Obihiro

Obihiro is located approximately three and a half hours (3.5 hrs) drive east of Sapporo City. Because of its location almost in the middle of the Tokachi Sub-Prefecture, the city makes an excellent base from which to explore central parts of the Eastern Hokkaido areas. City is bound on two sides by the Tokachi River to the north and the Satsunai River to the east. Obihiro is also home to Hokkaido’s Hot Air Balloon Festival held during the summer. The main train station is the JR Obihiro Station which is located roughly in the center of the main area of the town and also houses the Tokachi Coordination Center and the Tokachi Tourism Information Center on the second floor. The city extends on all sides of the train station with the major shopping and entertainment area located to the north / north-east of the station and the wonderful Midorigaoka Park located to the south / south-west. Obihiro ranges from a hot +30°C in the summer months to very cold -20°C in the winter months. The summer period will see quite strong sunlight and precaution for your skin is advised. Although Obihiro experiences a very cold winter there can still be many clear days during this season.

PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT….

Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art // This museum is located in the large Midorigaoka Park. The permanent exhibition centers on works produced by artists who have been associated with the Eastern Hokkaido area. The museum also houses a collection of modern and contemporary block prints. The museum holds special exhibitions at irregular intervals throughout the year.

Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall // This museum has a permanent exhibition which centers around artifacts from the prehistoric era to the present day of the Tokachi region. It also houses interesting artifacts related to the Tokachi areas agricultural and natural history.

Manabe Garden // This huge, exquisitely presented garden makes a wonderful place to rest and relax during the warm summer months. The garden houses both a European and Japanese style garden with various lengths of walking paths through it. There are plenty of benches on which to sit and rest along the course of the paths. Contained in the garden area are several ponds with carp and other fish, a lovely coffee shop, Japanese tea house and an eight (8) meter waterfall.

Kofuku station // This station became famous with its catchphrase, “From the country of love to Kofuku.” Its wooden station, wooden platform and its two diesel cars are preserved on display. “Tickets to Kofuku,”are still very popular as a passport to happiness! The “Kofuku’s station happy ceremony” is held from late April to late September every year. Visit here to make many wonderful memories!

Midorigaoka Park // This recreational park is for all of the citizens and visitors of Obihiro. It has Green Park (with a 400m long bench to sit on), Hokkaido Obihiro Museum of Art, Centennial Memorial Hall, Obihiro City Children Hall, the Wild Flower Garden, the Park golf course and much more in this vast 50 ha area of Obihiro.

Obihiro Zoo // This is the perfect place to view animals; especially at feeding time. Mr. Naomi Uemura’s memorial hall is within zoo grounds. It exhibits his achievements as a great explorer.

Obihiro Wild Flower Garden // Native wild flowers are growing freely, where visitors and citizens can walk along, observing nature at its best. Hundreds of different kinds of flowers bloom in each season, throughout the 4.3 ha. in Obihiro.

Shichiku Garden Yuge // This 'English'-style garden is where more than 2,000 kinds of seasonal flowers bloom throughout the 5 ha site in Obihiro.

Iwanai Gorge // This is where you can witness the first green of spring and the bright autumnal colors of leaves. You can enjoy the sound of the peaceful stream, the voices of the wild birds and the sight of beautiful flowers. The colors of autumn are vivid, especially from mid October to late November.