Japan22

Aug. 13th: Back in Wakkanai. Had some ramen and gyoza at a local restaurant, typical counter seating (but also with a tatami room in the back), Japanese baseball game on TV, smoky atmosphere. Then took a nice stroll to Ryotoku-ji, which was all lit up with lanterns, and then through Chuo Shopping Arcade and back. The shopping arcade is interesting since it’s mostly completely abandoned for the past two years. It’s currently lined with tens (or possibly hundreds) of thousands of paper cranes.

Aug. 14th: Visiting a few last-minute spots around Wakkanai. The northernmost end of the JR line, the Pokémon manhole cover (“Pokefuta”), Wakkanai Karafuto Museum, and Fukuko Market. It sounds like a lot, but even with stopping for coffee, it’s been maybe an hour and a half.

I actually highly recommend the Karafuto Museum. It’s a beautiful serene space with incredible photographs documenting the history of Japan up to the 50th parallel; on the first floor, there are replica old-style shopfronts and displays of antiques, vintage toys, and posters (Godzilla v. Mothra, anyone?).Read more