Japan Diaries 4: Day 356

Japan Diaries 4: Day 356

Day 356: October 23, 2022

Sunday - "10.22-23" Family Road Trip D2

It's the second day of our 10.22-23 Family Road Trip. We awoke to a chilly and wet morning here in Asahikawa City (旭川市). 

The view from our room at Toyoko Inn.
The view from our room at Toyoko Inn. 

This is our breakfast.
This is our complimentary breakfast. 😁 In a way, I miss the buffet breakfast that w have from other hotels.

Waiting for the check-out time
Waiting for the check-out time

Toyoko Inn Asahikawa-eki Higashiguchi
Toyoko Inn Asahikawa-eki Higashiguchi

Off to our first destination...
Off to our first destination...

To make matters worse, the weather forecast warns that it will rain all day. I had no option but to change our plans for the day. Thankfully, we went to Shirogane Blue Pond yesterday instead of today as planned.

Asahikawa Roadside Station
Asahikawa Roadside Station

With Asahikawa's mascot - Asappy
With Asahikawa's mascot - Asappy

Asappy statue
Asappy statue

Asahikawa Pokemon manhole cover
Asahikawa Pokemon manhole cover

That's why we decided to relax in our hotel room a little longer. We checked out of our hotel around 10 AM. From Toyoko Inn Asahikawa-eki Higashiguchi we visited Asahikawa Roadside Station so that Ella and I could get the roadside station stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. 

2nd Street Asahikawa Toko shop
2nd Street Asahikawa Toko shop

2nd Street Asahikawa Toko shop
As expected, Ella's first stop was none other than the toy section

2nd Street Nagayama Kanjo Shop
2nd Street Nagayama Kanjo Shop

No toy section in this branch... Sorry, Ella!

After that, we went to the 2nd Street Asahikawa Toko shop and then the 2nd Street Nagayama Kanjo Shop so that my wife could go shopping for clothes.

Late lunch at Yoshinoya along Route 39
Late lunch at Yoshinoya along Route 39

Late lunch at Yoshinoya along Route 39

Late lunch at Yoshinoya along Route 39

Itadakemasu!

Before leaving Asahikawa City, we had lunch at Yoshinoya along Route 39. It was one of our go-to restaurants in the Philippines. This made us reminisce about those times when we dreamed of going to Japan while eating. 

Driving along Route 12 going to Chippubetsu
Driving along Route 12 going to Chippubetsu

Chippubetsu Station
Chippubetsu Station 

Chippubetsu Bell Arch
Chippubetsu Bell Arch

Chippubetsu Roadside Station
Chippubetsu Roadside Station

From Asahikawa City, we then drove to the town of Chippubetsu (秩父別町) for some "Ella Time". Our first stop was Chippubetsu JR Station. I was expecting an eki stamp but turns out there were none so we proceeded to the Chippubetsu Roadside Station so that Ella and I could get the roadside station stamp for the Hokkaido Roadside Station Stamp Rally. 

Chippubetsu Centennial Memorial Tower
Chippubetsu Centennial Memorial Tower

The view from Chippubetsu Centennial Tower
The view from the observation deck 

After getting the stamp, I made a quick visit to the nearby Chippubetsu Centennial Memorial Tower to get a bird's eye view of the town. 



From there, we walked to Kid's Square Chikkuru for the "Ella Time" we promised our daughter.

"Ella Time"
"Ella Time"

"Ella Time"

Time to head back home.
Time to head back home.

Ella and I played at Kid's Square Chikkuru until it closed at 6 PM It was enjoyable playing with Ella because it reminded me of my carefree childhood and the joy I felt before the stress of adulthood slammed me hard in the face. We arrived home at 8 PM, officially ending our "10.22-23" Family Road Trip.

Overall, it's a Sunday well spent. Although it was sunny, we were able to still visit several 2nd Street branches in Asahikawa City and also have some "Ella Time" at Chippubetsu. We're all looking forward to the next weekend as it's a special day for the family as we will celebrate my wife's birthday. See you guys!

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Location: Chippubetsu, Uryu District, Hokkaido, Japan

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