17/9/26 ( Trip to Hokkaido 18/7 to 27/8/26)
We are all different human beings, it is rare to find some one who may look like and behave like us. That is because we are from different countries, cultural backgrounds, and upbringing so no two persons are alike.
That’s where the conflict lies and that’s where you either resolve the conflict or go separate ways.
A trip with a good friend of many decades put us to the test.
We had two lovely trips to China, on a guided tour, organized by her as she has been to China 30 x. . Everything went well, with minor hiccups over food due to my fussiness.
The recent trip to Hokkaido was different. Japan is my playground of 40 years and I feel her map is on the back of my hand.
My friend wanted to drive, I wanted to use mostly their trains which are highly efficient and modern.
It’s human nature to feel uncomfortable, being out of my comfort zone to drive in Japan. Hokkaido is a vast landscape.
My intention was to use trains then move around with the local transport.
However, my friend had astutely planned the trip and we were going to explore out of the beaten tracks. Since she had done all the research, I decided to do it her way with the agreement that we would take some trains to relax as being a co- driver would tax my mind.
The train journey from Sapporo to Furano was smooth and fast. On arrival, we rented a car. Over the next few days, I could see the convenience in using the car to drive to the flower fields where we could stop at will. There was much time saved getting to the sunflower fields and also the lavender fields.
Sunflowers track the sun in Furano
Lavender in full bloom at Tomita farm
The availability of a car also allows us to go straight to view the famous road of Furano— called the Roller Coaster road, a 4.5 km of undulating hills that rise and dip, offering grand views of the Tokachi mountain range.
This pix did not catch the actual dramatic slopes of the jet coaster road but it can be seen from another perspective.
Thanks to the boundless curiosity of my avid driver friend, we went to view the ‘lonely Christmas tree’ in Biei, best accessed by a car.
Next day, my friend said she would drive for 2 hours north of Furano to Mashike, a coastal town. I was quite daunted again by more driving but there was no direct train.
My friend is a foodie. Mashike is not a typical tourist town. It is famous for its sake brewery, fishing history, rich seafood and retro streetscapes dating back to Edo era in the 19th century.
We bought some of the best rice sake here
The sake brewery was exquisite with its selections and free samplings.
It was refreshing to dine at the famous eatery Kunimare where they served fresh seafood in a ship’s interior.
On route to Furano, the season of blooms still greeted us along the roads.
The next day, my ardent friend had planned a 3 hour drive to Kushiro, 226 km from Furano.
Oh no, more look out to do for ongoing cars to ensure safety. However, my driver friend was as steady as a rock.
The drive on Hokkaido highway was limited mostly to 60 km/ hour so one can imagine the endless green landscapes we were blessed with. We broke journey halfway at Ikeda wine castle, a research Institute where they age wines and produce the famous Tokachi wines.
Along the long journey, there was some setback. My friend used her tablet to reinforce the gps of the car. So two gps started talking, one said go straight and the other said to turn. In the end, we did not know which was talking and were stumped for a while.
As the saying goes, “ All roads lead to Rome”, I suggested switching one off so that when we get nearer to the destination, we could switch both on again, that’s when the instructions would converge.
She wanted to use both as assurance so I said I would stop co-navigating to reduce the confusion.
I kept silent and saw it as a careful move on her part.
After all, she was a good driver and I did not want to disturb her concentration. Driving long distances could be stressful though she loved it.
All went well. We arrived at our destination, a remote coastal town called Kushiro. A quiet town, so quiet, they have a romantic Japanese song triggered from a sign when we stood in front of it.
Announcements blared from the speakers in the streets, maybe to soothe the people’s loneliness in a sparsely populated town. Quaint shops lined the streets and the food was fabulous.
Old world charm of Kushiro streets
The next day, she said we would drive for 2 1/2 hours to Rausu to eat Hokkaido crabs.
This time she used the car gps only. She saw the rationale. Another quiet town with miles and miles of the Japanese sea.
My friend, being a foodie then drove to Rausu market place and we had the best Hokkaido crabs for an unbeatable price.
The next day, she said we would drive for 2 1/2 hours to Rausu to eat Hokkaido crabs.
This time she used the car gps only. She saw the rationale. Another quiet town with miles and miles of the Japanese sea.
My friend, being a foodie then drove to Rausu market place and we had the best Hokkaido crabs for an unbeatable price.
From the deck of the market place, it was a spectacular sight to behold the seabirds lining the coastline of Rausu
Back to Kushiro, we made it to the marshlands of Kushiro City Tancho Crane National park an hour before it closed to view the Japanese red crowned cranes.
These cranes are designated as a Japanese Special Natural Monument and considered as an endangered species.
The next day, we took the train that I wanted all along to go back to Sapporo. Ah, my beloved Japan train, and the ride was smooth as velvet.
Sapporo would remain my territory to bring her around for underground shopping. We had our little couple disputes now and then over silly things.
However, we kept silent after a few outbursts and let time heal. It’s important to keep silent and not detract from your goal of enjoying a beautiful trip!
Overall, it was a very good trip and I thanked her with a lunch treat. She treated me to a Sushi lesson in Sapporo taught by an enterprising young lady who had sushi training, worked at a sushi restaurant and now has become an instructor.
We had a great time. Sushi is healthy food, easy to made for busy people on the go.
We have acquired the skill of folding and holding the ingredients together in sushi making which was an art.
On retrospection, if I have not agreed to taking the car and using trains and local transport instead, we would not have set foot in unusual places.
A car does take us to places, fear needed to be cast aside.$
In conclusion,
I have learned that I should not think that I would know more about a place just because I have been there many times.
Sometimes it’s good to step back and see things from another perspective, in this case by a car.
Sometimes it’s good to know that there are people more resourceful than yourself.
Sometimes it’s good to keep silent and defuse any potential conflicts.
A friendship cemented on grounds of appreciation, agreement and adaptation. We have planned for another trip again because we are both China fans.