This is Joe. I used to be a train enthusiast.
I’m proud to say that, as a reward for passing my middle school entrance exams, I took a solo trip to Nishi-Kagoshima on a sleeper train. It’s a shame no one seems to envy me.
Anyway, travel. Where you go is certainly important, but personally, I think how you get there matters even more.
Joe’s top recommendation is the Saphir Odoriko. It’s an all-Green Car train made for you and me, lovers carrying on an illicit relationship away from prying eyes (according to Joe’s research), and all sorts of things are see-through. Naturally, it’s erotic. JR East really understands eroticism. As a former train enthusiast, I have plenty to say to JR East, but as long as they keep running the Saphir Odoriko, I’ll let it slide. There are private compartments too, but personally, I recommend Car 1’s Premium Green seats.
You horny old men out there who want to deepen your relationship with your partner! (I mean Joe, of course.) Start by checking out the website!
I’m Tetsu, a male member.
The recommendations really depend on what you’re hoping to enjoy—nature, food, sightseeing, and so on.
My top overall recommendation is Hokkaido. Within Hokkaido, I personally think Asahikawa and Obihiro in central Hokkaido are great choices.
I recommend central Hokkaido for three reasons: there aren’t many tourists, so you can explore at a relaxed pace; you can enjoy local comfort food and nature, such as Rokkatei’s famous butter sandwiches, pork bowls and jingisukan in Obihiro, and visiting farms around Furano; and there are also atmospheric secluded hot springs scattered throughout the inland areas. If you’re going to travel all that way, I think visiting places that are a little off the beaten path will make the trip more memorable.
That said, by October, the weather can already feel quite wintry, so those who don’t handle the cold well should take that into consideration.
For food, I recommend Matsuba crab. The season opens in November, so taking a trip to Hokuriku or San’in to enjoy Matsuba crab would be a great idea. Until the end of the year, you can also enjoy kobako crab, the female version of Matsuba crab.
If you’ve already taken lots of overnight trips, how about a day trip instead?
For example, you can actually visit Okinawa’s Churaumi Aquarium in a day—although at the moment, this is only feasible from Tokyo. Take the first flight in the morning, buy an onigiri from Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten near the airport exit, then rent a car and head to the aquarium. On the way back, have dinner at a steakhouse in Naha before catching the last flight home.
It’s definitely going to be a hectic day, so if you’re not confident in your stamina, I wouldn’t recommend it (lol).
I’ll answer too—Maezawa from the president’s office.
In Hokkaido, people hold an event called a “kanpūkai” in the fall. It’s pronounced “kan-pu-kai.”
As the name suggests, it’s a gathering to enjoy the autumn foliage.
You could say you’re going to Hokkaido for a two-person kanpūkai in the fall. Though, as for whether you actually look at the maple leaves…
You don’t. (笑)
It’s more like drinking, having fun, and staying overnight at a hot spring resort before heading home.
From Sapporo, Jōzankei Onsen is nearby, but people also go to Tomamu, Noboribetsu, and other places farther away.
Normally, it’s impossible to get a reservation at any hotel in Hokkaido around this time of year. (笑) It’s such a major event that people start asking around June, “Where are we going for this year’s kanpūkai?”
This year, though, we might be able to go as usual because of COVID. I’m not really sure.
So, even if you’re from outside Hokkaido—or is “mainland people” something only Hokkaido folks say? (笑)—you might want to go to Hokkaido for a kanpūkai.
