Now, let us introduce you to a route that allows you to make exciting new discoveries while staying safe and comfortable using the JR Hokkaido East & North Hokkaido Campaign Pass!
Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
Check in at Obihiro Airport! Heading for Midorigaoka Park
This trip is a local train trip on JR! I took the Senmo line, which I wanted to ride, and visited Abashiri for the first time. First, I took off from Haneda and headed to Obihiro. I didn't use a rental car on this trip either.
We landed at Tokachi Obihiro Airport, taking in the patchwork of rice fields from the sky. We plan to fly into Kushiro that evening, so we packed in and toured Obihiro.
We set off from the station on a rental bicycle to see the old buildings that tell the story of Obihiro's history. Midorigaoka Park is a place of relaxation for the locals, and also has a zoo and a wildflower garden.
What I wanted to see here was the "Oil Storehouse from the Tokachi Prison Era." It is a beautiful brick structure and the oldest building in Obihiro. The leaves were changing color at the time, and the spot was filled with a relaxing atmosphere.
We pedal away towards our next destination, Obihiro Sweets.
We take off from Haneda and head to Hokkaido! Our journey begins with an all-JR train journey within the prefecture.
A clear, sunny day in Hokkaido came into view from the plane.
The land of Tokachi is a natural patchwork, with fields stretching out as far as the eye can see.
We arrived at Tokachi Obihiro Airport. From here it takes about 40 minutes by airport bus to Obihiro Station.
A row of white birch trees continues from the airport. The leaves are starting to change color. On the way, you will pass by "Koufuku Station" and "Aikoku Station".
Bicycle rentals are available at Obihiro Station. You can rent one at the Obikuru Bus Terminal.
My bicycle for the day. You pay in advance for the time you use it, but if you get it back for less than you paid for, you get a refund. The fee is also very reasonable at 100 yen per hour!
The leaves have already started to change color in the city. It seems that the leaves in Hokkaido are changing color about 1.5 to 2 months earlier than in the Kanto region.
The scenery on the way from the station to Midorigaoka Park. The bicycle path is well-maintained, making it easy to ride, and the area is filled with vibrant nature.
A small path of memories. Long ago, there was a private railway called "Tokachi Railway" here, and it operated a train carrying beets, the raw material for sugar beet. At that time, it was known affectionately as "Toteppo" and ran within Obihiro city.
The Tokachi Prison Oil Storehouse is a historical relic quietly left in a corner of Green Park in Midorigaoka Park. You can only see the exterior. It was built in 1900 to store kerosene.
Prisoners built the foundations of the city of Obihiro as a labor force building roads and clearing land. The tiles and bricks were also fired by prison inmates. The uneven color of the bricks fired in climbing kilns creates a unique texture. The only building from that time that remains today is the oil storehouse, a valuable historical structure. The large prison, which could accommodate 1,300 inmates, later became Midorigaoka Park. As the oldest building in Obihiro, the oil storehouse is a designated cultural asset of the city.
Midorigaoka Park is rich in nature. Parks in Hokkaido are on a different scale. They are big and spacious.
I wish I could have spent more time exploring the park. I think I could have taken some great photos.
Enjoy the Sanporoku parfait at the extremely popular restaurant, Ryugetsu Toscatina.
Ryugetsu is famous for its chocolate-covered Baumkuchen "Sanporoku" that resembles a white birch tree. Ryugetsu runs an Italian restaurant called "Ryugetsu Toscatina." Here you can enjoy dishes that use the popular dessert, Sanporoku.
I ordered the "Mipanoroku and Fresh Cream Parfait," a parfait that uses four "Mipanoroku Kowari." The secret to its popularity is the fluffy texture of the Mipanoroku, which is like it's always freshly baked, and the deliciousness of the chocolate coating.
The iced chocolate was cold and had a crunchy texture.
The nearest station to Ryugetsu Toscatina is Berlindai Station, next to Obihiro Station. In addition to Ryugetsu sweets, the store also offers cakes and other fresh Western sweets.
Afterwards, we returned to the station and had lunch at a curry restaurant called "Indian" near Obihiro Station.
This is a branch of the long-established restaurant "Fujimori" in front of Obihiro Station. On the website, you can see the words "We aim to be the second tastiest restaurant in Obihiro." This humble attitude makes us like it more. Indian is the soul food of Obihiro residents.
Now, after pedaling my bike desperately to my next destination, I finally arrived at Toscatina, a restaurant by Ryugetsu, a representative Obihiro sweets restaurant.
The store is packed with customers. You can also buy souvenirs! A dreamland filled with sweets.
Ta-da! This is what I was looking for. A parfait made with small pieces of Ryugetsu's Sanporoku, a standard Hokkaido souvenir. The combination of baumkuchen, ice cream and fresh cream that can only be eaten here.
This parfait uses four mini Sanporoku "Sanporoku no Kowari". The glass is also filled with Baumkuchen. It is covered in chocolate to resemble a birch trunk. The chocolate cools with ice cream, giving it a crunchy texture.
Return the rental bicycle when you return to Obihiro Station and take a stroll around the station. "Fujimori" is a popular restaurant with the atmosphere of a traditional diner or local family restaurant. You can eat anything from Obihiro's specialty pork bowl to Japanese and Western cuisine.
"Indian" is a curry shop in the same chain as Fujimori. This is also a local curry shop that is very popular with tourists. The building and logo are cute.
There is counter and table seating surrounding the kitchen.
There are three types of curry roux. This time I had the basic roux. Shrimp curry topped with pork cutlet!
Spicy seasoning "Hot Oil". Waves of spiciness...scary.
The pork cutlet was freshly fried and crispy. It was delicious!
Historical buildings in the area near Obihiro Station: "Former Mitsui Hardware Store" and "Sakurayu"
From Indian, we walked further north towards the station.
Located in an area with a sense of history and many old buildings, the "Old Mitsui Hardware Store" is a modern retro building made of solid brick with three arches. It is currently run by Rokkatei, but we were not able to go inside.
Unfortunately, Sakurayu has closed down, and it was originally a public bathhouse built in the early Showa period. The ivy that has been entwined around the entire building has turned red. It seems that it has not been in business for a long time, but it does not feel abandoned, and with the "Sakurayu" letters painted in plaster and the arched windows, it is a nostalgic building that seems like it could still be used.
Along the road to the station is a small alley. Obihiro is a place packed with bars. I would like to go bar-hopping in this area with a Showa-era atmosphere someday.
Exploring old things in Obihiro. The long wall tells of the vastness of the site.
The former site of the "Mitsui Hardware Store." It features wide triple arches and bricks made in Tokachi Prison. It is currently used as the Rokkatei concert hall.
Sakurayu is a former public bathhouse. The tangled ivy gives a sense of the passage of time. The entrance hood, unique to Hokkaido and cold regions, is very modern. It was a wonderful building that could still be used if used carefully.
On the way back to the station, I noticed that Obihiro has many drinking alleys.
This retro-modern restaurant district in the city center is so beautiful it makes you want to call it nostalgic Obihiro. The atmosphere seems even more special when the lights are on.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
