The Tokachi area of Hokkaido is one of Japan's leading culinary treasures. Obihiro, the center of the area, is overflowing with a wide variety of food, from local delicacies such as the famous buta-don (pork bowl) to sweets. There are also many places that can be explored on foot, including experiences that can only be enjoyed in Obihiro! In this issue, we will introduce 15 spots for walking around town that you should stop by when you visit Obihiro.

The taste of "buta-don" (pork bowl) has remained unchanged since the restaurant's establishment.

Founded in 1933, Pancho is a long-established restaurant famous nationwide as the birthplace of buta-don (pork bowl). It is said that it was invented in Obihiro City, where pig farming was thriving, as "a less expensive and more stamina-boosting dish than eels. One of the features of the restaurant is that the pricing of pine, bamboo, and plum is reversed from the usual setting, in honor of "Ume," the name of the first wife of the restaurant's founder. With the secret sauce that has been passed down from one generation to the next, you can enjoy the same flavor as when the restaurant was first established.

Pancho

Business hours: 11:00-19:00
■Address: 11-19 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City
■3-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Panchou

The view of the city from a horse-drawn carriage has a special flavor

Enjoy delicious craft beer and snacks made from local ingredients while touring the city center at night in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by Musashikoma, a draft horse that competed in "Banei Keiba" (Banei horse racing). The carriage is divided into two sections, one on the first floor to be enjoyed from inside the carriage and the other on the second floor to be enjoyed in the open air, and the 2-kilometer course takes about 50 minutes. The experience of listening to the sound of hoofbeats while enjoying a drink and the scenery is a luxury not found in everyday life.

Horse-drawn Carriage BAR

Operating days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday ①18:00～ ②19:00～ ③20:00～ *Reservations required
Departure/departure point: In front of Hotel Nupuka, 10-20-3 Nishi 2-jo-minami, Obihiro City
5 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of "Basha BAR

Soul food that is highly satisfying in both taste and cost performance.

The curry made with plenty of beef and matured with dozens of spices is so delicious that many people become addicted to it once they try it. The taste of curry from the multiple curry stores in Obihiro City has long been familiar to Tokachi residents, and many local families bring a pot of curry to the store instead of making it at home. There are three types of curry roux: "Basic Roux," "Indian Roux," and "Vegetable Roux," and you can enjoy your own favorite curry by combining the flavors, toppings, and spiciness. In the center of the city, the Machinaka store and the Esta store in JR Obihiro Station are easily accessible.

Indian Curry Machinaka Store

Business hours: 11:00 - 21:00 (LO 20:45)
Address: 10-1-1 Nishi 2-jo Minami, Obihiro City
5 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station.
Click here for details and map information of Indian Curry Machinaka Store.

The limited edition "Crunchy Pie" has a shelf life of 3 hours!

Rokkatei, known for its classic Hokkaido souvenirs "Marusei Butter Sandwich" and "White Chocolate", was founded in Obihiro in 1933. Rokkatei has stores throughout Hokkaido, and limited edition products are available at the main store in Obihiro. We especially recommend the "Crunchy Pie" and "Marusei Ice Cream Sandwich" which have a shelf life of 3 hours. There is also an eat-in space so you can eat on the spot. The attached coffee shop is also highly recommended.

Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store

Business hours: 9:00-18:00 / Coffee shop 11:00-16:30 (LO 16:00) *Set every Wednesday
Address: 9-6 Nishi 2-jo Minami, Obihiro City
■10 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store.

Popular restaurant established in 1959

This popular restaurant was the first in Japan to offer "Yakiniku-style Jingisukan", which differentiated itself from Jingisukan pots. The secret of its delicious taste is its commitment to "hand-cutting" high-quality mutton, one piece at a time. The "hand-cut Jingisukan" is the most popular, as it is flavorful and does not have the distinctive smell of Jingisukan. The "Itcho-tsuke" method, in which only the quantity of sauce is mixed and seasoned upon receiving an order, brings out the best flavor of the meat. The restaurant has long been a local favorite, offering a wide selection of locally produced meat at reasonable prices.

Heiwa En

Business hours: 11:00 - 23:00
Address: 12-1-6 Odori Minami, Obihiro City
5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Heiwaen's main branch.

Pork bowls are so popular that they have opened a specialty restaurant!

Founded in 1933, Hageden is a long-established restaurant specializing in tempura and local cuisine. Along with "Pancho," it is a famous restaurant that popularized "buta-don" (pork bowl). In addition to tempura and tendon made with carefully selected ingredients, buta-don (pork bowl) is also popular, so much so that a separate restaurant specializing in buta-don called "Buta Hage" has opened. In addition to hall seating, the restaurant has private rooms of various sizes, so large groups of people can use the restaurant with ease. After dinner, why not finish your meal with an unusual dessert such as ice cream tempura or tempura manju?

Hage-ten

Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:30-20:30
Address: Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City
■5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for more information about Hageten and map information.

Tokachi Dainagon," a special kintsuba (sweet made from Tokachi azuki beans) with all the deliciousness of azuki beans.

Ryugetsu, famous for its "Sanporoku" sweets, was also founded in Obihiro. The factory and store "Sweet Pier Garden" in Otoso-machi is popular, but the Odori main store in Obihiro is recommended for its easy access. The store offers more than 100 kinds of sweets made from Tokachi ingredients, including "Tokachi Dainagon," a limited-edition product available only at stores in the Tokachi area.

Yanagizuki Odori Honten

Business hours: 8:30-19:00
Address: 8-15 Odori Minami, Obihiro City
10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Yanagizuki Odori Honten

The sight of the horses in action is a sight to behold!

Banei Horse Racing is the only horse race in the world in which strong horses weighing more than one ton compete for strength and speed by pulling a weighted iron sled. It is believed to have its roots in a contest of strength between farm horses held at a shrine festival during the Meiji period (1868-1912). The course has two undulations, called "yama-ba," and the horsemen's shouts and the power of the horses pulling the sled through the dirt sand are sure to impress you.

Obihiro Racecourse

Race days: (Basically) Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays *Please check the official website for the detailed schedule.
■Address: 9 min. of Nishi 13 jo, Obihiro-city
■20 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Obihiro Racecourse.

Midori-no-ike (Green Pond) is also a popular healing spot.

The shrine is known as a place where the popular wild bird "shimaega" comes to play, and red seals and omikuji (fortune cards) decorated with shimaega are popular. You may also wish for good luck in marriage or business prosperity with the "Banba-shaped ema," which was featured in the popular manga and later animated film "Silver Spoon. The "Hana-Temizu" (flower water ceremony), in which the hand-watering basin is decorated with flowers, is also held regularly and is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike.

Obihiro Shrine

Hours: 9:00-17:00
■Address: 2-1, Higashi 3-jo Minami 2-chome, Obihiro-shi
■25 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Obihiro Shrine.

Sweet Potatoes" are full of flavor and impact

Cranberry" was founded in 1972 as "Andersen," a confectionary specialty store. It is one of Obihiro's representative confectionery stores with its exquisite "sweet potato," which has been loved since its establishment. The sweet potato skin is used as a container, giving it a heavy appearance. The sweet potatoes are sold by weight in the store, so you can find and purchase the size of your choice. The crispy "Potato Pie" and the cookie "Chanleur" are also popular.

Cranberry Main Store

Business hours: 9:00 - 20:00
Address: Nishi 2-jo Minami 6-chome, Obihiro City
■10-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Cranberry Main Store.

Fresh, juicy raw lamb without any peculiarities.

While most Jingisukan restaurants serve seasoned lamb marinated in sauce, this restaurant is popular for its unseasoned raw lamb Jingisukan. The unseasoned raw lamb is grilled over charcoal in an original pot and a charcoal charcoal charcoal grill, and dipped in a homemade sauce that the restaurant takes pride in. The lamb is tender and has no peculiarities, and the refreshing sauce is a perfect match for the restaurant's pride and joy, attracting many repeat customers.

Tokachi Jingisukan Club Kita Togarashi

Business hours: 17:00 - 24:00 (last entry 23:00, LO 23:30)
Address: 10-6 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City
5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Tokachi Jingisukan Club Kita Togarashi.

Crowded with locals and tourists.

Kita no Yatai," where various stalls offering Japanese, Chinese, French, and other cuisines line the streets, was opened in 2001 by people who wanted to revitalize Obihiro's hollowed-out central city area. It is also known as the pioneer of the nationwide yatai-mura boom. Each stall has an at-home atmosphere, where you can chat with local customers and shopkeepers, and get to hear local information that only those in the know can understand. Nearby "Kita no Yatai" are "Tokachi-no-choya" and "Kita no Umaimon-dori," so why don't you enjoy visiting all the different stalls?

Kita no Yatai

Business hours：*Vary according to each store.
Address：10-7, Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City
■5 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
For details and map information of Kita no Yatai, click here.

Natural cheese cake" made with a unique blend of natural cheese from Hokkaido

The store's name comes from "Totepo," the nickname of the private railroad "Tokachi Railway" that used to run from Obihiro City to the southern towns and villages in the past. The store's signature product, "Natural Cheese Cake," as well as other fresh cakes and baked goods that make use of seasonal ingredients and look pretty are popular. The "Toteppo" café attached to the store was created in the image of a dining car, and its adorable zebra parfaits and cakes are very popular.

Tokachi Totepo Workshop

Business hours: 10:00 - 18:00 / Cafe: 10:00 - 17:00 (LO 16:30)
Address: 17-3-1 Nishi 6-jo Minami, Obihiro City
■10 min. walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of Tokachi Totempo Kobo.

The best is the crispy melon bread!

Located inside Obihiro Station, "Trantoran Masuya" is another branch of "Masuya Honten" located in the downtown area of central Obihiro City. It offers a variety of Masuya's popular products such as sandwiches and sweet breads. The breads, which continue to be loved by Tokachikko people, are reasonably priced and have an exceptional taste, and are made with "100% Tokachi wheat". Although it is a bit far from the city center, we recommend that you take a short trip to visit the flagship store "Mugion".

Trantoran Masuya

Business hours: 9:00-18:00
Address: Esta West Bldg. 1F, 12-9 Nishi 3-jo Minami, Obihiro City
■One-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
For details and map information of Trantoran Masuya, click here.

Obihiro Convention & Visitors Association "Obirin" and Eco-Bus Center "RikuRu" offer bicycle rental service. A variety of city bicycles and sports bicycles are available, so you can rent a bicycle to suit your purpose. This is a great option for those who want to encounter the wonderful Tokachi scenery and explore the city a little further.

Eco Bus Center Rikuru

Hours of operation: 9:30-17:30
■Address: Nishi 1-jo Minami 12-chome, Obihiro City (in Obihiro Station Bus Terminal)
■One-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station
Click here for details and map information of "Eco-Bus Center RikuRu

Check it out as well!