Obihiro

Location of Obihiro in Hokkaido

Obihiro () is a city on the northern island of Hokkaido, It is the capital of Tokachi sub-prefecture on the Tokachi Plain, a major agricultural area.

Understand

Founded in 1883 by settlers from Honshu, and designated as a city in 1933, Obihiro is architecturally undistinguished except for a few kitsch pachinko (pin ball) palaces. To the visitor it appears a city of car dealers and cake shops.

Arranged on a regular north-south grid, most of the city lies in the south western quadrant. Two main features lie diagonal to the grid: the railway line with the main JR station and Midorigaoka Park, a green hill where some of the cities main attractions (the museum, zoo etc.) are located.

Most Japanese visitors from the south come to Obihiro to visit the dairy farms of the Tokachi Plain (thus cake shops and cookies sold as souvenirs), however foreign visitors already familiar with cows and wheat fields may be more interested in the high volcanic peaks of Daisetsuzan with its extraordinary alpine flora, or the wildlife in Shiretoko Peninsula. For these major attractions Obihiro is a gateway, conveniently bypassing Sapporo and western Hokkaido.

Get in

By plane

Tokachi Obihiro Airport (とかち帯広空港), Naka 8-41, Nishi 9-sen, Izumi-cho (25 km south of Obihiro City.), 42.733333°, 143.217222°, +81 155 64-4078. Has flights to Tokyo (Haneda) only. 2023-02-16

By train

JR Obihiro Station, 42.9180°, 143.2020°, +81 155 23-8176. Obihiro is on the main JR Nemuro Line between Sapporo and Kushiro. There are trains to Sapporo (207 km, 2 hr 15 min), Asahikawa (183 km, 3 hr 30 min), Hakodate (461 km, 6 hr 30 min), and Kushiro (120 km, 1 hr 45 min).

By bus

Long distance buses are a good way to get to Obihiro. These buses all leave from in front of JR Obihiro Station.

Chuo Bus Potato Liner (中央バスポテトライナー), +81 11 231-0600. 3h40m. From Sapporo at Sapporo Terminal or Oyachi (大谷地. +81 11 891-6388) subway station. ¥3,770
Obihiro Station Bus, +81 155 23-3489.

Get around

The center of Obihiro, located between JR Obihiro Station and Fujimaru Department Store, is small and walkable, though most of the larger shopping areas are outside of this. The city as a whole is large and spread out, though easy to navigate. Similar to Sapporo, it is laid out on a grid, and intersections are signed in both Japanese and English (e.g., West 1 South 10). The north-south axis (which lies close to the city center) is called Ōdōri.

City buses exist, though services are less frequent than on the more densely populated island of Honshu.

By car

A car is ideal, since the main attractions are outside the city. There are some rental car companies at the airport.

Toyota, +81 155 64-5210.
Nippon, +81 155 64-5065.
Nissan, +81 155 64-5323.
Mazda, +81 155 64-5600.
Orix, +81 155 64-5543.

See

Obihiro Racecourse (帯広競馬場), Nishi 13, Minami 9, 42.9227°, 143.1822°, +81 155 34-0825. Obihiro has a unique type of draught horse racing called Banei (ばんえい) . The horses drag steel 'sleighs', each weighing around 500 kilograms, along a 200-m sand track with two humps in the middle of the course. The sport originated in a test of strength for farm animals. Most of the horses are a crossbreed of French Percherons and Bretons and Belgian horses. The 'jockeys' lash the horses repeatedly with the reins - animal lovers be warned!
Midorigaoka Park (緑が丘公園), Midorigaoka2, 42.9057°, 143.1868°. Large park. With in the park, there are a variety of facilities zoo, and museums. Entrance free
- Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art (北海道立帯広美術館), Midorigaoka-koen, Midorigaoka 2, 42.904583°, 143.185528°, +81 155 22-6963.
- Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall (帯広百年記念館), Midorigaoka-koen, Midorigaoka 2, +81 155 24-6963. City historical and natural history museum.
- Obihiro Zoo (おびひろ動物園), Midorigaoka-koen, Midorigaoka 2, 42.902083°, 143.184639°, +81 155 24-2437. Apr 28-Nov 4.
- Obihiro Wild Flower Garden (帯広市野草園), Midorigaoka-koen, Midorigaoka 2, +81 155 24-2434. May-Oct.
Obihiro Shimin Bunka Hall (帯広市民文化ホール), Nishi 5, Minami 11 (5 minutes on foot from JR Obihiro Station.), 42.9191°, 143.1981°, +81 155 23-8111. This is a common venue for concerts and recitals.

Do

Obihiro is located close to the Hidaka and Daisetsuzan mountains. There are an impressive range of facilities for outdoor activities: mountain trekking, horse riding, white-water rafting, kayaking, swimming, tennis, 'park golf' etc. during the summer, and skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing and skating etc. during the winter.

Ice Festival (氷まつり, kōri matsuri). Late Jan. Festival with ice sculptures.
Heigen Festival (平原まつり, heigen matsuri). Mid Aug. Bon Dance festival.
Chrysanthemum Festival (菊まつり, kiku matsuri). Early Nov.

Buy

Fujimaru (藤丸), Nishi 2, Minami 8-1, 42.92309°, 143.20165°, +81 155 24-2101. 10:00-19:00. Nine floor department store in the centre of the city. Food on the basement floor.
Hokkaido Chizu (北海道地図), 5th floor Sompo Japan Building, Higashi 1, Minami 10-21, +81 155-25-1006. M-F 09:00-18:00. This is the place to buy trekking maps of Hokkaido at scales of 1:25,000 and 1:50,000.

Eat

Restaurants

Sushi Masa (寿司正), Nishi 2, Minami 19, 42.9100°, 143.20311°, +81 155 23-4561. Traditional sushi restaurant with a quiet atmosphere.
Butadon Panchō (元祖豚丼のぱんちょう(豚丼発祥地)), Nishi 1, Minami 11, 42.9193°, 143.2036°, +81 155 22-1974. 11:00 - 19:00. For Tokachi-style Pork Bowls. ¥ 850 - 1250 2023-02-16
Tatsumi-zushi (辰巳寿司), Nishi 1, Minami 7, +81 155 24-6665. Quality sushi in an unpretentious restaurant.
Umi-e (海へ), Alta 2F, Nishi 1, Minami 9-17-2. A seafood izakaya in the city centre. Large menu.
Matsuhisaen (松久園), Bisei 1-20, Memuro-cho (30 minutes by car from Obihiro.), 42.85697°, 143.02088°, +81 155 65-2321. Historic trout farm, restaurant and garden.
The Soup, Nishi 3, Minami 11-1, +81 155 28-7171. Serves Hokkaido soup curry.
Michinro (美珍楼西家), Nishi 19, Minami 2-25-9, 42.91900°, 143.15760°, +81 155 33-0030. This restaurant, whose Chinese name is Meizhenlou Xijia, serves straightforward Cantonese food. It has a large menu with reasonably-sized portions.
Chez Maeda (シェ・マエダ), Nishi 2, Minami 10-2, +81 155 27-6206. A French restaurant.
Le Bordeaux (ル・ボルドー), 17-9 Nishi 16, Minami 5, +81 155-38-3440. 11:30-14:30, 17:30-21:30. A French restaurant.
Pennylane (ペニーレーン), Nishi 21, Minami 5, 42.90382°, 143.14378°, +81 155 36-2300. Serves mainly pasta and has good bread.
Byplane (バイプレーン), Nishi 1, Minami 11 (In Fukui Hotel.), +81 155 25-1717. Serves seafood, pasta, and vegetarian food — and also good cheese.

Cake

Rokkatei (六花亭), Nishi 2, Minami 9-6., 42.92227°, 143.20244°. The main branch of a nationally famous confectionery company, that is also an important patron of the arts (see Nakasatsunai Bijutsumura above).
Ryugetsu (柳月), Ōdōri, Minami 8-15, 42.923205°, 143.204824°, +81 155 23-2101. Rivals to Rokkatei.
Uetliberg (ユトリベルグ), Nishi 17, Minami 4-15-7, 42.90994°, 143.17243°, +81 155 33-0134. 09:30 to 19:30. Flying the Swiss flag, this cake shop specializes in purin, the Japanese custard pudding.
Cranberry (クランベリ), Nishi 2, Minami 6, +81 155 22 6656.
Asahiya (あさひや), Nishi 19, Minami 4-24-3, +81 155 38 2606.
Akutsu (あくつ), Honmachi 3-9, Taisho,, +81 155 64 5438.

Drink

Rancho El Paso (エルパソ), Nishi 16-13-20, Minami 6 (Near Midorigaoka Park.), +81 155 34-3418. Restaurant specializing in sausages, ham and bacon.
The Galway, Nishi 2, Minami 10-20-5, +81 155 20-5211. Irish pub with Guinness and Kilkenny.

Sleep

Camp

Poroshiri Nature Park Campsites (ポロシリ自然公園), Dai 2 Kisen 2-7, Takuseicho (Near Tokachi Obihiro airport, south of Obihiro.), 42.70054°, 143.02182°, +81 155 60-2000. Open Jun-Sep. Site with electric ¥3000, site without electric ¥1800, Open site ¥800

Budget

Toipirka Youth Hostel (トイピルカ北帯広YH), Higashi 52-8, Kita 4, Shimo-Shihoro, Otofuke, 42.95429°, 143.26026°, +81 155 30-4165. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 09:30. Located outside the city, near Tokachigawa Onsen. a 45-minute bus ride from Obihiro railway station. YH members ¥3200, non-members ¥4200 2023-02-16
Boston Hotel (温泉ホテルボストン), 3 Chome-9 Nishi 1 (Near Ōdōri Bridge), +81 155 23-7015. Check-in: 11:00, check-out: 10:00. Single ¥4500, twin ¥8400 2023-02-16

Mid-range

Tokachi Gardens Hotel, Nishi 2, Minami 11-6, +81 155 26-5555. Single ¥8400, double ¥14,700
Obihiro Washington Hotel (帯広ワシントンホテル), Nishi 1, Minami 12-8, +81 155 23-5111. Single ¥7140, double ¥12,705
Hotel Paco Obihiro, Nishi 1, Minami 11, +81 155 23-8585. Single ¥7000, double ¥9000
Obihiro Tokyu Inn (帯広東急イン), Nishi 1, Minami 11-2, +81 155 27-0109. Single ¥6825, double ¥12,600
Fukui Hotel (ふく井ホテル), Nishi 1, Minami 11, +81 155 25-1717. Single ¥5900, double ¥9500
Toyoko Inn (東横イン), Nishi 4, Minami 11-4, +81 155 27-1045. Single ¥5800, double ¥7800
Hotel Route Inn (ホテルルートイン), Nishi 3, Minami 11-8, +81 155 28-7200. Single ¥5400, double ¥9450
Obihiro Grand Hotel, Nishi 2, Minami 3-20, +81 155 22-4181. Single ¥5250, twin ¥9450

Splurge

Hokkaido Hotel (北海道ホテル), Nishi 7, Minami 1-19, +81 155 21-0001, info@hokkaidohotel.co.jp.
Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro, Nishi 2, Minami 13-1 (Next to Obihiro Station.), +81 155 24-1234. Single ¥13,000, double ¥19,000

Connect

Tokachi Tourist Information. Information mainly in Japanese, but they have a number of pamphlets and maps in English.
Obihiro City Library (帯広市図書館), Nishi 2, Minami 14-3-1 (Next to JR Obihiro Station.), 42.91649°, 143.20207°, +81 155 22-4700. Obihiro's main library has English newspapers. Internet is available, too.
International and Domestic Relations Department (帯広市親善交流課), 3rd Floor, Obihiro City Hall, Nishi 5, Minami 7-1, +81 155 65-4133, international@city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp. Information in English for foreign residents.
Tokachi International Relations Center (森の交流館・十勝), Nishi 20, Minami 6, +81 155 34-0122. Library and resource center. Run by the International and Domestic Relations Department (listed above).

Go next

Beyond Obihiro lie the high volcanic peaks of Japan's largest national park, Daisetsuzan, and the Kushiro Wetlands National Park. Further afield are Abashiri and Shiretoko National Park.

Obihiro - city in Hokkaidō, Japan