I went to Makomanai. For lunch, I decided to eat at a cafeteria called Mitswa in Makomanai Garrison, where I wouldn't have many opportunities to eat. They had various menu items such as curry, rice bowls, set meals, and ramen. I ordered a cold ramen for 550 yen because it was a hot day. I was unsure if it would be a cold soup ramen like the one in Yamagata, a typical cold noodle dish, or something else. After waiting for about 5 minutes, the dish was brought to me. It turned out to be a typical cold noodle dish. In the Kanto region, the price for cold noodles in the summer season is around 800 yen. The taste and portion were average, nothing particularly outstanding, but the prices at this place were reasonable and felt like a good deal. The other menu items were also reasonably priced, and the pork cutlet curry had a generous portion. It was a valuable experience. Thank you for the meal.

I went to the 70th anniversary celebration of the Northern Army when it opened in the morning. The food was delicious and satisfying. It is a rare restaurant located inside the base.

I bought a Donichi ticket in June 2018, transferred from the Tozai Line to the Namboku Line on the subway, and got off at the Jieitai-mae Station. It was a Sunday, a little after 10 o'clock, when I entered the old East Gate after passing through baggage inspection and metal detectors. This station is the closest to a Self-Defense Forces base in Sapporo, right in the middle of a residential area, so there were a lot of people entering. The parade march began, showcasing the newly reformed purple and navy blue uniforms this year. I could also see the appearance of the Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicle, making its first appearance in Hokkaido. My purpose, however, was not there but at the two welfare centers located to the east and west beyond the Friendship Square. But my wife got excited when she saw the famous Gohyakumon rice cakes from the morning drama being sold at the "Nagoya Mitarashi Kifuya" stall at the Friendship Square. We lined up properly and bought some before continuing to the East Welfare Center, arriving just before 11 o'clock. With this crowd, I anticipated lunchtime would be as crowded as a shopping center. Let's hurry to the cafeteria! As I looked into the menu showcase, I spotted a friend who lives nearby. It seemed they had come to play with their neighbor's children on foot. At 11:05, we paid at the cash register and received a numbered receipt, then sat at a table for four in the back. There were three groups of customers before us, but more and more came in afterward, and within 10 minutes, the visible area was full. My wife, who rarely orders, got the "pork cutlet bowl," and the cutlet was overflowing from the bowl, looking very appetizing. She found it hard to eat, though, as the cutlet was tough. She murmured that she should have ordered the parent and child bowl instead. About 10 minutes later, the "salt ramen" arrived. It came with gluten, three-colored naruto, green onions, roasted pork, and even bean sprouts on top. The noodles were cooked just right and matched well with the soup. I finished the ramen, but the pork cutlet bowl was almost left untouched. Thank you for the meal. It was still before 12 o'clock, but there was already a long line from the cash register to the aisle.

I was looking at a review map and saw a star symbol inside the "Makomanai Garrison" area, so I checked it out and it was "Mitsuwa Shokudo" restaurant. In the past, it was easier to enter the garrison during peaceful times, but now it's stricter except on special occasions. It used to be easy to visit this cafeteria when it was the "Snow Festival venue," but now during the annual garrison event, it's crowded with tanks driving by and helicopters flying overhead (sweat). The food is all reasonably priced and generous in portion size, satisfying the hearty appetites of the Self-Defense Forces members. I had the pork cutlet curry, which was probably 1.5 to 1.8 times the normal size and quite spicy. The cutlet was large and crispy, and the tempura was delicious. The ramen also looked tasty. I would love to go back and eat there again if I have the chance.

The dining facility located within the Makomanai Garrison is quite rare as it is only accessible to employees. The only time the general public can use it is during the annual founding anniversary event. I visited the facility to try their "chanpon" and "vegetable ramen" dishes, which are served in huge bowls. Unfortunately, on this day, the chanpon was not available, so I opted for the vegetable ramen with miso. The portion size was large with plenty of vegetables, but the ramen itself was not much different from regular ramen. The flavor was quite good, and the noodles were cooked just right. The black substance floating on the surface seemed to be burnt sesame oil. It seems that the chanpon dish may offer a better value in terms of portion size. I hope that the chanpon will be available next time I visit.

I went to an event at the Ground Self-Defense Force and visited a cafeteria called Mitsuwai inside the camp. I decided to try their curry, which was simple and homey, not too spicy. The curry plate had a retro feel with a generous portion of rice. My son had the shrimp curry, which had even more rice than mine. Overall, it was a typical cafeteria meal, nothing extraordinary. I might try their tempura soba next time if I remember. The cafeteria is located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and is only open on weekdays.

Pork cutlet curry