Teshio → Horokanai Road Trip (Hokkaido, Japan)
00:00 Teshio River Park
00:42 Kawaguchi Heritage
01:48 Nakagawa Michinoeki (Road Station)
02:47 Nakagawa Eco Museum
03:59 Memorial Place of naming Hokkaido
04:23 Bifuka Michinoeki (Road Station)
05:00 Nayoro Michinoeki (Road Station)
05:30 Horokanai Michinoeki (Road Station)
The next day I stayed at Teshio Michinoeki (Road Station), I drove to Horokanai.
The journey was from pit houses to prehistoric fossils, and from sticky rice sweets to
slurp-worthy soba needles.
My adventure begins at Teshio Michinoeki (Road Station) to Teshio River Park. I had a breakfast with a view of Mt. Rishiri Fuji, a mountain so proud, it decided to dress up as its famous cousin, Mt. Fuji.
A stone’s throw away lies the Kawaguchi Heritage site, where 230 pit house ruins dating back from the 3rd to the 8th century stretch across an area of 1500 meters in length and 200 meters in width. With a bear sign standing guard (because even bears need to know their history), I bravely explored one restoration house. If you have a chance, visit Teshio History Museum. They will offer further enriches the experience with its collection of artifacts unearthed from these very grounds.
The journey continues to Nakagawa town, a place with a submerged history, now thriving above water. Although the Nakagawa Eco Museum visit was missed this time, memories of a 2019 visit linger, showcases an impressive fossil collection, including a remarkable 11-meter-long Elasmosaurid Plesiosaur, the largest found in Japan. The Therizinosaurus was displayed at 2019 visit. But it was found this is Paralitherizinosaurus at 2022. These relics of ancient times can even be purchased at the local Michinoeki(Road Station).
The Memorial place of naming Hokkaido, a site of historical significance nestled near the Teshio River. The river itself is a lifeline, shaping the landscape and the communities along its banks. The exploration then takes a creative turn at Bikky Sunagawa Atelier. (more detail visit, https://youtu.be/oH28oncrGjM).
Next, I find myself amidst the floral welcome of Nayoro Michinoeki(Road Station). Nayoro stands proud as the number one producer of sticky rice in Japan. I indulge in a sweet so filling, it’s like a dessert with the power of a full meal.
Finally, I reached Horokanai, the soba capital, the number one producer of soba in Japan. After a journey of 170 kilometers, what better way to unwind than with soba feast followed by hot spring? Horokanai, the soba is hot, and the nights are not, 1.7degree.
May your journey be long, your noodles be plenty, and your hot springs be heavenly. Just remember to pack extra clothes if you travel on October.
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Useful links for visiting the areas.
Nakagawa Michinoeki (Road Station)
Nayoro Michinoeki (Road Station)
Horokanai Michinoeki (Road Station)
Nakagawa Ecomuseum
https://city.hokkai.or.jp/~kubinaga/
virtual tour
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More stories ↓
Sapporo → Teshio Road Trip (Hokkaido, Japan)
https://youtu.be/LopjacUw5-0
Bikky Sunazawa (Ainu artist, 1931-1989)
https://youtu.be/oH28oncrGjM