WINTER TORIP OF TOKACHI Shining brilliantly. Ice and snow, winter travel in Tokachi

Tokachi'spopular and must-see winter
&
photogenic spot

Glittering Ice Coast Jewelry Ice
[Toyokoro Town]

#Jewelryice

Toyokoro Town is located in the east of the Tokachi region. It is Jewelry Ice the ice jewels set off in the sky above the coastline only during the coldest season in winter. Because it was also published largely on New York Times (electronic version) in the U.S., Toyokoro Town is now the hottest spot in Tokachi. Many tourists are visiting the town in search of natural art like diamonds.

  • When is the best time to see Jewelry Ice?
    The best time to see it is from mid-January to February. The ice made in Tokachi River during the coldest season flows into the sea and is set off by waves. It is exactly the glitter seen only in winter.
  • How to go and see Jewelry Ice?
    It takes about 60 to 80 minutes by car from Obihiro, Tokachigawa Onsen, or Obihiro Airport to go to Otsu beach in Toyokoro Town where Jewelry Ice is set off.
-

Experience Plan

  • Early morning Jewelry Ice

    Early morning Jewelry Ice

    Jewelry Ice gets the most popular before dawn when everything is stained into indigo and early in the morning turning everything to orange with sunrise. Needless to say, it is quite natural that the temperature falls below minus 10 degrees Celsius in the morning on a fine day, so you definitely need warm enough winter clothing. However, you will get much impressed worth while doing so.

    See the experience plan
  • Daytime Jewelry Ice

    Daytime Jewelry Ice

    The daytime Jewelry Ice is illuminated by sunlight. You can enjoy brilliantly sparkling and ice art. In addition, the coldness gets a little mild compared with the early morning and the night, and it is easier for you to appreciate Jewelry Ice.

    See the experience plan
Chartered taxi plan
I want to fully enjoy Jewelry Ice without hesitation! If you think so, then the chartered taxi plan is highly recommended. We prepared the plan for reasonable prices!
Planned Date
Daily till March 4th
Fee
1 small taxi 15,000 JPY (Up to 4 passengers)
Departure Time
Between 5:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Obihiro City / Tokachigawa Onsen / Tokachi Obihiro Airport => Toyokoro Town / Otsu Coast (50 minutes to 1 hour stay) => Obihiro City / Tokachigawa Onsen / Tokachi Obihiro Airport

Plan details are
from here

The introduction article of Jewelry Ice by Hokkaido sightseeing information website, "Hokkaido Labo" can be found here.

The world of ice that appears on the lake,
Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan
[Shikaoi Town]

#shikaribetsu

Lake Shikaribetsu, whose location is in the highest altitude among the lakes in Hokkaido. An ice village appears for only limited time (about 60 days) in this lake covered with thick ice in winter. That is "Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan". An ice bar in the ice hotel, ice chapels, ice baths and so on. Ice everywhere. Also, you can gaze at the starry sky lying on the lake and walk around the forest. We have prepared a set of unique experience here.

  • When does Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan appear?
    From late January to late March every year. (In 2018, it had appeared from January 27th to March 21st.) During the period, you can enjoy the facilities and experiences, but after the middle of March, some buildings may melt away when it gets warmer.
  • How to go to Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan?
    It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Obihiro Station by the local bus. It is also accessible by bus from Shintoku Station (transfer is necessary on the way.) If you use a car or a taxi, it takes about 70 minutes from Obihiro City. For some periods, there is a shuttle service available from Tokachigawa Onsen (limited to the guests).
-

  • Making Ice Glass

    You can make your own ice glass by carving a lump of ice with a chisel. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your personality. The cocktail which you drink with your own glass is exceptional at night bar time.Fee: 1,500 JPY (1 drink included)Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Open-air Bath on Ice

    This is the only open-air bathe on ice in the world. Of course, the dressing area is made of ice and snow. After taking off your clothes in the cold dressing room, it is the best time when you get warm entering the hot spring!Fee: Free Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    * There is a designated time zone only for men or women at nighttime.

  • Night Watching

    From the venue of Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan, you go further to the lake. You will go to a place where there is no artificial light, lie on the lake covered with soft snow, and look at a stadium of stars.Fee: 2,000 JPY (Adults) Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Chartered Taxi Plan
The chartered taxi is convenient to go to Lake Shikaribetsu, which is a difficult place for you to visit in winter. You can also secure the time to stay on-site, and fully enjoy the Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan feeling at ease.
Planned Date
Daily till March 20th
Fee
1 small taxi 22,500 JPY (Up to 4 passengers)
Departure Time
Between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (vary from arrival / departure spot)

Obihiro City / Tokachigawa Onsen / Tokachi Obihiro Airport -> Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan (3-hour stay) -> Obihiro City / Tokachigawa Onsen / Tokachi Obihiro Airport

Plan details are
from here

Must-see Spots

Otofuke Tokachigawa Swan Festival coloring Tokachigawa Onsen at night; Sairinka

#sairinka

The illumination event coloring Tokachigawa Onsen in winter, Sairinka a fantastic show with about 600 lighting objects shining together with sound. The sound and light show performed four times a day will warm up those who watch it.

Venue:
Tokachigaoka Park
Address:
14-chome, Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido, Japan
TEL:
Tokachigawa Onsen Kanko Kyoukai (tourist association), 0155-32-6633
Lighting Time:
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Parking:
There are 100 parking lots. Free.
Fee:
Free (The outdoor experience is a paid service.)

The horse's stuffiness seen in harsh winter;
Tokachi Banei Horse Race

#baneihorserace

The world's only Banei Horse Race in Tokachi. It is spectacular that the giant with a weight of about 1 ton competes for speed while grinding a heavy sled. Also, in winter, we highly recommend you to participate in morning training tour held on Sunday only. (Reservation required) You will surely be impressed by the figure of hard-working Banei horses reflected in the morning glow.

Venue:
Obihiro Racecourse
Address:
Nishi 13-jo Minami 9-chome, Obihiro City
TEL:
0155-34-0825
Gate Opening Time:
From 12:00
Parking:
There are 750 parking lots. Free.

Tokachi'sEnjoying Tour & Free Pass by Bus

Tokachi'sEnjoy experience in a guided tour

Tokachi'sEnjoy Tokachi Gourmet at Food Stalls

Enjoy Tokachi Gourmet at Food Stalls

20 unique food stalls spreading in one corner of Obihiro's downtown area. From yakitori to French and Chinese. You can enjoy the dishes with rich ingredients carefully selected from Tokachi. Incidentally, in those stalls, winter enclosures are equipped for each, so you won't get frozen even in a cold weather.

Ikinuki-dori Kita no Yatai出典： 北の起業広場協同組合

7-banchi, Nishi 1-jo Minami 10-chome, Obihiro City, Hokkaido; 5-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station

http://kitanoyatai.com/

Tokachi'sA model course for you to enjoy
Tokachi in winter

1. Sightseeing a wonderful view of Tokachi seen only in winter!

Day 1
Sapporo, Kushiro, Obihiro Airport etc., Obihiro Station ⇒ (Afternoon) (1) Jewelry Ice Bus Tour ⇒ Tokachigawa Onsen (stay)* In the night, the evening event of Tokachigawa Onsen, Sairinka, is scheduled.
Day 2
Tokachigawa Onsen ⇒ Obihiro Station ⇒ (2) To Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan with VISIT TOKACHI PASS ⇒ Obihiro Station / Obihiro (stay)* Enjoy Tokachi's food in "Kita no Yatai" in the night!
Day 3
Hotel in Obihiro City - (morning) Tokachi Winter River Cruising - Obihiro Station, -, to Obihiro Airport, Sapporo, Kushiro etc.
  • Toyokoro Town Jewelry Ice Highlights 1

    Toyokoro Town Jewelry Ice

  • Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan Highlights 2

    Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan

  • Tokachi Winter River Cruise Highlights 3

    Tokachi Winter River Cruise

    出典：サムライプロデュース

2. Relaxing Winter Tokachi Travel Course

Day 1
Sapporo, Kushiro, Obihiro Airport, etc., -, Obihiro Station ⇒ (1) Sightseeing Banei Horse Racing and Kofuku Station etc. with VISIT TOKACHI PASS ⇒ Obihiro Station* Enjoy Tokachi's food in "Kita no Yatai" in the night!
Day 2
Hotel in Obihiro City ⇒ Early Morning Jewelry Ice Tour ⇒ Obihiro Station ⇒ to Tokachigawa Onsen with VISIT TOKACHI PASS* Enjoy Tokachi's food in "Kita no Yatai" in the night!
Day 3
Hotel in Obihiro City - (morning) (3) Temae Miso Factory Experience - Obihiro Station, -, to Obihiro Airport, Sapporo, Kushiro etc.
  • Banei Horse Racing Highlights　1

    Banei Horse Racing

  • Moor Hot Springs at Tokachigawa Onsen Highlights　2

    Moor Hot Springs at Tokachigawa Onsen

    出典：音更町十勝川温泉観光協会

  • Temae Miso Factory Highlights　3

    Temae Miso Factory

Winter's East Hokkaido BusWinter's East Hokkaido Bus

Tokachi's popular winter
photogenic spot

There are still more
photogenic spots