The first snows of the season have begun to dust the mountain peaks in Hokkaido, a sure sign that winter is just around the corner. How about making the most of this season with a full day of active fun with your children?

For an outing filled with delicious meals, sweet treats, and hands-on cooking experiences with autumn's harvest, we highly recommend a trip to Kitahiroshima City.
This is the fourth installment of Domingo's special monthly collaboration with a Hokkaido town, and this time we're focusing on Kitahiroshima City!
Over the next four weeks, we'll be sharing how to enjoy the city and information on its finest specialty products.

In this article, we'll provide an overview of Kitahiroshima and introduce some of the best spots where you can fully enjoy its cuisine, activities, and nature.

What Kind of City is Kitahiroshima?

Hop on the JR Rapid Airport train, and you'll find Kitahiroshima City is incredibly accessible, just 16 minutes from Sapporo Station and 20 minutes from New Chitose Airport, making it easy to visit even from outside Hokkaido.
The city has a population of 57,850 (as of September 30, 2021) and an area of 119.05 km². The "Hiroshima" in its name comes from the fact that the area was settled in 1884 (Meiji 17) by 25 households, totaling 103 people, from Hiroshima Prefecture.
In March 2023, the city will become a major point of interest both within and outside Hokkaido with the opening of Hokkaido Ballpark F Village, an area that includes the new stadium for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
We'll tell you more about Hokkaido Ballpark F Village in a future article, so stay tuned!

◼︎Let's Explore All That Kitahiroshima Has to Offer!

When you think of Kitahiroshima, Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima or the highly anticipated Hokkaido Ballpark F Village might come to mind, but the city is also home to many spots that are perfect for a fun day with children.
Today, we'll introduce a one-day itinerary to make the most of these recommended spots!

9:00 AM - Arrive in Kitahiroshima! Take in the Fresh Morning Air!

1 Trim Course

This is the perfect walking course, connecting Chikuyo Park, Ryokuyo Park, Minami Park, and seven smaller parks. Along the course, you can see the beautiful autumn colors of the Japanese rowan trees, and the view from the turnaround point at Chikuyo Park is truly spectacular.

10:30 AM - After Your Walk, Enjoy a Scenic Drive! Pick Up Some Souvenirs Along the Way!

2 Arai Bee Farm

This farm produces honey rich in the distinct colors and aromas of various flowers, all harvested during Hokkaido's short flowering season. They use traditional beekeeping methods and techniques, operating in a nectar-rich natural environment.

11:30 AM - Savor Some Delicious Local Cuisine

Kitahiroshima is home to many restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food! We can only introduce a small fraction of them here, but we hope you'll find the perfect spot for your family to enjoy.

3 Hokuren Kururu no Mori - Farm Restaurant

Inspired by simple, warm home cooking.
This restaurant offers a buffet-style meal featuring simple home-style dishes. They serve dishes that you can recreate at home, such as salads, tempura, stews, and dressed vegetables, all made to bring out the best flavors of Hokkaido's fresh ingredients.

4 Venison Restaurant Apuka no Mori

At Venison Restaurant Apuka no Mori, we serve Ezo-shika deer meat processed at our own HACCP-certified facility. Each deer is carefully aged to bring it to its most delicious state for our customers. Properly processed Ezo-shika deer meat has very little of the gamey odor it's known for, so even those who haven't tried much game meat can enjoy it. We also sell meat to take home. We can accommodate requests for smaller portions, so please feel free to ask.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Enjoy a Uniquely Kitahiroshima Experience!

5 Hokuren Kururu no Mori - Farming and Cooking/Processing Experience

Get up close with Hokkaido's agriculture!
In the farming and cooking/processing experience, you can see the entire journey of familiar foods, from growing in the fields and paddies to arriving on your dinner table. Whether you're observing crops, tasting freshly harvested produce, or cooking, every experience is filled with the fun and excitement that only comes from getting in touch with agriculture.

5:00 PM - Time for a Break

6 Artlacze

Hokkaido-born gelato that brings out the best in its ingredients. The gelato at Artlacze is made by a gelato maestro.

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Relax in a Hot Spring and Enjoy Dinner

7 Takeyama Kogen Onsen

A popular, 100% natural hot spring that attracts many visitors from nearby areas.
Enjoy the atmosphere of a hidden spring in one of Hokkaido's most authentic outdoor rock baths (rotenburo). Surrounded by rich nature, the beauty of the mountain range including Mt. Tarumae and Mt. Eniwa, visible from Takeyama Kogen Onsen... relaxing in the outdoor rock bath under a sky full of stars, enveloped in steam and the trees of the changing seasons, is a unique charm of the Takeyama plateau.
This is a "Moor Onsen" (a rare type of hot spring containing plant-derived organic matter), which is said to have various therapeutic effects and is perfect for relaxing both body and mind.

Summary

Kitahiroshima City is conveniently located with great access from New Chitose Airport, the gateway to Hokkaido.
With walking courses through numerous parks and facilities offering farming and cooking experiences, there are plenty of spots for the whole family to enjoy!
Kitahiroshima has many more attractive spots, so be sure to check out the city's official tourism website, "Kitahiro No Gakko," to find more.

Since Kitahiroshima is so easy to get to from both Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport, if you live nearby, why not take a trip out while following proper infection prevention measures?
And for those who can't travel to Kitahiroshima just yet, be sure to bookmark it as a destination for when you can travel again.