Obihiro is the central city of the Tokachi region.
Obihiro is famous as a city of sweets, but it actually has many other attractions as well.

But where exactly are the highlights? What are the truly great tourist spots? You might have endless questions.

We'll be introducing 18 of Obihiro's main tourist spots, a city blessed with abundant nature, farmland, and excellent water.
From well-known spots to hidden gems and places recommended by locals, this page will undoubtedly be your ultimate tool for sightseeing in Obihiro.

<Contents>
1. Sightseeing and tourist attractions around Obihiro
1-1. Obihiro Racecourse
1-2. Shichiku Garden
1-3. Manabe Garden
1-4. Tokachi Hills
1-5. Obihiro Zoo
1-6. Rokkanomori
1-7. Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall
1-8. Poroshiri Nature Park
1-9. Itadakimasu Company
1-10. Kofuku Station
2. Recommended "Eating & Souvenir" Spots Around Obihiro
2-1. Rokkatei Main Store
2-2. Ryūgetsu Sweetopia Garden
2-3. Tokachi Village
2-4. Northern Food Stalls
2-5. Bald Ten
2-6. Uemons Hart
3. Accommodation options around Obihiro
3-1. Tokachigawa Onsen
3-2. Around Obihiro Station
Final thoughts

1-1. Obihiro Racecourse

In Hokkaido, a major horse breeding region, there is a racecourse in every city.
Sapporo, Hakodate, Monbetsu. Among them, Obihiro Racecourse stands out.

The races held here are called "Ban'ei horse racing." This is the only racecourse in Japan where Ban'ei horse racing takes place.
Draft horses, originally a breed of horse used for agriculture, are used in races to pull loads weighing several tons.

This is the only place where races using draft horses, which have supported agriculture in Hokkaido since the Meiji era, are held regularly.
It is the only race of its kind in the world.

The battles of these horses, which are the complete opposite of the elegance of thoroughbreds, are gritty and powerful, making for an incredibly thrilling spectacle.
The heavy breathing of each horse, the power surging through their bodies, captivates the viewer.

You just want to give a heartfelt round of applause to the horses that are running straight ahead with unwavering determination.

Obihiro Racecourse
Address: 9-chome, Nishi 13-jo, Obihiro City
TEL 0155-34-0825
Opening hours and race times are available on the Ban'ei Tokachi website. Races are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Access: Approximately 7 minutes by car from Obihiro Station.
Admission fee: 100 yen

1-2. Shichiku Garden

A clear sky and a refreshing breeze. The peaks of the Hidaka Mountains in the distance.
Against the backdrop of the vast Tokachi Plain's rural landscape, with its seemingly endless fields of wheat and potatoes, Shichiku Garden warmly welcomes visitors with its beautiful gardens.

Beyond the border garden, which features perennial plants favored by the people of Hokkaido, lies the vast landscape of the Tokachi Plain.
Beyond the flower fields overflowing with various blossoms, the Hidaka Mountains lie in the distance. Located on flat land with no tall buildings nearby, the garden offers a panoramic view of the Tokachi Plain.

In this garden, you can experience truly enriching moments where time seems to pass slowly.
If you're in Obihiro, this is a spot everyone should visit at least once; you simply can't miss it.

Shichiku Garden
Address: 107 Nishi 4-sen, Mieicho, Obihiro City
TEL0155-60-2377
Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM from the 4th Saturday of April to October 31st.
Open during regular closing days
Access: 35 minutes by car from Obihiro Station
Admission fee / Year-round: Adults ¥800, Elementary and junior high school students ¥200 (¥50 discount per person for groups of 10 or more), Rose soft serve ice cream ¥300

1-3. Manabe Garden

Manabe Garden is operated by "Manabe Garden Nursery".

Because their main business is importing and selling trees, their gardens are extensive and the grounds are vast.
The area covers 24,000 tsubo (approximately 89,000 square meters). Flowers compete to showcase their beauty in a total of three themed gardens.

The plant collection, amassed over approximately 60 years, is said to comprise thousands of species, including some extremely rare plants, making it of high academic value.
Visitors are captivated by its beauty.

Let's enjoy a fantastical world that makes you forget you're in Japan.
Wild birds and Hokkaido squirrels can be seen throughout the park, and the cafe terrace offers a relaxing and wonderful experience.

A garden center is also located on the premises. If you find something you like, please feel free to take it home as a souvenir.

Manabe Garden
Address: 6 Higashi 2-sen, Inada-cho, Obihiro City
TEL0155-48-2120
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to dusk (last entry during summer is 18:00 PM)
Closed on: Open from late April to late November, open every day during this period, cafe terrace open every day until early November.
Access: 10 minutes by car from Obihiro Station. Approximately 20 minutes by car from Tokachi Obihiro Airport.
Access by bus:
Admission fee: Adults ¥800, Elementary and junior high school students ¥200

1-4. Tokachi Hills

Tokachi Hills is a theme park focused on flowers, food, and agriculture.

Here, time flows slowly, with everything operating according to the laws of nature.

The morning sun, the aroma of freshly baked bread—these are the signals that signal the start of a peaceful morning.
The background music is the chirping of birds. As the sun rises higher, the wind awakens and blows refreshingly through the park.

The sky is blue, the air is fresh, and even the clouds move peacefully. This is a moment to truly experience the scenery of Hokkaido.
Everything moves slowly, and the rhythm of human movement harmonizes with that, creating a wonderful atmosphere.
At Tokachi Hills, you can experience nature even through your sense of taste.

The park features a restaurant, a petting zoo, playground equipment, and a garden. You might find yourself wanting to spend a whole day there and still not have enough to enjoy everything.
Experience a truly timeless and unforgettable time-filled experience at Tokachi Hills.

十勝ヒルズ
Address: 13-5 Nisshin, Makubetsu-cho
TEL0155-56-1111
Business hours 9: 00-18: 00
Closed days
Open every day during the period; the restaurant is open year-round (except for the end of the year and New Year's holiday).
Access
It's a 15-minute drive from Obihiro Station, about a 20-minute drive from Tokachi Obihiro Airport, and a 10-minute drive from Kawanishi Interchange.

1-5. Obihiro Zoo

Asahiyama Zoo and Maruyama Zoo are popular, but if you're looking for the best zoo in eastern Hokkaido, it's Obihiro Zoo.

You might be surprised to learn that the aforementioned zoo does not have elephants.
Obihiro Zoo is the only zoo in Hokkaido where you can see this species.

Photo by Frickr : Old amusement park. / MIKI Yoshihito (´･ω･)

One of the reasons for the popularity of these two zoos is that visitors can play on playground equipment that has been removed for various reasons.
While it is geared towards children, it has a significant aspect as an amusement park that offers more than just animal exhibits for kids to enjoy.

Despite being blessed with abundant nature and having a low population density, Hokkaido surprisingly has very few amusement parks.
But here, you can relax and watch the animals in a safe mini amusement park, spread out a picnic on the lawn, and let your children play.
It can truly be described as a family-friendly zoo.

In Hokkaido, where travel times between cities are long, children often get bored and can't keep themselves entertained.
It's a simple yet truly enjoyable spot for children.

Obihiro Zoo
Address: Midorigaoka 2, Obihiro City (within Midorigaoka Park)
TEL0155-24-2437
営業時間4月29日～9月30日　9:00～16:30、10月1日～11月3日　9:30～16:00
[Winter Season] Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from December to February, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Closed on regular holidays. Open every day during the park's operating season, except during the New Year holidays.
Access: 10 minutes by car or about 30 minutes on foot from Obihiro Station. Access by bus: ● Take the Tokachi Bus "(70) Ozora Danchi" bound bus for 20 minutes, get off at "Dobutsuen-mae" (210 yen), then walk for about 2 minutes. ● Take the Takushoku Bus "Minami Sho, New Town 23-jo, Obihiro no Mori, Shirakaba Gakuen Line" bound bus for 15 minutes, get off at "Midorigaoka 6-chome (Museum Entrance)" (190 yen), then walk for about 5 minutes.
Admission fee/
General admission: ¥420, High school students: ¥210, Groups (10 or more paying visitors): Adults ¥340, High school students ¥170, Other playground equipment usage fees are separate.
* Free for junior high school students and younger

1-6. Rokkanomori

Rokkanomori, as its name suggests, is a garden that utilizes nature and is maintained by the confectionery company Rokkatei.
It's a very popular spot in Obihiro. Rokkanomori is the southern starting point of Hokkaido's Garden Road, which stretches from Obihiro to the Kamikawa region of Hokkaido.

This garden, where the flowers depicted on the famous floral wrapping paper bloom profusely, covers an area of ​​100,000 square meters, or approximately 10 hectares.
Within the grounds, the six flowers known as the Tokachi Six Flowers (Ezo gentian, Japanese rose, large-flowered trillium, dogtooth violet, Ezo marsh marigold, and Japanese anemone) dance their delicate petals in each season, soothing the hearts of visitors.

Scattered throughout the garden are art museums housed in relocated old Croatian houses.
As you stroll through the vast gardens with a sense of exhilaration, you'll feel the Tokachi air permeate your lungs, and it will seem as if its essence is reaching every corner of your body.

Rokka no Mori
Address: 249-6 Tokiwa Nishi 3-sen, Nakasatsunai Village, Kasai District
TEL0155-63-1000
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (from October)
Closed from mid-October to late April. Winter holidays.
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Tokachi Obihiro Airport, approximately 40 minutes by car from JR Obihiro Station.
Parking lot 50
Admission fee: Adults: 800 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 500 yen

1-7. Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall

The Obihiro Centennial Museum, which embodies the history of Obihiro, opened in 1982 (Showa 57).
A complex facility including a museum and a creative activity center. It serves as a central hub for cultural dissemination in the Tokachi region.

The museum features permanent exhibitions showcasing the history of Tokachi's development, beginning with settlement during the Meiji era, as well as its current industries, including sugar production, agriculture, and food processing.

Furthermore, the Ainu Cultural Information Center, Ryuka, is located within the building, where visitors can learn about the culture and history of the Ainu people, who have long-standing traditions dating back to before the Meiji-era settlement.

The annex houses the Buried Cultural Properties Center, which houses and displays artifacts unearthed from archaeological sites, going even further back than Ainu culture.
You can learn about the entire history of the Tokachi region up to the present day, all in one place.

It can be said that this facility allows you to feel not only the presence of nature, but also the breath of the people who have lived in that land.
This is a recommended spot for those seeking a more intellectually stimulating travel experience than usual.

Obihiro Centennial Museum
Address: Midorigaoka 2, Obihiro City (within Midorigaoka Park)
TEL0155-24-5352
Opening Hours - Creative Activities Center: 9:00-22:00 (until 17:30 if there are no evening users)
• Permanent exhibition rooms: 9:00-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)
Closed on Mondays (open on public holidays), the day after a public holiday (open if the following day is a Saturday or Sunday), and during the New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd).
Access: 10 minutes by car or about 30 minutes on foot from Obihiro Station. Access by bus: ● Take the Tokachi Bus "Minami Sho Line" or "Minami Sho Akashiya Line" for 15 minutes and get off at "Harukoma-dori 12-jo" (200 yen), then walk for about 5 minutes. ● Take the Takushoku Bus "Minami Commercial High School Line" or "Obihiro no Mori Line" for 15 minutes and get off at "Midorigaoka 6-chome" (200 yen), then walk for about 5 minutes.
Admission fee/
Permanent exhibition admission fee: Adults ¥380, High school students and those 65 and over ¥190
Group (10 or more people): Adults ¥300, High school students and those 65 and over ¥150
*Admission is free for elementary and junior high school students.

1-8. Poroshiri Nature Park

Tokachi isn't just a plain with a vast blue sky.
Nestled in the embrace of lush green mountains and blessed with pristine water, Tokachi is undoubtedly another facet of its character.
Poroshiri National Park is the place that fully captures its essence.

It's well-known among Hokkaido residents as a campsite where you can fish.
In addition to all the necessary and sufficient facilities such as accessible toilets, two kitchens, shower rooms, and a parking lot, the facility also boasts a nature observation experience center, a processing experience center, and a free park golf course, making it the perfect natural environment to fully experience the four seasons of Tokachi at the foot of the majestic Mt. Tokachi Horoshiri.

A gentle, refreshing breeze and wildflowers welcome travelers.
Near the facility, there are also places where you can enjoy horseback riding and trekking, allowing you to enjoy nature through hands-on experiences.

Poroshiri Nature Park
Address: 2-7, Dai-2 Kisen, Takusei-cho, Obihiro City
Telephone number for the administrative building: 0155-60-2000, Tourism Division: 0155-65-4169 (direct line)
Facility inquiries: Administration building (May to October), Obihiro City Commerce and Tourism Department Tourism Division (November to April)
No specific opening hours
No specific closing days.
Access: Approximately 45 minutes by car from Obihiro Station.
Admission fees: Trailer site (no power) 1,800 yen, Auto site (no power) 1,800 yen, Auto site (with power) 3,000 yen, Free site 800 yen. Park golf equipment rental available.

1-9. Itadakimasu Company

While there are various tourist farms in Hokkaido, access to real farmland is prohibited to outsiders, which is unavoidable in order to prevent pests and diseases.
Itadakimasu Company offers the opportunity to tour production farms with a professional "field guide" to experience authentic agriculture.

Photo by Flickr: Bird's-eye view. Obihiro, Hokkaido. / T.Kiya

Unlike tourist farms, this experience offers a realistic glimpse into real farming, with expert "field guides" explaining various farming tasks.

It's also possible to harvest seasonal crops throughout the year, such as rapeseed flowers in spring, corn in summer, and potatoes in autumn.
Listen directly from the farmers about the process of how their produce graces your table, tour the fields, and then enjoy the exceptional taste of freshly picked produce eaten right in the middle of the field. Let the deliciousness stir your soul.

This will undoubtedly be a memory that will last a lifetime.

Itadakimasu Company
Farm Picnic / Adults from ¥3,500, Children from ¥2,000
Address: 2-5, Nishi 12-jo Minami 29-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
TEL0155-29-4821
Opening hours and tour times: 3 times a day - 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm
Closed on regular holidays. Open every day during the tour period (Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from November to March).
This varies depending on the time of access.

1-10. Kofuku Station

"Patriotic to Happiness" - a Japanese National Railways ticket that became extremely popular from the 1970s to the 1980s.
The beautiful phrase "From the Land of Love to Happiness" has made it a hugely popular sanctuary for lovers.

Photo by Frickr : MiNe-KissX_103-1672RG / MiNe (sfmine79)

Although 18 years have passed since the Hiroo Line, a local railway line, was discontinued due to rationalization, the magic of its catchy slogan remains undiminished, and it has become a popular tourist spot.

The tickets, which have sold over 13 million copies in total, are still on sale.
The station building was renovated in 2013, and it still retains its image as a sacred place for lovers.

It's a small station that's bustling with activity, attracting not only couples, but also many ex-lovers and future lovers.
Please visit this power spot that is said to bring happiness.

Happiness Station
Address: Higashi 1-sen, Kofuku-cho, Obihiro City
TEL 0155-22-8600 (Facility Inquiries / Obihiro Tourism and Convention Association)
No specific opening hours
No specific closing days.
Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from Obihiro Station. Access by bus: 46 minutes by Tokachi Bus bound for "Hiroo", get off at "Kofuku" (590 yen), then approximately 5 minutes on foot.
Admission fee / Free admission

2-1. Rokkatei Main Store

Among the many sweets available in Obihiro, Rokkatei is the most famous, both within and outside Hokkaido.
We have branches throughout Hokkaido, primarily in Sapporo.

Photo by Flickr: 2010.01.22 Honeymoon DAY2 - Obihiro Rokkatei Main Store / Party0

The store's imposing interior has the dignified feel of a flagship store.
The first floor is lined with various famous sweets.
Candy that can be bought with a child's allowance

In other words, the sweets are reasonably priced, in line with the concept since the store's opening. There's no pretense; you can feel the attitude of purely pursuing deliciousness.

On the second floor, where the coffee shop is located, in addition to cake sets, pancakes are extremely popular.
These aren't pancakes. These hotcakes, served with traditional maple syrup, are a beloved treat for people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
Please give it a try.

Rokkatei Main Store
Address: 6, Nishi 2-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro City
TEL0120-12-6666
Opening hours/store hours: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Cafe: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (last order) 5:30 pm
*May vary depending on the season.
Closed on January 1st
Cafe with limited seating available
Parking lot 9
Crispy pie, 160 yen each.

2-2. Ryūgetsu Sweetopia Garden

A castle of sweets towering over the outskirts of Obihiro.
That is Ryūgetsu Sweetopia Garden.

As a popular tourist spot, it gets so crowded on holidays that the parking lot is often full.
In addition to selling sweets, you can also observe the manufacturing process of the famous Sanpo Roku confection on the second floor.

Photo by Flickr: Yanagizuki Sweetopia Garden / alberth2

Sanporoku is probably the most famous Baumkuchen in Hokkaido. With its moist, dense texture and wide variety of flavors, it's a popular treat both within and outside of Hokkaido.

Recently, the kind that's been cut into bite-sized pieces, known as "kowari," has become very popular.
Since it keeps relatively well, it might be perfect as a souvenir.

The rest area on the first floor is so popular that it's difficult to find an empty seat, so I recommend the cafe where you can relax.
Be sure to try our special menu item, the Garden Crepe. The gentle flavors of Tokachi will truly fill your mouth.

Ryūgetsu Sweetopia Garden
Address: 18-2 Nishi, Shimootofuke Kita 9-sen, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun
TEL0155-32-3366
Business hours
■Summer Business Hours (Third Monday of April to November 3rd) Shop: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Cafe: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Factory Tour: From shop opening time until 4:00 PM
■冬期営業時間（11月4日～4月第3日曜日） 店舗…午前9時30分から午後5時30分まで 喫茶…午前9時30分から午後4時30分まで
Factory tours are available from the store's opening time until 4 PM.
Closed on all days of the year.
Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from Obihiro Station.
Capacity: 50 seats
There is a parking lot
Garden Roll: 700 yen each, Cheese Planet: from 150 yen each, Garden Crepe: 432 yen each

2-3. Tokachi Village

If you've seen the Ban'ei horse racing in Obihiro, Tokachimura is a place you should definitely visit.
The selection of agricultural products and specialty goods is extensive, not only from Obihiro city but also from the entire Tokachi region.
Potatoes and onions aren't the only things Tokachi is known for.

Beef cattle, beans, dairy cows... the Tokachi region is a sea of ​​specialties with an endless list of products.
You're sure to find your favorite agricultural products.
Both the variety and quantity are among the best in Hokkaido.

In Tokachi Village, you can eat the food on the spot, buy it, and even watch how it's made.
It's a place you could spend all day in and never get bored of.

At our eat-in area, you can easily enjoy authentic flavors with our curry, ramen, and pork bowl dishes.
Of course, a variety of sweets are also available.

If you're expecting a simple roadside rest stop-style shop, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Tokachimura
Address: 8-chome, Nishi 13-jo, Obihiro City
TEL0155-34-7307
Opening hours: Summer (from April 29th) 10:00am-7:00pm, Winter (from November 1st) 10:00am-6:00pm, Kitchen building 11:30am-8:00pm *Hours may vary by store
Closed on: Open all year round *Kitchen facilities may vary by store
Access: Approximately 7 minutes by car from Obihiro Station. Access by bus: Approximately 10 minutes from Tokachi Bus stop #12, get off at "Keibajo" (racecourse) (190 yen), and it's right there.
Admission is free. The grounds include the Ban'ei Tokachi horse racing museum and a horse museum.

2-4. Northern Food Stalls

Larger cities and older towns tend to have more vibrant nightlife districts.
Sapporo's Susukino and Hakodate's Daimon could be considered prime examples of this.
In Obihiro, Kita no Yatai is a prime example. It's a pioneering example of a food stall village in Hokkaido.

The Chinese-style rice bowl, now considered a soul food of Obihiro, or even Tokachi, actually originated in this food stall village. Vegetables, seafood, and pork are stir-fried, scrambled eggs are added, and it's served on top of white rice. It's not a Chinese-style rice bowl.

The seasoning is Japanese style. A total of 20 shops will compete to offer the best taste.
From classics like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and ramen to a diverse array of Italian and Korean cuisine, everything tastes like it came from a specialty shop.
Delivery is available from any of the restaurants. You can enjoy 20 different specialty dishes all in one sitting. You just have to go and check it out.

Kita no Yatai (Kita no Kigyo Hiroba Cooperative)
Address: 2nd Floor, Tachibana Building, 8, Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City
Phone / 0155-23-8194
Food stall village
Address: 7-banchi, Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station; 40-minute drive from Obihiro Airport.
There is no dedicated parking lot; please use a nearby paid parking lot.

2-5. Bald Ten

In the eastern Hokkaido region, when it comes to tempura, Kushiro's Hage-ten is famous.
But Obihiro's famous Hageten is pork rice bowl. When it comes to Tokachi cuisine, pork rice bowl is the first thing that comes to mind.
Even within Obihiro city, the well-known restaurants are so popular that there are always long lines.

Photo by Frickr : Pork bowl. / MIKI Yoshihito (´･ω･)

Because it's such a simple dish, the sauce, the pork, and the grilling are all crucial. Among them, this Hageten is particularly popular with the locals.
While Ippinya Pancho can be found outside of Obihiro City, Hageten Obihiro Main Store is the only location.

It's not uncommon to hear stories of people from Obihiro rushing to this restaurant as soon as they return home, and it's often recommended as the quintessential Obihiro restaurant.
This restaurant can be considered quite exclusive, as it's a place where you can only eat in Obihiro.
This is a shop I definitely want to visit.

The sweetness and umami of the fat. The meat is neither too soft nor too tough, with a satisfying chewiness, and the aroma of being grilled over an open flame.
Once you try it, you're guaranteed to become addicted.

Hageten
Address: 10-5 Nishi 1 Minami, Obihiro City
TEL0155-23-4478
Opening hours: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm (Last order 8:30 pm)
(Last order 7:30 pm)
Closed on irregular days
Capacity 250 people
No parking lot
Lunch (from 890 yen) Tempura rice bowl (from 820 yen)
Pork bowl (from 980 yen) Tempura set meal (from 1,630 yen)
Seasonal course (from 4,860 yen)
Local-style kaiseki meal (from 5,940 yen)
Banquet course (including drinks) (from 5,150 yen)

2-6. Uemons Hart

Dairy farming is also thriving in Tokachi.
While there are many unique farms, such as Shinmura Farm, famous for its milk jam, Uemons Heart is a shop that offers farming experiences plus gelato. It is operated by Hirose Farm.

What started as an agricultural experience focused on exploring the connection between dairy farming and people has evolved into the production and sale of gelato.
Currently, it has gained a high reputation as a delicious ice cream shop in Obihiro.

The gelato, made from milk produced on-site, is unparalleled in its superior quality.
There are over a dozen flavors. They are also sold online, but we highly recommend trying them fresh.
On a more unusual note, ice cream daifuku, which is gelato wrapped in mochi (rice cake), is also popular.

The cafe also has limited-time menu items, and the soft-serve ice cream in particular is a must-try for anyone who visits.
Enjoy it along with the refreshing breeze of Tokachi.

Uemons Heart
Address: 6-13-2, Nishi 23-Minami, Obihiro City
TEL0155-33-6064
Facility Inquiries: Hirose Farm
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 18:00 PM (summer), 11:00 AM - 17:00 PM (winter)
Regular closing days: Winter (October to December), Ice cream shop / Wednesdays, and the entire shop will be closed for the winter season from the end of December to the end of February.
Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station. Access by bus: ● Take the Tokachi Bus "Ozora Danchi Line (via Minami Commercial High School)" or "Shirakaba Gakuen Line" for 25 minutes, get off at "Shirakaba Gakuen-mae" (430 yen), and walk for about 10 minutes. *Operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. ● Take the Takushoku Bus "Minami Commercial Line, New Town 23-jo Line, Obihiro no Mori/Shirakaba Gakuen" for 25 minutes, get off at "Nishi 20-jo 6-chome", and walk for about 15 minutes.
Experience Fees: Milking Experience (5 or more people) ¥945, Ice Cream Making Experience (3 or more people) ¥735, Experience Set (5 or more people, 1.5 hours) ¥1,575

3-1. Tokachigawa Onsen

Tokachigawa Onsen is a rare plant-based moor hot spring, unique in Japan.
Its defining characteristic is undoubtedly its ability to produce beautiful skin. With numerous large-scale hot spring resorts, it attracts many tourists from both within and outside Hokkaido.

You can enjoy various types of hot springs, including open-air baths and observation baths overlooking the gentle flow of the Tokachi River.
With a variety of accommodations ranging from guesthouses and cottages to boutique hotels and traditional hot spring inns, it's easy to plan your trip according to your purpose and the number of people in your group.

Image provided by: Kangetsuen

Kangetsuen is a tranquil, purely Japanese-style hot spring inn.
The open-air bath overlooking the Tokachi River offers a truly memorable travel experience.
Both Hotel Taiheigen and Sasai Hotel are hotels where you can enjoy a large volume of hot spring water and a wide variety of baths.
You can enjoy a lively and fun trip to Tokachi with your group.

If you're looking for something reasonably priced, Holiday Inn Tokachigawa is a good choice.
The facility includes a ranch, and horseback riding experiences are available.

Many of the smaller hot spring inns offer a cozy, intimate travel experience, and it might be fun to get your hands on a limited-edition hot spring hopping ticket and visit several of them.

3-2. Around Obihiro Station

The area around Obihiro Station is more convenient than Tokachigawa Onsen, which is a little further from Obihiro city center.
There are many hotel chains, and if you're looking for a reasonably priced place to stay, you can find options starting from around 3,000 yen.

Photo by Frickr: obihiro station / sendaiblog

The biggest appeal is arguably the wide range of options available, from city hotels to business hotels.
Comfort Hotel offers slightly larger rooms and complimentary breakfast if you book early.

Although it's a bit of a distance from the station, Hokkaido Hotel is a hotel located in the city where you can enjoy natural hot springs.
It also has an open-air bath.

Speaking of natural hot springs, Hotel Paco is another one that comes to mind.
The hotel offers a variety of room types, and its breakfast, which features many ingredients sourced from Hokkaido, is also very popular.

Hotel Area One Obihiro is popular for its convenient location near the station. Their breakfast buffet is truly a Tokachi-style buffet.
The breakfast menu is hearty and features plenty of meat from Tokachi, making it very popular with men.

The garden hotel, just a minute from the station, is also a popular choice. Its secret lies in its reasonable price and the fact that it includes two meals per night.
It's a good location for both business and sightseeing.

Final thoughts

How was that.
Obihiro is an even more attractive city, situated at the heart of the already charming Tokachi region.
A town of sweets. A town of pork rice bowls. A center of agriculture. It is a town with many different characteristics, but what will likely catch the eye of travelers is that it is the town where you can experience the vastness of Hokkaido the most.

Obihiro is like a hibernation town during the winter, but the period from the end of April through summer is truly its best season.
The humidity is low, the breeze is refreshing, and the blue of the sky is so deep it's hard to believe it's Japan.

Because the period for enjoying it is so short, I hope you'll make the most of it and enjoy it to the fullest.

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Spring in Hokkaido | What I realized about the arrival of spring in Hokkaido after moving there.

• 

  Let's go to "Sapporo Satoland," where you can experience farming in the vast landscape of Hokkaido!

• 

  Be moved by the sunrise! Top 6 best sunrise spots in Hokkaido [First sunrise of the year]

• 

  20 of Hokkaido's most delicious gourmet foods recommended by local writers! From famous restaurants to personal favorites.

• 

  Planning a trip to New Chitose Airport? Here are 5 fun and relaxing spots!

• 

  See Hakodate from the sea! Take a bay cruise on the sightseeing boat Blue Moon.

• 

  [Kushiro] Cafe Milky Crown | Let's go try sweets made with milk from the rare "Brown Swiss" cow!

• 

  I went to Snow Brand Parlor Sapporo Main Store, which is full of amazing sweets!

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)