Locomotive and VIP coach lit up! ✨🚂✨ This year marks the 30th anniversary since the Oji Light Railway (commonly called the Yamasen Line), which had been on display in Tokyo, returned to Tomakomai. About three thousand LEDs light up the Yamasen Line at Oji Acacia Park. Symbol Street Terrace has also started ✨ Enjoy exploring a variety of unique shops while taking in this special winter light scene ✨

Midorigaoka Park Observatory in Tomakomai City offers views of the city and Mt. Tarumae from 56 meters above sea level. Admission is free. Open hours are 10:00–18:00 in winter and 9:00–21:00 in summer. On the second floor, a multipurpose lounge hosts concerts and workshops, making it a relaxing spot for residents. In the observatory plaza you may also encounter wildlife such as Ezo squirrels and Ezo deer ✨🐿🦌

Recently, part of Utonai-ko (Lake Utonai) froze over. A swan standing on the ice flaps its wings✨🦢 Roadside Station Utonai Lake, which posts many stunning photos on social media, is open in winter from 9:00 to 17:00. It offers plenty of delicious local food and goods, so please stop by for a break during winter road trips. (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Tomakomai-made craft beer is now available for purchase at the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center🍺 We are selling five distinctive varieties, including ones made with Tomakomai-grown haskap and others using Tomakomai-grown yachiyanagi instead of hops‼ *Because these items require refrigeration, we offer ice packs and insulated bags for those carrying them for long periods (each available for a fee). At Hokkaido Brewery, the brewpub and beer kitchen in Nishiki-cho 2-chome, Tomakomai City, you can enjoy the full range of craft beers alongside local game such as venison✨ Please give them a try🍺

Early winter at Utonai-ko (Lake Utonai). The swans’ silhouettes stand out against the gradient, making the scene look like a painting. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

The curtain at Tomakomai Civic Auditorium, which will close at the end of March next year, was donated in 1968 by Oji Paper Co., Ltd.'s Tomakomai Factory. The curtain, depicting Mt. Tarumae, Tomakomai Port, and the Oji Paper factory, holds many memories for Tomakomai residents from stage performances, choir contests, and other events.

It is the morning of Saturday, November 8th in front of tomakomai station. Please make sure to bring studless winter tires for your drive.

Many of the autumn leaves around the city fell in the storm on November 1st, but today, November 2nd, is bright and clear! The second photo shows a dusky thrush bathing. It looks so comfortable. (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai-ko)

The 12th floor, the top floor of Tomakomai City Hall, has an observation corridor. This photo was taken from the 12th floor on October 21st. The red-and-white smokestack visible on the left belongs to the Oji Paper Tomakomai Plant. It stands an astonishing 200 meters tall! Mt. Tarumae, visible in the distance, becomes completely covered in white snow in winter.

The end of the season is just around the corner! Let's enjoy the last Mt. Tarumae of the year! Mt. Mt. Tarumae, which is popular as a mountain that is easy to climb even for beginners, ends its season in early November every year. Before the end of the season, Enjoy the contrast between the bright red fiery Autumn leaves of Mt. Mt. Tarumae and the sparkling water surface of Lake Shikotsu! Breathe in the clear air and refresh your mood! We look forward to seeing you there!

Lake Utonai in mid-October. Swans, geese and other autumn migratory birds are gathering here one after another. In particular, the communal dawn flight to nearby feeding grounds, known as the "negradachi" roost flight, is a must-see. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

The woodland garden Ikoro no Mori, where the leaves are beginning to change color, is spectacularly adorned with dahlias and roses. Ikoro no Mori will close for the winter season from November 1st, so you can enjoy the autumn garden only through October. Won’t you come and visit?

The flower chozu at Tarumae Shrine, dressed in seasonal blooms year-round. White lilies and a colorful array of chrysanthemums and orchids create a beautiful autumn display ✨

Barbecue at the foot of the majestic Mt. Tarumae! The 2025 Tarumae Sun Festival began at 10:00 on Saturday, September 27✨ The forecast high is 24°C! It's a perfectly sunny day for barbecue✨ The festival runs for two days on Saturday and Sunday, September 27–28🍗

A viewpoint has been installed at the Tarumae Garo Gorge! The site is about 200 meters north along the forest road just past the Tarumae Garo Bridge from the parking lot. Because of the risk of rockfalls, visitors have only been able to look down from the bridge in recent years, but the new viewpoint lets you see Tarumae Garo from close to the riverbed. Out of consideration for environmental conservation, there are no stairs or handrails on the slope up to the viewpoint. Leaves can make the path slippery, so please take care with your footing.

This delicate little flower is called mizosoba. It belongs to the knotweed family, the same family as buckwheat (soba). You can observe it along the shore of Lake Utonai, around the alder terrace. (Image courtesy of the Lake Utonai Wildlife Conservation Center)

Did you know that a light railway once known affectionately as the "Yamasen" ran along the cycling road connecting Tomakomai and Lake Shikotsu? In its early years, from 1908, it hauled materials and construction crews for a hydroelectric plant upstream on the Chitose River; in its middle years it carried logs; and in its later years it transported tourists to Lake Shikotsu, serving the area for 43 years until 1951. On September 6, 2025, the YAMASEN30th event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Yamasen being exhibited at its current location ✨

Lake Utonai on a clear, calm August day ✨ Enjoy the spectacular view from the Lake Utonai observation facility! (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Lake Utonai)

Tomatoh Area, commonly called “Tomatoh,” is one of Japan’s largest industrial regions🏭 We are seeking photographic works that evoke Tomatoh’s factories, machinery, vehicles, people, and ships, or images that capture Tomatoh living in harmony with its rich natural surroundings. For more details, try searching for "Tomatoh Photo Contest 2025"📷

From August 1st to August 3rd, the 70th Tomakomai Port Festival is taking place over three days✨ In time for the Port Festival, the sailing ship Nippon Maru is docked at the sub-venue, Kirakira Park! At night, it shows a beautifully lit silhouette✨ (The lighting remains through the night of the 4th.)

Special Exhibition “The Artist Who Draws: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko” (July 12, 2025–August 31, 2025) A major exhibition in Tomakomai dives into the appeal of anime and manga legend Yoshikazu Yasuhiko—the largest show of his work to date! Dates: Saturday, July 12, 2025–Sunday, August 31, 2025 Closed: Mondays (open Monday, July 21 and Monday, August 11 [national holiday]; closed Tuesday, July 22 and Tuesday, August 12) Hours: 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. On Saturday, July 26 and Tuesday–Saturday, August 26–30, the museum is open until 8:00 p.m. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Venue: Tomakomai City Museum of Art and Natural History, Exhibition Rooms 1–3 Admission: Adults 600 yen (500 yen), university and high school students 400 yen (300 yen), elementary and junior high school students free ※ Prices in parentheses apply to advance tickets and groups of 10 or more. ※ Present your annual pass to enter for 300 yen for adults and 200 yen for university and high school students. ※ For exemption applications, please inquire. ※ The courtyard exhibition and the permanent collection are also included. ※ Admission fees are accepted in cash only. Combined ticket (common pass for Tomakomai City Museum of Art and Kushiro City Museum of Art): 1,300 yen

A Ezo deer wading in Lake Utonai. It appears to be eating aquatic plants.✨ It looks cool and refreshing. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

A shishimai lion dance visited the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center!! Even after getting his head nipped, Tomakomai’s official mascot Tomachop stayed cool and unfazed (lol). This is sure to bring good fortune✨

The “I Love Tomakomai Port Photo Contest” entry deadline is Thursday, July 31st! You can also enter from a smartphone 🚢 See the image for details.

The poster for the 20th National High School Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament, held from July 28 to August 3, is complete! 🏒 Admission is free✨ Also, from August 1 to 3 the “Tomakomai Port Festival” will take place beside the venue, nepia Ice Arena. The port festival is Tomakomai’s biggest summer celebration. Please come and enjoy both events.

Tarumae Garo, located in the western part of Tomakomai City. Garo is a Tohoku regional word meaning “a place where a river flows between cliffs.” True to its name, steep rock walls line both sides, and the area is carpeted in velvet-like moss.

Sightseeing spot introduction Tarumae Garo (Toma Komaki City) The Sightseeing spot in June is Tarumae Garo! Everyone, Garrow? That's right, isn't it? "Gallow" means "a place where a river streams between narrow sheer cliffs." Indeed, here in the Tarumae Garo, the sheer rocks show a unique landscape, and the rock surface is covered with dark green moss, which is like a velvety carpet and is a very beautiful place. It is located in a forest at the foothills of Mt. Mt. Tarumae, which has been designated as a Nature Conservation District in 1979 (Showa 54) in the city's Nature Conservation District, and in June, when the fresh greenery season begins, the early summer sunlight reaches the deep riverbed, showing the most beautiful scenery of the year. There is Car parking lot, so you can easily stop by Car! Surrounded by greenery and the sound of the river streaming, this place is a healing spot that will make you forget the summer heat and the hustle and bustle of daily life, so please come and visit us in the coming season! * The surrounding mountain forests It is also one of habitats for wild animals including brown bears. Please refrain from entering the forest in the morning and evening when brown bears are active. * In the past, it was possible to go down to the river, but now please do not go down to the river due to the risk of bedrock collapse

Tomakomai is often enveloped in thick fog in early summer. Poor visibility and trouble drying laundry can be inconvenient, but the softened glow of nighttime lights creates a dreamy, otherworldly scene.

A mountain-opening Shinto ceremony to pray for safety took place at the summit of Mt. Tarumae on June 12th. A newly installed information board now includes an English description. Mt. Tarumae stands at 1,041 meters and is considered relatively easy to climb. Some hikers are seen wearing sandals, thin-soled sneakers, or short sleeves and shorts, but we recommend trekking shoes and a windbreaker. (The trails are slippery due to pumice ejected during past eruptions, and strong winds always blow at the summit.)

Early summer has arrived in Tomakomai, and some days now reach a high of 20°C. The Ezo squirrel, now in its summer coat, somehow looks quite cool! (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai-ko)