Sunny on the last day! The sun was strong but the dry sea breeze was pleasant, making the conditions perfect for riding a bicycle. Before leaving for the trip, I was worried about the changing weather, but we did not get rained on even once. This is why I'm the self-proclaimed 'Man of Sunshine'!

Check location on map

The former site of the Temiya Line is located on Chuo-dori Street leading from Otaru Station to the Otaru Canal. The tracks of the former Japan National Railways (JNR) Temiya Line, which was the first railroad in Hokkaido, are being used as a promenade. You can walk on the tracks, so I stayed there for a while.

Check location on map

Heading towards Sapporo on National Route 5 with the Sea of Japan on the left. Although there is a lot of traffic on this national highway connecting Sapporo and Otaru, the road is wide enough to make the ride surprisingly stress-free. The last pass of the trip, the "Hariusu Pass," was also a relief for Tsucchi as it was not a severe pass with a slope of 2-4%.

Check location on map

After driving about 15km from Otaru Station, we took a break near Zenibako Station. A quick stop at the bakery store "Cottlefeuille Atelier Zenibako" to buy some freshly baked bread. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the store, so we took a short break at the nearby "Zenibako Beach" to enjoy the view of the ocean.

Check location on map

Ten minutes after leaving Zenibako Beach, I felt something wrong with my rear wheel and stopped, I found that I had a flat tire. I love new things so tried using a new puncture repair kit, but it took me a long time to fix it, and before I knew it, 30 minutes had passed.

Pico Ricci is a hideaway cafe-restaurant in a residential area of Kita-ku, Sapporo. We had the recommended bagel sandwich and pasta lunch. The handmade bagels are freshly baked, crispy, sweet and very tasty. They were a really satisfying treat and I'm sure I'll be coming back here again!

Check location on map

We stopped by Moerenuma Park, which Tsucchi wanted to visit. It's hard to believe that the park was originally a garbage disposal site. Climbing "Moereyama," a man-made mountain rising in the center of the park, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Sapporo City from the top. I was so excited that I took a picture with my favorite 360-degree camera!

Check location on map

The trip is now in its final stage. Leaving Moerenuma Park, we departed for the center of Sapporo. The traffic is getting heavier as we head toward the center of the city, so we brace ourselves as we head toward Sapporo Station!

Check location on map

The 330km trip that started from Hakodate has arrived at its goal, Sapporo Station. The route this time was rich in variations, including straight coastlines with no traffic lights and mountain passes with few cars, which is typical of Hokkaido. The most substantial food was fresh vegetables and seafood, and I can honestly say that I consumed more calories than I burned. We took a commemorative photo in front of the station and hurried to the venue for a toast.

Check location on map

We went to "Organic Plus," a restaurant in Susukino that focuses on organic cuisine. We look back on their memories of the trip, ranking the "best scenery" and "best food" of the 4-day/3-night trip.

Check location on map