EDITORIALS
The whole town is a field of play! Let's have fun with the whole family in Anping Town!
In this first installment of Domingo's month-long collaboration with towns and cities in Hokkaido, we will be closely following the town of Abira!
For four weeks, we will provide you with information on how to enjoy the town and its specialties.
With the arrival of full-blown summer in Hokkaido, many of you may be planning a family vacation during the summer holidays.
Family outings are fun, but the problem is that children and adults enjoy different points of interest, and there are often times when someone is bored. There are towns in Hokkaido that can solve such problems and make family outings enjoyable for everyone in the family.
There are several "best in Japan" spots scattered throughout the island that will satisfy the curiosity of both children and adults, and you can also enjoy delicious gourmet food. ......
It is the town of Anpei, located in the Iburi region of Hokkaido. Let's take a look at the various ways to enjoy Anpei Town, created by its history, culture, and rich nature!
What kind of town is Anpei?
Located in the Iburi region of central Hokkaido, Anpei is a town with a population of about 7,500.
The town was established in 2006 through the merger of Hayarai, the birthplace of a full-scale cheese factory and a pioneer in dairy farming in Japan, and Oiwake, a town known for its Asahi melons and red sunflowers.
Agriculture is the main industry, with field crops, paddy fields, and dairy farming flourishing. Dairy farming, especially in the Toa area, has a long history and is an advanced area for dairy cattle improvement. Many fee-paying cows are supplied both within and outside of Hokkaido.
The town has a relatively mild climate with many sunny days and little snowfall in Hokkaido.
Anhira Town Web Site
Anping Town Facebook
Anhira Town Hometown Tax Information
Anping Town is an "easy to visit" town.
With easy access by air, sea, and land, it is easy to visit from other towns in Hokkaido, outside of Hokkaido, and from all over the world.
Adjacent to Chitose City, where New Chitose Airport is located, the town has good access by air. New Chitose Airport has both domestic and international flights, and is used by many people who come to Hokkaido from both Japan and overseas.
From New Chitose Airport to Ahira Town (starting point: Ahira Town General Office Building) is as short as 20 minutes by car or 45 minutes by JR.
It is also adjacent to Tomakomai City, where the international port of Tomakomai is located, so access from the sea is also excellent.
From Tomakomai Port to Anpei Town, it takes a minimum of 30 minutes by car, and about 1 hour by JR & bus, depending on timing.
And access from land is also very good, with the JR Ishikatsu Line, Muroran Main Line, and expressways running through Anpei Town.
Because of the Oiwamachi Interchange on the Doto Expressway, you can reach Sapporo City (starting point: Sapporo City Hall) in a little over an hour and Obihiro City (starting point: Obihiro City Hall) in less than two and a half hours by expressway.
Let's have fun in Anpei Town!
Plan 1: Travel around the "best in Japan" in Anping Town
How about a trip to visit the "Best in Japan" in Anping Town?
The Best Cheese in Japan
In 1933, a cheese factory was built in Toasa, then called "Toasa" in the village of Anhira, now called "Hayakai" in the town of Anhira.
The cheese sold at the factory was so popular that it quickly ran out of stock, and the factory had to be expanded one after another to keep up with the orders. The factory grew to an area of 1,680 square meters.
Image courtesy of Snow Brand Meglik (credit: Snow Brand Meglik website)
The cheese factory, which had been making high quality cheese since 1933, moved to Taiki Town in 1985.
Feeling the weight of 52 years of history and memories there, "I want to light the lantern of cheese in this town once again! Yumeminsha was started to "light up this town with cheese once again!
Yumeminsha produces natural cheese such as camembert and mozzarella, as well as sweets made from them. The cheeses are easy to eat and delicious, and have many fans.
Courtesy of: Ahira Town
Restaurant Miyamoto" is the place to enjoy gourmet food using such cheese.
In addition to a variety of cheeses available for purchase, there are many menu items that allow you to enjoy cheese to your heart's content, such as "Hayakita Camembert Soft" (soft ice cream with Camembert cheese kneaded into it), "Camembert Croquettes" and "Kacho Caballo and Vegetable Hamburger Patty"...etc!
Why not experience the history of the town while enjoying cheese at Restaurant Miyamoto?
Courtesy of: Ahira Town
Restaurant MiyamotoThe "Best in Japan" related to the SL
The Oiwake district of Anpei Town was the last place in Japan where the SL "Farewell Train" ran.
Since the rails were laid in the Meiji era (1868-1912), the area has long been a key location for railroads, with one of the five largest engine stations in Hokkaido established as a base for transporting coal mined from the Sorachi and Yubari regions to the Muroran area.
On December 14, 1975, the last regular passenger train operated by SL in Japan was between Muroran and Iwamizawa. It is said that the Muroran Line was filled with fans who were sad to bid farewell to the SL.
Also, on December 24, 1975, the SL farewell freight train operated between Oiwu and Yubari. The coal-only train arrived at the Oibu station yard, and the SL disappeared from all JNR main lines and retired.
A spot where visitors can learn about the history of the SL is the "Abira Town Railway Museum.
The museum, which is attached to the Abira D51 Station, is a sightseeing spot unique to the town of Anping, which developed as a railroad town, where valuable railroad-related materials are collected and exhibited.
The museum preserves and exhibits D51 locomotives, a must-see for railroad fans, as well as SL parts that are now rare.
Railroad fans and non-fans alike will be impressed by its power and history!
Courtesy of: Ahira Town
Anping Town Railroad Museum
Japan's No. 1 "Forest
More than 100 years ago, in 1902 (Meiji 35), the forests in the present Deer Park were designated as the oldest health and safety forests in Japan.
A health and safety forest is a forest with a high function in preserving the living environment and health and recreation, i.e., it is essential to protect it as a protection of human health.
Although the details of why a section of a small town was left as a health and safety forest are unknown, it may be due to the fact that an SL train ran in 1892 and the area was expected to become a railroad hub after that, and that a coke plant, said to be the best in the East at that time, started operation in 1897. Some believe that this may have been due to the fact that SL was expected to become a railroad hub in 1892.
It is assumed that this is an expression of the desire of our predecessors to preserve nature for the future amidst the ongoing development of the area. In addition to being a popular recreation area for town residents, this forest is also a recreational center for campgrounds, athletic facilities, and a park golf course, which attracts many visitors from outside the town.
If you are lucky, you can even see fireflies in the pond in the park in the summer.
Japan's No. 1 Horse Park
Here in Anping Town, there is a horse farm called "Northern Farm," which has produced the most winning horses in Japan.
Northern Farm, which produced "Deep Impact" and "Almond Eye," is number one in Japan in the number of G1 race winners by producer and in the prize money earned, which is the prize money used to classify the conditions (classes) of competition!
*There is no place set aside for horse observation, etc.
Northern Farm
In addition to Northern Farm, there are many other racehorse farms in the town. You can see the cool horses by driving around.
In addition, Shadai Stallion Station, one of the farms where stallions are bred, offers public exhibits of bred stallions. This facility is recommended for those who wish to observe the horses closely.
*Tours are not available during the breeding season, so please check the website.
Shadai Stallion Station
Plan 2: Enjoy the whole town of Anping for both children and adults
How about enjoying camping in Anping Town centering on "Roadside Station Abira D51 Station" where both children and adults can have fun?
Enjoy Roadside Station Abira D51 Station
Let's take a look inside the Michi no Eki Abira D51 Station, which was built in the image of a station building.
It is the center of tourist information in Abira Town, with a railroad museum, a take-out and bakery corner, and a direct sales shop for local specialties and agricultural products.
At the farm products direct-sale shop, farm products, livestock products, processed foods, etc. grown by producers in and around Anpira Town are sold.
It is a good place to shop for vegetables, livestock products, drinks, and other items you want to eat at camp.
Provided by: Yasuhira Town
And outside the Roadside Station Abira D51 Station, "Poppo-land (Kashiwa-gaoka Park)" opened in April 2021.
There are a variety of facilities for children to enjoy, including a "Fluffy Dome" where they can jump around like a trampoline and a "mini SL ride" that runs on coal.
Courtesy of the town of Anping
While adults are shopping, children can play outside, making this a roadside station that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Roadside Station Abira D51 Station
Roadside Station Abira D51 Station Facebook
Enjoy camping
After procuring food, head for the campgrounds. There are two town-managed campgrounds in Anping. Tokiwa Campground is located in the Hayakai area, and Shika Park Campground is located in the Oiwake area.
Tokiwa Campground in the Hayakai area is a free-site campground. The surrounding area is blessed with a natural environment, and visitors can enjoy interacting with nature by observing wild birds and insects. In addition to the free sites, there are bungalows, tree houses, and a barbecue corner, as well as athletic equipment, a 70-meter roller slide, and a park golf course, making it a great place to refresh your mind and body.
Deer Park Campground in the Oiwake area is a campground located in Japan's oldest health and safety forest, which was introduced in "Japan's No. 1 Forest". The "free sites" are divided into first and second sites, and pets are allowed! In addition, "empty-handed camping," which is limited to five groups per day, requires no tent setup or removal, making it easy for camping beginners to enjoy camping.
At Deer Park, as the name suggests, visitors can view deer up close. A dog run is also available, so dog owners can enjoy the park with their dogs in peace.
Enjoy the Town
There are cafes and restaurants in Yasuhira Town where you can stop by on a whim. Why not stop by for a good night's sleep and enjoy delicious sweets, drinks, and meals?
Coffee Stand Siesta
This store specializes in home-roasted coffee. The restaurant has a seating area where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with your children, as well as counter seating. Please try our popular smoothies and sweet drinks.
Restaurant Miyamoto
Restaurant Miyamoto, introduced in "Japan's Best Cheese Restaurant," is a restaurant under the direct management of Yumeminsha, which started with Camembert cheese in the birthplace of the cheese factory and now produces 11 kinds of cheese. The restaurant also raises whey pigs (Yumeminbuta) and whey chickens, and offers dishes using cheese, pork, eggs, and local vegetables.
How was it?
Anping Town has a lot of "Japan's best" and is a fun town to visit. It is easily accessible from other towns, so why not make it your first stop on your Hokkaido travel itinerary, or your first destination if you are visiting Hokkaido from outside or outside of Hokkaido?
In the next article, we will introduce local specialties and a present campaign? Please check it out.
