The Tokachi area of Hokkaido is a treasure trove of Japan's leading food. Obihiro, the center of the area, is overflowing with a variety of foods, from local delicacies such as the famous pork bowl to sweets. There are also plenty of spots that you can explore on foot, including experiences that can only be enjoyed in Obihiro! In this article, we will introduce 15 walking spots that you should stop by when you visit Obihiro.

The taste of the "Pork Bowl" has remained unchanged since the company first opened

Founded in 1933, "Panchou" is a long-established restaurant famous nationwide as the birthplace of pork bowl. It is said that it began as a dish created in Obihiro City, where pig farming was popular, with the idea of creating a dish that was cheaper than eel and would give you stamina. One of the characteristics of the restaurant is that the prices of Shochikubai are set in the opposite direction to the usual, named after the first owner's wife, "Ume." The secret sauce has been handed down from father to son, so you can enjoy the same taste as when the restaurant first opened.

Pancho

■ Business hours: 11:00-19:00 ■Closed days: Every Monday, the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month ■Address: 19-11 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City ■ 3 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Panchou"

The view of the city from a horse-drawn carriage is a special experience.

You'll ride through the city center at night in a carriage pulled by Musashikoma, a draft horse that was used in the "Ban'ei Horse Racing" while enjoying delicious craft beer and snacks made with local ingredients. The carriage is divided into a first floor that can be enjoyed from inside the carriage and a second floor that can be enjoyed in the open air, and the ride takes about 50 minutes to complete the approximately 2 km course. Listening to the sound of hooves and enjoying the scenery while relaxing and enjoying your drink will give you a sense of luxury that you don't get in your everyday life.

Horse-drawn carriage BAR

■Operating days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday ①From 18:00 ②From 19:00 ③From 20:00 *Reservation required ■Departure and arrival point: In front of Hotel Nupka, 20-3 Nishi 2-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City ■ 5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Basha BAR"

Soul food with great taste and value for money

The curry, made with plenty of beef and aged in dozens of spices, is so delicious that many people become addicted to it after just one try. The curry shop, which has multiple locations in Obihiro City, has a flavor that has long been familiar to Tokachi residents, and many local families don't cook curry at home, but instead go to the store with a pot to buy it. There are three types of curry roux: "Basic roux," "Indian roux," and "Vegetable roux." You can enjoy your own favorite curry by combining the flavor, toppings, and spiciness. In the city center, the Machinaka store and the Esta store inside JR Obihiro Station are easily accessible.

Indian Curry Machinaka Branch

■Business hours: 11:00-21:00 (Last orders 20:45) ■Closed days: December 31st and January 1st ■Address: 1-1, Nishi 2-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City ■ 5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Indian Curry Machinaka Store"

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

Rokkatei, known for its classic Hokkaido souvenirs "Marusei Butter Sandwich" and "White Chocolate", was founded in Obihiro in 1933. Rokkatei has stores all over Hokkaido, but you can purchase limited edition products at the Obihiro main store. We especially recommend the "Sakusaku Pie" and "Marusei Ice Cream Sandwich", which have a best-before date of 3 hours. There is an eat-in space, so you can eat them on the spot. The attached coffee shop is also recommended.

Rokkatei Obihiro Main Branch

■Opening hours: 9:00-18:00 / Cafe 10:30-17:30 (last orders 16:30) *Closed every Wednesday ■Address: 6-9-Nishi 2-jo Minami, Obihiro City ■ 10 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Rokkatei Obihiro Main Branch"

A popular restaurant founded in 1959

This popular restaurant was the first in Japan to offer "yakiniku-style Jingisukan," which is a way to differentiate it from Jingisukan hotpots. The secret to its deliciousness is its commitment to "hand-cutting," in which high-quality mutton is cut into pieces one by one. The most popular dish is the "hand-cut Jingisukan," which has less of the odor typical of Jingisukan and a good flavor. In addition, the "one-piece" method, in which sauce is mixed and seasoned only for the amount ordered, brings out the flavor of the meat. They also have a wide selection of locally produced meat, and their reasonable prices have made them a long-time favorite of locals.

peace garden

■Business hours: 11:00-23:00 ■Closed: Thursdays, New Year's holidays ■Address: 1-6 Odori Minami 12-chome, Obihiro City ■ 5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Heiwaen Main Store"

"Pork bowl" is so popular that it has opened a specialty restaurant

Founded in 1933, Hageten is a long-established restaurant serving tempura and local cuisine. It is a famous restaurant that, together with Pancho, popularized pork bowl. In addition to tempura and tendon made with carefully selected ingredients, pork bowl is also popular, so much so that a separate pork bowl specialty store called Butahage has opened. In addition to hall seats, there are various private rooms of different sizes, so it is safe for large groups. After your meal, why not finish off with a slightly unusual dessert such as ice cream tempura or tempura manju?

Bald

■ Business hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:30-20:30 ■ Closed: Irregular holidays ■Address: Obihiro City, Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome ■ 5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information of "Hageten"

"Tokachi Dainagon" is a special kintsuba that contains the delicious flavor of Tokachi red beans.

Ryugetsu, famous for "Sanporoku", was also founded in Obihiro. The factory and store "Sweetpia Garden" in Otofuke Town is popular, but if you're in Obihiro city, the Odori main store is easily accessible and recommended. There are over 100 types of sweets lined up, including "Tokachi Dainagon", a limited edition product that can only be purchased at stores in the Tokachi area, which uses plenty of ingredients from Tokachi.

Ryugetsu Odori main store

■ Business hours: 8:30-19:00 ■Closed on: January 1st ■Address: 8-15 Odori Minami, Obihiro City ■ 10 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Ryuzuki Odori Main Store"

The sight of the draft horses in action is impressive

Ban'ei horse racing is the only type of horse racing in the world where powerful horses weighing over one ton, known as "banba," compete in strength and speed while pulling a weighted iron sled. Its roots are said to date back to a strength contest between farm horses held at a shrine festival during the Meiji period. The course has two undulating sections known as "climax areas," and you're sure to be impressed by the calls of the jockeys and the power of the banba pulling the iron sled through the dirt sand.

Obihiro Racecourse

■ Race days: (usually) Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays *Please check the official website for detailed schedules ■Address: Nishi 13-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro City ■ 20 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information on "Obihiro Racecourse"

The sacred pond "Green Pond" is also a popular healing spot

The shrine is known as a place where the cute and popular long-tailed tit bird comes to play, and the goshuin stamps and fortune slips featuring the tit are popular. You can also pray for good luck in finding a partner or prospering in business with the "Bamba-style votive plaques" that appeared in the popular manga "Silver Spoon," which was later made into an anime. "Flower water purification ceremonies" are also held regularly, where the chozuya, a purification water spot, is decorated with flowers, making this a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Obihiro Shrine

■Reception desk opening hours: 9:00-17:00 ■Address: 1-1 Higashi 3-jo Minami 2-chome, Obihiro City ■ 25 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information on "Obihiro Shrine"

"Sweet Potato" - Great taste and impact

"Cranberry" was founded in 1972 as "Andersen", a Western confectionery shop. It is a Western confectionery shop representing Obihiro, known for its exquisite "Sweet Potato", which has been loved since its establishment. The containers are made from sweet potato skins and look very heavy. They are sold individually at the store, so you can find and purchase the size you like. The crispy "Potato Pie" and the cookie "Shanlulu" are also popular.

Cranberry Main Store

■ Business hours: 9:00-20:00 ■Closing days: Open all year round ■Address: 2-6-1 Nishi, Obihiro City ■ 10 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Cranberry Main Store"

Fresh, mild and juicy raw lamb

While many restaurants serve Jingisukan marinated in sauce, this restaurant is popular for its unflavored raw lamb Jingisukan. The unflavored raw lamb is grilled in an original pot and over charcoal on a hibachi grill, and then dipped in their proud homemade sauce. The soft, mild lamb pairs perfectly with the refreshing sauce, and the restaurant has many repeat customers.

Tokachi Jingisukan Club Kitatogarashi

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

Bustling with locals and tourists

"Kita no Yatai," a street lined with a variety of food stalls serving Japanese, Chinese, French, and more, was opened in 2001 by people who wanted to revitalize Obihiro's hollowed-out downtown area. It is also known as the pioneer of the nationwide food stall village boom. Each stall has a homey atmosphere, and you can easily chat with local customers and shop owners, where you might even hear local information that only those in the know know. In the immediate vicinity of "Kita no Yatai," you'll also find "Tokachi-no-Nagaya" and "Kita no Umaimono-dori," so why not enjoy hopping between the various stalls?

North Food Stall

■Business hours: *Varies by store ■Address: 7-10-1 Nishi 1-jo Minami, Obihiro City ■ 5 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station For details and maps of "Kita no Yatai", please click here

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

The store's name comes from "Toteppo," the nickname of the Tokachi Railway, a private railway that once ran from Obihiro City to the towns and villages in the south. The store's popular products include its signature "Natural Cheesecake," as well as cute-looking fresh cakes and baked goods made with seasonal ingredients. The Toteppo cafe attached to the store was designed to resemble a dining car, and its adorable long-tailed tit parfaits and cakes are extremely popular.

Tokachi Toteppō Workshop

■Business hours: 10:00-18:00 / Cafe: 10:00-17:00 (LO 16:30) ■ Closed: Irregular holidays ■Address: 3-1, Nishi 6-jo Minami 17-chome, Obihiro City ■ 10 minutes walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information for "Tokachi Toteppo Kobo"

The best recommendation is the crispy melon bread.

"Tran Tran Masuya" located inside Obihiro Station is a separate store of "Masuya Main Store" located in the downtown area of Obihiro city. It has a wide selection of Masuya's popular products such as sandwiches and sweet breads, and its bread, which is loved by the people of Tokachi and is made with 100% Tokachi wheat, is reasonably priced and has a special taste. Although it is a little far from the city center, it is recommended to go a little further and visit the flagship store "Mugine".

Trang Trang Masuya

■ Business hours: 9:00-18:00 ■Closed days: same as Esta West Building ■Address: 1F Esta West Building, 9 Nishi 3-jo Minami 12-chome, Obihiro City ■1 minute walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and map information of "Trang Trang Masuya"

"Kaccha" is the nickname for the bicycle rental service provided by Obihiro Tourist and Convention Association Bicycle Rental "Obirin" and Ecobus Center "Rikuru Bicycle Rental". You can rent bicycles at Ecobus Center Rikuru, located at JR Obihiro Station Bus Terminal, and there are various types of bicycles available, including city and sports types, so you can rent one that suits your purpose. It is recommended for those who want to experience the beautiful scenery of Tokachi or for those who want to explore the city a little further.

Eco Bus Center Rikuru

■ Business hours: 9:30-17:30 ■Address: Obihiro City, Nishi 1-jo Minami 12-chome (inside Obihiro Station Bus Terminal) ■1 minute walk from JR Obihiro Station Click here for details and maps of "Eco Bus Center Rikuru"

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