On the way back to Sapporo from Hakodate at the end of September, I arrived at Niki without taking a break as usual. When I felt like taking a little break, I remembered a restaurant with a review saying "a definite must-visit". Checking my current location, I realized I had just passed it! So, I turned back to visit. Oh, there is a family enjoying soft serve ice cream outside. The view here is nice and open. It's a perfect place for a break. I ordered the soft serve ice cream, which is from Yamanaka Farm. This soft serve is quite light. While eating, I was shown the gallery inside the store. There are quite a lot of ceramic artworks. As I had hoped, each piece is strong and powerful. There are also some cute coffee cups and plates. It was a nice space where I could be reminded that I still need to work hard.

I visited the "Oe Gakuen Tea Room Pottery Museum" in Niiki Town, Oe on August 31, 2013. This restaurant is operated by the nearby disability support facility, Oe Gakuen, and offers pottery classes as part of their work support program. I was recommended to visit this place by the owner of a diner, so I decided to check it out. I tried their Cream Shiratama Zenzai (¥500), which is their specialty. The ice cream they use from Akai River's Yamanaka Farm is delicious, and the homemade shiratama has a chewy texture that I love. I also got to see the pottery classes offered to the students, and the artworks were impressive and full of hope. It was a heartwarming experience.