Hello! We are the Tokachi Tourism Federation.
We would like to introduce you to the charming Tokachi area of Hokkaido, blessed with vast lands and beautiful nature.
LINEBREAK###First, here is some basic information about Tokachi.
Tokachi consists of 19 cities, towns, and villages, including the central Obihiro City.
"The 19 Cities, Towns, and Villages of Tokachi":
Obihiro City, Otofukecho, Shihorocho, Kamishihoro Town, Shikaoicho, Shintoku Town, Shimizu-cho, Memuro Town, Nakasatsunaimura, Sarabetsumura, Taikicho, Hirocho, Makubetsu, Ikeda Town, Toyokorocho, Hombetsucho, Ashoro, Rikubetsucho, Urahorocho
LINEBREAK###The name Tokachi (とかち) in Hokkaido is derived from the Ainu word "Tokapuchi," which was used by the indigenous people of Hokkaido to refer to the Tokachi River.
Due to its continental climate, Tokachi has relatively high temperatures in spring and summer compared to other areas of Hokkaido. In winter, the minimum temperature can drop to -30 degrees Celsius, but the area receives little snow and enjoys many sunny days.
LINEBREAK###The main access route to Tokachi is by plane to Tokachi Obihiro Airport.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from HanedaKuukou and about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Nagoya Chubu to Tokachi Obihiro Airport.
By train, you can travel from Sapporo to JR Obihiro Station in as little as 2 hours and 24 minutes.
LINEBREAK###Tokachi is a treasure trove of nature, with each of its 19 municipalities offering a diverse range of attractions. There are many scenic spots and opportunities to encounter animals.
LINEBREAK###In this post, we will introduce some of the most popular tourist spots.
LINEBREAK###Banei Tokachi (Obihiro Racecourse) in Obihiro City is the only racecourse in the world that holds Banei horse racing, where racehorses pull sleds and compete.
In Banei horse races, horses compete for strength, speed, and endurance. The powerful sight of horses running the 200m course is a must-see!.
There is also a "Petting Zoo" on the premises where you can interact with ponies and rabbits, and admission is possible even on days when there are no races.
LINEBREAK###Next, we would like to introduce Tokachi Hills in Makubetsu.
It is a complex of nature and flowers that spreads out on a hill, and you can enjoy gardens with different themes based on the main theme of "Agriculture and Food".
Various flowers such as roses and herbs bloom, and you can enjoy the flowers throughout the year.
The garden cafe in the park offers dishes that can only be eaten here, such as a casquette sandwich using the world's only edible national treasure (Hungarian national treasure) "Mangalica pork" loin ham.
LINEBREAK###Next, we will introduce tourist spots around Tokachi Hills.
Kofuku Station, about 20 minutes by car from Tokachi Hills.
Kofuku Station, a sacred place for lovers that caused a boom in the 1970s with the catchphrase "From the Land of Love to Happiness," is still a popular spot for couples wishing for happiness.
The "Kofuku Station Happy Ceremony," where you can experience a mock wedding ceremony, is also held between the end of April and the end of November.
Aikoku Station, which caused a boom similar to Kofuku Station, is located about 15 minutes by car from Kofuku Station. It is now known as the "Transportation Memorial Hall," and the "Happiness Ticket" monument in front of the station building is recommended as a photo spot.
LINEBREAK###TokachigawaOnsen, which can be reached in about 25 minutes by car from Tokachi Hills, is a hot spring resort on the banks of the Tokachi River.
The "Moor Hot Spring" that you can enjoy at TokachigawaOnsen is a rare vegetable hot spring in Japan that has also been selected as a Hokkaido Heritage Site.
The benefits of moor hot springs include relief from neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, chronic women's diseases, and sensitivity to cold.
Some of the surrounding hotels offer day-trip bathing.
You can heal your daily fatigue by soaking in the hot springs while surrounded by beautiful nature.
LINEBREAK###There are 15 Roadside Stations in the Tokachi area that provide local specialties, gourmet food, and tourist information. (As of July 2023)
LINEBREAK###Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21, which was renovated from a railway station in 2011, is a Roadside Station in Ashoro that still retains traces of the railway.
The shop & bakery offers bread made with Rawan Buki, the largest butterbur in Japan, which is a specialty of Ashoro, and the restaurant also offers local gourmet foods such as Rawan Buki soft serve ice cream.
The pork bowl that you can get at Kumanoko Chiiki Koryu Bussankan Ten is also a must-try dish!
At the Roadside Station, you can spend a valuable time unique to the region, such as eating food made with local specialties.
Please stop by to create memories of your trip.
LINEBREAK###Next, we will introduce spots where you can experience the vast nature of Hokkaido.
Lake Onneto, one of Hokkaido's three great mysterious lakes, is a tourist attraction located at the westernmost point of Akan-Mashu National Park. The color of the water surface changes depending on the season and time, so it is also called "Goshikinuma" (Five Colored Pond).
The observation deck where you can enjoy the view of Lake Onneto with MtMeakan and Mount Akanfuji in the background is a recommended viewing spot.
LINEBREAK###Taushubetsu River Bridge (Lake Nukabira) in Kamishihoro Town is a 130m long concrete arch bridge built in 1937.
There are about 60 large and small arch bridges that were previously used as the Former Japanese National Railways Shihoro Line, and they are preserved as modern industrial heritage.
In spring, the snow melts and the water level rises, and the way the arch is reflected on the water surface makes it look like glasses, so it is also called the "Eyeglass Bridge."
LINEBREAK###Mikuni Pass (Kamishihoro Town) in Daisetsuzan National Park is 1,139m above sea level and is the highest mountain pass in Hokkaido.
You will surely be fascinated by the beauty and power of nature, such as the lush green sea of trees and the vivid autumn leaves.
The homemade hand-drip coffee and other carefully selected menu items are popular at the Mikuni Pass café at the top of Mikuni Pass.
LINEBREAK###The last one we would like to introduce is Tokachi Ranch, a vast ranch in Otofukecho with an area of 4,092 ha.
It breeds Dosanko horses, sheep, and cattle.
The 1.3km long white birch tree-lined road that continues from the entrance of the ranch is a popular spot.
LINEBREAK###Various events are held throughout the year in Tokachi, Hokkaido.
The Tokachi Port Festival "Tokachi Port Marine Fireworks Festival" held in Hirocho is the only fireworks festival held at a port in the Tokachi region.
The underwater fireworks that spread across the sea surface are one of the highlights! It is scheduled to be held on August 5, 2023.
LINEBREAK###The Obihiro Heigen Matsuri in summer, the Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival in autumn, and the Obihiro Ice Festival in winter are popular festivals known as the "Obihiro Three Major Festivals".
In addition, the Kachimai Fireworks Festival held on the Tokachigawa Kasenziki is a fireworks festival that is attracting attention for its highly entertaining composition.
You can enjoy a fireworks show created by music, lighting, and fireworks.
It is scheduled to be held on August 13, 2023.
LINEBREAK###Tokachi, Hokkaido is an attractive area where vast nature, gourmet food, hot springs, and tourist spots are in harmony.
LINEBREAK###We will continue to deliver information on tourist spots, events, and gourmet information in the Tokachi area that we were unable to convey in this post!
Please look forward to it!😊