Tomakomai, Japan
Region: Hokkaido
Geographic Coordinates: 42.634100, 141.605000
Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 30.0°C (-22°F to 86°F)
Climate: Cold and snowy winters, mild springs and autumns, and warm summers with occasional typhoons.
Population: 170223
Language: Japanese
Tomakomai is a city located in the southern part of Hokkaido, Japan. It is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, Including the Pacific Ocean to the east and several mountains to the west. The city has a population of approximately 174, 000 people and covers an area of 561 square kilometers. One of Tomakomai’s most famous attractions is Lake Utonai, Which is a wetland area that serves as an important habitat for migratory birds. Visitors can take a walk along one of the many trails around the lake and enjoy stunning views of Mount Tarumae in the distance.
In addition to Lake Utonai, Tomakomai also has several other parks and nature reserves where visitors can explore Hokkaido’s unique flora and fauna. Another popular attraction in Tomakomai is its hot springs or onsen. There are several onsen resorts throughout the city that offer traditional Japanese baths with mineral-rich water that comes from deep within Hokkaido’s volcanic mountains. Many visitors come to Tomakomai specifically for these relaxing hot springs experiences. Tomakomai also has a rich history as an important port town dating back to Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912).
The city played a significant role in Japan’s industrialization process during this time as it was one of only two ports open to foreign trade at that time. Today, Visitors can learn about this history by visiting places like Tomakomai Port Museum or taking a walking tour through historic neighborhoods such as Oshamanbe-machi. In terms of food culture, Tomakomai is known for its seafood dishes such as salmon roe (ikura) and sea urchin (uni), Which are both local specialties due to their abundance in nearby waters.
Visitors can sample these delicacies at local restaurants or purchase them fresh from markets throughout the city. Tomakomai is also home to several festivals and events throughout the year, Including the Tomakomai Snow Festival in February, Which features ice sculptures and snow slides, As well as the Tomakomai International Film Festival in October. These events are a great way for visitors to experience local culture and connect with residents of this vibrant city. Overall, Tomakomai is a beautiful and fascinating destination that offers something for everyone.
Whether you’re interested in nature, History, Food or culture, There’s plenty to explore in this charming Hokkaido city.
- Lake Shikotsu is a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains and forests, renowned for its crystal-clear water and hot springs.
- Tarumaezan Ropeway offers visitors a cable car ride to the top of Mount Tarumae, a volcanic mountain with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
- Tomakomai Port is a bustling area with shops, restaurants, and a fish market where tourists can sample fresh seafood.
- Nishiki Onsen is famous for its natural hot spring resort that has healing properties and stunning surroundings.
- Hakucho Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that spans the mouth of the Tomakomai River, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
- Sunflower Fields at Hokkaido Greenland are popular in summer when thousands of sunflowers bloom across vast fields.
- Tomakomai City Museum showcases exhibits on local industries such as fishing, agriculture, forestry that depict the history and culture of Tomakomai in an informative manner.
- Katsura Golf Club is one of Japan’s most prestigious golf courses situated in picturesque surroundings surrounded by forests and mountains.
- Oshoro Bay Lookout Park overlooks Oshoro Bay with walking trails, picnic areas, observation decks offering panoramic views of bay & surrounding mountains making it ideal for nature lovers.
- Chitose Outlet Mall Rera is one of Hokkaido’s largest shopping centers featuring over 400 stores selling fashion items like home goods electronics food products from all over Japan etcetera.
- Chemical Industry: Tomakomai has a large chemical industry that produces petrochemicals, fertilizers, and synthetic resins.
- Steel Industry: The city also has a significant steel industry with several large steel mills operating in the area.
- Port and Logistics: Tomakomai’s port is an important gateway for trade between Japan and other countries, making logistics an essential business in the region.
- Agriculture and Fisheries: Hokkaido is known for its agriculture and fisheries industries, which are also important to Tomakomai’s economy.
- Tourism: With its beautiful natural scenery, hot springs, and ski resorts, tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry in Tomakomai.
- Manufacturing: Various manufacturing industries such as machinery manufacturing are present in the region.
- Energy Production: The city has several power plants including coal-fired power plants that supply electricity to Hokkaido Island as well as other parts of Japan.
- The Ainu people, who are indigenous to Hokkaido and the surrounding islands, have lived in the Tomakomai area for thousands of years.
- During the Edo period (1603-1868), Tomakomai was a small fishing village known as Toma.
- In 1875, after Hokkaido was opened up for settlement by the Japanese government, Toma became a town and was renamed Tomakomai.
- In 1926, the first railway line connecting Tomakomai to Sapporo was completed.
- During World War II, Tomakomai was an important military base for Japan’s war effort.
- After the war ended in 1945, many refugees from Manchuria and Korea settled in Tomakomai.
- In 1962, construction began on a large-scale industrial complex in Tomakomai that would eventually become one of Japan’s largest petrochemical centers.
- Notable people from Tomakomai include Olympic gold medalist figure skater Shizuka Arakawa and professional baseball player Kazuhisa Ishii.
- In recent years, environmental issues related to pollution from industrial activity have been a major concern for residents of Tomakomai and surrounding areas.
- Tomakomai City Museum of Art
- Tomakomai Higashi-koen Park
- Tomakomai Port Memorial Hall
- Oshoro Bay Lookout Point
- Sunflower Field (during summer season)
- Lake Utonai Wildlife Conservation Center
- Mount Tarumae (for hiking and scenic views)
- Hokkaido Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall
- Tsukigata Onsen (hot spring resort)
- Tarumae Garo Gorge
- Tomakomai High School Baseball Team – This team is one of the most successful high school baseball teams in Japan and has won the National High School Baseball Championship twice – in 1976 and 1983.
- Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Minor League) – Founded in 1946, this minor league baseball team is based in Tomakomai and has won two minor league championships.
- Oji Eagles (Ice Hockey) – Until its disbandment in 2017, this ice hockey team played in the Asia League Ice Hockey and was based in Tomakomai. They won the championship twice during their tenure – once each during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
- Mitsubishi Electric Red Harlequins (Rugby Union) – This rugby union team plays at the top level of Japanese rugby union, Top League, and is based in Tomakomai.
- Sapporo Otani University American Football Team – Participating at various levels of college football competitions across Japan, this American football team represents Sapporo Otani University.
These are some notable sports teams with their histories from Tomakomai, Japan.
- Tomakomai Snow Festival: This festival takes place every February and features snow sculptures created by local artists.
- Tomakomai International Film Festival: This event is held annually in November and showcases films from around the world.
- Tomakomai Summer Festival: This festival takes place in August and features traditional Japanese music, dance performances, food stalls, and fireworks.
- Hokkaido Fair: This fair is held every summer at the AEON Mall in Tomakomai and features Hokkaido’s famous seafood, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, sweets etc.
- Sapporo Beer Factory Tour: Located near to the city of Tomokamoi & Sapporo Brewery offers tours of its factory where visitors can learn about how beer is made while sampling different varieties.
- Tomakomai Port Festival: Held annually in July this event celebrates the city’s fishing heritage with fish market tours & fresh seafood tasting sessions among other activities.
- Jingisukan (grilled lamb) – a specialty dish of Hokkaido and can be found at many restaurants in Tomakomai, such as Jingisukan Daruma.
- Seafood – being a port city, Tomakomai is known for its fresh seafood such as crab, squid, and salmon. Some popular seafood restaurants include Kaisen Donburi Ichiba and Marukatsu Suisan.
- Ramen – Hokkaido is famous for its rich and hearty ramen noodles. Some popular ramen shops in Tomakomai are Ramen Jiro Honten and Menya Iroha.
- Soba – another traditional Japanese noodle dish that can be found at many soba shops in Tomakomai such as Sobadokoro Kikko.
- Izakaya (Japanese pub) – these casual drinking establishments serve a variety of small dishes to accompany drinks. Some popular izakayas in Tomakomai include Torikizoku and Tsubohachi.
- Bakery – there are also many bakeries in Tomakomai that offer delicious breads and pastries such as Croquantchou Zakuzaku and Patisserie Lapin Blanc.
- Yakiniku- Grilled meat is very famous among the Japanese people so you can find Yakiniku restaurant almost everywhere including tomokamoi like Yakiniku Gyu-kaku or Yakiniku Juju.
- Tomakomai Central Park is a great place to enjoy various recreational activities. It’s situated in the heart of Tomakomai and boasts amenities such as tennis courts, baseball fields, and a playground for children.
- Tarumaezan Nature Park is located at the base of Mount Tarumae. It offers hiking trails, camping facilities, and picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy nature.
- Sunflower Fields are located just outside of Tomakomai city center. During summer months, they attract many visitors who come to admire the beautiful flowers.
- Tomakomai Golf Club is an 18-hole course that provides golfers with stunning views of surrounding mountains while they play.
- Oshoro Bay Beach Park is perfect for those who want to unwind or engage in water sports like windsurfing or kayaking.
- Katsurazawa Dam Lake Park surrounds Katsurazawa Dam Lake and provides fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
- Hakucho Sports Center features indoor swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and other athletic facilities for residents to use year-round making it an excellent destination for fitness enthusiasts all year long!
