The Backpack Adventures

10 Things to Do in Iwamizawa City Iwamizawa ( 岩見沢市 ) is an inland city located in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . The name " Iwamizawa " is derived from the Japanese word " Yuamisawa " ( 浴澤 ). Yuami ( 浴 ) and Sawa ( 澤 ) mean "bathing" and "a swamp". For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Iwamizawa City : Iwamizawa City manhole cover 1.  Take a picture of the manhole cover of Iwamizawa City . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is commonly seen around the city.  Iwamizawa Shrine 2. Visit the Iwamizawa Shrine ( 岩見澤神社 ). It’s the main shrine of Iwamizawa City. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you are collecting them. Mannenji 3. Drive into the eastern outskirts of Iwamizawa City and visit Mannenji ( 万念寺 ). It might not have a grand infrastructure but it is home to the haunte

10 Things to Do in Mikasa City Mikasa ( 三笠市 ) is a former coal mining city located in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. The present-day city center is situated in an area known as " Ichikishiri ," derived from the Ainu language's " i-cikir-usi ," signifying the abundance of bear tracks. Originally, the name was a phonetic variation of " Tokoro ." In 1906 (Meiji 39), during the establishment of a new village resulting from the merging of Ichikichi, Horonai, and Ikuharubetsu, the decision was made to name it after the shape of the mountain behind Ichikichi Shrine, located in the Ichikichi district, which resembled Mount Nara. Thus, "Mikasayama Village" was chosen, reflecting the likeness to Mt. Mikasa and the merger of the three villages. Through time, it went from village to town and eventually into a city which it is today.  For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Mikasa

10 Things to Do in Bibai City Bibai ( 美唄市 ) is a beautiful city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . The name “Bibai” is derived from the Ainu word " pipa o i ", meaning "a place (swamp) with many cockscomb pearl mussels". It was once the main rice producer of rice in the region. For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Bibai City : Bibai City manhole covers 1.  Take a picture of the manhole cover of Bibai . So far, I have seen 3 unique manhole covers. The first two are commonly seen around the town while the colored manhole cover can be seen near the Sakurai Family Residence.  Sorachi Shrine 2. Visit the Sorachi Shrine ( 空知神社 ). It’s the main shrine of Bibai City. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you are collecting them.  Wada Park 3. Stroll around Wada Park ( 和田公園 ). This spacious park has a pond and a wal

10 Things to Do in Higashikagura Higashikagura ( 白老町 ) is a town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan .  The entire area of Kagura Village was Imperial Land, owned by the Imperial Family. Due to its location in the eastern part, it was referred to as " East Imperial Land. " In 1924 (Taisho 13), the Imperial Forestry Bureau, responsible for managing the imperial estate, decided to sell it to the tenants. Upon its sale, the area known as Higashi Goryochi was renamed " Higashi Kagura ," establishing it as a regional name. In 1943 (Showa 18), when the village was separated from Kagura Village, it was designated " Higashi Kagura Village " based on the area name. According to Mashiho Chisato's theory, the name Kagura originates from the Ainu word " hetce-us-i ", meaning " a place where music is played ". This name was believed to be given because the location was frequently used for singing and dancing. The name " Kagura

10 Things to Do in Higashikawa Higashikawa ( 東川町 ) is a scenic town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . The town declared itself a " Photo Town " ( 写真の町 , shashin no machi) in the 1980s and a " Photography Culture Capital '' in 2014.  Unlike most municipalities in Hokkaido which has a name that originated from the Ainu language Higashikawa is a town that has a name that simply means East River ( 東川 ). For those planning to visit the town to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Higashikawa : Higashikawa manhole cover 1.  Take a picture of the manhole cover of Higashikawa . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is commonly seen around the town. There is a colored version of this which is displayed inside the Higashikawa Town Hall . Sadly, it was closed when I visited so I wasn’t able to take a picture of it.  Higashikawa Pokemon manhole cover 2. Take a picture of the Higashikawa Pokemon manhole cover . It is installe