I found a roadside station called "Aozora Market" in Bihoro-cho by chance while driving through the town. I remembered that keipon had reviewed it before. I like visiting places like this, so I had to check it out. The parking lot is spacious. The building looks more like a warehouse than a store, with dim lighting inside. They sell fresh produce and processed foods, and overall, the prices seem cheaper than at a supermarket. I bought "Oohira's Ara" for 200 yen, which was a good deal. I made Ara simmered dish with it that day, and it was delicious with its rich flavor. I also bought "Gyouja Garlic" for 155 yen, which is locally grown in Tsukibetsu. I like to pickle it in soy sauce during this season. My wife bought some fruits too, and she said they were cheap. I'll definitely visit this place again.

I was working in Akanko and on my way back, I will pass through Bihoro. Should I stop by "Tamura"? Well, today I will stop by "Marukaichi Aozora Market". It's just 1 minute by car from Tamura, and 30 seconds on foot? I have been here many times, but let's stop by for some sake snacks. It's a warehouse, so it's cold in winter and hot in summer in Bihoro, but the inside of the store is not hot. The staff are not interested in customers, mainly chatting with each other. It's easier when they don't show interest, but they don't bother you. They mainly have vegetables and fruits, but also seafood and processed products. The processed products are quite cheap, but most of them are made in China. I was going to buy boiled beans because they were cheap, but I checked the back and decided not to. I bought "Black Pepper Menma" thinking it would be a good snack for alcohol. It goes well with beer, white and red wine. There is only the name of a Japanese company on the back, but what are the ingredients? It's quite thick, so you can enjoy eating it and the texture. I have a habit of eating it all at once, so I put the amount I will eat on a plate and start eating, but before I know it, it's gone and I end up being too indulgent. Menma comes in a large bag and when I find a cheap one, I can't help but buy it. Since many of them are made in China, I must be reducing my lifespan every time I eat it, but it's a rough life of constantly reducing my remaining years. I'll be happy if I can live until I'm 90! I've given up on life, so I will continue to eat Menma. I also bought Genghis Khan (grilled lamb) which is frozen. I like this kind of meat because I like fatty meat. Oh no, there's no picture of Menma!

Taste: ★★★★☆ Portion: ★★★☆☆ Cost performance: ★★★★☆ This is the real fried sweet potato. You can try the fried sweet potato that won the Michi-no-Eki gourmet competition in the past at this shop located at Michi-no-Eki Bihoro-toge. According to the staff, the person who used to make fried sweet potatoes at Bihoro-toge also brought their recipe here after the tenant at Bihoro-toge Rest House changed. The taste is slightly salty with a hint of butter. Two pieces on a skewer cost 250 yen. The original fried sweet potato and pumpkin mochi are also available for 200 yen for two pieces, making it affordable. If they are not available at the storefront, you can wait for freshly made ones. It's a good shop with good taste and good prices. I hope the word spreads that this is the real fried sweet potato.

The Michinoeki (roadside station) at Bihoro Pass has been renovated, and now there is a new, trendy sweets shop-like place selling deep-fried sweet potato. It used to have a more traditional feel with hot snack stalls run by local ladies as you entered. The crispy Zangi (deep-fried chicken) had a crunchy coating that was well-seasoned with soy sauce, and it was moved inside the Aozora Market. The Zangi was delicious, with a unique flavor that seeped out as you chewed. The sweet potato was also tasty. It might be interesting to buy and compare the sweet potatoes from both the Michinoeki and Aozora Market on your way back.

In October 2021, during a 1 night 2 day road trip, we visited Tamura Butcher for shopping. From the parking lot, we could see a shady market. I asked my partner what it was, and he said, "Haven't you been there before? It's quite interesting." Since I had never been there, we decided to check it out. The atmosphere was intriguing, reminiscent of places like Fleck in Kushiro or Western in Asahikawa. We entered with excitement, but surprisingly, it was not very lively. The fish and vegetable sections were separated, and the fishmongers seemed unenthusiastic. They had a variety of seafood from the Okhotsk Sea, Japan Sea, and Pacific Ocean. We then moved to the vegetable section where we found cheap onions and potatoes. I bought some potatoes and decided to make croquettes with them. The potatoes were soft and sweet when boiled, and combined well with the onions. It was delicious. Despite the odd vibe of the store, it left us wanting to come back.