Today in Otofukecho the low temperature dropped to -7.1°C, a chill like early December. Frost covered the cars, turning them pure white. Even in that cold, a Ezo squirrel visited the backyard of the Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Guide Center! Its little clasped paws looked utterly adorable 😊 That cute sight cheered me up this morning 😊 Today in Otofukecho the minimum temperature was -7.1°C, as cold as early December. Frost formed on the cars, leaving them completely white. Even in such cold weather, the garden behind the Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Association was visited by an Ezo squirrel! Seeing them holding paws was so cute 😊 I was soothed by their cuteness this morning 😊

From November 1st, "Amber Night & Marche" is being held at Roadside Station Garden Spa TokachigawaOnsen! With the amber color that symbolizes the mall hot spring as its theme, you can enjoy today’s drinks and snacks while admiring a symbol tree featuring motifs unique to Tokachi—nature, farming, and animals. You can also buy items at the daily-changing marche stalls and try a tasting set. The tasting set changes by day, so you might discover different drinks each visit. 😊 Non-alcoholic options are of course available! Spend a long autumn evening at Amber Night & Marche. 😊 [Event Period] Friday, November 1, 2024 – Wednesday, December 25, 2024 [Reception Hours] 19:30–21:00 [Closing Time] 21:30 [Admission Fees] Adults (junior high school and older) ¥1,000; Elementary school students ¥500; Infants free "Amber Night & Marche" will be held at Roadside Station Garden Spa TokachigawaOnsen from November 1st! The event, themed on the amber color that represents the marsh hot spring, invites you to enjoy drinks and snacks while admiring a symbol tree that reflects Tokachi’s distinct nature, agriculture, and wildlife. You can compare drinks and shop at the marche stalls, which change daily. The tasting set varies by date, so every visit might offer different drinks to sample. Non-alcoholic choices are also available! Spend a long autumn evening at Amber Night & Marche. 😊 [Event Period] November 1, 2024 – December 25, 2024 [Reception Hours] 19:30–21:00 [End Time] 21:30 [Admission Fees] Adults (junior high school and older) ¥1,000; Elementary school students ¥500; Infants free

Tokachi Pork Workshop Yutaku, a popular tonkatsu restaurant in Obihiro✨ Founded in 1962 as a local butcher shop, this direct-run store selects pork raised in Tokachi, one of Hokkaido’s leading pork-producing regions. The meat undergoes low-temperature aging at their own factory, which tenderizes the pork and brings out its full savory flavor. 🥩 This time I had the hirekatsu set meal! It has less fat than the rosu, but it was freshly fried and crispy, and the meat was tender, juicy, and very delicious😋 They offer many other menu items, so be sure to give them a try💓 - Tokachi Pork Workshop YUTAKU✨ Founded in Showa 37 (1962), Tokachi Pork Workshop YUTAKU carefully selects pork from the Tokachi area, runs both a butcher and a restaurant, and operates its own factory. The meat used in the restaurant is processed using low-temperature aging, which softens the texture and fully brings out the pork’s natural sweetness. 🥩 This time I ordered a tenderloin pork cutlet, which has less fat than loin but is tender and juicy—very delicious😋 The shop also offers many other choices, so if you visit Tokachi or Obihiro, you should definitely stop by and try it!

Recommended nearby attraction: "Tokachi Hills — Garden on the Hill" 🌷 This soothing garden in Makubetsu celebrates the farming and culinary charms of Tokachi. The flowers and trees change with the seasons, each offering its own appeal to enjoy. 🍃🍂 The garden also holds monthly events; please refer to the Tokachi Hills website for details. About a 20-minute drive from Tokachigawa Onsen by car 🚗 - Introducing a recommended spot near Tokachigawa Onsen: "TOKACHI HILLS" 🌷 Located in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, this park blends Tokachi’s agricultural and food traditions. The garden’s flowers and trees display different looks and charms as the seasons change. You can feel the distinct beauty of the four seasons. 🍃🍂 Monthly events take place; for details, check the official TOKACHI HILLS website. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Tokachigawa Onsen. We recommend visiting to enjoy not only the restorative hot springs but also Tokachi’s nature and food culture! ✨

At the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen stands Ideyu no Iwaza (literally “Hot Spring Rock”) 🪨 You can reach it by entering through the main entrance of Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen, walking down the central corridor, and stepping outside at the corridor’s end. The boulder is made of Hidaka stone; it was bestowed with a *bunrei* (a divided portion of the shrine’s spirit) from Yudonosan Shrine and is enshrined as the guardian deity of Tokachigawa Onsen. It is said to bring blessings for household safety, business prosperity, matchmaking, and fertility (help in conceiving children). ✨ There are also information boards introducing the hand bath and the moor (peat) hot spring, so please stop by and try them out! ♨️ - At the Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Station) Tokachigawa Onsen stands Ideyu no Iwaza (literally “Hot Spring Rock”) 🪨 The boulder rises outdoors at the end of the corridor reached after entering through the main entrance and passing the central shopping corridor. The rock is Hidaka stone and, having received a *bunrei* (a divided portion of the shrine’s spirit) from Yudonosan Shrine, is enshrined as the guardian deity of Tokachigawa Onsen. It is believed to grant household safety, business prosperity, matchmaking, and blessings for those wishing to have children. ✨ There are also information boards about the hand bath and the moor (peat) hot spring, so everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the healing waters! ♨️

Introducing the free footbaths at Tokachigawa Onsen🦶♨️ ✨ "Sora no Ashiyu" at Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen A free footbath is available, and towels are provided for a fee. Besides the footbath, the facility also offers a spa, a market, and an experience factory. ・Address: 14-1 Tokachigawa Onsen Kita, Otofuke, Tokachi, Hokkaido ・Hours: 9:00–19:00 (closed Tuesdays) ✨ "Tokachigawa Moor Onsen Footbath" in Tokachigaoka Park This is an indoor footbath facility, so you can enjoy it even when the temperature is low. Address: 14 Tokachigawa Onsen Kita, Otofuke, Tokachi, Hokkaido Hours: 9:00–17:00 Available: April 27–October 20 ✨ "Tokachigawa Onsen Footbath" behind the Tokachigawa Onsen Tourist Guide Center The guide center gathers lots of information about Tokachi tourism📚 When you stop by the guide center, be sure to enjoy the footbath too☺️ Address: Minami 12-chome, Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuke, Tokachi, Hokkaido Hours: 9:00–17:00 Available: April 27–October 20 - You can try the three free footbath spots at Tokachigawa Onsen🦶♨️ We recommend experiencing these beautifying hot-spring footbaths when you visit!

We offer electric mamachari and electric cross-bike models, as well as standard cross and mountain bike rental options🚲✨ You can easily explore the sightseeing spots around Tokachigawa Onsen🏞️ You can also enjoy riding to popular Otofuke attractions like Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden and the White Birch Avenue by bike☀️ Guests staying with us receive special discounted rental rates🉐, and we look forward to welcoming your use☺️ ・Rental hours: 9:00–17:00 ・Please return bikes by 18:00 - The Tokachigawa Onsen Tourism Association offers bicycle rentals from April 27 to October 31. In addition to sights around Tokachigawa Onsen, you can ride to popular Otofuke spots such as Ryugetsu and the White Birch Avenue☀️ We sincerely look forward to your visit!

Today marks the end of March. Spring is finally arriving in Tokachi.🍀 On clear days, the ridgeline of the Hidaka Mountains is sharply visible from Tokachigaoka Observation Deck. The Hidaka Mountains are scheduled to become a national park around this summer, and if designated it will be Hokkaido’s seventh and the largest national park in Japan by area.😮 Why not enjoy the majestic Hidaka Mountains from Tokachigaoka Observation Deck? The views of the Tokachi River and the Tokachi Plain are wonderful too.😊 The observation deck is about a 5-minute drive from the Tokachi River hot spring district.

I visited Daichi no Takumi at Tokachigawa Onsen. It happened to be the 29th when I visited, and since the 29th is Meat Day, they were holding a steak fair! You can enjoy steak at 29% off 😊 Today's recommended menu item “Mirai Memuro Beef Shank Steak” Rice, soup, salad, and pickles come as a set. (I ate the salad before I could take a photo...) The meat was light but flavorful, and it was very delicious! The portion was generous and I left very full 😊 It seems to be held on the 29th of every month, so please consider going. *The menu is from March 29, 2024.* - Shun no Yasai to Yakiniku Daichi no Takumi Otofuke, Tokachi, Tokachigawa Onsen Kita 13-chome 1-19 TEL 0155-67-1129 Hours 11:30–14:00 (last order) 17:30–21:00 (last order) Closed Thursdays

This year’s Sairinka also featured a stall by Menya Bouzu. I loved the soy sauce ramen I had at Sairinka, but this time I tried the spicy miso 😊 It’s spicy but addictively tasty! I couldn’t stop sipping the soup 😊 In addition to soy sauce and spicy miso, they offer salt, miso, and mildly spicy miso, and they also have horumon ramen! It would be fun to come back and try every variety! Menya Bouzu Main Shop 12-11-1 Odori, Otofuke TEL 0155-42-2202 Hours: Mon 11:00–14:00 Tue–Sun 11:00–14:00 17:00–19:45 last order Closes when the soup runs out Closed irregularly

Yotsuba Dairy Factory Tour Located in Otofuke, Tokachi, Hokkaido, the Yotsuba Dairy Tokachi Main Factory offers a tour facility called Tasty Straight Pavilion. In addition to watching milk and butter being produced, visitors can enjoyably learn about dairy farming and the dairy industry. Yotsuba milk really is delicious! I learned that their ongoing efforts to improve quality are what make such tasty dairy products possible. On the tour you receive one tasting bottle (milk or café au lait) and a mini eraser as a souvenir.✨ If you visit Tokachi, why not stop by the Yotsuba Dairy factory tour?😊 Yotsuba Dairy Tokachi Main Factory Tour Admission: Free Schedule: Monday–Friday, three times a day Duration: About 60 minutes Reservations and inquiries 0155-42-2121

Tokachigawa Onsen in the morning Hello! It’s March and getting a little warmer, but mornings here in Otofuke are still quite cold. The temperature at 5:00 a.m. on the day of the shoot was -12.1°C. River mist formed and Tokachi Chuo Bridge was hidden. After sunrise the river mist cleared and the bridge stood out clearly! By 7:00 a.m. we could see the majestic Hidaka Mountains clearly 😊 There was no wind that day, so we also saw hot air balloons rising. Even when it’s cold, seeing scenes like this lifts your spirits! Please come and see these seasonal views while you can 😊

Menya Karanari Otofuke Yukgaejang Ramen, Level 3 Spicy A savory, spicy broth made from oxtail soup blended with several types of chili peppers. Even the standard Level 3 was quite spicy! If you can’t handle heat, there’s a Level 0 with no spice at all. The interior is bright with raised tatami seating, and I saw families with children. Small rice is free, so it’s great to add an egg or cheese as an option at the end and turn it into gukbap. This ramen, which was popular at the yakiniku restaurant, is served here as a specialty—and it’s addictively delicious 😋 080-0301 12-3-2 KinoOdoriNishi, Kino no Mori, Otofuke, Kato District, Hokkaido 11:00–21:00

Winter tradition Tokachi Ranch Umaoi Exercise Held to relieve winter inactivity and help prevent difficult births in pregnant mares. You can see the horses up close, making it an exhilarating sight! Open to the public only on weekday mornings. ※In 2024 it ended on February 16.

The 33rd Shiratori Festival SAIRINKA is now taking place! About 600 illuminated art pieces move to music, creating a magical light show. Each 30-minute cycle features two parts: Part 1 — the Light Fantastic Show, and Part 2 — the Light Electro Dancing Show. The music selection appeals to children, seniors, and international visitors alike. Along the promenade called the Light Alley that connects Tokachigawa Onsen town to the venue, winter cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and a new photo spot with a Japanese aesthetic has been installed! Enjoy the winter cherry blossoms, which bloom earlier here than anywhere else in Japan, even in temperatures around -20°C. [Event Period] Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 [Lighting Hours] 19:00–21:00 [Location] Tokachigaoka Park [Parking] Available (about 100 spaces, free) [Event Maintenance Cooperation Fee] 500 yen per person for junior high school students and older *Guests staying at Tokachigawa Onsen Association member accommodations, residents of Otofuke, and elementary school children and younger are free of charge. *Otofuke residents must present an official ID showing their address.

“2024 Ecopa Winter Festival” Held on January 21, the festival featured events like a parent-and-child snowman contest and a fukumaki (bean-throwing) ceremony! The snowmen in photos 1 and 2 won the top prize and the excellence prize✨ What amazing creations! Everyone, from children to adults, was having a great time😆

Beautiful winter scenery. Tokachi enjoys many clear winter days, so the blue skies and rime ice look stunning.

Spectacular View at Tokachigawa Onsen: Unryu Unryu is a river mist that appears on frigid mornings in January and February when temperatures drop below −15°C. It came to be called “Unryu” because the fog rising along the flow of the Tokachi River looks like a dragon stretching and resting. You can view this scene from the Tokachigaoka Observatory. This breathtaking sight is visible only in winter! This year is the Year of the Dragon—come to Tokachigawa Onsen to see Unryu!

Otofuke Town will be featured on NHK Hokkaido’s “Dōmin Handmade Quiz 179Q”! Please be sure to watch 😊 Program details Air time: Friday, January 12, 7:30 PM Broadcasting station: NHK Hokkaido Program title: “Dōmin Handmade Quiz 179Q” Description: Each municipality in Hokkaido highlights distinctive things or people from their town, then poses quizzes to the studio guests (this time Koji Kato, Takatoshi and Shinobu Otake) for them to answer.

Happy New Year. Thank you very much for visiting Tokachigawa Onsen in large numbers last year. Tokachigawa Onsen has plenty of charm even in winter. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.

Regulars were visiting again today in front of Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel! We also spotted a heart-shaped snow art nearby❣

This is today's Tokachigaoka Observation Deck! Clear Tokachi skies 🌞 Daytime temperatures are around -2°C, but thanks to the sun it feels warmer than the thermometer shows. There are lots of little rubber ducks on the observation deck railing ❣️ They're so cute〜😳

'Eagle Watching Premium Tour' I joined a winter-only tour held at the Tokachi Nature Center! In light snow we traveled along the quiet Tokachi River while a guide from the Wild Bird Society explained what we were seeing. Besides Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, we spotted many other birds such as long-tailed tits, swans, and goosanders! Using binoculars and a spotting scope, we could clearly make out their features, which was truly moving ✨ Other participants brought cool, bazooka-like lenses for their cameras 😎 It was a highly satisfying 45 minutes. The tour runs only on Saturdays and Sundays through January 7. For details, please contact the Tokachi Nature Center. Contact 0155-32-6116 Tokachi Nature Center

Enjoy winter at Ecopa ⛄️ Packed with events unique to the season! [Event Period] December 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024 [Contact] 0155-32-6780 (Hokkaido Tokachi Ecological Park)

This is an announcement about Sairinka for fiscal year R5. From this year, general visitors will be asked to pay a cooperation fee upon admission. We ask for your understanding and cooperation to help sustain future events. Junior high school students and older: 500 yen per person ※Guests staying at Tokachigawa Onsen facilities that are members of the Tourism Association, residents of Otofuke, and children in elementary school and younger are free. ※Residents of Otofuke must present an official ID showing their address. [Event period] Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 [Lighting hours] 19:00–21:00 [Location] Tokachigaoka Park [Parking] Available (about 100 spaces, free)

'Sairinka' perfectly recreated!! This piece, which reproduces every detail of Tokachigawa Onsen's major winter event 'Sairinka', was created by a sixth grader from Otofuke Town (at the time)!! 😳 The lights shift so magically they look like the real thing! A huge fan of Sairinka, they sketched the concept from second grade and finally completed it in the winter of sixth grade✨ This work overflows with love for Sairinka and is simply wonderful 😭 Still, the quality is just unbelievable—wow!! The creator is now a first-year junior high student, and we look forward to what comes next 😊

Preparations are underway for Tokachigawa Onsen’s major winter event, “Sairinka.” This time, the viewing platform is built in two tiers so visitors can enjoy the view from above 😊 Further details about Sairinka will be released later! [Schedule] Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 [Hours] 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM [Location] Tokachigaoka Park

This morning Tokachigawa Onsen was lightly covered in snow ⛄ After the warmth from the day before yesterday, the country seems to have plunged into full winter cold. It is sunny now, but please be careful of frozen roads in the mornings and evenings.

Hello! I'm Mōru-chan💕 How are you spending your Sunday? Whether you're off or working, soothe your everyday fatigue in the mall hot spring♨️

Kino no Mori Coffee A coffee shop next to Hapio Kino, supervised by morihico. Many of the ingredients used in the menu are local, and some of the products are available for purchase at Hapio. Tables and chairs are spaced out in an open setting, creating a very relaxing atmosphere. The photos show Pizza Aligo, a hazelnut latte, and Napolitan. They are served in skillets, so they arrive piping hot and very tasty! Next time I want to try the hamburger as well 🤤 Address: 6-1 KinoOdoriNishi, Otofuke Town, Kato District, Hokkaido Hours: Weekdays 10:00–19:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10:00–20:00 Closed during the New Year holidays