Exploring Northern Hokkaido: A Life-Changing Journey through Sarobetsu Plain in Japan

In a nostalgic journey back to the summer of 1985, travel writer Koji Yoneya recounts his unforgettable train ride across northern Hokkaido. With a Hokkaido-wide excursion ticket in hand, Yoneya embarked on a 20-day adventure that took him from Asahikawa to Wakkanai on the Soya Line.

As the local train chugged along, making stops at Nayoro, Bifuka, and Otoineppu, Yoneya marveled at the slow but steady progress towards the northernmost end of Japan. The sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the vast plains outside the train window. Suddenly, the silhouette of Mt. Rishiri on Rishiri Island came into view, creating a breathtaking scene that left Yoneya in awe.

Accompanied by the music of “Forgotten Saga” by The Square playing on his cassette player, Yoneya found himself moved to tears by the beauty of the landscape unfolding before him. The emotional impact of the scenery, combined with the haunting whistle of the diesel locomotive in the darkness, left a lasting impression on the young traveler.

Reflecting on this transformative experience, Yoneya acknowledges the profound effect that the journey had on him at the age of 17. The sense of solemnity and awe inspired by the majestic views of Mt. Rishiri and the vast Hokkaido plains is something that Yoneya will carry with him for a lifetime.

As Yoneya’s recollection comes to an end, readers are left with a sense of wanderlust and a longing to experience the beauty of Hokkaido’s landscapes for themselves. The story serves as a reminder of the power of travel to evoke deep emotions and create lasting memories.