From Hakodate, it takes just over an hour on the express train to Sapporo. Then, a 15-minute bus ride to Lake Toya, one of the most famous tourist spots in southern Hokkaido. The Lake Toya Onsen area, where a summit meeting was once held, offers a magnificent and breathtaking view that makes you forget about time for a while. I wish I could relax here, but unfortunately, I'm on a tight schedule for this whirlwind tour. After enjoying the superb scenery, I quickly head to a souvenir shop. "Echigo-ya" is a popular souvenir shop located by the lake, known for the character from a certain popular anime in Shonen Jump carrying a wooden sword on their waist. Even though I'm not sure what that means... I know about Kochikame if it's from Jump. Various souvenirs from all over Hokkaido are sold here, giving the illusion of browsing through a Hokkaido product exhibition at a Tokyo department store. I was looking for something not too heavy but memorable, and I stumbled upon some striking red can-shaped konpeito, so I decided to buy them. They are made by a company from Shimane and have a stylish design. When I opened them at home, the star-shaped konpeito looked very beautiful. They were not too sweet and quite delicious!