1Tokachi Ranch

The birch tree-lined road where the drama was set is covered in a blanket of snow

The Tokachi Ranch of the National Livestock Breeding Center is a public institution whose mission is to utilize livestock farming techniques to raise cattle, horses, and sheep, as well as to improve and increase the number of feed crops, but it also opens part of its premises to tourists.
The birch-lined road that stretches straight for about 1.3 km from the entrance to the ranch is a popular spot known as a location for NHK's morning drama series "Massan" (2014). In the harsh winter, the birch branches that have lost their leaves are covered in frost, making it look like white flowers are blooming. The contrast between the pure white road and the blue sky is beautiful, making it a spectacular sight that you will want to capture in photos.

Experience the beauty of vibrant life through the "Horse Chase"

At Tokachi Ranch, a "horse-chasing exercise" is held every morning to help the horses relieve stress and lack of exercise during the winter, and to prevent difficult births for pregnant horses due to give birth in the spring. The exercise is open to the public from mid-January to the end of February, and visitors are welcome to observe. The sight of the large farm horses kicking up the snow and galloping, making the ground rumble, is very impressive. The horses' bodies in motion are full of strength and beauty that are captivating to behold.
Entry to pastures and Property within the ranch is prohibited. There are also no shops or trash cans. If you are visiting by car, please follow the instructions, such as disinfecting your vehicle.

▼Umaoi Exercise Open to the Public
Date and time: Mid-January to end of February 9:30-10:30
*Time may be shortened or canceled due to weather, etc.

National Livestock Breeding Center Tokachi Farm

• https://www.nlbc.go.jp/tokachi/bokujougaiyou/kankouspot/index.html
• 8-1 Komaba Namiki, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido MAP
• Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Obihiro Station
• Take the bus from JR Obihiro Station, get off at "Tokachi Bokujo" and walk for about 7 minutes
• Freedom and Emancipation
• 0155-44-2131
• free
• Due to the limited Parking and viewing area, it is not possible to watch the horse-pulling exercises in large groups.

2Jewelry Ice

Ice art created by the frigid ocean

"Jewelry ice" can only be seen during the harsh winter at Otsu Coast in Toyokoro Town, which faces the Pacific Ocean. It is a natural phenomenon in which the water of the Tokachi River freezes, flows into the sea, and then washes up on the coast. Depending on the weather that year, it can be seen from mid-January to late February.
Drift ice, which is made from frozen seawater, is white, but jewelry ice is made from river water that does not contain salt, so it is extremely transparent. The waves rub it round off the edges, and the way it sparkles in the sunlight gives it a noble beauty similar to crystal. It makes you feel the power of nature that transcends human understanding.

The ever-changing light will take your breath away

At dawn, the power of the morning sun quietly rises, during the day the vivid Tokachi blue sky is reflected, and at dusk the soft light of twilight envelopes you. Jewelry ice changes its appearance depending on the time of day, providing plenty of photo opportunities. In the early morning, temperatures can drop below -20°C, which can cause the batteries of electronic devices to wear out quickly. Don't forget to keep your clothes warm, as well as your camera and smartphone.
Direction to Otsu Coast is smooth if you rent a car from Obihiro. For those who are worried about driving on winter roads, there are also bus tours and taxi packages departing from Obihiro.

Jewelry Ice

• https://www.toyokoro-kankoh.com/
• Hokkaido Nakagawa-gun Toyokoro-cho Otsu Motomachi area (Otsu Coast) MAP
• Approximately 60 minutes by car from JR Obihiro Station
• 015-578-7202（豊頃町観光協会）
• free
• Please check with the Toyokoro Town Tourism Association for information on the Jewelry Ice Tour.

3TOKACHI ICE PARK PLUS

Try skating at a downtown rink bustling with locals

Obihiro and Tokachi are the skating kingdom that has produced many Olympic athletes. You can experience this local character at the skating rink that appears in the middle of the city only during the winter. It is a truly handmade rink, made by compacting the snow with feet, sprinkling water for about 10 days, and building up layers of ice.
The fun of skating is that anyone can get into it, regardless of their skill level, whether they're skating together while holding hands or trying difficult spinning tricks. Skates are available for rental, so join the locals on the rink and start skating. Push chairs are also available for beginners.

A variety of local ice events

"TOKACHI ICE PARK PLUS" is a winter-only community created by local people working together. In addition to curling and ice hockey Experience and figure skater performances, there are also food and drink corners and various events, bringing excitement to the town.
Another attraction of this skating rink in the city is that there are many restaurants right next to the rink. After having fun, you can enjoy the local cuisine of Obihiro and Tokachi.

TOKACHI ICE PARK PLUS

• https://tokachi-icepark.com/
• Obihiro Station North Multipurpose Plaza "Dream North Plaza" MAP
• About 3 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station
• Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and New Year's holidays (December 30th to January 5th) from December 27th, 2024 (Fri) to February 11th, 2025 (Tuesday, national holiday)
  Friday 17:00-20:00
  Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, New Year's holiday (December 30th - January 5th) 14:00 - 20:00
  *Subject to change depending on weather conditions and rink conditions.
• Skating and curling rink use: Free
  Skate rental: 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for junior high school students and younger
  Curling equipment: Free
• None (use nearby paid Parking)

4Samurai Produced "Tokachi Winter River Cruising"

Travel along the river from the perspective of waterfowl and become one with nature

Although it is a river that flows through the city, in winter many migratory birds such as whooper swans that fly in from Siberia and other places can be seen on the Obihiro River. A popular Activity is to row a boat from the bank, about a 10-minute drive from Obihiro Station, and casually experience the great outdoors of Tokachi.
The boat is close to the water's surface, so you can experience the view from the waterfowl's point of view. As you glide along the quiet river under the Tokachi blue sky, listen carefully to the chirps of wild birds and the flapping of waterfowl's wings. It's a luxurious experience that will make you forget your daily life for a while.

Experience the excitement of a place that can only be found here in this fantastical landscape.

On cold mornings when temperatures drop below -15°C, a "kearashi" phenomenon occurs, where river mist rises like steam. Furthermore, the water vapor adheres to tree branches and freezes, creating frost. If you're lucky, you might even get a chance to get up close and personal with a flock of whooper swans resting by the water's edge. After the cruise, you'll also be given some popular sweets from Tokachi, the kingdom of sweets, as souvenirs.
Samurai Produce also offers a variety of other Activity plans, such as the Jewelry Ice Tour in Toyokoro Town.

Samurai Produce

• https://www.samuraiproduce.com/winterrivercruising
• Yell Center Tokachi, 1-73, Higashi 15-jo Minami 4-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido ※Cruise meeting point map
• Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Obihiro Station *Cruise meeting point
• January 1st to March 31st 8:00-10:00 (Meeting time: 8:00)
• January 1st to 3rd
• 8,000 yen (including insurance, Experience guide fee, and equipment rental fee)
• 0155-66-4006
• free
• Ages 3+
• Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance. Reservations can be made the day before if the tour is already scheduled.

5Otofuke Tokachi River Swan Festival "Sairinka®"

A fantasy of light and sound that brightens up Tokachi's winter

In Otofuke Town, adjacent to Obihiro City, an illumination event called "Otofuke Tokachi River Swan Festival Sairinka" is held every winter, named after the swans that fly to the Tokachi River. When night falls, a colorful "forest of light" lights up on the white ground. The outer fabric of the Triangle Tower is made of agricultural insulation material, an idea unique to Tokachi, the kingdom of agriculture.
The clear winter air makes the illuminations stand out clearly, and the fantastical space created by the intertwining light and sound creates a moment where you feel as if you have wandered into a dream world.

Enjoy attractions and gourmet food that take advantage of the cold weather

The venue has a wide variety of attractions that both children and adults can enjoy, including the romantic "Tunnel of Light" and "Light Zoo." You can enjoy activities that take advantage of the freezing cold, such as snow rafting down a special course, making instant-freezing soap bubbles, and making snow candles.
If your body gets cold, you can warm yourself up in the hand bath at the Moor hot spring, or take a break in the warm rest area that uses a vinyl greenhouse. The menu includes hot drinks and light meals made with local ingredients, which will warm both your stomach and your heart.

Otofuke Tokachi River Swan Festival "Sairinka®"

• http://www.tokachigawa.net/event/sairinka.html
• Hokkaido, Kato District, Otofuke Town, Tokachigawa hot spring Kita 14-chome (Tokachigaoka Park) MAP
• Take the bus bound for hot spring from JR Obihiro Station, get off at Garden Spa hot spring, and then walk for about 10 minutes
• (Sat) January 25, 2025 -(Sun), February 16, 2025
  19:00～21:00
• Junior high school students and above: 500 yen, elementary school students and below: free
  *Free for guests staying hot spring (Tourist Association member)
  
• 0155-32-6633（音更町十勝川温泉観光協会）
• free
• May be canceled on bad weather days

6Asahi Natural hot spring

A rare moor hot hot spring that attracts bathhouse fans from all over the country

During the harsh winter, the Obihiro and Tokachi area experiences days of below freezing temperatures. If you get cold after touring the tourist spots or participating in Activity, why not try visiting the public bath "Asahi-yu" near Obihiro Station?
Asahi-yu opened in 1951 (Showa 26). At the time it was just a boiled water bathhouse, but in 1983 (Showa 58) hot spring was excavated and it was reborn as a hot spring bathhouse. Although it went out of business for a time due to the founder's ill health, the father of the current owner bought it and reopened it in 2007. It is so popular that bathhouse fans from both within and outside Hokkaido, as well as locals, make a point of visiting it.

The bathtub, taps and showers are all 100% moor hot spring

"Asahi Yu" is a rare moor hot hot spring rich in organic matter derived from plants. At Asahi Yu, the moor hot hot spring water is pumped up from 1.2 km underground and used as is without heating, adding water, or circulating. The water in the faucets and showers is also 100% moor hot spring. The amber-colored water is viscous and soft, and the tiny bubbles envelop the skin, gently relaxing both the body and mind.
This public bathhouse is extremely popular with both domestic and foreign tourists, as it allows visitors to casually enjoy one of Hokkaido's most famous hot springs. Spending time in the baths with the locals is sure to become a warm and memorable memory of your trip.

Asahi Natural hot spring

• 19, Higashi 3-jo Minami 14-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido MAP
• Approximately 11 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station
• 13:00-23:00, Morning bath 6:00-10:00 (Sundays only)
• January 1st
• Bathing fee: 490 yen for adults, 140 yen for children, 70 yen for infants
• 0155-24-1933
• free
• Alkaline simple hot spring