Another Trip!

Yes, it is true. I just returned this morning from another trip. This time my travels took me to the northern part of Hokkaido. If you look on a map, it is the northern island and I actually went to the place that is the farthest north you can go! I took on the night train up to Sapporo then enjoyed a 5-hour train ride through beautiful Hokkaido. The entire time I was thinking about how not many people ever get to see this area.
I was met at the Wakkanai Station by Mr. and Mrs. Yanagi. I met them 8 years ago in Mutsu where Mr. Yanagi was a pastor of a little church. I helped out with the kindergarten there and we have stayed in touch ever since. We had a great day driving around Wakkanai. Oh, we also stopped at the Daisuke Matsuzaka Museum!!!! It was SO cool!
We drove out to Cape Soya to this monument, which marks that we are truly at the northern-most point of Japan. On a clear day, we would have been able to see Russia! Oh, also, many of the signs in Wakkanai were written in English, Japanese, and Russian! I stayed with them for 1 night, went to church with them the next morning, and enjoyed eating udon with some nice people from the church. They then drove me to Nakagawa to meet up with my friend.
The 6 of us enjoyed an exciting game of park golf! This was my first time by the way! It was rainy and cold but that didn't stop us. Here we are enjoying some yummy Chinese food after our fun game of park golf.


I had a great time exploring and meeting the local people in Nakagawa with my friend. Yesterday, I took the train back to Wakkanai to explore for the day before having to catch my train back to Sapporo. So, I took the city bus out to Cape Noshappu to this point that overlooks the Sea of Japan. It was beautiful! I felt like quite an adventurer heading out here.


I also stopped by the aquarium (in background).This is a picture of the Wakkanai Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Hokkaido. So, yes, I am tired from all this traveling but I would do it again in a heartbeat! I am so thankful to God that I have all these wonderful opportunities to explore more of this beautiful country.