Return to Abashiri, Hokkaido (plans)

My wife and I miss Abashiri.

It was one of the first towns we stayed in Hokkaido when we returned in 2012.

We loved Abashiri because it was not what you expect of Japan. It was a small quiet town. In 2012, we went to Asahikawa after Abashiri and rented a car there. The young woman staffing the car rental agency could speak quite good English and asked us where we had been. I said Abashiri, and she said her grandmother lives there. And commented that it was "dead" or "quiet" or "not a happening place". Or maybe she said that she used to live there and couldn't wait to leave that place.

Well, she's young. She will come to appreciate quiet one day.

We wanted to retire there. We could learn to love it there, we thought (without letting the realistic worry about speaking the language intrude upon our fantasy).

Well, let us have our fantasy.

And if we can't go back and retire there, we can at least return for another visit.

This "nostalgia" was triggered first by a "Visit Hokkaido" travel catalogue we picked up from Liang Court, which is frequented by the Japanese community in SG, because of Meidi-Ya supermarket (great place to pick up some really good wagyu beef... at prices that reflect their rarity).

Subsequently, there was an article on 35 reasons to visit Hokkaido.

Briefly the plan is to fly to Sapporo. Take the train to Asahikawa. Rent a car there, and drive to Abashiri with stops at Takinoue, Kamiyubetsu, Engaru, and Saromako.

Or Rent a Camping Car.

• Pink Phlox at Takinoue

• Tulip Farm at Kamiyubetsu

• Lavender at Furano

I found a nice cottage at Engaru.  (Note: Maruseppu Onsen Hotel Superior Cottage with Hot Spring Bath, or the Japanese Style Room with Private Bath. Other rooms are shared bathrooms). If we drive from Asahikawa to Takinoue to see the pink phlox (again), we can then make the drive to Engaru to stay the night. The next day, we can go to Kamiyubetsu, to see the tulips. Then drive towards Abashiri, and stay the night at the Ryokan.

Kagariya Ryokan is by Lake Notoro. It's a Ryokan, so dinner is a Keiseki set and provided in the accommodation price. And breakfast. (Note: Deluxe Twin has private onsen. Other rooms share bathroom.

Then the next day we can drive to Abashiri and Yobito and maybe stay at Hokuten Resort. This is not a ryokan, but it also offers dinner. Perhaps because dinner is hard to find around these parts. (Note: Japanese Western Style with Open-Air Bath).

Of course I would be searching for Victoria Station. This is not a railway or bus station. But a restaurant/steak house. I ate there once, and I miss it. I really liked it. It was... quaint.

We could stay at a cheap hotel (Hotel Ekimae Abashiri) which is just next to Victoria Station. For nostalgia. (It was the first hotel we stayed in Abashiri, Hokkaido.)

And if I have $1000 to spare, maybe I'll try Jozankei Tsuruga Resort Spa and rent the cottage. It has a private onsen. Or just try the day package:

A day trip is enough to treat yourself to a rejuvenating onsen experience and gourmet food. You are recommended to purchase the spa and buffet plan for a free return shuttle from Makomanai station. Do note that the shuttle timings coincide with lunch and dinner, so do check the timings in advance!

The indoor onsen has a high ceiling and the windows are big. With the sun rays shining in, it gives you a feeling of escape and release. The outdoor, open-air bath lets you soak in beautiful scenery as the seasons change. The spa also has a bedrock bath. After sweating it out in the baths, you will feel like a newborn once again.

General plans

Fly to Tokyo. Stay a night or two.
Fly out of Haneda to Asahikawa.
Rent a car and drive around - Takinoue for the pink phlox.
Stay in Monbetsu for a night. Explore the area - Seal Sea Paradise, Sea Ice Museum, Okhotsk Ryuhyo Park
Stay at Kamiyubetsu for Tulips.
Drive down to Wagyu Beef Lodge Restaurant ‘Bibi’ for, what else, wagyu beef!

Ok. Enough fantasising. Time to make plans.