I checked out at 6 a.m., which is early in the morning, and refueled at a gasoline station near the hotel. My beloved BMW 320d has a diesel engine, which means it has excellent fuel efficiency. Consequently, it can still run for a long time without refueling, but I’m not fond of how it behaves when the fuel level decreases and the car becomes lighter. Lightness should be an advantage for a car, but I suppose it depends on the situation and circumstances.
The first destination of the day is “Michi-no-Eki Himi Banyagai.” Anticipating the crowds, I arrived early, but the parking lot is in quite a state. It’s filled with campervans everywhere you look. It seems like there are many campers who spent the night here.
Seafood sales are thriving at this roadside station. With offerings like seafood bowls and sushi, it’s no wonder people flock here. It’s unthinkable not to indulge in the ocean’s bounty when you’re near a fishing port.
I was actually considering having sushi, but even though it’s still an hour until the opening, there’s already a long line formed, you know? I wanted to try this thing called “Himimae Sushi,” but I can’t wait for so long. Regrettably, I’ll have to pass this time with a heavy heart. As an alternative, though it may not be much, I’ll purchase some yellowtail and blackthroat seaperch, and have them sent to my home with cool delivery.
It’s such a convenient world we live in. With services like cool delivery, you can even purchase frozen items from distant places. We really should be grateful to the home delivery drivers. By the way, the yellowtail and blackthroat seaperch I purchased were incredibly delicious when I had them at home later. They’re definitely not the kind of quality you can find at just any supermarket.
With a lingering desire for Himimae Sushi, I departed from the Michi-no-Eki (roadside station) and headed north along National Route 160, tracing the coastline. Parallel to it, the Noto Expressway stretches, resulting in very light traffic on this route. Thanks to that, I could enjoy a leisurely drive while gazing at the sea.
Occasionally, I got out of the BMW and found the perfect temperature – not too hot, not too cold – refreshing. The breeze coming from the sea is just delightful. Although I wasn’t doing anything particular, spending quiet time by the seaside feels like a luxurious indulgence.
As I basked in the sea breeze and took my time, cars and motorcycles would pass by, but everyone seemed to be driving slowly. Although there might be some speedsters here and there, it’s not surprising – the scenery is so beautiful that perhaps everyone prefers a leisurely pace.
However, maybe due to too much exposure to the sea breeze, my mouth has become somewhat salty. Worried about excessive salt intake leading to high blood pressure, I start driving again. After a while, I spot the Iori Michi-no-Eki up ahead.
The “Iori Michi-no-Eki” is a small roadside station that almost seems like they converted a beach parking lot into one. From a corner of that parking lot, there’s a mouthwatering, savory aroma wafting. As if drawn by an irresistibly powerful Dyson-like suction, I find myself following the scent, and there, by the sea, they are grilling the classic squid.
There’s really no option but to indulge in this. By the way, it seems the person grilling the squid is a fisherman; these squids were caught this morning, I hear. With such freshness, there’s no way this squid wouldn’t be delicious. Upon tasting it, both the flesh and the skin are tender, worlds apart from what you’d find at your average supermarket. A sprinkle of shichimi togarashi (seven-spice blend) elevates the flavor even more.
The taste was so incredible that I ended up buying another one. I even considered going for seconds, that’s how unbelievably good it was. Being able to savor such deliciousness is all thanks to the fishermen. Gratitude is definitely due.
After thoroughly enjoying the incredibly delicious grilled squid, our journey north comes to an end. Our accommodation for tonight is located in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, so we need to head there in order to make it in time. I’ll turn the steering wheel and drive on the Hokuriku Expressway, aiming towards the direction of the BMW.
Even before getting onto the Hokuriku Expressway, we took a little detour for a drive, but I forgot to take photos. Therefore, I’ll skip that part.
From here on, it’s a straight shot on the Hokuriku Expressway until we reach the hotel. The sun is still high in the sky, but considering we’ve been active since early morning, it’s already sufficient. Acting early in the morning, checking in ahead of time, and getting ample rest in the evening to be ready for another early start – this is my routine.
Let’s take it easy and give our bodies a good rest tonight as well.
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