Obihiro, Japan
Region: Hokkaido
Geographic Coordinates: 42.916700, 143.200000
Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 35.0°C (-22°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold winters and mild summers with frequent rainfall.
Population: 165684
Language: Japanese
Obihiro is a stunning city situated in the central region of Hokkaido, Japan. The city’s surroundings are filled with lush greenery and breathtaking landscapes that make it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts. Obihiro is renowned for its agricultural industry, Particularly for producing wheat and dairy products. One of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Obihiro is the Tokachi Millennium Forest, Which spans 240 hectares. This forest features many walking trails that allow visitors to explore Hokkaido’s natural beauty while also observing various art installations and sculptures.
Another prominent attraction in Obihiro is the Obihiro Zoo, Which houses over 300 animals from various parts of the world, Including tigers, Lions, Giraffes and more. Visitors can enjoy watching animal shows and feeding sessions at this zoo. For those interested in history or culture, Obihiro has several museums worth visiting. The Kunitomi Embroidery Museum showcases traditional Japanese embroidery techniques while the Otofuke Historical Museum provides insights into local history through exhibits on farming practices and traditional crafts.
Food lovers will appreciate exploring Obihiro’s culinary scene as it offers mouth-watering dishes such as butadon (pork bowl), Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), Ramen noodles with miso soup base topped with slices of pork belly or seafood like scallops or crab meat. visitors can indulge in outdoor activities such as skiing during winter months at nearby ski resorts like Furano Ski Resort or Tomamu Ski Resort while summer months offer opportunities for hiking adventures along scenic trails like Mount Hakuun which offers panoramic views across Tokachi Plains towards Daisetsuzan Mountains beyond.
Overall, Obihiro provides a unique combination of natural beauty, Cultural experiences & culinary delights making it an ideal destination to explore when visiting Japan’s northernmost island- Hokkaido.’
- Tokachi Millennium Forest
- Obihiro Shrine
- Obihiro City Museum of Art
- Obihiro Zoo
- Kofuku Station (Old Train Station)
- Manabe Garden (Shichiku Garden)
- Otofuke Shrine
- Nakasatsunai Art Village
- Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall
- Higashi-Norokko Station
- Obihiro is a city in Hokkaido, Japan that has several major industries and businesses.
- These include:
- Agriculture
- Food processing
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Education
- Retail trade
- Agriculture is one of the main industries in Obihiro.
- The city is known for its dairy farming, wheat cultivation and potato farming.
- Food processing companies like Nippon Flour Mills and Hokuren are based in Obihiro.
- Tourism is a significant industry as well.
- Obihiro attracts tourists with its hot springs (onsen), nature parks such as the Tokachi Millennium Forest and Kofuku Station Park.
- Additionally, various cultural events throughout the year also draw visitors.
- Manufacturing companies have established their factories in Obihiro due to its strategic location and available workforce.
- Healthcare facilities serve not only local residents but also patients from nearby areas.
- Several universities have campuses or research centers located in or near Obihiro including University of Tokyo’s Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere and Hokkaido University’s Tokachi Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Finally, retail trade plays an essential role with a variety of shopping centers like supermarkets, department stores and convenience stores catering to local residents’ daily needs.
- The founding of Obihiro in 1928 as a planned city for agricultural development.
- The Battle of Obihiro during World War II, where the Japanese army fought against Soviet forces.
- The establishment of Hokkaido University’s Obihiro Campus in 1947, which is now known as the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
- The birthplace and childhood home of Toshiro Mifune, a famous Japanese actor best known for his roles in Akira Kurosawa’s films such as Seven Samurai and Yojimbo.
- The birthplace and childhood home of Yoshinori Ohsumi, a Nobel Prize-winning cell biologist who discovered autophagy – a process by which cells break down and recycle their own components.
- The annual Tokachi-Obihiro Marathon held since 1980, attracting runners from all over Japan and overseas.
- The development of Hokkaido’s dairy industry in the region around Obihiro, which produces high-quality milk used to make cheese, butter, ice cream and other dairy products.
- Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall
- Tokachi Millennium Forest
- Obihiro City Museum of Art
- Kofuku Station
- Obihiro Shrine
- Higashi Tokachi Agricultural Research Center
- Tokachi Hills
- Manabe Garden Park
- Inada Memorial Museum of Art
- Obihiro Zoo
- Obihiro Ice Hockey Club, founded in 1972, is one of the most successful ice hockey teams in Hokkaido. They compete in the Asia League Ice Hockey and have won many championships.
- Tokachi Fairsky is a professional basketball team based in Obihiro that plays in Japan’s top-tier basketball league called B.League since its founding in 2016.
- Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters have a training facility located at Obihiro though not solely based there; they are a baseball team competing at Japan’s top-tier professional league (Nippon Professional Baseball) and have won two championships since their establishment in 1946.
- Otofuke Sports Park Athletic Association oversees several amateur sports teams and clubs throughout Obihiro, including soccer, volleyball, tennis, track & field, etc.
- Obihiro Ice Festival: This festival occurs in February and features ice sculptures, food stalls, and traditional performances.
- Tokachi Wine Festival: This celebration is held in August and honors the local wine industry with tastings, music, and dance performances.
- Obihiro Tanabata Festival: Also known as the Star Festival, this event takes place in July and includes colorful decorations made from paper strips.
- Obihiro Shrine Autumn Festival: Held in September or October, this festival involves a parade of portable shrines (mikoshi) through the streets of Obihiro.
- Tokachi Millennium Forest Summer Festival: This festival takes place in August and offers visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture through workshops and performances.
- Tokachi Beef Festival: Food enthusiasts will enjoy this event held in November that showcases the famous local beef with cooking competitions and tastings.
- Obihiro Horse Racing Season: Horse racing is a popular pastime in Japan, especially during the summer months when races are held at the Obihiro Racecourse from June to September.
- Butadon (pork rice bowl) at Obihiro Yataimura.
- Jingisukan (grilled lamb) at Jingisukan Daikokuya.
- Tokachi beef at Tokachi Niku no Oukoku.
- Ramen at Ajino Sanpei.
- Soba noodles at Kameya Honke.
- Soft serve ice cream made with fresh Hokkaido milk at Milk-no-Sato.
- Seafood dishes such as sushi and sashimi at Uotami.
- Local craft beer and pub fare at North Island Beer & Dining.
- Obihiro Centennial Memorial Hall Park is a large park that offers a playground, walking paths, and a beautiful fountain.
- Tokachi Millennium Forest is an excellent nature park with walking trails, gardens, and an observation tower for visitors to enjoy.
- Obihiro Zoo is a small zoo that houses animals such as bears, wolves, and foxes for people to see.
- Obihiro City Sports Park is a sports complex with facilities for soccer, baseball, tennis, track and field events.
- Tokachigawa Onsen Hot Spring Resort offers an onsen (hot spring) experience with outdoor baths overlooking the river that visitors can indulge in.
- Kofuku Station was once an old train station but has now been turned into a tourist attraction featuring local food stalls and souvenir shops for people to explore.
- Obihiro Horse Racetrack is where horse racing enthusiasts can watch races or place bets on their favorite horses while enjoying the atmosphere of the track.
- Tokachi Hills Winery & Vineyard provides tours of their vineyards along with tastings of their locally produced wines which are highly recommended by tourists who visit there.
- Manabe Garden & Restaurant features over 2 million flowers in bloom during summer months along with serving local cuisine at its restaurant making it one of the top attractions in the area.
- Taushubetsu River Bridge Observatory Deck provides stunning views of Taushubetsu River winding through the valley below from its observation deck which makes it worth visiting if you love scenic views.
