North Wind
On the third Saturday of September, the first day of a 3-day weekend. Continuing on from where we left off... Today, we have been driving all the way from Sapporo towards the direction of Hidaka, with the final destination being here, the land of Erimo. Both my wife and I have never been to Erimo before.
[Arrival at the Inn]
The inn we are staying at this time is the "Cliff House Yanagida Ryokan". We arrived around 16:15. Although the navigation system did not accurately guide us, we quickly spotted the unique, light blue building. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the inn's mascot dog, Koro-chan, and our dogs also met each other. The first thing that struck us was the strong wind in this area, as rumored. The wind in Erimo is a distinctive feature. We quickly made our way inside to avoid being blown away by the wind, and we were surprised by the atmosphere inside. To be honest, the initial impression of the building was old-fashioned, and I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about being blown away by the strong wind, but once inside, we were captivated by the unique and atmospheric space. The innkeeper is also a very charming person. While the building itself gives off an old-fashioned vibe, the interior is designed in a Western style that you wouldn't expect from the exterior, giving off a feeling reminiscent of the Westernization during the early days of Hokkaido's development.
We were shown to our room, which was incredibly spacious for my wife and I and our two dogs. The furniture in the room was astonishing, with high-quality antique pieces that seemed like they belonged in a museum. The furniture is said to be antique English from the 1930s. The attention to detail in the craftsmanship of the table, chairs, and even the legs of the furniture was remarkable. Sitting at the grand historical table in the center of the room, I found myself lost in thoughts of who might have sat at this table before. Although I am not knowledgeable about antique furniture, the meticulous craftsmanship of the tables and chairs was evident. This kind of setup is not found even in well-known tourist hotels, and it would surely be a delight for those who appreciate such things.
After settling our dogs, we had some time to spare, so we decided to visit the nearby Erimo Cape Tourist Center. However, the strong wind and cold made us quickly retreat after buying a few souvenirs. Back at the inn, we usually would have gone to the hot springs at this point, but there are no hot springs here. That's why we had already visited a hot spring in Mitsuishi beforehand.
We spent some time admiring the antique furniture again and then relaxed with our dogs until dinner time.
[Dinner]
When we entered the dining room, the table was already set. We sat with the other guests at the inn, mostly elderly couples and families with children who seemed to be from outside Hokkaido. Their conversations revealed their surprise at the Erimo landscape, the cold, and the strong wind.
We ordered our drinks - my wife boldly chose a draft beer, while I, still technically on a break from alcohol, had to settle for oolong tea as they did not have non-alcoholic options.
For the meal, we had a sashimi platter with shrimp, squid, scallops, and salmon. The simmered fish, which had a slightly sweet seasoning and was rich in flavor, was delicious. The simmered kelp underneath was also a highlight. The various side dishes were all quite impressive. Noteworthy was the pot shaped like a turban shell filled with grilled turban shells. Each dish was a delight.
Overall, the dinner was a delightful experience, and we enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the inn and the delicious meal.