Esanuka Line Grassland beyond the window, all the way

When I turned onto the Esanuka Line one July day, sky and grassland filled the view beyond the windscreen. With both hands on the wheel, I kept my eyes on the road ahead.

There were no utility poles or guardrails in sight along the roadside, and the pastures came right up close. Every time the breeze through the window stirred the sleeves of my light blue short-sleeved shirt, I felt I’d really arrived in Hokkaido in summer.

The road stretched so far ahead that I wondered where it would end. With scenery this wide, even the usual time spent driving and looking ahead becomes a special moment of the trip.

The road is about 16 km long, with 2 dogleg sections along the way. Passing through the bends and out into the grassland again revealed an expanse different from the straight stretch before.

When I finished the drive and parked, the sound of the wind seemed closer than I’d expected. My hands had just been holding the wheel. Now I rested them on my knees and took a breath. I wanted to enjoy the lingering feeling of driving through the grasslands a little longer.

For my next meal, I’d like to choose Sarufutsu’s wild scallops. I wonder how sweet those thick scallops would taste grilled. After enjoying the road, tasting a local speciality too might make today’s trip even more memorable.