9 area of Nissho Peninsula
①
A city to see pioneering of Hokkaido
Obihiro city
Obihiro is a central city in Tokachi. It hosts the world’s only Banei races, a cultural reminiscence of the history of pioneering in Hokkaido, and is known for Butadon. Blessed with high-quality dessert ingredients produced in Tokachi, it has many dessert shops, and it is famous as a capital of desserts.
●Obihiro city http://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/
●Obihiro Convention and Tourism Bureau http://obikan.jp/
Access
From Sapporo
- About 2.5 hours by JR
- About 3.5 hours by bus
- About 3 hours by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 35 minutes by car from the airport to Obihiro city center (or about 40 minutes by bus).
Banei Tokachi
(Obihiro Horse Racetrack)
It is a race by Banba, a large breed of horse weighing over 1 on (2x that of a Thoroughbred), pulling iron sleds weighing 500kg~1 ton. It originally started as a festival for workhorses, a competition of their strength. Currently, it is only held in Obihiro. At Obihiro Horse Racetrack, where Banei Tokachi is held, you can experience the power of Banba up close. There is so a beginner’s section for a peace of mind. On the premise, there is a “Petting Zoo,” where you can touch a Banba, and “Tokachimura,” a collection of specialty food items of Tokachi. It is a theme park for all ages.
Address：9 Chome, Nishi 13 Jominami, Obihiro city
Phone：+81-155-34-0825
Business hours：Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
Cost：￥100 entry fee
Parking：Available
Obihiro specialty: Butadon
(Pork rice bowl)
Obihiro’s specialty food, “Butadon,” was created with the flavors of Unadon (Grilled eel rice bowl) in mind, with readily available pork meat since the pioneering days, where the pork meat is flavored with a sweet and salty soy sauce based sauce and placed over a bowl of rice. It has been loved by the locals since it first appeared at a restaurant by the Obihiro Station in 1933. It gained a national recognition, and there are many popular restaurants with long lines.
Refer to “Butadon.com,” to find more information on Obihiro Butadon.
http://www.butadon.com/
Lists restaurants in Tokachi that have Butadon on the menu. Use search database and review information to try them all!
Kita no Yatai
“Kita no Yatai” is located 5 minutes on foot from the Obihiro Station. 20 vendors are bustling with tourists and locals every night. Perhaps the best dish is interacting with the unique and energetic owners?!
Address：10-7 Nishi 1 Jominami, Obihiro city
Phone：+81-155-23-8194
（Kita no Kigyou Hiroba Cooperative Association）
Business hours：Varies by store
Closures：Varies by store
Parking：None (Use nearby pay parking)
②
A city to feel magnificent nature and
ancient romance
Makubetsu town
The origin of “park golf” that has now spread over the country. There are 13 free “park golf” courses, along with variety of other courses. Fossils of Naumann elephant discovered in Churui is also famous.
●Makubetsu town http://www.town.makubetsu.lg.jp/
●Makubetsu town Tourism Product Association http://www.makubetsu.jp/kankobussankyokai/
Access
From Sapporo
- About 2 hours 20 minutes by JR
- About 3 hours by car
From Obihiro
- About 20 minutes by JR
- About 15 minutes by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 30 minutes by car from the airport to Makubetsu town.
Roadside Rest Area Churui
Roadside Rest Areas, located along National Highway 236, is where you can obtain regional information. It is also close to hotels with hot spring, a park, golf course, and campground. “Pure White Yurine (Lily roots) Cream Puff” sold at the Roadside Rest Areas has flavorful cream incorporating the best lily bulb inside of a crispy choux. It has mild sweetness and elegant flavors.
Address：384-1 Shirogane-machi, Churui, Makubetsu town
Phone：+81-1558-8-3236
Business hours：9:00～18:00
Closures：12/31～1/3
Parking：Available (about 60 vehicles)
Makubetsu city Park Golf Course, Tsutsuji course
The origin of “park golf,” “Tsutsuji Course,” was created in 1983 by the employees of Makubetsu city by digging holes in the park to create the course, in order to introduce a new community sport. In particular, “Tsutsuji Course” is popular as a park golf course similar to “St. Andrews Links,” the scared place of golf.
Address：138 Nishiki-machi, Makubetsu town
Phone：+81-155-54-2289（Kumagera House）
Business hours：From dawn to dusk (late April~early November)
Closures：Thursdays (grass mowing day)
Parking：Available（20 Vehicles）
The Churui Museum of Naumann Elephant
70~80% of a fossilized Naumann elephant skeleton was found in Churui. This museum was built to commemorate such discovery. A large replica of the skeleton is displayed, along with panels depicting the scenes during excavation. The aerial view of the museum shows it in the shape of a Naumann elephant, which led to the awarding of the 1st Hokkaido Architectural Award.
Address：383-1 Shirogane-machi, Churui, Makubetsu town
Phone：+81-1558-8-2826
Business hours：9:00~17:00
Closures：Tuesdays (open during GW and August;
if holiday, following day is closed)
Parking：Available（100 Vehicles）
③
A city of flowers and greenery,
where Satsunai River flows
Nakasatsunai village
With Hidaka Mountains in the background, it is a comfortable farm town surrounded by nature and Satsunai River running through it. A cultural town, with many gardens utilizing its magnificent landscapes and museums in the forest.
●Nakasatsunai village http://www.vill.nakasatsunai.hokkaido.jp/
●Nakasatsunai village Tourism Association http://nakasatsunai.blog.fc2.com/
Access
From Sapporo
- About 3 hours 20 minutes by car
From Obihiro
- About 55 minutes by bus
- About 30 minutes by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 10 minutes by car from the airport to Nakasatsunai village.
Rokka no Mori
At Rokka no Mori, located at the southern part of Hokkaido Garden Path connecting Asahikawa, Furano, and Tokachi, Tokachi Rokka (Gentiana triflora, Sweetbrier, Trillium camschatcense, Erythronium japonicum, Caltha palustris, and Glaucidium) grows seasonally on 100,000㎡ of space. There are art museums housed in transplanted old Croatian houses throughout the garden. It is a place you want to visit in conjunction with Nakasatsunai Art Village.
Address：249-6 Nishi 3 Sen, Tokiwa, Nakasatsunai village
Phone：+81-155-63-1000
Business hours：
10:00～17:00 (During season: late April ~ mid October)
※until 16:00 in October
Closures：Open daily during season
Cost: ￥800 entry fee
Parking：Available (30 vehicles)
Okamoto Farm
Due to its minimally environmentally invasive farming practices on the land pioneered by the ancestors of the settlers who moved from Fukushima Prefecture in 1931, Okamoto Farm has the “Eco Farmer” designation from the governor of Hokkaido. The popular “Tokachi Marumaru Jelly Tomato Berry” only uses purred Tomato Berry fruit, which is a species of tomatoes without the distinctive taste of typical tomatoes.
Address：199-10 Higashi 5 Sen, Kowa, Nakasatsunai village
Phone：+81-155-68-3206
Business hours：
10:00～15:00 (Open on weekends and holidays only)
※Subject to change due to farm conditions
Closures：Monday～Friday (open if holiday)
Parking：Available
Roadside Rest Area Nakasatsunai
This Roadside Rest Areas offers many specialty foods of Nakasatsunai. The Country Plaza, the main building, houses restaurants and vendors selling cheese and items made with soy beans. The take-out area is lined with stores offering drinks, ice creams, and chicken curry, all made with local ingredients. At the farmer’s market, vegetables, directly from the farms, are also available.
Address：7-14 Odori Minami, Nakasatsunai village
Phone：+81-155-67-2811
Business hours：
9:00～18:00; 9:00～17:00 between November and March
※Varies by facility
Closures：
＜Country Plaza＞
Mondays (open daily between April and November);
12/30～1/5
＜Farmer’s market＞
Closed between December and March
Parking：Available（About 141 Vehicles）
④
A city where the farms continuously
make it interesting
Sarabetsu village
It is an agricultural area where the 70% of the total area is farmland. Recently, the city is actively involved in making products using “Sumomo (Japanese plums).” It has Japan’s 2nd longest international racing circuit.
●Sarabetsu village http://www.sarabetsu.jp/
●Sarabetsu Tourism Information http://www.sarabetsu.jp/kankou.php
Access
From Sapporo
- About 3 hours 20 minutes by car
From Obihiro
- About 1 hour 10 minutes by bus
- About 40 minutes by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 10 minutes by car from the airport to Sarabetsu village.
Tokachi Speedway
One of the 7 international circuits in the country. It has the 2nd longest course at 5.1km after Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture. The course created in Tokachi Plains, amidst a peaceful agricultural landscape, is unusually flat for a Japanese course, and you can see it in its entirety from the main stands. This is the only international circuit on which you can drive with a standard driver’s license.
Address：477 Aza Kowa, Sarabetsu village
Phone：+81-155-52-3910
Business hours：
9:00～17:00
※ Summer session =
2nd Saturday in April～1st Sunday in December;
Winter session ＝ January～early March
Closures：Thursdays; end and beginning of the year
Cost: Entry ￥1,000 for those older than high school
(weekends and holidays only)
※Price varies with special events.
Parking：Available
Roadside Rest Area Sarabetsu
A popular item at “Roadside Rest Area Sarabetsu” is “soft-serve ice cream with Sumomo (Japanese plums) jam.” It is a soft-serve ice cream topped with “Sumomo jam” made with “Sumomo” harvested in Sarabetsu. As a dessert unique to “Sumomo no Sato Sarabetsu,” clean tasting soft-serve ice cream is topped with red “Sumomo” jam. The exquisite sweet and sour pairing is the reason for its popularity.
Address：464-1 Kowa, Sarabetsu village
Phone：+81-155-53-3663
Business hours：9:00～18:00
Closures：12/31～1/5
Parking：Available（66 Vehicles）
Sarabetsu Country Park
You can enjoy outdoor life on this large 30 ha facility with tent sites and cottages. The Center House has the front desk, a lounge, and a store. In addition to camping, the park has a play zone with mountain bike course and a park golf course.
Address：541-62 Kowa, Sarabetsu village
Phone：+81-155-52-5656
Business hours：Center House／8:00～17:00
Closures：Open year round
(some parts will be closed for the winter)
Parking：Available（84 Vehicles）
⑤
Development of a space city since 1980s
Taiki town
A city promoting “development of a space city” by actively attracting experimentation and flight tests in the field of aeronautics and astronautics. It is also a city full of natural features, with limpid Rekifune River, and being next to the Pacific Ocean and Hidaka Mountains.
●Taiki town http://www.town.taiki.hokkaido.jp/
●Taiki town Tourism Information http://www.town.taiki.hokkaido.jp/sitemap/sitemap_kankou.html
Access
From Sapporo
- About 3 hours 40 minutes by car
From Obihiro
- About 1 hour 40 minutes by bus
- About 1 hour by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 40 minutes by car from the airport to Taiki town.
Space Interchange Center SORA
An exhibition facility built by Taiki town, which has been promoting “development of a space city” since 1980s, to spread awareness about the experiments and projects conducted by the city. There are a variety of items on display including, 3 rockets launched from Taiki, panels describing the experiments, and a model of hot-air balloon. Additionally, you can experience the launch of H-II B rocket on a large screen with full sound (reservation required). Entry is free.
Address：169 Bisei, Taiki town
Phone：+81-1558-6-2113
（Taiki town Office Planning Department)
Business hours：
Late April～early November 10:00～16:00
※Please contact us for details about the closures
Closures：Open daily during season
Parking：Available（40 Vehicles）
Bansei Onsen (Hot spring)
This hot spring stands isolated on the Pacific Ocean coast in Taiki. It is known as the only place in Tokachi, where you have the view of the ocean from the bathtub. The source of dark brown water is a salty cold spring. The water contains high levels of iodine, a rarity in Japan, and has anti-microbial effects. While there is no outdoor bath, there is a terrace to step outside and admire the view of the Pacific Ocean.
Address：2 Bansei, Taiki town
Phone：+81-1558-7-8161
Business hours：10:00～21:00 (Counter is open until 20:30)
Closures：2nd and 4th Tuesdays in April ~ September;
every Tuesday in October ~ March
Cost:Bath use ￥500 for adults;
￥300 for Junior high students;
￥200 Elementary students;
free for toddlers
Lodging ￥ 3,000 (Includes bath use fee and tax)
Parking：Available（50 Vehicles）
Roadside Rest Area Cosmall Taiki
A rare Roadside Rest Areas adjacent to “Cosmall,” a shopping center with grocery store, drug store, and apparel stores. Since you can find almost everything you need here, it is convenient to stop by during a drive. You can find local specialty items such as cheese from Handa Farm and bacon and sausage from Gen Farm.
Address：98 Nishi Hondori, Taiki town
Phone：+81-1558-6-5220
Business hours：9:30～18:00
Closures：New Year’s day, 1/4・1/5
Parking：Available（184 Vehicles）
⑥
The only city in Japan to be certified
as Santaland
Hiroo town
The only city in Japan to be certified as “Santaland” by the home of Santa Claus, Oslo, Norway. The view from the observation deck is very romantic. It is also known as the surfing mecca.
●Hiroo town http://www.town.hiroo.hokkaido.jp/
●Hiroo Tourism Information http://www.town.hiroo.hokkaido.jp/kankou/
Access
From Sapporo
- About 4 hours 30 minutes by bus
- About 4 hours by car
From Obihiro
- About 2 hours by bus
- About 1 hour 40 minutes by car
From Tokyo
- About 1.5 hours by air (Haneda Airport ~ Tokachi Obihiro Airport).
About 1 hour by car from the airport to Hiroo town.
Daimaruyama Forestry Park
(Hiroo town)
Starting with 12,000 azaleas (Ezoyama Tsutsuji), which blossom in June, a variety of plants and flowers grow in this park, which is known as the main symbol of Santaland. It is popular among couples as a “sacred place for couples,” for its romantic atmosphere created by Santa’s house, a symbolic tree, and Santa’s bell. Make a wish and ring “Santa’s bell” together as a couple.
Address：689 Hiroo, Hiroo town
Phone：+81-1558-2-0177 (Hiroo town Town Hall Fishing, Commerce, and Tourism Department)
Business hours：10:00～17:30 (Santa’s house)
Closures：End and beginning of the year,
April 1st ~ mid-April
Parking：Available（30 Vehicles）
Funbe no Taki (Funbe Falls)
This waterfall is found flowing from the cliff along the National Highway 336 on the way to Cape Erimo from the Hiroo city center. The unusual source of this waterfall is not a river, but the water running between the rocks that emerge at this point and fall down. There are many waterfalls along the 50 m stretch, and the view of these numerous waterfalls along the rock surface is beautifully refreshing. In the winter, the water freezes to create a completely different look.
Address：Funbe, Hiroo town
Phone：+81-1558-2-0177
（Hiroo town Fishing, Commerce,
and Tourism Department）
Parking：Available（About 10～15 Vehicles）
Omori Country Garden
This garden is for those looking to get away from the daily bustle and be liberated in nature. Your body and soul will sure to be refreshed here! There is a café, “Garden View,” overlooking the garden, a deck surrounded by flowers, and a gallery. There are shops selling small items for souvenirs. Seedlings are available in the garden shop.
Address：73-2 Aza Monbetsu 14 Sen, Hiroo town
Phone：+81-1558-5-2421
Business hours：
＜Garden・Shop＞
Mid-April ~ mid-October 9:30～17:00
< Café >
Late April~late October 10:30～16:30（LO16:00）
Closures：Mondays (if holiday, following day is closed)
Parking：Available
（Can accommodate large buses with prior notice)
※Business hours are subject to change by season.
May close without warning due to inclement weather.
Inquire prior to visit.
⑦
A city of Thoroughbreds running through
pastures and horseback riding
Urakawa town
Urakawa-town is located on the Eastern part of Hidaka. It is a town of Thoroughbred tourism and horseback riding, with about 200 stables with over 3,000 breeds of Thoroughbreds. It is also a town blessed with the seafood of Pacific Ocean.
●Urakawa town http://www.town.urakawa.hokkaido.jp/
●Urakawa Tourism Information http://www.urakawa-tabi.com
Access ※Excluding transfer time.
From Sapporo
- About 3 hours 20 minutes by bus
- About 3 hours 15 minutes by car
- Transfer to a bus at the JR Tomakomai Station, and about 4 hours 30 minutes on the bus
From New Chitose Airport
- About 3 hours 50 minutes by bus
- About 2 hours 20 minutes by car
- Transfer to a bus at the JR Tomakomai Station, and about 4 hours 15 minutes on the bus
From Tokachi Obihiro Airport
- About 1 hour 50 minutes by car
Yushun Sakura Road
(Nishicha Sakura trees avenue)
About 3km of path, from the entrance to Yushun no Sato Park, lined with cherry blossom trees. About 1,000 Japanese hill cherry trees (Ezoyamazakura) line both sides of the road. It is the best cherry blossom spot in Urakawa, known as the cherry blossom tunnel, since the narrow road brings the trees from both sides together in the middle. Recommended place for cherry blossom viewing is inside of JRA Hidaka Training and Research Center. The 100-year old Japanese hill cherry tree there is a great asset to Hokkaido.
Address：141-10 Nishicha, Urakawa town
Phone：+81-146-26-9014
（Urakawa town Fishing, Commerce,
and Tourism Department）
Parking：Available（370 Vehicles）
JRA Hidaka Training Farm
At this 1,500ha center, a variety of training facility for race horses are available including grass riding ground and 1km straight indoor riding ground. This is a must-see for horse racing fans. In addition to individual visitors, bus tours are available between July and September.
Address：535-13 Nishicha, Urakawa town
Phone：+81-146-28-1211
Business hours：
Observation deck 8:00～16:00、
Memorial Hall 10:00～16:00
BTC Area・Light horse breed training center 7:00～14:00
Closures：open daily between April and October
Parking：Available（10 Vehicles）
Daikokuza
Established in 1918. A movie theater in a small town in Hokkaido. Playing select pieces for the locals and visitors. In addition to showing movies, it hosts exhibits and workshops. A documentary, “A small cinema in a small town,” was made about the significance of this theater, and it was released nationally.
Address：2-18 Odori, Urakawa town
Phone：+81-146-22-2149
Business hours：varies by show
Closures：open year round
Parking：Available（3 Vehicles）
⑧
A city with Mount Apoi geopark
that knows about land
Samani town
A town that has rich natural environment including Mount Apoi, which was declared as a UNESCO Global Geopark in September, 2015. Mountains and ravines uniquely feature colorful peridotite, which support the growth of alpine plants.
●Samani town http://www.samani.jp/
●Samani town Tourism Information http://www.apoi-geopark.jp/sightseeing/index.html
Access ※Excludes transfer time.
From Sapporo
- About 3 hours 30 minutes by bus
- About 3 hours 30 minutes by car
- Transfer to a bus at JR Tomakomai Station, and about 5 hours on the bus
From New Chitose Airport
- About 4 hours 15 minutes by bus
- About 3 hours by car
- Transfer to a bus at JR Tomakomai Station, and about 4 hours 45 minutes on the bus
From Tokachi Obihiro Airport
- About 2 hours by car
Oyakoiwa Fureai Beach
There are 3 rocks in the ocean along National Highway 336, on the way from Tomakomai to Samani city center. You can enjoy swimming in the ocean or camping, while looking at these rare “Oyakoiwa.” It is a popular beach among women who like outdoors and beginner family campers. Since it is close to the city center, and there is a store within a 5-minute walk, if you happened to forget to bring something, you can just get it here. There is a legend that if you pray to the sun setting behind Oyakoiwa, you will become happy.
Address：Nishimachi, Samani town
Phone：+81-146-36-5555 (while open)
Business hours：
<Ocean swimming area> early July~early September;
<Campground> late June~late September
Cost: Campground/ Adults ￥600, Children ￥400
Parking：Available（25 Vehicles）
Apoi Sanso
A lodging facility at the foot of Mount Apoi, which was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015. There are many things to do here including, moderate difficulty level hiking and observing alpine plants growing at relatively low altitude. In addition to an overnight stay, you can enjoy day-use spa, meal at the restaurant, and adjacent 27-hole park golf course.
Address：479-7 Hirau, Samani town
Phone：+81-146-36-5211
Business hours：
<day-use bath>
10:00～22:00
＊Due to cleaning, 2nd Tuesday of the month is open
from 17:00 (Last entry 21:30)
<Restaurant>
11:00～15:00、17:00～21:00 (Last order 20:30)
Cost: Day use/ Adults ￥500; Children ￥200; Toddlers ￥100
Under 3 years old is Free
Parking：Available（70 Vehicles）
Horomankyo
Horomankyo is a scenic spot selected as one of the “8 Picturesque Scenery in Samani.” Beautiful valley extends along Horoman River, downstream of Horoman Dam. Untouched natural forest extends as far as you can see, and you can enjoy it with the murmur of the river. Day camping at the Horoman Dam upstream is highly recommended!
Address：Horoman, Samani town
Phone：+81-146-36-2119
（Samani town Commerce,
and Tourism Department)
Parking：None (parking spaces are available along the road)
⑨
A city to experience the bounties of the sea
by protecting, nurturing, and honoring it
Erimo town
Called the “land of extreme wind,” Erimo is one of the windiest regions in Japan. “Kaze no Yakata,” where you can experience the wind, sea kayak tours to observe seals at the cape, and heart-shaped “Toyoni Lake” are popular.
●Erimo town http://www.town.erimo.lg.jp/
●Windy town “Erimo” Tourist Navigation http://www.town.erimo.lg.jp/kankou/
Access ※Excludes transfer time.
From Sapporo
- About 4 hours by bus
- About 4 hours by car
- Transfer to a bus at JR Tomakomai Station, and about 5 hours 30 minutes on the bus
From New Chitose Airport
- About 4 hours 45 minutes by bus
- About 3 hours 30 minutes by car
- Transfer to a bus at JR Tomakomai Station, and about 5 hours 15 minutes on the bus
From Tokachi Obihiro Airport
- About 2 hours by car
Toyoni Lake
Toyoni Lake is the only natural lake in the Hidaka mountains Erimo National Park. The lake, surrounded by a thick, primitive forest, is mysteriously beautiful, like an embedded emerald colored heart when viewed from above. It is also called “Batei Lake (Horseshoe Lake)” since it also looks like hoof of a horse. In Japan, Pikas only like around this lake, and if you are lucky, you may be able to hear its high-pitched cry!
Address：Hokkaido owned forest 135 group,
54 Meguro, Erimo town
Phone：+81-1466-2-4626
（Erimo town Industrial Development Department,
Commerce and Tourism Division)
Parking：Available（20 Vehicles）
Cape Erimo Kaze no Yakata
Cape Erimo is one of the windiest region in Japan. Over 10m/s wind blows on more than 260 days out of the year. “Kaze no Yakata” was designed by envisioning “Karman’s vortex” created by wind. Here, you can experience 25m/s wind, and enjoy a panoramic view of the cape in the observation space surrounded by windows. Moreover, you can observe Harbor seals on the cape through a telescope with a monitor.
Address：366-3 Toyo, Erimo town
Phone：+81-1466-3-1133
Business hours：
May~August 9:00～18:00
September~November and March~April 9:00～17:00
New Year’s day 5:00～8:00 (for viewing the first sunrise)
Closures：December~February
※Open between 5:00~8:00 on New Year’s day
for viewing first sunrise
Cost: Entry fee Adults・College students ￥300;
Students in other grade levels ￥200,
Non-school age children are free
Parking：Available（200 Vehicles）
Hyakuninhama (Beach)
In contrast to the cliffs and the rocky reefs of Cape Erimo, “Hyakuninhama” is a beautiful beach extending 10km Northeast of the cape. “Higashiezochi Dochuki” from 1791 states that the name of the beach comes from the execution of 100 captured gold miners. Due to the thick fog, many ships accidentally get lost at sea in this area. “Issekiichijitou,” where single characters of sutra were copied onto the rocks, in order to memorialize those lost on the official envoys from the southern regions.
Address：Shoya, Erimo town
Phone：+81-1466-2-4626（Erimo town Industrial Development Department, Commerce and Tourism Division）
Parking：Available（About 30 Vehicles）
