Lake Abashiri, located at the gateway to Abashiri City, is home to a small chipmunk paradise near its shores. This little paradise is called "Okhotsk Chipmunk Park."
This place is gaining popularity as a relaxing spot where you can encounter many chipmunks.

This time, we'll introduce Okhotsk Chipmunk Park and other recommended spots for autumn. Why not take a relaxing trip there?

Table of contents
1. What is the small chipmunk paradise on the shores of Lake Abashiri?
2. The entrance already exudes a strong chipmunk vibe! The atmosphere makes you feel like a chipmunk might suddenly appear, which is exciting.
3. Finally, we meet the squirrels! Our hearts are filled with excitement in this photogenic space.
4. I was completely soothed by the truly friendly chipmunks.
5. After being soothed by the squirrels, take a break with gelato made by a skilled artisan trained in the region.
6. If you want to see the autumn foliage in Abashiri, head to the Drift Ice Museum! A panoramic view of the autumn leaves awaits you.
7. The Omagari Lakeside Park is breathtaking with its countless sunflowers and cosmos in full bloom in autumn.
8. Conclusion

Okhotsk Chipmunk Park, located on the shores of Lake Abashiri, is a popular spot where you can meet many adorable chipmunks.

Here, you can see about 50 chipmunks happily running around the park.
The squirrels are very friendly, and their begging for food is incredibly cute, making this a very photogenic spot.

Depending on the season, you're more likely to see squirrels on warmer days than on colder ones.

These adorable squirrels, with their incredible calming effect, are always so cute that you'll find yourself unable to stop taking pictures.

Upon arriving at the parking lot, a walkway shaped like a cute squirrel guides you to the reception area.

Each group will be guided to the reception area after receiving a thorough explanation, so please wait while reading the notices posted at the entrance.

Apparently, squirrels do occasionally pop up unexpectedly, so I can't help but look around, wondering if one is hiding in the shadows.

After listening to a thorough explanation from the staff, you'll notice that the entrance has a triple-layered structure to prevent the squirrels, known for their tendency to escape, from getting out. Along the way, there's a place to disinfect your hands and a place to borrow gloves for feeding the squirrels.

For children, there's a wide variety of colorful work gloves available, and it's fun to choose them while chatting about things like, "What color do you think the squirrel likes best?"

The park is filled with various flowers and plants, as well as sculptures and other decorations, creating a picturesque atmosphere everywhere you look.

I was waiting to see where I might encounter some squirrels, and soon the chipmunks came out to greet me.

Chipmunks are very quick, so if you want to take a picture of them while they are still, it's a good idea to use food as bait.

If you set out bait in the spot where you want to take a photo, they'll appear out of nowhere and give you the perfect shot.

The squirrels gather around in droves when you have food out. It's truly soothing.
Some babies have their cheek pouches full of sunflower seeds, while others sit on your lap and take food directly from your hand.

I tried to see just how close I could actually get to a squirrel.

This is highly recommended for squirrel lovers, couples, and families.
Please do step into this squirrel paradise.

However, there are no public buses. Please come to the park by rental car or taxi.

[Okhotsk Chipmunk Park] Basic Information and Access
Address: 352 Yobito, Abashiri City, Hokkaido 099-2421
TEL：0152-48-2427
Closed days: None during the park's operating season (Winter: Closed from mid-October to April 30th)
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 16:00 PM (Last reception at 15:30 PM)
Parking: Available (approximately 20 spaces)
Admission fee: 400 yen for ages 3 and up (includes a small amount of animal feed), free for ages 2 and under.
URL:http://abashiri.jp/tabinavi/02spot/shimarisukouen.html　(Travel Guide! Abashiri)
If you are coming by car:
　Approximately 16 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport (10km)
　Approximately 15 minutes from Abashiri Station (11km)

"Squirrel Forest" is located along the national highway, about a 5-minute drive from Okhotsk Chipmunk Park.
This is a place where you can enjoy exquisite gelato made by artisans trained in Italy.

They offer around 60 different types of gelato here, including some that are in season.

Since I visited in the fall, "chestnut" and "pumpkin" are recommended seasonal items.

In addition, there were about 10 other varieties, ranging from those made with unusual materials to standard items.

You can eat inside the shop, but there are also tables outside where you can enjoy delicious gelato while taking in the refreshing autumn air.

[Squirrel Forest] Basic Information & Access
Address: 418 Yobito, Abashiri City, Hokkaido 099-2421, Japan
TEL：0152-48-3053
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM (longest hours during summer)
　　　　　10:00~16:00 (shortest in winter)
Closed days: Irregular (closed on Wednesdays during winter)
Parking: Yes
URL: http://www.risunomori.com/
If you are coming by car:
　Approximately 13 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport (10km)
　Approximately 11 minutes from Abashiri Station (9.1km)

Okhotsk Chipmunk Park is a highly recommended spot, especially since it offers easy access to Tentozan, an area with many tourist attractions in Abashiri.

Among them, the place I would recommend visiting during the autumn foliage season is the "Scenic Spot Tentozan Observatory" on the top floor of the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum located on Mount Tentozan.

Despite being located inside the Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum, the observation deck is free to use.

Mount Tento was designated a national cultural property in 1938 as the only "Place of Scenic Beauty" in the Okhotsk area.

If you tell the reception at the Drift Ice Museum that you'd like to use the observation deck, they will guide you there. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Lake Notoro, Lake Abashiri, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and the Shiretoko mountain range.

The autumn foliage spread out below is beautiful, creating a stunning landscape that truly feels like strolling through a heavenly city.

[Scenic Spot: Tentozan Observatory] Basic Information and Access
Address: 244-3 Tentozan, Abashiri City, Hokkaido 093-0044, Japan (3rd Floor, Okhotsk Drift Ice Museum)
TEL：0152-43-5951
Opening hours: May to October 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)
November to April: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM)
12月29日～1月5日 10:00~15:00（最終入館14：30）
No regular holiday
Official website URL:https://www.ryuhyokan.com/
If you are coming by car:
　Approximately 20 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport (17km)
　Approximately 10 minutes from Abashiri Station (5km)
If you are coming by bus:
　Take the Abashiri Bus "City Sightseeing Tour" for about 15 minutes and get off at "Tentozan".

Image provided by: Abashiri Tourism Association

There are still many more spots to enjoy around Lake Abashiri.

Here at Omagari Lakeside Park, an astonishing 18 hectares—equivalent to four Tokyo Domes—are covered in a sea of ​​sunflowers in full bloom, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

Image provided by: Abashiri Tourism Association

Within the park, you can enjoy the vast expanse of sunflowers from various vantage points, including a 60-meter-long elevated walkway and an observation deck.

There's even a maze in the sunflower field, so it's fun for the whole family.

In addition to sunflowers, there is also a cosmos field, where you can admire lovely pink and white cosmos flowers filling an area of ​​approximately 1.3 hectares.

[Omagari Lakeside Park] Basic Information and Access
Address: 25 Sancho, Abashiri City, Hokkaido 093-0088
TEL: 0152-44-6111 (Abashiri City Tourism Department, Tourism Promotion Section)
Opening period: Mid-May to October 31st
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
Entrance fee: Free
Parking: Yes
URL:http://abashiri.jp/tabinavi/23oomagarienchi/(Travel Guide! Abashiri)
If you are coming by car:
　Approximately 25 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport (19km)
　Approximately 8 minutes from Abashiri Station (4.1km)

8. Conclusion

We've introduced some recommended spots, mainly focusing on the Okhotsk Chipmunk Park. What did you think?
Chipmunks are very cute, and if you treat them gently, you might be able to take the best photo!

Why not come and visit Abashiri, a place full of relaxing spots?

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