Cafe " Kyuu Chayatei" !

by Kazu

The scenery through the window of the old cafe "Kyuu Chayatei" in Hakodate City was a little bit distorted because the sheet glasses of the window were made before Meiji Era and Meiji Restoration.

My wife chose traditional Japanese sweet "Kintsuba" made of sweet red beans paste and rice powder. I chose slightly baked pudding topped with caramel sauce and ice coffee. The atmosphere in the cafe was so relaxing and comfy. 

A small cup of peach sherbet followed the afternoon sweet set. It seemed that the owner of the cafe had a good taste of  tableware including china. The building must have been refurbished but the appearance seemed to have been maintained.

 

An Old Cafe in Hakodate!

by Kazu

As you may know that I make a point of jogging around the bay area of the Port City Hakodate early in the morning when I stay in the city but I had not entered the cafe with atmosphere named "Kyuu Chaya Tei" because I had not visited there in working hours. 

Every time I passed by the cafe, I wondered how the inside and the interior of the cafe was like. For the first time I visited the cafe with my wife after checking in La Vista Hakodate. 

So pretty miniature China welcomed us in the cafe. They were displayed near the window facing the street. The atmosphere of the cafe was like I imagined before. 

 

Just Arrived in Hakodate!

by Kazu

The Limited Special Express Train Niseko Go we took arrived in Hakodate railway Station. The local train coach of "Isaribi Railway" run by a special company founded to maintain the line that had connected Hakodate with Eshashi Town on the west coast of Hokkaido Island.  

Railway manias love this train and the railway but because not so many people use the train, the railway company, the municipalities and other stakeholders are struggling to maintain the railway.

The passengers including train manias who took the special limited train were taking memorial photos with the train colored pink and silver. They seemed to be savoring their memory during the journey by the train.

 

Mt. Komagatake from Special Express Train Niseko Go!

by Kazu

Soon after leaving Oshamanbe Station, Mt. Komagatake could be seen from the window of the train. The beautiful shape of the active volcano continued to allure many tourists form other regions on this globe.  

The mild hillside of the volcano fit the blue sky to a T on that day. The lakes and ocean reflected the blue color of the sky. The contrast of the green, blue and white was so beautiful. 

Taking photos from the window of the coach was a little bit tough after drinking alcohol even for me. I am not good at taking photos basically, to be honest.

 

What is "Manbe-kun" ?

by Kazu

"Manbe-kun" is the local mascot character of Oshamanbe Town. The motif is crab but it seemed like a lobster. The character was waiting for the arrival of the Special Limited Express Train "Niseko Go" and the train manias in the train. 

The crab meat lunch box "Kanimeshi" made by "Kanaya" in Oshamanbe Town had to be reserved by phone call by the day before the arrival. It costs 1,200 Japanese Yen. The buyers should prepare the cash. Please do not expect the change.  

The lounge coach was at the tail of the train where the frames for taking memorial photos were put on the counter table facing the window. I gained a table before our arrival in Oshamanbe Town where many train manias were expected to rush into after buying the lunch boxes.