Do you know which roadside station is closest to central Sapporo? The answer is "Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu" in the town of Tobetsu. By car, it's only about a 40-minute drive from Sapporo. And there are plenty of reasons why it's worth the trip!

Opened in September 2017, the roadside station gets its "Nordic Wind" name from Tobetsu's sister city relationship with Leksand, Sweden. Its large, triangular roof truly evokes a Swedish atmosphere.

Step inside, and you'll find a spacious, open interior with a warm, wooden design that instantly lifts your spirits and fills you with excitement.

You can easily spend time just browsing the local vegetables from Tobetsu and nearby towns, crafts from local artisans, Nordic goods featuring horse motifs, and original products made with Tobetsu's specialty ingredients.

Outside of the winter season, you can purchase fresh local vegetables at the separate "Farmers' Market" building. Tobetsu is known as "Sapporo's Kitchen" for its abundant production of various agricultural products.

And of course, one of the best parts of any roadside station is the food! First on our list of recommendations is "Cafe Terzina." It's produced by Chef Hideki Horikawa of "Trattoria Terzina," one of Hokkaido's most renowned Italian restaurants.

Here, you can enjoy authentic pasta and baked risotto, served with homemade bread, for only 1,100 yen (incl. tax). For example, check out these dishes...

"Langoustine in Tomato Cream Sauce." The shrimp flavor, rich cream, and refreshing tomato create a trinity of flavors that will make you happy with just one bite.

"Spiced Stewed Hokkaido Beef Tendon Sauce." The flavor of the beef tendon, simmered until it's melt-in-your-mouth tender, is simply irresistible. The accompanying bread, with its hint of basil, is a perfect match.

Next, let's introduce some menus from shops offering both takeout and eat-in options. First up is "Restaurant Ari." The sign says it's a "Piadina Specialty Shop." So, what exactly is a piadina?

A piadina is a traditional Italian staple where various ingredients are sandwiched in a thin, round, grilled flatbread. The popular choice here is the "Salmon Piadina" (650 yen, incl. tax), inspired by a bouquet from Tobetsu, the town of flowers. It's packed with vegetables and very healthy!

Photo courtesy of Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu

Next to Restaurant Ari is "Kojin CUP STORE." This shop offers soba noodles and soups, designed by a vegetable sommelier, conveniently served in a cup.

Photo courtesy of Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu

One of the most popular items is the "Corn and Cheese Soup Curry" (580 yen, incl. tax). They use seasonal vegetables from Tobetsu, delivered directly from partner farms, allowing you to enjoy the delicious taste of local produce in a convenient format.

And next to that is "Smile Kitchen." This eatery serves dishes made with "SPF Pork," a premium brand of pork from Asano Farm.

The signature dish is the "Buta-puru-don" (photo shows medium size / 500 yen, incl. tax). It has a light flavor that really brings out the natural sweetness of the pork. For those who want to experience the pork's umami more directly, the "Dodeka Buta-kushi" (Huge Pork Skewer) (420 yen, incl. tax) is also recommended!

For an after-meal dessert, let's head to the cafe "SWEETS."

The most eye-catching item is undoubtedly the "Sweden Soft" ice cream (380 yen, incl. tax), inspired by the Swedish flag! The blue part is a subtly sweet "Amazake Blue," and the yellow part is "Elder Yellow," with a muscat-like fragrance. The two flavors mix exquisitely, creating a truly unique and delicious taste.

Photo courtesy of Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu

Speaking of dessert, you can't miss the "Cup Dango" (249 yen, incl. tax) made in the attached Ikkyu Daifukudo workshop. These freshly made dango (sweet rice dumplings) use rice from Tobetsu and have a delightful chewy texture. Enjoy them on the spot or get them to go!

The specialty products, perfect for souvenirs, are also worth checking out. At the "TOBEST SHOP" near the entrance, you'll find a wide array of products from the "TOBEST" brand, which showcases life in Tobetsu.

Photo courtesy of Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu

The number one bestseller is the "'Just Mix' Black Soybean Rice Mix" (540 yen, incl. tax). As the name suggests, just mix one can into two cups of cooked rice, and you'll have delicious black soybean rice! It's tasty even when cold.

We've introduced so many charms of the Tobetsu roadside station, you might be thinking, "I'm already full!" But please let us share just one more thing.

The 24-hour restrooms are incredibly clean and sparkling! The cleanliness of these meticulously maintained toilets has even become a quiet topic of conversation. That's a pretty important point, isn't it?

With even its restrooms being wonderful, you should definitely pay a visit to Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu.

Location: 774-11 Tobetsubuto, Tobetsu, Ishikari District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0133-27-5260
Official Website: https://tobest.co.jp/michinoeki/

Writer Profile

Hokkaido Tourism Camera-Writer Team Buchineko

We are "Team Buchineko," with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We aim to share the charm of this amazing prefecture.

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