Japan Travel Diaries Pt.2 | Exploring Tokyo & Hokkaido (Asahikawa, Furano, Biei, Daisetsuzan)

Japan Travel Diaries Pt.2 | Exploring Tokyo & Hokkaido (Asahikawa, Furano, Biei, Daisetsuzan)

We have your disp. [Music] We spent 11 days exploring Hokkaido and more of Tokyo at the end of the summer of 2025. We got out into nature, relaxed at onens, and traveled by Shinkansen. Of course, we went on shopping sprees, dove into the foodie scene, and saw all the sites while we were there. Join us for our comeback tour through northern Japan. [Music] [Applause] [Music] seat reservations. Please do not smoke in this train. All right, so we’re on the train to Asahikawa now. We’re leaving Saporro. We had a nice couple days in Saporro. When we get to Asahikawa, we’re going to get our rental car, then head up into the mountains. Today’s going to be mostly an outside day, more of a road trip day. We’re going to kind of wind through some of the little towns that they have up there. Ba, Furano. There’s some farms and flower fields that we can stop at. Kind of touristy, but should be hopefully picturesque. probably not as much as some of the Instagram pictures that you see of all the flower fields with all the colorful plants and things like that. Just spanning the distance. And then we’re going to be staying at a bed and breakfast type of place in BA for the next couple of nights. Tomorrow what we’re going to do is we’re going to be doing some hiking hopefully, weather permitting, at the national park that they have up there. So that should be really fun. I’m really looking forward to that. So, taking a break from the city, getting out into the countryside and into the mountains. So, here we go. [Music] All right. Good. [Music] [Music] There’s the beast. She’s an amazing machine. No, the car. You too. We’re out in the country now. And this is the reason why we rented a car. a bunch of farmland out here and mountains and everything. This is very much the countryside. It feels great out right now. It looks like it’s about 71. It’s really overcast compared to Tokyo. This feels great right now. Um in Tokyo is almost 100°, super humid. But I think what we’re going to do is we’re going to keep driving and check out more of this countryside, check out these flower fields. We’re going to get some lunch out here, too. Um, we haven’t had Hokkaido soft serve yet, which is something that I’m really looking forward to. The dairy out here in Hokkaido is apparently really good, so I’m excited. [Music] Wow. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] This dog cafe was super cute and such a gem in the tiny town of Ba. It was so good to pet a puppy after being away from our bucket for so long. [Music] [Music] Refreshed and re-energized, we got back on the road to check out more flower farms. Turn right, then your destination will be on the left. Made it. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] mama. Hello [Music] The next morning, we were treated to a delicious Japanese breakfast and coffee by our host, Shisa, in their cozy cafe area. This place was such a vibe. We’re dreaming of coming back here in the winter with the snow and you’re relaxing in the hot sauna while it’s snowing outside. Oh man, you’ll see that later. Continue for 3 km. All right, so it’s a rainy day in well, we’re not in BA anymore, but that’s where we stayed at this quaint little bed and breakfast. We’re actually on our way to Mount Asahidake right now. We’re in the national park. I don’t know what the national park’s name is off the top of my head, but there’s a ropeway up here. So, we’re going to take the ropeway and we’re going to do something like maybe an 8 to 10 mile hike that’s going to summit Mount Asahidake and kind of make a loop around it. There’s some hot springs where we can put our feet in towards the end of it. So, we’ll see how that goes because it is super rainy out right now. Um, so I’m just in sandals. We don’t have a lot of waterproof gear. Supposedly, we’re going to be able to rent like boots, trekking poles, and things like that that we need, but it’s also going to be really muddy, and it’s supposed to be raining for most of the morning. It’s about 9:30 right now. We’ll see how it goes. We took a look at the webcam before we left and we talked to the hotel owner and she was saying that it might be a little treacherous. It’s going to be really rocky and visibility is going to be really bad. But this is what we came here to do. So, we’ll see how it goes. [Music] Spring is late to Mount. All right. Really rainy, but we’re going to do the easy hike cuz that’s all we can do. They looked at my shoes and she was like, “Uh, no, don’t do that.” Oh, See, she was right. She was right. So, here’s one of the lookout points. Can’t really see that much. There’s people up here. [Music] There’s the rest stop. Wish they sold ramen in that little shack right there. Down at the Coobe Rope, there was a spot that right next to one of the waterfalls, they sold ramen. There’s this little cafe area that has vending machines. Apparently, they sell ramen over here. It’s really nice that they build these little rest houses on the trails, especially for travelers that are trekking in the winter to get out of the snow. Mount Asahidake is an active volcano that stands at around 7,500 ft or 2200 m, so the weather up here can change at a moment’s notice. [Music] for as many as Okay, so we just finished Mount Asahid. We didn’t end up doing the actual loop that we wanted to do. There’s like a little safety briefing before they kind of let you do your thing. And there were definitely people that had legit hiking gear and that kind of thing. Since we’re here to do a lot of other stuff, we obviously don’t have like hiking boots and things like that. So, I had my sandals on, which are hiking sandals. Um, but the lady saw them when she was talking to us and she gave me the international or the universal symbol for no, which is the X in front of your chest. But it was still it was still good. We still had a good time. We were out there for maybe an hour and a half, maybe 2 hours. We took our time. We’re going to go get some lunch. So, we’re going into BA into town first and then we’ll come back just check out some of the waterfalls that they have here before we head back to our hotel. [Music] It was close to where we had lunch in BA. So, just walking around for a little bit and then going to go see some waterfalls. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat up here. [Music] [Music] [Music] We had a really good day at Daicuan National Park here in central Hokkaido. It was really rainy. We were wet a lot of the day, but the diversity of the things that you can do here is really cool. I mean, this morning we were climbing Asahid Sun. We took the ropeway up towards, you know, kind of towards the top. It’s at like 5200 ft or whatever, so Denverish elevation. We did like a a route around there and then did part of the summit trail to Asahidake and it was really foggy, but it was still really fun. Um, there were a lot of geysers to see. It would have been cool to see a little bit further. Visibility was poor, but it was still great. Now, still pretty hazy out, really foggy, really drizzly. That makes it so there’s not as many people out here, which is really cool. So, kind of feels like you have it to yourself. We just went waterfall peeping. We’ll probably hit another one on the way back. We were just talking about how some of these landscapes here are just so unique. Very green, very lush. Just been a good day. [Music] [Music] [Music] I’m so excited for this Tempora udon. [Music] [Music] After a long day of adventure, coming home to a relaxing hot sauna and cold plunge was magical. [Music] a snow. Mhm. Yeah, it looks so beautiful. [Music] Oh, coffee. Good morning, Ohio. [Music] mountain. [Music] Good morning. So, we checked out of Ron and I base in VA where we were staying for the past two nights. Honestly, that was probably the best place that we’ve stayed at in Japan. It was super quaint and the sauna and the hot tub and that whole bath situation was amazing. The staff were super nice. They spoke good English. And last night, we brought them some beer. They asked us to drink with them. So, we had a couple beers and we’re just chatting and getting to know each other a little bit. They’re super cool. Shisa, it’s her and her husband. I I believe they’re the owners of the building. She used to be a professional snowboarder. She was one of the first women to be a professional snowboarder in Japan. Um, and her husband is a really good surfer, too. So, they’re very active. Just super cool experience. We got to chat with them about Japan and their lives and our lives and everything. And it was just it was awesome. We’re on the train now back to Saboro. And it’s going to be an all day journey today to travel back to Tokyo. We’re probably not going to get in until about maybe midnight or something like that. But we’re going to be in Tokyo for the next 3 days. Tomorrow probably going to be an all day shopping day. I know we’ve been looking forward to that in Tokyo. and then we’ll see what else we get up to. [Music] We’re in Saporro again for another few hours. We didn’t realize that the Saporro marathon was this weekend. All the train and Shinkansen reservations were really booked, so we had to pick one that was a lot later. We’re going to go get some hamburg steak, maybe some coffee. [Music] [Applause] Hey. Hey. Hey. 3 hours to Hakaco Dante. [Music] We’re back at Shin Hakodate now. It’s around 6:30. We’re going to get going here in about 5 minutes. It’s going to be a little over 4 hours from Shinhakodate to Tokyo Station and then we have to take a local train to Shinjuku. So, here we go. We’re also on the Shin Kansen, so it’s going to be really fast once they get up to speed on this. [Music] Good morning from Shinjuku. We got in pretty late last night. It was around midnight. We started at like 8:30 is when we left Ron and I base in BA. And we didn’t get to our hotel till about 11:30, maybe midnight. So, so we got a late start today, but it is uh time to go shopping. We’re going to hit a bunch of different department stores and things like that that are kind of close by. So, like Hands, Uniqlo, the Disney Store, and a few other places. So, it’s going to be a fun shopping day today. Also, now that we’re back on the mainland here in Japan, it is now 89° and the high is going to be 94 today. It’s hot. [Music] All right. So, we’re at Sushi Row right now. This whole thing is a screen here where you can order a bunch of different stuff. It also shows like all of the different menu options, the different nigiri that’s available. So, we’re going to chow down. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Good morning. It’s our last full day here in Japan. We’re staying here in Shinjuku. Our uh flight leaves tomorrow Narita around 6:45 I think. Uh yesterday was all shopping. So, we got a lot of cool things. And today is going to be mostly shopping again. We’re going to go get some coffee at our favorite coffee place here in Shinjuku and um get out and enjoy our last full day here. [Music] Everyday, [Music] baby. [Music] We’re on our way to a sock place that it’s made in Japan socks. And one of the things that I really want from there are linen socks. That’s also kind of what we’re going to be looking for today is just more independent stuff cuz yesterday we went to like Muji and Hands and all of the popular kind of department stores that we wanted to hit to get some things. And then we’re also going to a neighborhood in in West Tokyo called Shimoki Dawa, which is like a boho chic, retro vintage clothing, a lot of secondhand shops and things like that to go looking for clothes. So, we’re excited. [Music] Hey, [Music] she overch. [Music] W.che. [Music] foreign. [Music] [Music] We’re in Shabuya. Oh yeah. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Oh my god. Please don’t count how many times we tried that. This Pikachu claw machine defeated us. At least we got a consolation prize. Winner after spending like 20 bucks. Yeah. Get this consolation prize. So we didn’t walk away empty-handed. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] We’re about to be part of the clean plane club over here. [Music] [Music] [Music] So, we’ve been shopping since about 10 a.m. this morning. It took a lot longer than we thought and there were a few shops that we added kind of along the way, but we’re back at Tokyo Station now. We’re kind of in the middle actually. We were in South Tokyo and we’re headed back to Shinjuku, which is west of Tokyo Station, but we haven’t actually seen like the outside of Tokyo Station until right now. So, it’s 10:24 at night. We just wanted to stop and see this before we left. I’m sad that we didn’t get to hit all the places that I wanted to hit. There was a Shimokazawa, which is uh where I wanted to shop for some vintage clothing. Didn’t get to do that, but you know, maybe on our next Japan trip. Yeah, next year. Tomorrow, uh we’re going to kind of take it easy. There’s a couple other things that we wanted to do. We still need to hit Don Kyote to get some last minute like beauty products and souvenirs and stuff like that. So, we’re going to do that in the morning and then probably get some coffee again and spend our final hours in Tokyo before we have to go back. No, I think you still order here. [Music] [Music] [Applause] Ohio Gazai Mas from Shinjuku. We’re moving to Japan. No, I’m just kidding. I uh I we have to go back to work here in the next couple days, but this is our last day in Japan. We’re leaving tonight. We just had coffee for the last time this visit at Double Tall. And now we’re going to do some last minute shopping and then probably do the Kirby Cafe or the Kirby Petite Cafe. We weren’t able to get reservations for the Kirby Cafe itself, but there is a petite cafe in Tokyo Station, so we’re probably going to do that a little bit later on. If we’re lucky, I’ll be able to get to Blue Lug, if I time it correctly, Blue Lug Bike Shop, and get some bike stuff. So, we’ll see. [Music] In the interest of time, I went out on a solo quest to Blue Lug myself. Amanda was still in the room packing. That bike shop was super cool. I can see why Blue Lug is one of the most popular bike shops in Tokyo. They had so much cool stuff over there. A lot of stuff that they have, they make themselves, like those reflectors that I bought, some of the bike packing bags and stem bags and things like that. And they just have a lot of cool stuff, especially if you’re into fix gear and a lot of bling on your bike. They add a lot of Nitto products and all of that. So really special. I’m really glad that I made the trip out. [Music] time. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Last meal in Japan. Got to get the samurai mac. [Music] going to be all right. They have shower rooms at the Narita airport for 1,500 yen. It’s actually pretty clutch because of the time crunch today. I wasn’t able to take a shower like I wanted to before we left. So, here it is. Not bad. Is this a massage chair or is it a rocket launch? I’m doing it, too. Amanda said it massages your feet. Oh my god. Oh, it’s tickling me. I think that’s our plane coming in. We’re right next to our gate. Broken. [Music] Might get lucky. We’ll see. [Music] One more leg to get home to Bud. [Music] [Applause] She made it all the way from Japan. There they are. Hi, bud. Hi bud. Look at him. He’s wagging. Oh, look at him. Hi, Bubba. Hi, bud. Hi, bud. Hi, bud. Hi, Moy. Show yourself. Is that you? I can’t tell. Oh, that is you. Okay. Oh, good boy. Good boy. We missed you, Bubble Ball. I know. Good job, bud. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat.

We’re back in Japan! 🇯🇵 This time, we explored even more of Tokyo and took an unforgettable journey through Hokkaido — from Hakodate to Sapporo, Lake Toya, Noboribetsu, Asahikawa, Biei, and Furano.

📍 End of Summer 2025 was the perfect time to visit Japan’s north, with stunning natural beauty, cooler weather, and fewer crowds. Join us as we soak in the views of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), hike through Daisetsuzan National Park, hop on scenic train rides, indulge in amazing Japanese food, and do some serious shopping in Tokyo!

🍜 Expect:
Local eats & street food
Scenic sightseeing spots
Unique shopping finds
Train travel tips
Hidden gems in Hokkaido & Tokyo

🎥 This is Part 2 of our Japan 2025 travel series – don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss our next adventures!
#JapanVlog #HokkaidoTravel #TokyoVlog #Japan2025 #TravelVlog #Sapporo #JapanFoodie

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Day 7 – Asahikawa, Furano, Biei
06:32 Day 8 – Mt. Asahidake, Daisetsuzan National Park
15:38 Day 9 – Sapporo, Back to Tokyo Travel Day
20:18 Day 10 – Shinjuku Shopping
23:26 Day 11 – Tokyo Metro, Shibuya
31:46 Day 12 – Last Minute Shopping, Back Home