"The last spot is in Furano!"

"Furano is all about curry too. Shall we compare it with Biei curry?"

After enjoying the spectacular scenery and seasonal delicacies, we left Kamifurano Town and headed south to Furano City. Our destination, about a 30-minute drive away, was "Furano Marche," a popular spot for locals. This spot gathers fresh local ingredients, features restaurants using them, and serves as a town information center, promoting Furano City's agriculture and food culture. It could be called a landmark of Furano City. I've been to "Furano Marche" several times, but visiting again after a long time, I found "Furano Marche 2" had opened. It apparently opened in 2015 and houses many restaurants and general stores. Since we were looking for souvenirs this time, we decided to visit the original "Furano Marche." The first store features casual shops selling cafe items, bread, sweets, and burgers, alongside a product center with a wide selection of souvenirs and a direct sales market for agricultural products. Since the concept of this trip is 'Memories to take home from your trip,' we decided to check out the HOGAR (Ogaru) direct sales market for agricultural products. It's bustling! Fresh agricultural products from Furano were lined up, and in the back, processed goods were also packed tightly together. Everything looked delicious and was very reasonably priced! More like a community support price than a souvenir price. We were so grateful, we bought a lot. To compare with the curry bought in Biei, we got "Furano Black Curry." Also, potato and pumpkin "Potage Soup." Ketchup and mustard are seasonings, but we bought them to go with the asparagus and sausages we'd already purchased. And to top it off, "Furano Rice Nanatsuboshi"! While "Hokkaido Rice" is a common label, I found 100% Furano-grown Nanatsuboshi and really wanted to try it. With these, tonight's 'Memories' dinner should be fulfilling! By the way, at this store, the best-selling item is apparently potato chips. They receive orders by the box from Honshu, with strong demand even if shipping costs are incurred. When you think of Furano, you think of potatoes, right? They must be incredibly delicious. Unlike potato chips from major companies, the rustic packaging also whets the appetite! If you come to Furano, be sure to try them!

"We drove quite a bit today."

"Good job! Let's go home and eat curry!"

We safely returned to Sapporo! On the way back, we passed through Furano City to Mikasa City and used the expressway between Mikasa IC and Sapporo IC on the Doo Expressway (toll fee 1,270 yen). We visited three municipalities, but thanks to an early start, we were able to return before dark. This time too, our hands were full of souvenirs! Thanks to the spacious design of the Nissan Serena, we enjoyed a comfortable drive even with so many souvenirs. Now, let's go home and review our purchases! Here are the items we purchased this time.

Roadside Station Biei "Oka no Kura"

Biei Black Bean Rice 300g: Nanatsuboshi 322 yen, Fukkura-inko 333 yen, Yumepirika 333 yen With Biei-grown black beans, it cooked up to a reddish hue. One pack makes two go (rice cups), perfect for a couple with curry. It's great that the black beans cook perfectly with the usual rice method. Good texture and rich in nutrients, I'd eat it daily! Biei Beef Curry 230g 1,008 yen Packed with chunky Biei beef, it's very satisfying! The beef flavor is more prominent than in store-bought curries, sure to please. The roux, infused with beef umami, had a rich, deep flavor. Okajaga Wiener (Potato Wiener) 5 pieces 600 yen A chewy, juicy sausage. Made with Biei minced pork, it also had diced potatoes and cheese kneaded in. A perfect combination, and the taste was, of course, excellent!

Flower Land Kamifurano

Corn Pudding (2 pcs) 540 yen This pudding is made using corn harvested at "Flower Land Kamifurano." The basin's temperature swings condense the sweetness. A brilliant idea to turn vegetables into a dessert. Perfect as an original souvenir! Black Garlic S size 300 yen This black garlic, made by Furano farmers and not sold at the airport, is reportedly more nutritious than regular garlic! I expected a strong smell, but surprisingly, no garlic odor! I was amazed. Its prune-like texture and taste made it so easy to eat, I'd believe it was fruit. This masterpiece, with curry and garlic, will surely banish your travel fatigue! Hokkaido Asparagus 1 bag 600 yen Boiled, its morning-fresh crispness, sweetness, and flavor were exceptional. Enjoying fresh, seasonal vegetables is a treat for the body. For souvenirs, using a local delivery service is recommended.

Furano Marche

Pumpkin Potage Soup 160g 300 yen Potato Potage Soup with Skin 160g 300 yen Free from chemical seasonings, preservatives, and colorings, it offered the natural taste of the ingredients. The warmed pumpkin potage was richly sweet. The potato potage, thinned with a little milk, was refreshing served chilled. Both offered a gentle, Hokkaido-like flavor, highly recommended as affordable souvenirs! Furano Rice Nanatsuboshi (Wash-free) 1kg 590 yen Hokkaido rice is now considered on par with Koshihikari. Nanatsuboshi is a Hokkaido rice variety that earned the highest 'Special A' rating in national taste rankings. Its stickiness, texture, and sweetness make you appreciate being Japanese! It's also a perfect match for curry! Furano Black Curry [Black Bean Chicken] 200g 420 yen Compared to Biei's curry, it has a reddish tint, and this one was spicy and delicious! Surprisingly complex and spicy for a retort curry. Enjoy restaurant taste at home! A must-buy on my next Furano visit. Furano Tomato Ketchup 230g 430 yen This ketchup, made with Furano tomatoes and onions, surprised me the moment I tasted it! The rich umami of tomatoes and onions is so concentrated, it's more an ingredient than a condiment! It seems versatile for various dishes. Mustard Dressing & Sauce 180ml 380 yen The exquisite balance of sourness and spice enhances any vegetable. Also usable as a sauce for fish or meat. Great value! It's very popular and often out of stock, so buy it if you see it! I prepared this evening's dinner like this. I had Furano Black Curry [Black Bean Chicken], my husband Biei Beef Curry. Asparagus, sausages, and potage—a Hokkaido-filled dinner that fully satisfied us! I look forward to many more drives, discovering beautiful scenery and delicious souvenirs! Today's total mileage: 373.2km; Product purchases: 6,456 yen; Meal cost: 1,680 yen (for 2 people)