Hokkaido's Obihiro and Tokachi area is dotted with cafes loved by locals and tourists alike. From trendy spots buzzing on social media to cherished local gems, our local writer has handpicked seven of the best. Each one offers a tranquil space perfect for a mid-journey break or a relaxing way to spend your day off.

The cozy interior features three counter seats and four tables.

Tucked away in a corner of a building in Obihiro, "Sun" is a small cafe run by Ai, a true cafe enthusiast. Reopened in September 2023, the moment you open the door, you're greeted by a white-themed space where time seems to slow down.

Exquisite Sweets like the Chocolate Fudge Brownie

The popular "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" (380 yen)

The cafe's highlights are the sweets, born from owner Ai's experiences visiting numerous cafes. The regular menu features "Classic Pudding" (500 yen), "Basque Cheesecake" (550 yen), and the "Chocolate Fudge Brownie." Depending on the day, you might also find scones or cookies. The "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" is particularly delightful, with a moist texture and crunchy chocolate chips.

Superb Hand-Dripped Coffee Made with Care

Coffee beans are also for sale in-store (900 yen for 100g).

The hand-dripped coffee at "Sun" is also exceptional, available in dark, medium, and light roasts. The medium and dark roasts use the "sun blend," an original blend from "may coffee" in Nakasatsunai. The light roast features the fruity "Ethiopia Yirgacheffe" from "ALCHEMIST COFFEE," a roastery in Sapporo's Miyanomori. You can also purchase the coffee beans to enjoy the same great taste at home.

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The cafe is lined with books about travel.

Located in Otofuke, a town near Obihiro, "cafe Jorro" is a renowned Tokachi cafe that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. Housed in a renovated 60-year-old traditional house, its red retro roof is a landmark. Inside, you'll find vintage cameras and antique furniture, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. The owner, Mr. Nakayama, is a travel lover, and the books and trinkets he's collected from his journeys adorn the cafe, offering a soothing escape for visitors.

Choose from Three Types of Soup Curry and an Extensive Menu

"Black Curry (Black Shrimp & Vegetable)" (1,300 yen)

The charm of "cafe Jorro" lies in its relaxing atmosphere and its three types of soup curry. You can choose from the refreshing tomato-based "Red Curry," the rich squid-ink flavored "Black Curry," or the "White Curry" made with milk from Tokachi. You can also choose between rice or naan and select your preferred spice level to customize your perfect curry. After your meal, we recommend their original chai or coffee made with beans from Sapporo's famous "Morihico."

A Luxurious Cafe Time with Pancakes and Drinks

The interior is surrounded by charming antique furniture.

Their pancakes are also exquisite, made with "Kitano Kaori" wheat from Shoji Farm in Otofuke, giving them a chewy texture and rich flavor. The batter is made to order, ensuring you get to enjoy them fresh and hot. You can choose from three toppings: whipped butter and maple syrup, chocolate sauce and fresh cream, or Hokkaido vanilla ice cream and maple syrup.

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"Kringel" means "bell" in German.

Opened on February 22, 2024, along a national highway in Memuro, Tokachi, "Cafe Kringel" is a cozy and welcoming cafe. It offers a luxurious experience where you can enjoy coffee and sweets while gazing at a small forest through the large windows. The serene, nature-filled space has become popular, especially among women.

The Immensely Popular "Kringel Danish"

A showcase that makes it hard to choose. All items are available for takeout.

The signature item is the "Kringel Danish," a heart-shaped pastry topped with strawberries, cream, and blueberries. You can enjoy over 10 flavors, including the most popular "Strawberry," the locally-inspired "Memuro Peanuts," and the seasonal "Sakura" (each 780 yen). They pair perfectly with the special blend from Obihiro's "Sawara Coffee." The cafe also offers a variety of other sweets, such as cheesecake with seaberry, croffles, and chocolate cake.

A Full Food Menu and a Homely Atmosphere

A welcoming space where everyone from couples to families can feel at ease.

It's not just about sweets; the meal menu is also substantial. Satisfy your hunger with the hearty "Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice)" (1,000 yen) or the "Napolitan" spaghetti topped with a raw egg (1,000 yen). It's a great place to chat with friends or relax on your own. Takeout is also available, making it a perfect stop during a drive.

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The cafe is located right by the sea.

Located in Hiroo, Tokachi, "Bay lounge coffee" is a go-to spot for surfers, serving coffee from "The Rising Sun Coffee," a brand produced by actor Kenji Sakaguchi. Operated by the local seafood processing company "Ikeshita Sangyo," the cafe offers exquisite lunches unique to a port town, such as fresh seafood bowls and fried fish set meals. The "Maguro-don" (tuna rice bowl) and "Fatty Sardine Fry Set Meal" are especially popular, drawing visitors from all over Hokkaido and beyond.

Fresh Seafood Lunch and Specialty Coffee

The only authorized distributor in Hokkaido for "The Rising Sun Coffee."

The popular seafood lunches feature an abundance of fresh, locally caught seafood. The popular "Maguro-don" (990 yen) and the "Fatty Sardine Fry Set Meal" (1,430 yen) are simply delicious. Also popular are the Caffe Latte (660 yen) made with beans from "The Rising Sun Coffee," produced by actor Kenji Sakaguchi, and their takeout coffee. It's a relaxing space where you can unwind with a freshly brewed coffee after a session of surfing.

Sauna and Souvenirs Also Available

The cafe attracts many visitors from outside Hokkaido.

At "Bay lounge coffee," you can also enjoy a bit of shopping, as they sell original merchandise and local specialties from Hiroo. Additionally, there is a men-only sauna facility, making it a great place to refresh after a sauna or surfing. This cafe, created by owner Mr. Ikeshita to enjoy his hobbies of surfing and coffee, is loved by many for its comfortable atmosphere and delicious food.

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A cozy, wood-themed interior.

Located in a residential area about a 10-minute drive from Obihiro Station, "CAFE THE CANTY" is a cafe known for its delicious Hamburg steaks and stylish atmosphere, bustling with female customers, especially during lunchtime. Made with homemade spices, the juicy and fluffy Hamburg steak is so good, you'll be hooked after one bite.

The No. 1 Most Popular Cheese Hamburg Steak

"Cheese Hamburg Steak" (180g / 1,350 yen)

The most popular item at "CAFE THE CANTY" is the "Cheese Hamburg Steak" (180g / 1,350 yen). You can customize it to your liking with special sauce, salt, wasabi, or cream. The "Stewed Hamburg Steak" (180g / 1,600 yen), simmered in an original demi-glace sauce, is also a big hit. You can choose between a 180g or 270g patty and add a drink set for an extra 440 yen. Other menu items include "Omurice" (1,100 yen) and "Cheese & Meat Pasta" (1,070 yen).

Also Home to "GELATERIA THE CANTY"

"GELATERIA THE CANTY" opened in April 2024.

On the first floor of "CAFE THE CANTY" is the gelato shop "GELATERIA THE CANTY." Their gelato, made with seasonal fruits, high-quality chocolate, and rich milk, brings out the best of each ingredient's flavor. After enjoying a delicious Hamburg steak at the cafe, why not savor some gelato on the second-floor terrace?

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The No.1 popular item: The chewy yet light "Natural Yeast Snack Waffle" (820 yen).

Nestled in a residential area of Obihiro, "rapo cafe" is a popular "beauty cafe" known for its commitment to organic and additive-free ingredients. After a renewal in July 2024, the cafe has doubled in size, transforming into a more comfortable space. As it celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, it's evolving into a place where you can enjoy food and lifestyle in a holistic way. In its quiet and warm atmosphere, you can savor lunches and sweets that gently nourish both body and soul.

A Menu Featuring Hokkaido Ingredients and Additive-Free Goodness

Enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients with the "Steamed Seasonal Vegetables Set" (1,200 yen).

The cafe's signature nel drip coffee uses "Mori no Coffee," a popular organic bean from the Ginza cafe "Paulista." Owner Yuka Sato carefully selects ingredients with the hope that customers can "casually enjoy safe and reliable food." The rice is Hokkaido's Yumepirika, the wheat is from Yamamoto Tadanobu Shoten in Tokachi, the sugar is beet sugar, and the eggs are fertile eggs from the local Tokachi Kusanagi Farm. Popular items like the "Natural Yeast Snack Waffle" and the "Steamed Seasonal Vegetables Set" highlight the gentle, natural flavors of the ingredients. They also have a great selection of gluten-free options made with soy milk and rice flour.

Introducing 'omoya,' a New Space to Enrich Your Life

'Monotonuno rif,' where you can purchase the same tableware and aprons used at 'rapo cafe'.

After the renewal, a new area called 'omoya' opened at the back of the cafe, featuring a general store and a cosmetics shop. The general store, "Monotonuno rif," run by the owner's daughter, Mariya Sato, sells the same tableware and aprons used in the cafe, as well as warm clothing and daily necessities. The space, enveloped in natural textures, is a healing place to see and touch. Whether you're alone or with a group, "rapo cafe" is the perfect spot for those who appreciate a mindful approach to food and life.

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Cows graze peacefully in the pasture next to the cafe.

Located in Hiroo, Tokachi, Hokkaido, "Kikuchi Farm cafe" is a "farm-to-table" style cafe where you can enjoy sweets while feeling close to dairy farming. In a wide-open location surrounded by pastures, you can taste soft-serve ice cream and gelato made with milk from their own farm. The cafe was opened in 2018 by the Kikuchi couple, who moved from Chiba Prefecture, and was renovated for its 6th anniversary in 2024. The interior features a raised tatami area and a kids' space on the first floor, and seats with a panoramic view on the second floor, making it popular with families.

Soft-Serve & Gelato Highlighting the Seasonal Flavors of Milk

"Gelato (Double)" for 450 yen and "Soft-Serve Ice Cream (Waffle Cone)" for 400 yen.

The cafe's signature sweets are soft-serve ice cream and gelato made with homemade milk whose flavor changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, the milk has a refreshing taste from the cows grazing on pasture grass, while in winter, it becomes rich and creamy. The fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth soft-serve and the gelato, with 6 to 10 flavors like strawberry milk and matcha, are all popular. Additionally, the "Hiroo Smooth Pudding," a collaboration with the local "Patisserie Ueda," is also highly acclaimed.

Delicious Lunch Featuring Brand Beef "Tokachi Wagamama Beef"

The "Bolognese" (1,100 yen) is made with local ingredients like Tokachi Wagamama Beef, Hoshikuzu Kombu, and fresh pasta from Yamahata Seimen.

It's not just about sweets; the cafe also offers a full menu of unique meals. The Bolognese, Loco Moco bowl, and Hashed Beef, all made with their own farm's "Tokachi Wagamama Beef" from Brown Swiss multiparous cows, are packed with savory flavor. On your way out, you can browse for souvenirs at the shop corner, which sells "Tokachi Wagamama Beef" and other local products. It's a special cafe where you can truly feel the blessings of nature unique to the vast Tokachi region.

Read more about "Kikuchi Farm cafe"

※All prices include tax.
※Information about each shop is based on the latest coverage, but please check the official websites and social media of each shop for the most up-to-date information.