Hello,
Today is the 7th day of our Hokkaido trip.
This morning, we’re heading out early to visit Rokkatei’s Obihiro Main Store as soon as it opens. Rokkatei is famous for its Marusei Butter Sand and white chocolate. The store is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. At the Obihiro Main Store’s café, you can try the “Crispy Pie,” which has a very short shelf life of just 3 hours! If you visit the Obihiro Main Store, you should definitely give it a try. You can also enjoy the Marusei Ice Sandwich here.
Next, we went to Kōfuku Station (Happiness Station).
This station became famous after it was featured on an NHK TV program in March 1973, and with the catchy phrase “From the Land of Love to Happiness,” it gained popularity. Even though the railway line has been discontinued, the station’s fortunate name makes the “Kōfuku-yuki” (Happiness Ticket) a popular souvenir, believed to bring happiness. The station building, two diesel cars, and the platform have been preserved, and now it serves as a “Railway Park,” attracting over 200,000 visitors annually.
Next, we toured the filming locations around the New Furano Prince Hotel.
The garden featured in the 2008 Fuji TV drama Kaze no Garden is located at the New Furano Prince Hotel. This special garden, surrounded by trees, is a peaceful space where you can enjoy the fragrance of flowers and the gentle breeze while strolling along paths lined with seasonal blooms. There are also some iconic locations from the drama, such as the greenhouse, the statue of Angel Gabriel, and the grave of a dog named Hotaru (which means firefly in Japanese), which is truly a treat for fans.
At the Drama shop by the entrance, they were selling original products from three Furano-based TV dramas: Kita no Kuni Kara, Yasashii Jikan, and Kaze no Garden.
At the “Mori no Tokei” café, featured in Yasashii Jikan, you can sit at the counter and grind your own coffee beans, just like in the drama, enjoying the fresh aroma while sipping on blended coffee.
Next, we went to Yuigadokuson which is a uniquely designed café just a 5-minute walk from JR Furano Station. The interior has a somewhat foreign atmosphere. The café’s popular dish is the “Curry with Homemade Sausages,” which is made with over 30 types of spices, creating a flavorful, spicy kick that makes you crave more with each bite. The curry is served with rice, and as long as you have some rice left, you can ask for unlimited refills of the curry sauce. However, there’s a rule: you have to say the phrase “Rūru Rūru” (the secret password) when asking for a refill. Don’t be shy—say it loudly!
By the way, the café’s name, Yuigadokuson, is a Buddhist term meaning “to be conceited and believe that one is uniquely superior.”
Just a few minutes by car from Yuigadokuson is Furano Marche. Here, you can enjoy local specialties such as sweets, freshly baked bread, wine, cheese, Furano souvenirs, and take-out items—truly a food lover’s paradise in Furano.
Tomorrow, we’ll be heading to Hakodate, more than 300 km away, so we’ll be driving along the Dōō Expressway. We got tired along the way, so we decided to spend the night in the car at the Tarumae Service Area.
See you again!