Hokkaido's Tokachi area is known as one of Japan's premier food treasure troves. Its central city, Obihiro, is overflowing with a wide variety of culinary delights, from local specialties like the famous butadon (pork bowl) to delectable sweets. There are also plenty of spots you can explore on foot, offering experiences unique to Obihiro! Here are 15 must-visit spots for a walking tour of Obihiro.

The "Butadon" has kept its original flavor since the restaurant's founding.

Established in 1933, Pancho is a renowned restaurant famous nationwide as the birthplace of butadon. It is said to have been created in Obihiro, a city with a thriving pig farming industry, as a stamina-boosting dish more affordable than eel. A unique feature is that the pricing, named after pine, bamboo, and plum (Sho-Chiku-Bai), is reversed, a nod to the founder's wife, Ume. You can enjoy the same unchanging flavor from its founding, thanks to a secret sauce passed down through generations.

Pancho

■ Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
■ Closed: Every Monday, 1st & 3rd Tuesday
■ Address: 19 Nishi 1-jo Minami 11-chome, Obihiro
■ 3-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Pancho"

The view of the city from the carriage has a special charm.

Enjoy a tour of the city center at night while savoring delicious craft beer and appetizers made with local ingredients, all aboard a carriage pulled by Musashikoma, a draft horse that once competed in Ban'ei horse racing. The carriage has a first floor for enjoying the ride from inside and a second floor for an open-air experience. The tour covers a roughly 2-kilometer course in about 50 minutes. Listening to the sound of hooves while leisurely enjoying drinks and scenery is a luxurious experience that feels a world away from daily life.

Basha BAR

■ Operating Days: Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat ①6:00 PM~ ②7:00 PM~ ③8:00 PM~ *Reservations required
■ Departure/Arrival: In front of Hotel Nupka, 20-3 Nishi 2-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Basha BAR"

A soul food that satisfies with both taste and value.

This curry, made with plenty of beef and aged with dozens of spices, is so delicious that many people get hooked after just one bite. The flavor of this curry shop, which has multiple locations in Obihiro, has long been a familiar taste for the people of Tokachi. It's said that many local families buy it by the pot to take home instead of making curry themselves. There are three types of curry roux—"Basic Roux," "Indian Roux," and "Vegetable Roux"—and by combining them with various toppings and spice levels, you can create your own perfect curry. In the city center, the Machinaka and Esta (inside JR Obihiro Station) branches are easily accessible.

Indian Curry Machinaka Branch

■ Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:45 PM)
■ Closed: December 31, January 1
■ Address: 1-1 Nishi 2-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Indian Curry Machinaka Branch"

The exclusive "Sakusaku Pie" has a shelf life of only 3 hours!

Rokkatei, known for classic Hokkaido souvenirs like "Marusei Butter Sand" and its white chocolate, was founded in Obihiro in 1933. While Rokkatei has stores throughout Hokkaido, you can purchase exclusive items at the Obihiro Main Store. We especially recommend the "Sakusaku Pie," which has a shelf life of only three hours, and the "Marusei Ice Sand." There's an eat-in space, so you can enjoy them on the spot. The attached tea room is also highly recommended.

Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store

■ Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Tea Room 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM (LO 4:30 PM) *Closed every Wednesday
■ Address: 6 Nishi 2-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro
■ 10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store"

A popular restaurant founded in 1959.

This popular restaurant was the first in Japan to offer "yakiniku-style Genghis Khan," setting it apart from the traditional hot pot style. The secret to its deliciousness is the commitment to "hand-cutting," where high-quality mutton is sliced piece by piece. The "Hand-Cut Genghis Khan," which has less of the characteristic gamey smell and a rich flavor, is their most popular dish. Additionally, their "itcho-zuke" method, where the sauce is prepared and mixed with the meat only after an order is placed, enhances the meat's umami. They offer a wide variety of locally sourced meats at reasonable prices, making it a long-time local favorite.

Heiwaen

■ Hours: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
■ Closed: Thursdays, New Year holidays
■ Address: 1-6 Odori Minami 12-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Heiwaen Main Store"

Their "Butadon" is so popular they opened a specialty shop for it.

Founded in 1933, Hage-ten is a long-established restaurant specializing in tempura and local cuisine. Along with Pancho, it is a famous establishment that helped popularize butadon. While their tempura and tendon (tempura rice bowl) made with carefully selected ingredients are excellent, their butadon is also so popular that they have opened a separate specialty shop called "Buta-Hage." With hall seating and various private rooms of all sizes, it's perfect for large groups. For dessert, why not try something unique like tempura ice cream or tempura manju (sweet bun)?

Hage-ten

■ Hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
■ Closed: Irregular holidays
■ Address: Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Hage-ten"

"Tokachi Dainagon," a special kintsuba that captures the full flavor of Tokachi adzuki beans.

Ryugetsu, famous for its "Sanpouroku" baumkuchen, was also founded in Obihiro. While their factory and shop "Sweetpia Garden" in Otofuke Town is popular, the Odori Main Store in Obihiro city is recommended for its easy access. Here you'll find over 100 types of sweets made with abundant Tokachi ingredients, including the exclusive "Tokachi Dainagon," which is only available at stores in the Tokachi area.

Ryugetsu Odori Main Store

■ Hours: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
■ Closed: January 1
■ Address: 15 Odori Minami 8-chome, Obihiro
■ 10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Ryugetsu Odori Main Store"

The powerful sight of the Ban'ei horses in action is truly impressive.

Ban'ei horse racing is the only one of its kind in the world, where powerful draft horses weighing over a ton pull heavy iron sleds, competing in strength and speed. Its roots trace back to strength competitions among farm horses held at shrine festivals during the Meiji era. The course features two slopes called "yamaba" (climaxes), and the sight of the horses pulling the sleds, spurred on by the jockeys' shouts as they dig into the dirt track, is sure to be a moving experience.

Obihiro Racecourse

■ Race Days: (Basically) Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays *Please check the official website for the detailed schedule.
■ Address: Nishi 13-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro
■ 20-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Obihiro Racecourse"

The shrine's "Midori no Ike" pond is also a popular healing spot.

This shrine is known as a place where the adorable wild bird, the shimaenaga (long-tailed tit), comes to visit. Goshuin (shrine stamps) and omikuji (fortunes) featuring the shimaenaga are very popular. You might also want to make a wish for love or business prosperity with a "banba-gata ema" (a horse-shaped wooden plaque), which appeared in the popular manga and anime series "Silver Spoon." The shrine also regularly holds "hanachozu," where the purification basin is decorated with flowers, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

Obihiro Shrine

■ Amulet Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
■ Address: 1 Higashi 3-jo Minami 2-chome, Obihiro
■ 25-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Obihiro Shrine"

The "Sweet Potato" is a winner in both taste and impact.

Cranberry was founded in 1972 as a confectionery specialty store called "Andersen." It is a representative confectionery shop of Obihiro, with its exquisite "Sweet Potato" being a beloved treat since its founding. Served in the skin of a sweet potato, it has a substantial appearance. They are sold by weight at the store, so you can choose and buy the perfect size for you. The crispy "Potato Pie" and "Shan Ruru" cookies are also popular.

Cranberry Main Store

■ Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
■ Closed: Open year-round
■ Address: Nishi 2-jo Minami 6-chome, Obihiro
■ 10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Cranberry Main Store"

Fresh, juicy, and mild-flavored raw lamb.

While many Genghis Khan restaurants serve meat pre-marinated in sauce, this popular establishment is known for its unseasoned raw lamb Genghis Khan. The unseasoned lamb is grilled on an original grill over a shichirin (charcoal stove) and then dipped into their special homemade sauce. The meat is tender and mild, pairing perfectly with the refreshing sauce, which has earned them a legion of repeat customers.

Tokachi Genghis Khan Club Kita Tougarashi

■ Hours: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Last entry 11:00 PM, Last Order 11:30 PM)
■ Closed: Sundays
■ Address: 6 Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Tokachi Genghis Khan Club Kita Tougarashi"

Bustling with locals and tourists.

Kita no Yatai, a collection of food stalls offering various cuisines like Japanese, Chinese, and French, was opened in 2001 by people who wanted to revitalize Obihiro's hollowed-out city center. It is also known for pioneering the food stall village boom across Japan. Each stall has a cozy, at-home atmosphere where conversations with local customers and shopkeepers flow easily, and you might even get some insider local tips. Near Kita no Yatai, you'll also find "Tokachi no Nagaya" and "Kita no Umaimon Dori," so why not enjoy some stall-hopping?

Kita no Yatai

■ Hours: *Varies by stall
■ Address: 7 Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro
■ 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Kita no Yatai"

"Natural Cheesecake" made with a unique blend of Hokkaido natural cheeses.

The shop's name comes from "Toteppo," the nickname of the former Tokachi Railway that ran from Obihiro to southern towns. Their signature "Natural Cheesecake," along with beautifully crafted fresh cakes and baked goods that use seasonal ingredients, are very popular. The attached "Toteppo" cafe, designed to resemble a dining car, is a huge hit for its adorable shimaenaga parfaits and cakes.

Tokachi Toteppo Kobo

■ Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Cafe: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (LO 4:30 PM)
■ Closed: Irregular holidays
■ Address: 3-1 Nishi 6-jo Minami 17-chome, Obihiro
■ 10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Tokachi Toteppo Kobo"

The crispy melon pan is a top recommendation.

Located inside Obihiro Station, "Train Train Masuya" is a branch of "Masuya Honten," which is situated in the downtown area of central Obihiro. It offers a variety of Masuya's popular products, including sandwiches and sweet buns. Made with "100% Tokachi wheat," these breads, beloved by the people of Tokachi, are reasonably priced and have an exceptional taste. Although it's a bit of a distance from the city center, it's also worth visiting their flagship store, "Mugioto," if you have the time.

Train Train Masuya

■ Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
■ Closed: Follows the schedule of Esta West Building
■ Address: 1F Esta West Building, 9 Nishi 3-jo Minami 12-chome, Obihiro
■ 1-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Train Train Masuya"

"Tokatcha" is the nickname for the bicycle rental service combining the Obihiro Tourism and Convention Association's "Obirin" and the Eco Bus Center's "Rikuru Rental Cycle." You can rent a bike at the "Eco Bus Center Rikuru" located in the JR Obihiro Station bus terminal. They offer various types of bicycles, including city cycles and sport bikes, so you can choose one that suits your purpose. It's a great option for those who want to discover the wonderful scenery of Tokachi or explore a bit further into the city.

Eco Bus Center Rikuru

■ Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
■ Address: Obihiro Station Bus Terminal, Nishi 1-jo Minami 12-chome, Obihiro
■ 1-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more details and map information for "Eco Bus Center Rikuru"

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