After a six-month absence, I visited Muroran for a business trip. I arrived at Higashi-Muroran Station around noon. I immediately started looking for a place to have lunch near the station, but surprisingly the sun was quite strong at the end of August in Hokkaido, making it really hot. Eating curry ramen in this condition would definitely make me sweat a lot. So, I decided to enter a café that seemed to have good air conditioning. It was a café with a long history, with a spacious interior and an old-fashioned atmosphere. The building looked like it was over 50 years old. I sat at the counter and ordered the Napoli lunch set, which came with coffee and salad. I opted for the large portion, which cost 780 yen plus an additional 100 yen for the large portion. After ordering, they boiled the noodles, so it took about 15 minutes for the meal to be served. The Napoli on the plate was accompanied by a salad, and it tasted like the typical Napoli you find all over Japan. The only difference was the thinner noodles. I seasoned it with Tabasco and powdered cheese as I ate. The large portion was actually quite light. It was more like a light meal. After finishing my meal, I enjoyed a freshly brewed coffee before leaving the café, feeling satisfied.

Located just 15 seconds on foot from the west exit of Higashi-Muroran Station, there is a café called "PARUFAN2." I ordered the "Napoleon" for 630 yen, which was definitely not a mistake (see photo). It seems to be a variation of the "Italian" dish called "Napoleon," but I made a simple mistake and found it quite amusing (lol). I am actually from Muroran, and I vaguely remember this shop being here for decades, but this is probably my first visit. The interior of the shop is run by a single mother. Upon entering, I was surprised to see that the floor in the back was quite slanted (o_o). However, upon closer inspection, it seemed like the ceiling was slanted in a different direction... It's difficult to determine what is correct when everything is slanted in different directions, as your sense of balance gets thrown off. The spot where I was directed to sit was around the slanted floor area, which was unbearable (o_o). I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this place up to earthquake safety standards?" Does anyone even care about that (^◇^;)? Please take a look at the photos. The glasses of water on the tables clearly indicate that the tables are slanted. There were three other customers, all waiting for their orders, so it took some time. Finally, after 30 minutes, the "Napoleon" was placed on the table. It was a thickly sauced dish with lots of ketchup, containing ingredients like onions, bacon, shredded cabbage, and cherry tomatoes on the side. The strong flavor reminded me of the past. Since I was short on time, I quickly finished my meal and headed back to the station. Thank you for the meal.

It's a convenient location, just a 1-minute walk from the station with parking available. The owner has changed over the years, and the atmosphere is now more comfortable without the game machines. The middle-aged lady owner is friendly and welcoming. During lunchtime, regular customers gather here. I tried the pork cutlet bowl, and it was delicious. The coffee is average. It's a great place to wait for a train for 1-2 hours as it has a cozy atmosphere. It's perfect for using without feeling pressured.

Now, another day trip with transfer limited to holidays. From Sapporo to Otaru, Otaru to Oshamanbe, Oshamanbe to Higashi-Muroran, Higashi-Muroran to Tomakomai, Tomakomai to Okarimura, Okarimura to Tomakomai, Tomakomai to Sapporo, all on 7 trains around the Hokkaido region. During the transfer in Oshamanbe, have lunch and hot springs, and in Higashi-Muroran, enjoy some snacks. The condition is that it should be within walking distance from the station. This place, "Clear," serves Showa-style coffee with a veteran mama running the place. The customers seemed to be regulars, mostly older in age. Some were even drinking alcohol, so maybe they were here for a drink with the mama. Ordered the classic coffee and the coffee shop delight, "parfait," which tasted just as expected. Ah, it's so nostalgic, the sweetness of youth, or rather, the cheesiness. Energy replenished with a quick stop at the cafe, now off to Tomakomai!