red Demon (ē™»åˆ„ę±ć‚¤ćƒ³ć‚æćƒ¼å‰ ꭓčæŽé¬¼åƒ)

Some of the demons near Jigokudani
Some of the demons near Jigokudani

Noboribetsu Jigokudani
Noboribetsu Jigokudani

Team Nicerio visits Noboribetsu Jigokudani
Team Nicerio visits Noboribetsu Jigokudani

The walkway going to Iron Spring Pond (é‰„ę³‰ę± )
The walkway going to Iron Spring Pond (é‰„ę³‰ę± )


Oyunuma Pond
Oyunuma Pond

Okunoyu
Okunoyu

Welcome Demons
Noboribetsu's Welcome Demons

The highlight of the day awaited us at Jigokudani or Hell Valley, where we marveled at the natural wonders of Oyunuma Pond, Okunoyu, and the Welcome Demons. The rain accompanied us as we bid farewell to Noboribetsu City, knowing that our final destination, Muroran City (å®¤č˜­åø‚), awaited.

Saying good bye to Noboribetsu's Red Demon before leaving the city
Saying goodbye to Noboribetsu's Red Demon before leaving the city

Filled up Ruru's tank before continuing on to Muroran City
Filled up Ruru's tank before continuing on to Muroran City

Mega Don Quijote Muroran
Mega Don Quijote Muroran

New KitKat Flavor - Nescafe Gold
New KitKat Flavor - Nescafe Gold

APA Hotel Muroran
APA Hotel Muroran

Upon reaching Muroran, we secured a parking space near our night's haven, the APA Hotel Muroran. After that, we checked in our rooms. Yup, you read that right! We were actually booked for 2 rooms as Ella was considered an adult hence she was counted as one guest. Thankfully, my wife was able to book the rooms at a discounted price. After bringing our bags into the room we went to the nearby Mega Don Quixote Muroran, which offered us the chance for one last shopping spree before retiring for the night.

APA Hotel Muroran
APA Hotel Muroran lobby

APA Hotel Muroran room 706 and 707
APA Hotel Muroran rooms 706 and 707, our rooms for the night.

Inside our room in APA Hotel Muroran
Inside Room 706

The view from one of our rooms
The view from one of our rooms

Today's journey unfolded like a well-scripted tale, allowing us to explore Tomakomai City and visit two other cities and a charming town. See you tomorrow for the next part of our road trip!

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 49
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 49
Japan Diaries 4: Day 341
Tarumaezan Jinja Shrine
Tomakomai Midorigaoka Park
Tomakomai City Technology Center
Mir Spacecraft Museum
Steam Locomotive C11 No. 133
Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine
Sendai Domain Shiraoi Jinya Museum
Jigokudani / Noboribetsu Hell Valley
Oyunuma Pond
Okunoyu
10 Things to Do in Shiraoi
10 Things to Do in Noboribetsu City
Location: Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2024 at 8:56 AM

    I want to read your article about that place in Noboribetsu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioSeptember 27, 2024 at 1:09 PM

      You mean the Jigokudani? In a few more day it will be published. Please do come check it out.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps

Image
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference.  Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Keep reading

Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Ashibetsu Roadside Station ( 道恮駅 ć‚¹ć‚æćƒ¼ćƒ—ćƒ©ć‚¶čŠ¦åˆ„ ) is one of the 128 roadside stations of Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located along Route 38 and 452 in Kita 4-jo Higashi 1-1-1 in Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Ashibetsu Roadside Station Ashibetsu Roadside Station details Ashibetsu Roadside Station is formally called Roadside Station "Star Plaza Ashibetsu" . It was one of the first roadside stations in Hokkaido. It was registered on April 22, 1993, and was given Registration Number 2. This station serves as a tourist information center and a hub for travelers to explore what the town has to offer. Ashibetsu Roadside Station - Ashibetsu City, Hokkaido Prefecture The Tourist Information Center inside Ashibetsu Roadside Station is a must-visit spot for travelers. Here, they will find information about the town's famous products sold on the first floor. From the Yokoichi cheese, butter, and Ashibetsu melon, to the lily root, and zenzai, visitors can purchase a variety
Keep reading

Utashinai Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Image
Utashinai Roadside Station , formally called Roadside Station Utashinai Tyrol ( 道恮駅 恆恟恗ćŖć„ćƒćƒ­ćƒ«ć®ę¹Æ ) is one of the 128 roadside stations spread around Hokkaido. It is located at 72-2 Nakamura, Utashinai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Utashinai Roadside Station Utashinai Roadside Station details Discover Hokkaido’s charm by stopping over at Utashinai Roadside Station , located along Route 114. This station is the perfect base for exploring Central, Northern, and Eastern Hokkaido, and houses a variety of tourism resources and facilities. Utashinai Roadside Station - Utashinai City, Hokkaido Prefecture One of the standout features of  Utashinai Roadside Station  is its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Equipped with a covered parking lot that can be used even when it snows in winter, and a road-heating pavement, visitors can enjoy the station’s facilities with peace of mind. The Utashinai Roadside Station signage also shows the day's temperature The map of Utashinai
Keep reading

Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Hokkaido

Image
Akabira Tokugawa Castle ( čµ¤å¹³å¾³å·åŸŽ ) is a replica castle located along National Route 38 at 174 Horookacho, Akabira City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Akabira Tokugawa Castle Akabira Tokugawa Castle details Akabira Tokugawa Castle may not be a real historical site, but its story is just as fascinating. Built in 1991 by Matsuzawa Yoroi Co., Ltd, a manufacturer of festival dolls, Akabira Tokugawa Castle has served as a showroom and manufacturing factory. It boasts four floors of unique and interesting attractions, including a souvenir and doll-making demonstration area on the first floor, an impressive doll display and sales area on the second and third floors, a Hina doll display and Japanese restaurant on the fourth floor, and an armored helmet exhibit on the fifth floor. The castle also has a sixth floor, which once served as an observatory tower. Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Akabira City, Hokkaido Prefecture Although the castle is currently closed to the public, it remains a symbol of
Keep reading

National Shrine of St. Padre Pio - Batangas

Image
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa  St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Utashinai City

Image
10 Things to Do in Utashinai City Utashinai ( ꭌåæ—内åø‚ ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is the smallest city in the country in terms of population. The city got its name when the railway was established in the region. It derived its name from the sound of the river coursing through the vicinity, referred to as " Otashinai ". For those planning to visit the town of Utashinai to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Utashinai City : Utashinai manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Utashinai . So far, I have seen 2 unique manhole covers. The first one is common around town. The colored manhole cover can be found along Route 691. Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover 2. Check out the newly installed Utashinai Pokemon manhole cover at Utashinai Roadside Station. It features both Vulpix and its Alolan counterpart together with Joltik. Former Sorachi Coal Mine Club (ꗧē©ŗēŸ„ē‚­é‰±å€¶ę„½éƒØ) 3. Visit the  Former Sorachi Coal Mine Clu
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City

Image
10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu City Ashibetsu ( čŠ¦åˆ„åø‚ ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . It is theorized that the city got its name from the Ainu word “ as pet , " meaning “ the river that flows in a shrub ”. Aside from that, other historians also believed that it came from the Ainu word “ hasi pet ” which means “ the standing river ”. In both theories, the name refers to the Ashibetsu River, which flows through the city. For those planning to visit the city of Ashibetsu to check what it has to offer, here are the  10 Things to Do in Ashibetsu : Ashibetsu City manhole covers 1. Take a picture of the  manhole covers of Ashibetsu . So far, I have seen four unique manhole covers which are common in the central part of the city. There are colored versions of these which are installed along Route 452. There is also a special Anne of Canadian World manhole cover found only in the Canadian World Park. Hokkaido Dai Kannon 2. Take a photo of the  Hokkaido Dai Kannon
Keep reading

10 Things to Do in Sapporo City

Image
10 Things to Do in Sapporo City Sapporo City ( ęœ­å¹Œåø‚ ) is the capital and also the largest city of Hokkaido Prefecture. It ranks as the fifth most populous city in Japan . Its name came from the Ainu word Satporopet which means 'Dry, Great River'. For those planning to visit Sapporo City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Sapporo City : Sapporo manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Sapporo’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 2 different manhole designs. The colored manhole cover can be found on the Sapporo Clock Tower grounds. Sapporo Station 2. Explore  Sapporo Station  and enjoy the plethora of stores and restaurants in it. Odori Park 3. Visit and spend half the day exploring  Odori Park  from end to end. The park hosts numerous festivals like the Sapporo Lilac Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, and Sapporo Summer Festival to name a few. Sapporo TV Tower 4. Head up to  Sapporo TV Tower  and enjoy the view of the city, particularly Odori Park. D
Keep reading

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Image
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street.  Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Keep reading

Yuni Garden - Hokkaido

Image
Yuni Garden ( ć‚†ć«ć‚¬ćƒ¼ćƒ‡ćƒ³ ) is a beautiful British-style garden popularly known for its kochia plants. It is located at 134-2 Fushimi in the town of Yuni in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan . Yuni Garden Yuni Garden Details Boasting vibrant seasonal displays of flowers and herbs, this picturesque garden also offers a magnificent chapel as a popular wedding venue. However, the true gem of Yuni Garden lies in its renowned Kochia Hill which features a staggering 32,000 kochia plants, making it the largest park of its kind in Hokkaido. Yuni Garden - Yuni town, Hokkaido Prefecture For those who are not familiar with kochia plants. It is known as summer cypress, the kochia plant is an exotic roundish beauty belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. Throughout their growth cycle, these plants transform from vibrant green in summer to a captivating greenish-red, culminating in a brilliant scarlet hue by October. The unique round shape and fluffy texture of the kochia bushes make them a sight to behold.
Keep reading