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August 12, 2016 update
On the second day, I got on a gondola lift leaving at 4 a.m. to go to Tomamu’s Unkai Terrace and saw a spectacular sea of clouds. After that, I visited Furano and Biei, and returned to New Chitose Airport.
1)
Point of departure: Tomamu
Point of arrival: Furano
Required time: 1 hr 20 mins.
Main roads used: Karikachi road (Road 38)
Expressway toll: 0 yen
2)
Point of departure: Furano
Point of arrival: Biei
Required time: 35 mins.
Main roads used: Road 353
Expressway toll: 0 yen
3)
Point of departure: Biei
Point of arrival: New Chitose Airport
Required time: 2 hr 20 mins.
Main roads used: Doto Expressway (Toll road)
Expressway toll: 4,730 yen
*The required times shown are standard times and do not include breaks.
*Expressway tolls differ depending on conditions.
Tabilai – Rental car reservation website in Japan
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu [ JAPANiCAN ]
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower [ JAPANiCAN ]
The gondola lift is operated from 4 a.m.
I was able to see the sun rise out of the sea of clouds.
Heading toward Unkai Bridge from Unkai Terrace.
Arrived at the fairytale-like bridge.
After walking further, I arrived at the observation deck.
I was completely absorbed in taking pictures.
The clouds come toward you one after another.
The guide gave an explanation of the sea of clouds.
I returned to the gondola lift boarding area.
At this point, there were only a small number of clouds. It looked like the sea of clouds was about to disappear.
It looked as though rays of sunlight were coming down from heaven.
I drew a fortune slip. “Excellent luck”!
Going back on a gondola lift.
At this point, the sea of clouds was disappearing.
I left Tomamu after eating breakfast.
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu [ JAPANiCAN ]
Hoshino Resorts Tomamu The Tower [ JAPANiCAN ] (photo above)
Now, I am off to Furano!
I stopped by at Lake Kanayama on the way.
The area offers a wonderful view of lavender plants and the lake.
Then I visited Farm Tomita again.
I toured flower gardens that I hadn’t walked through the day before.
The blue sky and lavender plants were gorgeous.
Furano Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Furano Resort Orika [ JAPANiCAN ]
New Furano Prince Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Then, heading toward Shirogane Hot Springs, I drove up a mountain road.
On my way to the hot springs, I encountered a fox family.
I arrived at Tokachidake Bogakudai Observation Tower.
When I looked down, I could see Furano in a faraway distance although I was there just awhile ago.
Then, I arrived at Shirogane hot springs.
Yumoto Shirogane Onsen Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ] (photo above first)
Hotel Park Hills [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ] (photo above second)
Taisetsuzan Shiroganekanko Hotel [ Booking.com, Agoda, JAPANiCAN ]
Mori no Ryotei Biei [ JAPANiCAN ]
There is a waterfall nearby. I was surprised at how blue the water was.
After seeing the blue waterfall, I arrived at a blue pond.
There were many visitors as this pond is famous for being adopted as the wallpaper of Apple computers.
And finally, I arrived at the last stop of this trip – Biei, the town of hills.
The potato plants had beautiful flowers.
This is the famous Ken and Mary Tree, the tree that was used in a commercial for Nissan Skyline.
Nothing but wheat fields! This hill was used in a commercial for Mild Seven cigarettes.
The view of this hill is magnificent.
I passed through Asahikawa and headed back to New Chitose Airport on a highway.
Hotel Taisetsu [ Booking.com, JTO, JAPANiCAN ]
After driving for two hours from the Asahikawa IC, I got back to New Chitose Airport.
See you again!
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