Mom's at work! Taking the two kids to Akune Bansho-ga-oka Park. Four generations of memories and a 'dareyame' at the roadside station. | Dareyame 'Yokatoko'

Dareyame 'Yokatoko'
Hello, it's Oichan here.
I usually focus on 'dareyame' (evening drinks) at home, but here I'll be sharing some 'yokatoko' (good places) I've found while out and about.
From family trips to the best 'drinks' and 'delicious food' I've encountered on my travels.
I'll be delivering these daily records in a natural, relaxed way.

Time to head out!

The other day.
Usually, the four of us go out together, but Mom was at work that day.
'Alright! Let's the three of us go somewhere.'
I said that, but honestly, taking two kids (my daughter and my son) out by myself as a dad requires a fair amount of spirit and energy.
*Especially my son. It all depends on you, kid (lol).

Our destination was Akune.
That's where my parents and my great-grandmother live.
Using the excuse of 'going to show them the grandkids' faces,' I drove from Minamikyushu City. The car was lively.
With the background music of 'Are we there yet?', my struggle as a dad began.

[Ishihara Confectionery] The sweet scent and a 'negotiation' with my daughter

Arriving in Akune,
the first place we headed was 'Ishihara Confectionery'.
I'd heard from a colleague at work that their cream puffs were incredibly delicious.
Not only did I want to get some as a souvenir for Grandpa and the others, but I wanted to try them myself.

When I parked the car in front of the shop, a nostalgic, sweet scent drifted over. The atmosphere inside the shop was calm, making it easy to see why it's loved by the locals. I ordered the cream puffs and eclairs I was after for everyone.

Alright, the souvenir is perfect... just as I thought that.
My daughter, who was next to me, locked onto a cake in the corner of the display case.

'Dad, this one. I want to eat this.'

'We have cream puffs today, you know. Let's all eat them together.'
I tried to soothe her.

But my daughter wouldn't budge.
She stared at the display case with the intensity of someone saying, 'I'm not going home until you buy this.'
My son, not even really knowing what was going on, started making a fuss, shouting 'Cake! Cake!'

Customers were starting to line up behind us, and I knew that sticking to my guns here would be a losing battle.
'...Alright. Just one.' In the end, I gave in and bought the cake too.
Well, it's not a place we can come to all that often.
I decided to think of it as a small price to pay for my children's smiles (and my own peace of mind).

The pie crust was crispy and
the cream was "packed inside!!"
They were quite large and only 220 yen. How wonderful.
The eclair crust was also crispy and
inside was chocolate cream.
Everything was exquisite!!

There were other things like cheesecake lined up, and I wanted to buy so much more...

[AZ Akune] A mega-store where 'fish' is the star

Next, we headed to the familiar 'AZ Akune'.
There's an AZ in Minamikyushu City (Kawanabe) too, but when you come to Akune, you have to stop here.
Why? Because the fish section is on a completely different level.

As I pushed the cart through the spacious store and reached the fresh fish section, I was overwhelmed by the difference.
The 'look' of the fish on display is just different.
They are shiny and their eyes are clear.
The Kawanabe AZ has an image of being strong on mountain produce and household goods, but the Akune AZ truly feels the pride of a 'seaside town'.
*By the way, there are way more capsule toy machines in Kawanabe. Kids might be happier there.

There was a wide array of fish that must have just been brought in from the local port, and even large fish, squid, and octopus were sold whole.
'This would be absolutely delicious as sashimi...'
If I weren't driving, I'd want to start a drinking party right here.
The kids were also super excited to see the big fish, shouting, 'Look, big fish!'
I couldn't take a picture, but that energy is unique to Akune.
That was the moment I felt envious of the people in Akune.

[Bansho-ga-oka Park] Walking the slopes of memories with four generations of family

After that, we met up with Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-Grandma and went to 'Bansho-ga-oka Park'.
For me, this place is like a 'primal landscape'.
When I was little, my parents brought me here many times.
The memories of running around on the grass and riding the go-karts are still vivid.

Now, I've brought my own children here as a parent.
And my parents and great-grandmother are here too. Four generations.
Grandpa is holding my son's hand, Grandma is holding my daughter's hand,
and Great-Grandma is walking slowly a little behind.
Watching them from behind, I felt a bit choked up, and
I deeply felt, 'Ah, I'm glad I brought them.'

By the way, one thing.
My family has always naturally called this place 'Bandokoro'.
My parents, my relatives, everyone said, 'Let's go to Bandokoro'.
But I just found out recently that the official name is 'Bansho-ga-oka' Park.
Pointing at the sign, I said, 'Oh, you're right...' and learned the correct name for the first time in my late 30s (lol).

The park is spacious and the air is fresh.
And as soon as the kids spotted the playground equipment, they took off running.

It has begun, the usual
endless slide... (lol)

To Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-Grandma, who were stunned, asking, 'How many times are you going to slide???'

I just said, 'It's the usual.'

If you think this is just a rural park (no offense!), you're dead wrong,
it's actually quite well-equipped.
The thing my younger son insisted on riding was the go-karts.
He seemed to have decided, 'I'm riding with Grandpa!', so the two of them headed to the boarding area.

When the engine roared to life, my younger son looked a bit surprised. But once he left the steering to Grandpa and they started moving, he must have enjoyed the feeling of the wind on his face. When they came back, he had such a huge smile on his face that he begged, 'One more time!'

Meanwhile, what was my daughter doing?
She was enjoying a leisurely game of ring toss with Grandma and Great-Grandma. There aren't any intense attractions, but this kind of quiet time is just right for Great-Grandma.
The sight of the three of them laughing together, saying things like 'You got it!' or 'So close!'—this might have been the best 'yokatoko' (good place) of the day.

[Roadside Station Akune] Betting on tonight's 'dareyame'

After everyone played to their heart's content, we finally headed to 'Roadside Station Akune'.
My goal here was simple.
To procure snacks for tonight's 'dareyame' (evening drink).

Since we came all the way to Akune, I definitely wanted to bring home some seafood.
I searched the store and found it.
The 'Nakano Suisan' section I was looking for.
Their pre-packaged products are amazing.
'Takaebi shrimp sashimi', 'squid marinated by fishermen', 'fried mackerel'...
Every single one is an irresistible lineup for a drinker.

And what's surprising is the price.
Believe it or not, it's '3 packs for 1,000 yen'.
I couldn't help but look twice, thinking, 'Wait, are you serious?'
With this quality at this price,
it's such a good value that it makes you feel like it's a waste to buy at the supermarket.

There were so many other varieties, and I seriously struggled with which ones to combine.
I was pacing back and forth in front of the refrigerated case.
I think I probably had the most serious look on my face all day (lol).
I finally chose three, held them carefully, and headed to the register.

[A few thoughts]

Taking the two kids out without Mom, I thought it might be tough at first, but the help from Grandpa and the others is truly great.
By playing together, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Akune is a place that really puts me at ease.
Whether it's AZ or the roadside station, I'm truly envious of how cheaply you can get delicious local food here.

Also, seeing Great-Grandma interacting with the kids.
Just seeing that made the hour-plus drive worth it.
Opportunities for four generations to gather don't come often, and I realized once again that I want to cherish them.

[Summary]

I'm exhausted from playing outside all day.
But seeing the sleeping faces of the kids in the car on the way home turns it into a pleasant fatigue.
Once we get home, Dad's 'real' time finally begins.

While reporting today's events to Mom, I take out the beer I had chilling in the fridge. And then, the 'takaebi' sashimi I bought at the roadside station.
This 'takaebi', being a specialty of Akune, has incredible sweetness.
After the firm texture, a melting sweetness spreads throughout my mouth.

The squid marinated by fishermen was also well-seasoned, and I couldn't stop drinking my beer.
The fried mackerel was excellent, with the meat remaining fluffy even after it had cooled down.
*I will introduce these two evening snacks as 'yokamon' (good things) in a future post.

'Next time, Mom will come with us too.'
Thinking that, I enjoy the seafood of Akune for the night.
As expected, Akune was a 'yokatoko' (good place).

[Today's Route]

• Ishihara Seika

• AZ Akune Store

• Banshogaoaka Park

• Roadside Station Akune

[Information on places visited]

• Ishihara Seika

  • Located in Wakimoto, Akune City.
    They are famous for their cream puffs, but their cakes are also delicious.

  • If you buy them as a souvenir, you can't go wrong with this shop.

• AZ Akune Store

  • If you love fish, you absolutely must go here.

  • The freshness is different from other AZ stores (or so I feel).

• Banshogaoaka Park

  • Go-karts, playground equipment, and ring toss.

  • The perfect spot for families, especially for four generations to spend time together at a leisurely pace.

  • *Note: It is not pronounced 'Bandokoro'.

• Roadside Station Akune

  • Nakano Suisan's '3 packs for 1,000 yen' is a godsend for those who love 'dareyame' (evening drinks).

  • You can't miss the Taka-ebi shrimp sashimi when you come to Akune.

A love letter my daughter gave me👇

Click here for a summary of articles about 'my town,' Minamikyushu City👇