At Hokkaido University Tomakomai Research Forest, the apple relative "zumi" has come into full bloom 🌸 The pristine white blossoms suit the waterside perfectly.

By the shores of Lake Utonai. A red songbird, the benimasiko, and a narcissus flycatcher with a striking black-and-yellow contrast. They look like vividly colored wild birds straight out of a fairy tale. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

An aerial photo of Tomakomai ✨🛫 Can you sense the generally flat terrain with little elevation change? To the northwest of the city stands Mount Tarumae, an active volcano with an elevation of 1,041 meters. 1. Lake Utonai (does it look a bit like the shape of Hokkaido...?) 2. The city viewed from above Tomakomai West Port 3. The oil storage facility in eastern Tomakomai 4. Mount Tarumae lava dome (in the distance you can see Lake Shikotsu and Mount Fuppushi in Chitose)

Nishiki Onuma Park, located in the western part of Tomakomai, Hokkaido. The image shows the entrance to the pond and, beyond the lawn plaza, Mt. Tarumae. From the lawn plaza you can also follow an approximately 4-kilometer course that circles the large pond.

The cherry blossom front has arrived in Tomakomai 🌸🌸 Many of the cherry trees you can see in Tomakomai are the species Ezo-yamazakura. They grow naturally across Hokkaido and show a deeper pink than the yamazakura found south of Honshu. This year, full bloom in Tomakomai is expected on May 5th. One of the city’s top cherry-viewing spots, Midorigaoka Park, will hold the Midorigaoka Park Festival on May 4th. Come to Tomakomai for hanami, everyone 🌸🌸

When it comes to Tomakomai’s two signature local dishes, think Curry Ramen and Hokkigai Curry.🍜🍛 Enjoy the spicy, soul-warming curry ramen and the Hokkigai curry rich with the sweet umami of surf clams! Both dishes have long been beloved by locals and can be found at many restaurants around the city.

Tomakomai Tourist Information Center's Tomachop has been dressed up for Children's Day 🎏

The road Dodo 141 (Tarumae-Nishikioka Line) from Maruyama Gate to Nishikioka Gate, which had been closed for the winter, reopened to traffic at 11:00 on April 15. ※However, the section from Maruyama Gate to the trailhead remains closed for the time being due to unstable road conditions. (No date has been set for lifting the restriction.) For more information → Iburi Regional Promotion Bureau Tomakomai Branch Office (0144-32-3171)

The huge water mirror is actually the skating rink of the nepia Ice Arena after the ice has melted ✨ The indoor rink fills with water during the period before ice-making. Only at that time does the “water mirror” appear. The ceiling and lights reflect on the water’s surface, creating a dreamlike scene.

The black, white, and red color coordination looks stylish! This is a woodpecker species, the great spotted woodpecker (akagera).✨ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

From April 1st we will offer bicycle rentals. Reservations are also accepted. Please note that we have revised the rental fees to ensure the continuity of this service, and we ask for your understanding. Fees: 1,000 yen per day (9:30–17:45) (plus a security deposit of 1,000 yen; for rentals of one night or longer the deposit is a flat 3,000 yen)

Will Tomakomai continue into spring...? On March 17th the city recorded about 25 cm of snowfall. Since it was wet March snow, it is expected to melt soon. At Utonai Lake, the snowy landscape made a great backdrop for a graceful great egret in flight.✨ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

A six-minute walk from Tomakomai Station. At Machinaka Exchange Center, located at the intersection of Tomakomai Ekimae Hondori and Sanjo Dori, you can enjoy a free foot bath and hand bath using hot spring water. Please stop by while sightseeing or shopping.

Is this a great egret? It is releasing a small twig it grabbed along with a tiny fish. Today marks the start of March. The expected high is 11°C, and it looks set to be a warm, springlike day. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Tomachop at the tourist information center has transformed from the female hina doll to the male hina doll ✨ Doesn’t he look sharp and handsome? I’ve lined up images of the female hina doll version from just the other day 🌸 Did you know: In Hokkaido, like in the Kanto region, the female hina doll is placed on the viewer’s right and the male on the viewer’s left. 🎎 I’ve heard that in places like Kyoto, the positions of the male and female hina dolls are reversed 🌸

Tomakomai Tourism Information Center’s Tomachop has dressed up for the Hina Matsuri festival ✨🎎

Is it the moment it lands on the branch? This shot perfectly captures the majestic presence of a white-tailed eagle ✨ (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

A tilting long-tailed tit at Utonai Lake ✨ (shimaenaga) (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

A great egret standing still in the cold wind. It looks as if it is shrugging its shoulders. (Image provided by Roadside Station Utonai Lake Wildlife Protection Center)

A four-minute walk from Tomakomai Station, Fashion Mail Plaza is displaying around 1,000 hina dolls this year as well🎎 Alongside traditional tiered hina displays, you can see creative dolls reflecting current events, making the exhibit well worth a visit✨ The exhibition is scheduled to remain on display until March 10, so please stop by.

What made these patterns left in the snow? The answer is… the tracks of an Ezo deer! 🦌 Ezo deer are one of the animals familiar to Tomakomai residents, sometimes appearing around Tomakomai Station and in residential neighborhoods. (Image provided by the Utonai Lake Wildlife Protection Center)

On-site ticket sales at the venue have started✨🏒 For the A and B seats only, tickets for the "2026 Winter Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Final Qualifier" held in Tomakomai from Thursday, February 6 to Sunday, February 9 can be purchased at the venue. The French team, the Polish team, the Chinese team, and Smile Japan—the Japanese women’s ice hockey national team aiming for their fifth Olympic appearance—will battle it out in thrilling matches✨ *S and SS seats are available through Ticket Pia. For details, search the Tomakomai city website for "Smile Japan window sales"!🏒

Cold, delicious tap water from Tomakomai City. The tap water, born from the blessings of Mt. Tarumae, is said to be comparable to bottled mineral water in quality. “Tomachop Water” is a long-selling product that bottles tap water after removing chlorine. The label, adorned with an illustration of Tomakomai City’s official mascot “Tomachop,” is charming. It is also a popular hometown tax gift.

A cute demon has appeared at the Tomakomai Tourist Information Center…? You can see Tomakomai City's official mascot, Tomachop, in a Setsubun costume until February 2nd ✨👹

Utonai Lake in January. (Image courtesy of the Utonai Lake Wildlife Protection Center)

Sightseeing spot Lake Utonai (Tomakomai City) Lake Utonai is called "paradise for wild birds" and is an important stopover for migratory birds. You can feel the Seasonal Nature of the Nature, such as bird watching and nature walks. There is also a Roadside Station next to it, where you can taste local specialties! Why don't you heal the fatigue of your trip at Lake Utonai?

A scene at Utonai Lake on one day. I thought it was a gathering of swans…? January is a time when most of the lake freezes over, so there are few waterfowl, but due to various circumstances you can still see a few swans wintering at Utonai Lake. (Image courtesy of Roadside Station Utonai Lake)

Night view seen from the Grand Hotel New Oji, a city hotel in central Tomakomai ✨

Congratulations to everyone celebrating Coming of Age Day on January 13th✨ Whether times are joyful or hard, believe in yourself and keep moving forward. I pray that many happy encounters await you in the life ahead❤

Here are the main spots in Tomakomai City to watch the first sunrise of the year 🌅 Sunrise is expected at 7:04 AM. Please refrain from disruptive behavior like idling near private homes. ● Roadside Station Utonai Lake ● Tarumae Shrine ● Midorigaoka Park Observatory ※ Temporarily open from 11:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 AM on January 1 ● The coasts of Itoi and Tarumae ● Yufutsu Marina waterfront breakwater