Nice to meet you! This is the Tokachi Tourism Federation. We are pleased to introduce charming information about Tokachi in Hokkaido, blessed with vast plains and beautiful nature. First, here is some basic information about Tokachi. Tokachi is made up of 19 municipalities, including its center, Obihiro City. "The 19 municipalities of Tokachi" Obihiro City, Otofuke, Shihorocho, Kamishihoro Town, Shikaoicho, Shintoku Town, Shimizu-cho, Memuro Town, Nakasatsunaimura, Sarabetsumura, Taiki Town, Hirocho, Makubetsu, Ikeda Town, Toyokorocho, Hombetsucho, Ashorocho, Rikubetsucho, Urahorocho The name Tokachi for Hokkaido comes from the Ainu word "Tokapuchi," which referred to the Tokachi River used by Hokkaido’s indigenous people. Because Tokachi has a continental climate, spring and summer temperatures are relatively warm compared with other parts of Hokkaido. Winters can get as cold as minus 30 degrees Celsius, but snowfall is light and the region often enjoys clear skies. The main access route to Tokachi is by air via Tokachi Obihiro Airport. Flights to Tokachi Obihiro Airport take about 1.5 hours from HanedaKuukou and about 1 hour 45 minutes from Nagoya Chubu. By train, you can travel from Sapporo to JR Obihiro Station in as little as 2 hours 24 minutes. Tokachi is a treasure trove of nature, and each of its 19 municipalities offers diverse attractions. You will find many scenic spots and opportunities to encounter wildlife. In this post, we introduce a selection of popular sightseeing spots. In Obihiro City, Banei Tokachi at Obihiro Racecourse (Banei Tokachi) is the only racecourse in the world that holds Banei horse racing, where draft horses pull sleds in competition. Banei races test strength, speed, and endurance. The powerful sight of horses running a 200-meter course is a must-see. On-site, a petting zoo lets you interact with ponies, rabbits, and other animals, and it is open even on non-race days. Next is Tokachi Hills in Makubetsu. This hilltop complex combines nature and flowers, with themed gardens focused on "agriculture and food." Roses, herbs, and many other flowers bloom here, so you can enjoy floral displays year-round. The garden café on site serves unique menu items you can only taste there, such as a casket-style sandwich made with roasted loin of Mangalica pork, the world’s only edible national treasure (a Hungarian delicacy). Nearby attractions around Tokachi Hills follow. Happiness Station, about a 20-minute drive from Tokachi Hills, became famous in the 1970s with the slogan "From the Land of Love to Happiness." Known as a lovers’ shrine, Kofuku Station remains a popular spot for couples wishing for happiness. From late April through the end of November, the Kofuku Station Happy Ceremony offers a mock wedding experience. Aikoku Station, which sparked a similar boom, lies about 15 minutes by car from Kofuku Station. Now enjoyed as the Traffic Memorial Hall, the ticket monument marked "bound for Happiness" in front of its station building is a great photo spot. About 25 minutes by car from Tokachi Hills is TokachigawaOnsen, a hot spring resort village on the banks of the Tokachi River. The moor hot springs available at TokachigawaOnsen are recognized as a Hokkaido heritage and are one of Japan’s rare plant-based hot springs. Moor hot springs are said to help with neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, chronic gynecological conditions, and sensitivity to cold. Some nearby hotels offer day-use bathing. Surrounded by beautiful nature, soaking in these hot springs is a great way to refresh and relieve everyday fatigue. The Tokachi area has 15 roadside stations providing local specialties, gourmet food, and tourist information. (As of July 2023) Roadside Station Ashoro Ginga Hall 21, renovated from a railway station in 2011, still retains railway motifs and represents Ashorocho’s roadside station. The shop and bakery use local specialties such as the world’s largest butterbur, Rawan-buki, in breads, and the restaurant serves local treats such as Rawan-buki soft serve. Don’t miss the local pork bowl at Kumano-ko Regional Exchange and Local Products Center. At roadside stations you can enjoy region-specific foods and other local experiences unique to each area. Be sure to stop by as a memory of your trip. Next, we introduce spots where you can experience Hokkaido’s vast nature. One of Hokkaido’s three secret lakes, Lake Onneto, lies at the western edge of Akan-Mashu National Park. Because the lake surface changes color with the seasons and time of day, it is also called the "Five-Colored Pond." An observation deck offers stunning views of Lake Onneto with MtMeakan and Akan Fuji in the background and is a recommended viewpoint. In Kamishihoro Town, the Taushubetsu River Bridge at Lake Nukabira is a 130-meter-long concrete arch bridge built in 1937. About 60 arch bridges of various sizes, once part of the former National Railway Shihoro Line, are preserved as modern industrial heritage. In spring, as snow melts and water levels rise, the arches reflect on the surface and resemble eyeglasses, which is why the bridge is also called the "Spectacles Bridge." Mikuni Pass (in Kamishihoro Town) inside Daisetsuzan National Park stands at 1,139 meters and is the highest pass in Hokkaido. You will be captivated by natural spectacles such as fresh green seas of trees in spring and vivid autumn foliage. At the Mikuni Pass café on the summit, popular specialty items include hand-drip coffee roasted on-site. Finally, Tokachi Ranch in Otofuke covers an expansive 4,092 hectares. The ranch raises Dosanko horses, sheep, and cattle. A popular spot is the 1.3-kilometer row of birch trees that continues from the ranch entrance. Tokachi hosts various events throughout the year. The Tokachi Port Festival’s Tokachi Port Marine Fireworks, held in Hirocho, is the only fireworks festival in the Tokachi area that takes place at a port. Underwater fireworks that spread across the sea surface are one of the highlights. The 2023 event was scheduled for August 5. The summer Obihiro Plain Festival, autumn Obihiro Chrysanthemum Festival, and winter Obihiro Ice Festival are known as the three major Obihiro festivals and are popular events. The Kachimai Fireworks Festival, held on the Tokachi River riverbed, is known for its highly entertaining program. Enjoy a fireworks show woven together with music, lighting, and pyrotechnics. The 2023 event was scheduled for August 13. Hokkaido Tokachi is a region overflowing with charm, where vast nature, gourmet food, hot springs, and attractions come together in harmony. We will continue to bring you more information on Tokachi’s sightseeing spots, events, and gourmet offerings that we could not cover in this post! Please look forward to future updates!