2024 Hokkaido Tokachi Obihiro 8 major attractions, 6 must-eat food recommendations, and hotel hot spring guide
When traveling to Japan, in addition to famous big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka in Honshu, Hokkaido is also one of the places that many independent travelers will choose. And Tokachi in the eastern part of Hokkaido is a tourist attraction that most tourists will choose to drive to, except for Sapporo. Tokachi in Hokkaido is centered in Obihiro City, with endless blue sky and white clouds. The Tokachi Plain is magnificent and beautiful, with a cool climate and fresh air. The local industry is mainly agriculture and dairy farming, and many well-known desserts and delicacies are produced, so it is known as the "Dessert Kingdom". Among them, Rokkatei is the most famous. The rich whipped cream sandwich is made with fresh milk produced in Tokachi. The special-tasting Rokkatei sake candy is one of the must-have souvenirs for many people! In addition, Tokachi also has the Tokachi River hot spring, which is known as the beauty bath. It can not only relax you, but also make your skin more delicate, which is loved by many women. The best thing is that you can also experience the unique ice and snow open-air hot spring and ice bar at Tokachi Shirabetsu Lake. It is a rare experience to drink with your own ice cups! If you want to know what attractions are there in Tokachi, Hokkaido, quickly collect this article!【Hokkaido Tokachi · Obihiro Transportation Guide】
The Tokachi area is centered on Obihiro City and is a transportation hub. There are also many restaurants and hotels in Obihiro City, which is a very suitable place for independent travelers to stay. The following provides transportation methods and travel time from Tokyo and major cities in Hokkaido to Obihiro City. After arriving in Obihiro, many independent travelers will choose to rent a car near the station. If you can afford it, it is recommended that you drive in Hokkaido. In addition to being able to quickly travel back and forth between various tourist attractions in Tokachi, you can also experience the fun of self-driving tours in Eastern Hokkaido!
JR
Minami-Chitose - Obihiro: about 2 hours and 10 minutes (Limited Express Super Ozora/Limited Express Super Tokachi)
Sapporo - Obihiro: about 2 hours and 40 minutes (Limited Express Super Ozora/Limited Express Super Tokachi)
Kushiro - Obihiro: about 1 hour and 40 minutes (Limited Express Super Ozora)
Furano - Obihiro: about 2 hours and 10 minutes (Rapid Karikachi)
Highway bus
Sapporo - Obihiro: about 3 hours and 40 minutes (Potato Liner)
Asahikawa - Obihiro: about 3 hours and 45 minutes (North Liner)
Shin Chitose - Obihiro: about 2 hours and 45 minutes (Tokachi Milky Liner)
Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro
Located next to JR Obihiro Station, Nikko Northern Country Hotel Obihiro is a 4-star hotel with an excellent location. It has convenient transportation but is quiet and comfortable. It only takes about 20 minutes to drive from Tokachi Hills and Tokachigawa Onsen to the hotel. The guest rooms in the hotel are Nordic style, with creamy white and brown as the base color, and warm colors to blend with wooden furniture, giving guests a peaceful and stable accommodation environment. Through the windows where natural light pours in, guests can enjoy the scenery of Daisetsuzan, Hidaka Mountains and Obihiro Hills.
Hokkaido Hotel
The Hokkaido Hotel is also located in the center of Obihiro, only a 5-minute drive from JR Obihiro Station. If tourists plan to drive in Eastern Hokkaido, it will be very convenient to stay here. This hotel has almost the highest reviews in the surrounding area, and its popularity is also extraordinary. It is highly recommended to everyone. In addition to having a comfortable accommodation environment, the Hokkaido Hotel's purpose is to become a "hotel with representative Hokkaido". The hotel has top sommeliers, as well as the best Japanese and Western chefs in Hokkaido, and other professional talents, so that visiting guests can enjoy elegant special moments here. Hokkaido hotels also take advantage of the Tokachi region's "Agricultural Kingdom" to create a variety of new dishes using local ingredients. In addition to allowing guests to enjoy the most authentic flavors, it also promotes the development of local agriculture.
Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store
As one of the leading souvenirs in Hokkaido, Rokkatei is a must-have for all tourists who travel to Hokkaido or travel independently. Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store is located in Obihiro City, Tokachi, Eastern Hokkaido. Its long-lived products include grape cream sandwich cookies (マルセイバターサンド), cream chocolate sandwich cakes (マルセイバターケーキ), Rokkatei sake candy, and various Rokkatei cookies. The retro packaging and rich fillings have allowed Rokkatei's products to continue to sell for more than 40 years, and they are highly praised by tourists from Japan and abroad. In addition to the above celebrity souvenirs, Rokkatei will also launch very distinctive new products or seasonal products from time to time. You can always pay attention to Rokkatei's official website. In addition, Rokkatei stores are only open in Hokkaido. You can find it in Sapporo, Hakodate, Otaru and other tourist attractions, as well as New Chitose Airport, but you won’t find it in Tokyo or Osaka, Japan! If you have come all the way to Hokkaido for a free trip, why not hurry up and grab some!
The most popular products of Rokkatei include "Rokkatei Candy", "Grape Cream Sandwich Cookies" and "Strawberry Chocolate Balls", which are must-buy souvenirs for all tourists traveling to Hokkaido. The following is a brief introduction to these three popular products!
Rokkatei Candy has exquisite packaging and a unique taste, which can be said to be the No. 1 in the store. When the iron box is opened, you can see six colors of candy, just like a beautiful flower with petals of different colors. These colors represent: red wine (dark red), plum wine (off-white), brandy (yellow), fruit wine (red), Cointreau (white), mint wine (blue). The wine flavor will immediately spread in your mouth when you bite it. Travelers who like to taste the wine flavor must buy it! Rokkatei sake candies come in two packages: 18 pieces (380 yen) and 60 pieces (750 yen), which are suitable for both gift giving and personal use. However, please note that Rokkatei sake candies do contain liquid alcohol, so it is recommended that you put them in checked luggage to avoid violating boarding regulations!
Another popular product is the grape cream sandwich cookies. The rich filling is made from Hokkaido's proud raw milk, blended with white chocolate, and paired with grapes and soft outer cookies. Every bite is so delicious that it almost melts! Rokkatei sells sandwich cookies in packages of 4 to 30, and there are also combination packages with mixed caramel cookies and sandwich cakes. The price ranges from 500 to 3,870. Remember to take a few boxes!
The strawberry chocolate balls are made of white chocolate or milk chocolate, which are wrapped around dried strawberries. They are sour and sweet, and the taste is quite good, making people unable to resist eating one after another. Rokkatei's chocolate balls are divided into 80g bags (400 yen) and 100g boxes (630 yen). You may want to buy some to satisfy your cravings while traveling.
Rokkatei was founded in Obihiro City, Eastern Hokkaido in 1933. At that time, the store was called "Obihiro Chishuan" and sold a variety of desserts. After World War II, Obihiro Chishuan continued to develop products with local characteristics. The packaging paper also adopted the works designed by Tokachi local painter "Naoyuki Sakamoto". The very distinctive flower packaging has been used until today. In 1977, Obihiro Chishuan was renamed "Rokkatei" as we know it, and "Rokka" refers to "hexagonal flowers", which is the shape of ice crystals, which is quite a Hokkaido image.
Today we came to Tokachi Obihiro for a trip, and we must visit "Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store". This is the old site where it was first established. It has gone through ups and downs to reach its current scale, which is of great significance to the entire company. In addition to selling a variety of souvenirs, the Rokkatei Obihiro main store also has ice cream sandwiches and crispy pies that can be eaten inside, which are highly recommended. There is also a cafe on the second floor of the Obihiro main store, which provides drinks, desserts, and pizza. Whether it is local residents or tourists from other places, they will chat here. Everyone is welcome to come here to rest.
Address: 〒080-0012 Nishi 2-jo Minami 9-chome 6, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
Official website: http://www.rokkatei.co.jp/
Tel: +81 155-24-6666
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 09:00–18:30
Ryugetsu
In addition to Rokkatei, Ryugetsu is also one of the most famous must-buy souvenirs in Hokkaido! It is not only popular among people who travel to Eastern Hokkaido, but also very popular among local residents of Hokkaido. This must be because the boss of Ryugetsu has insisted on using ingredients produced in Hokkaido to make products for many years, and he does not deliberately raise the price, ensuring that the products are good quality and cheap, very economical and affordable. No wonder there is always a constant stream of people at Ryugetsu!
Ryugetsu's most famous annual ring cake is a triangular six-inch long cake with about 20 layers of black and white chocolate patterns, imitating the white birch trees that can be seen everywhere in Hokkaido. You can enjoy it in slices when tasting. "Sanporoku" even won the highest honor gold award at the 27th World Snack Competition Monde Selection in 1988. The rich taste and layers make Hokkaido people who grew up drinking Hokkaido milk crazy! The factory occasionally packages the head and tail of "Sanporoku" or the ugly parts of the cake and sells it at a super cheap price. Even if the appearance is not good, the taste is still top-notch, and it still causes many people to rush to buy it! If you have the opportunity to travel to Hokkaido, you absolutely cannot miss such a delicious and close to nature souvenir!
Address: 8-15, Odori-minami, Obihiro City, Hokkaido 080-0010
Official website: http://www.ryugetsu.co.jp
Tel: +81 155-23-2101
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 08:30–19:30
Tokachi Toteppo Factory
The cheesecakes of "Tokachi Toteppo Workshop" are made of milk, eggs, flour and other ingredients produced locally in Hokkaido, ensuring that customers can taste the most natural and authentic taste of Tokachi, Hokkaido. The signature "natural cheesecake" is made with three types of Hokkaido-produced cheese: cream cheese, Tokachi fresh cheese and mascarpone, and has a very rich taste. Based on the original cheesecake, the upgraded version adds the more flavorful "Camembert cheese", which will definitely make cheese lovers unable to extricate themselves. It is recommended for friends with heavy tastes~ In addition to the signature cheesecake, "Tokachi Toteppo Workshop" also has cake rolls and cute train-shaped cookies, which are very good and delicious souvenirs. Don't miss it!
Address: 〒080-0016 3-1, 17-chome, Nishi-6jo-minami, Tamahiro City, Hokkaido
Telephone: +81 155-21-0101
Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
Ganso Butadonno Bancho
Address: 〒080-0011 11-19 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
Tel: +81 155-22-1974
Business hours: 11:00-19:00, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays of odd-numbered weeks
Butadon No Tonta
The center of Obihiro is the first-tier battleground for tonkatsu donburi. Every old shop specializes in traditional delicious donburi, and the competition is fierce. However, there is a tonkatsu donburi restaurant far away from the shopping street, even a 10-minute drive from Obihiro Station, but it has received extremely high reviews. What is the secret? "ぶた丼のTonda" is a very new restaurant. It chooses to break away from the traditional tonkatsu donburi that mainly uses tenderloin, and provides customers with pork belly and tenderloin with different fat and lean. In addition, the owner insists that each piece of pork must be carefully cut by hand to confirm the shape and quality, so as to make the best pork taste for customers who come to the store. With such a careful cooking method and a unique secret sauce, it is no wonder that it is so popular. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Address: 〒080-0806 Higashi 10-jo Minami 17-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
Tel: +81 155-24-4358
Business hours: 11:00-18:00, closed on Sundays
Abaji no Sato びばいろ
The vast Tokachi Plain is rich in a variety of agricultural products. The environment with a large temperature difference is very suitable for the growth of buckwheat, making Hokkaido's buckwheat production the highest in Japan, accounting for about 40% of the country. In addition to pork donburi, buckwheat noodles are another well-known delicacy in Tokachi. "Buckwheat No Sato Bibairo" is a secret buckwheat noodle shop hidden in the countryside of Memuro-cho next to Obihiro City. This buckwheat noodle shop husks and grinds its own noodles every day. Although the dishes seem simple, they take a lot of effort to make them, so that customers from afar can enjoy the most natural buckwheat flavor. Due to its remote location, it takes nearly half an hour to drive from Obihiro Station and there is no public transportation to reach it, so tourists who drive in Eastern Hokkaido are more likely to come here to enjoy buckwheat noodles~
Address: 〒082-0072 26, Kitafushiko South 12, Memuro-cho, Kasai-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81 155-62-7970
Business hours: 11:30~15:00, closed on Fridays
Rokkano Mori
Now that you have bought Rokkatei souvenirs, you can't miss the Rokka Forest in Tokachi! Just looking at the name, you can tell that Rokka Forest and Rokkatei must have a special origin. Rokka Forest is a garden sponsored by Hokkaido Rokkatei. It is located next to the Rokkatei factory in Obihiro and covers an area of 10 hectares. The garden not only has Japanese garden landscaping, gurgling water, but also many art galleries. The best thing is that you can taste Rokkatei's snacks in it. Rokka Forest is planted with Tokachi's representative flowers on the packaging paper. It is very beautiful, and the trails are also very clean. In the Rokka Forest, you can enjoy a variety of blooming flowers: shrimp gentian, rose, large-flowered sedge, pig's tooth flower, hollow-stemmed okra, white root sunflower, etc. It is definitely suitable to spend an afternoon here to relax and relax!
In the Rokka Forest, there are also many art exhibition halls relocated from old Croatian houses, and small wooden houses are scattered among the gardens. Each one can be freely entered and visited. It should be noted that you cannot take pictures inside. If you need to take pictures as a souvenir, please follow the instructions of the Rokka Forest staff. There are many places such as the Naoyuki Sakamoto Memorial Museum, the Ikeda Hitoshi Museum, the Momose Tomohiro Museum, and the Rokka Forest Photo Gallery, which make Rokka Forest more artistic. Of course, you can also buy Rokkatei souvenirs inside! If you have the opportunity to travel to Hokkaido by car, you may as well come and visit!
Address: 〒089-1300 249-6 Tokiwa, Nakazawanai Village, Kasai County, Hokkaido
Tel: +81 155-63-1000
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 09:00–17:00
Tickets: Adults: 800 yen / Children: 600 yen
Lake Shikaribetsu (hot spring, ice bar)
Lake Shikabetsu is a mysterious lake in Hokkaido. It is the only natural lake in the Daisetsuzan National Park. The deepest point is about 100 meters and the altitude is 800 meters. It is located in the deep mountains on the Tokachi River Plain. The transparency is also one of the best lakes in the country. Lake Shikabetsu was formed 20,000 years ago. The crater terrain formed by the surrounding volcanic eruptions was filled with groundwater. It is surrounded by primitive forests. It will be completely frozen from January every year. Therefore, the famous "Ice Village" is built on the lake to attract tourists to travel to Japan in winter. The event time is from January to March. Please refer to the official website for details. However, because the transportation is relatively less convenient than in big cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, this place is more suitable for independent travelers who like to explore adventures and like the scenery of paradise.
The most special thing about Lake Shikabetsu is that it has the only open-air hot spring made of ice and snow in Japan. It is a hot spring made of ice bricks, and there is also an ice bar and an experience classroom where you can learn how to make ice cups. The beams and pillars of the entire bar are made of ice and snow from Lake Shikabetsu. Sitting on an ice chair and tasting alcoholic drinks is definitely a joy in life! The coolest thing is that you can also make an appointment for an ice house to stay! The hotel will also provide sleeping bags. If you really feel too cold, you can still go back to the hotel to spend the night. Such a unique and wonderful experience, you must come to experience it when you come to Hokkaido!
Address: Kato County, Hokkaido, Japan
Official website: https://kotan.jp/
Tokachigawa Onsen
Hokkaido Tokachi River Onsen is the most famous hot spring in Eastern Hokkaido. Anyone who comes to Eastern Hokkaido for self-driving or free travel must have soaked in the Tokachi River hot spring! Tokachi River Hot Spring is also called "Moor Soup", which comes from the German "Moor", which means wetland. Because of its special ingredients and rich in many organic substances, it is also known as beauty soup. It is a very rare hot spring in the world. When you come to Tokachi, Hokkaido, you can not only experience the beauty of Tokachi, but also become more beautiful by soaking in the hot spring, which is a great pleasure!
The reason why Tokachi River Onsen is so special is that the banks of the Tokachi River used to be a place where reeds grew. After a long period of evolution, a sub-carbon layer was formed. In addition, the underground hot springs kept gushing out, which made the hot springs rich in plant organic components. This kind of hot spring is collectively called "Moertang". In the Showa era, only Tokachi River Onsen and a certain place in Europe were found to have such precious water quality, which was very precious. Because it is rich in organic matter, the water is yellow-brown, and the skin will be very smooth after soaking. Women who love beauty can choose the hot springs here to relieve stress when traveling to Hokkaido, and they can also become watery!
Address: 〒080-0263 Hokkaido Kato-gun Otofuke-cho Tokachigawa Onsen Minami 12-chome
Tel: +81 155-46-2231
Business hours: 24 hours
Address: 〒080-0263 Hokkaido Kato-gun Otofuke-cho Tokachigawa Onsen Minami 14-chome-2
Tel: +81 155-46-2001
Ikeda Wine Castle
Ikeda Winery is famous for producing wine from Tokachi, Hokkaido. It was built in the Showa era (1974). The exterior looks like a medieval castle, and the interior is a wine-making factory. Visitors can visit the underground aging barrels and factories, as well as the wine-making and packaging processes. The equipment in the factory is automated and clean and bright. In the wine quality control department, you can see the staff staring at each bottle of wine, fearing that there are tiny foreign objects in the wine that have not been discovered. The whole process is very rigorous, and every line of work is worthy of admiration! In addition, you can also visit the vineyard to see how carefully the raw materials of the fine wine are cultivated.
After visiting Ikeda Wine City, you can also buy wines that are only sold at the attraction in the store on the first floor. The best thing is that you can buy your favorite wines after confirming the taste and flavor you like in the free wine tasting area. You can also buy a variety of cute bottle openers. In addition, there are also wine-flavored ice creams for sale. Of course, don’t forget to bring a few bottles back to share with your relatives and friends. Travelers who like alcohol can visit Ikeda Wine City and enjoy delicious wine if they travel to Hokkaido!
Address: 〒083-0002 83-3 Kiyomi, Ikeda-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: +81 15-572-2467
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 09:00–17:00
Admission: Free
Tokachi Fukushima Station
Tokachi Koufuku Station is located in Obihiro, Hokkaido, and is a Hokkaido attraction that has only risen in recent years. Compared to Tokyo Station, most tourists who come to Tokachi Koufuku Station will feel happy because of the station name, and it has become a favorite attraction for Japanese tourists. Originally, only 7 "Patriotic-Happiness" tickets were sold a year, but after being broadcast on TV programs, their popularity has become higher and higher, becoming a must-have love amulet for many couples. It once achieved a brilliant sales volume of "300 million tickets". After that, about 2.5 million tickets were sold every year, which set off a wave of happiness. It is still a must-go lover's sanctuary for couples.
The location of Tokachi Koufuku Station used to be called "Koufukushin", but since most people from Fukui Prefecture moved here, in order to give them a sense of local identity, the first letters of the individual place names were combined to form the two characters "Koufuku" and "Fukufuku". Because the road surface is icy in winter, it may take longer to get to Tokachi Koufuku Station in winter than in summer. In addition to visiting the railway ruins at Tokachi Koufuku Station, you can also experience the "Koufuku Station Koufuku Ceremony" with your partner. This winter, come to Tokachi, Hokkaido to leave memories of love!
Address: 〒089-1246 Hokkaido Obihiro City Koufukucho East 1 Line
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Tokachi Millennium Forest
Speaking of the beauty of Tokachi in Hokkaido, the Millennium Forest is the most beautiful! The Millennium Forest is a combination of four gardens with the concept of "Garden of Hokkaido" that integrates nature. The origin of the name of the Millennium Forest, according to Chairman Lin Keyan in an interview: "We want to leave this rich environment to our descendants in the next thousand years." Hence the name. The Millennium Forest was planned to preserve the lush forests of Hokkaido and the most beautiful scenery. A casual shot here is a brilliant postcard view. It is definitely worth it for independent travelers to go and explore!
The EARTH GARDEN and MEADOW GARDEN of the Millennium Forest are the first in Japan to receive the Grand Award from the British Garden Society. The green grass and wild flower fields present different looks with the changing seasons. The FOREST GARDEN is designed to show the beauty of a natural forest. The last FARM GARDEN is a garden related to food, where you can also get in close contact with sheep. If you want to experience the beauty of nature in Hokkaido, then Tokachi Millennium Forest must be included in your self-driving tour itinerary!
Address: 〒089-0356 Azababi Minami 10, Shimizu-cho, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido
Official website: http://www.tmf.jp/
Tel: +81 156-63-3000
Business hours: Monday to Sunday 09:00–17:00
Admission: Adults: 1,000 yen / Children: 500 yen
Taushubetsu Bridge
Lake Kunabira Spectacle Bridge (TAUSYUBETSU Bridge) is a famous dream bridge in Tokachi, Hokkaido. It is a concrete arch bridge built on Lake Kunabira. When the weather is clear, you can enjoy the reflection of the bridge in the lake, which looks like a pair of glasses. Therefore, it has the nickname "Spectacle Bridge". The Spectacle Bridge disappears and sinks under the water every summer. This is because the melted snow, rainfall, and the condition of the power plant will increase the water volume of Lake Kunabira. If you want to see the Spectacle Bridge in Tokachi in summer, you will miss it!
In winter, around January, the mysterious Mirror Bridge will reveal its entire pier due to ice, snow and frozen lake water. It is recommended to visit before Golden Week when the water level is the lowest, so that you can enjoy the full view of the Mirror Bridge! Because the snow is slippery in winter, it is recommended that visitors wear snow boots to avoid slipping for safety! Because the bridge is gradually peeling off, when winter comes, quickly arrange a trip to Hokkaido to visit the beautiful Kunabira Lake Mirror Bridge and leave the most special memories!
Address: 〒080-1403 Hokkaido Kamishihoro-cho Nukabira-gensen-kyo
Official website: https://www.kamishihoro.jp/
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission: Free
Nukabira Onsen
After enjoying the Mirror Bridge of Lake Kunahira, you can’t miss the Kunahira Onsen! Kunahira Onsen is located on the hillside of Daisetsuzan between Obihiro and Asahikawa in Hokkaido. It is full of fresh air that can only be found in Hokkaido. A trip to Japan is definitely a must for a hot spring bath! There are many hot spring hotels here, and Nakamuraya and Yumotokan are the most well-known.
At Nakamuraya, you can buy beans, honey, jam, etc. produced in Tokachi, even if you are not staying. The owner of Nakamuraya renovated the hotel from the Showa period to make the guest rooms and bathrooms warmer. What’s special is that while you are bathing in the hot spring, you may even see deer because there are forests around, which fully reflects the closeness of Hokkaido’s nature and can also leave the most precious memory of this trip to Hokkaido!
The nearby Yumotokan is also a hot spring hotel that is popular with many tourists and is provided for everyone to refer to. This hotel was founded by Mr. Shima Takami, who discovered the Kunadaira Onsen. It has a history of nearly 100 years since 1925 and is the oldest hot spring hotel in the area. Visitors can feel the strong historical atmosphere when they come to Yumotokan, and then soak in the comfortable hot springs to sweep away the fatigue of the whole day. It is really a great enjoyment!
Address: 〒080-1403 Hokkaido Kawato-gun Kamishihoro-cho Nukabira-gensen-gō
Tel: +81 1564-4-2311
Tickets: Please refer to the official website.
Address: 〒080-1403 Hokkaido Kawato-gun Kamishihoro-cho Nukabira-gensen-gō 52-1
Tel: +81 1564-4-2121
Tickets: Please refer to the official website.
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