2026 Makubetsu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

Located in Makubetsu Town, Tokachi: 📍 Akino-gaoka Park In winter, it transforms into a ski resort. During summer, it serves as a park with park golf available 🙆♀️ The iconic tower "Pira-Ri" featured in the main photo is famous for its Studio Ghibli-like atmosphere 😳 You can climb up to the observation deck! Once at the top, you'll be greeted with stunning views ✨️ Besides the tower, there are spaces like the one in the fifth photo, which also exude a unique Ghibli vibe 🤭 A little further away, there are wooden playground structures. While the area is quite expansive and may not be ideal for small children, it's perfect for a leisurely stroll❕ It's about a 30-minute drive from Obihiro City 🚗³₃

Hokkaido is a place where roadside stations are set up all over the place, probably because the main form of transportation is by car. This roadside station, Churui, is one of them. Its functionality as a roadside station is moderate. There are shops selling local goods. There are also parks and hotels in the surrounding area, so it looks like you can enjoy just coming here. #Snowscape #Obihiro #RoadsideStation

🍓 Welcome to Makubetsu Strawberry Farm! ⸻ 🌱 Overview and Attractions • A tourist strawberry farm located in Makubetsu-cho, Kamikawa-gun, about 20 minutes by car from Obihiro and about 10 minutes by car from Makubetsu Station. • Open from late June to early October. Closed on irregular days depending on the weather and growing conditions, so we recommend checking Instagram or Facebook before visiting. ⸻ 🍓 Strawberry Picking Experience • Multiple varieties such as Elan, Summerberry, and Juneberry are cultivated in 12 elevated greenhouses, making them easy to pick even for short children. • The strawberry picking experience is an all-you-can-eat experience for one hour. Instead of selling the amount you pick by weight, the standard price is 1,500 yen for adults, 1,300 yen for elementary school students, and 1,000 yen for infants . ⸻ 🍦 How to enjoy the shop • The homemade strawberry soft serve ice cream is popular and available in limited quantities. You can enjoy the rich taste in gelato form . • They also offer sweets such as mini parfaits drenched in strawberry sauce, making it the perfect place to take a break after picking fresh strawberries (). #AbsolutelyFreeTrip

We would like to introduce you to **"Yama Nemuru Sweets and Galettes"**, a cafe that just opened at the end of June 2025 in the Honmachi district of Makubetsu Town✨ ⸻ 🌿 Store Overview & Features • A small, handmade cafe run by a couple who returned from Sapporo. They serve galettes and baked goods made with ingredients from Tokachi in Makubetsu Town  . • A new store scheduled to open at the end of June, it has been a hot topic on Instagram (). ⸻ 🍽 Menu and Business Hours • Galettes are only available during lunchtime — Galettes made with buckwheat flour and local vegetables from Tokachi seem to be their main product (). • Baked goods and merchandise are also available during cafe time (from around 15:00 to 18:00) — In addition to galettes, you can also take home or purchase cookies, cakes, and other items . ⸻ 🏠 Exterior Atmosphere • The exterior has a warm wooden texture and a simple structure. It seems to stand quietly along the road, blending in with the surroundings (first image) (). ⸻ ✅ Recommended Points • A rare new shop where you can enjoy galettes and baked goods made with local Tokachi ingredients. • A small shop with a handmade feel, where you can expect warm service and flavors that are characteristic of a married couple. • If you visit for lunch and cafe time separately, you can enjoy the galettes and baked goods to your heart's content. #AbsolutelyFreeTravel

"Umbrella Sky" at Tokachi Hills "Umbrella Sky" is a popular summer event held every June at Tokachi Hills. Over 2,000 colorful umbrellas sway under the blue sky, covering the garden entrance to the shop area, creating a fantastic "umbrella tunnel" that shines through the light. ⸻ 🎨 Highlights • Hokkaido's largest scale: In 2025, about 2,100 umbrellas will color the sky, creating a vivid color palette. • The area in front of the shops can be enjoyed for free: This free zone alone is beautiful enough and worth visiting. • The mirror reflection on the ground is fantastic: By installing mirrors, you can take photos of the "umbrella reflection" above and below, which is sure to look great on social media. #AbsolutelyFreeTrip

Chūrui Naumann Elephant Museum This museum is located next to the roadside station Chūrui on National Route 236. It opened in 1988 to commemorate the discovery of a fossil of a Naumann's elephant by chance during construction of a farm road in 1969. It is a must-see museum for fans of natural history. . ⸻ 🧠 Highlights • A 4.3m long reconstructed Naumann's elephant skeleton is impressively installed in the center of the dome. The skeleton model placed in the round dome space inside is a masterpiece. The story from discovery to restoration and research can be understood through dioramas, videos and panels. . • The architecture itself is modeled after the shape of a Naumann's elephant. The dome represents the body, the walkway "Time Road" represents the nose and tusks, and the exhibition rooms at the four corners represent the feet. It is a unique design that allows you to see the shape of the elephant from above. . • The latest exhibits make the evolution story easy to understand The 2024 renewal will see a significant expansion of exhibits, including a flood diorama, a footprint fossil corner, and new research results. #AbsolutelyFreeTrip

Scenic Cafe Churui, a volunteer cafe at Churui Kyoei Ranch A healing spot open only in the summer, located on the top of the hill at Churui Kyoei Ranch, on the plateau of Churui, Makubetsu-cho, Tokachi. You can spend a relaxing time at the free cafe terrace run by local volunteers, while looking out at the magnificent rural scenery and Hidaka Mountains . ⸻ ☕ Here are the attractive points! • The best location: Located on a hill at an altitude of about 189m, it offers a panoramic view of the Hidaka Mountains to the west and Obihiro and the Pacific Ocean to the east . • Warm hospitality from volunteers: Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, volunteer staff will serve you free coffee and tea (donations welcome) . • Seasonal light music concerts: Sometimes live performances by local musicians will be played, adding a musical touch to your cafe time . #AbsolutelyFreeTrip

Inaho Park in Mizuho, ​​Satsunai, Makubetsu Town Inaho Park, which spreads out against the backdrop of the history of the Tokachi development, is an attractive water park with a 200m long flowing waterway and a fountain pond. There is also a "experience rice field" that recreates a rice field, and the nostalgic natural presentation stimulates your playfulness . ⸻ 💧 The appeal of the water play area • Various deep and shallow waterways and six water amenity ponds: Designed so that everyone from small children to elementary school students can safely touch the water . • Fountain and waterwheel mechanisms: Floating balls that rotate with water pressure and fountains make play even more fun . ⸻ 🧺 Other facilities and atmosphere • Vast lawn square: A sense of openness perfect for picnics and ball games. • Promenade, benches, and experience rice field: A tasteful setting where you can take a leisurely stroll while feeling the rural scenery . • Parking available and easy access: Just over 15 minutes on foot from Satsunai Station, and if you come by car, there is a roadside parking lot. #AbsolutelyFreeTravel

📍Nauman Park This park features a spacious lawn area and a shallow water play pool with a depth of around 10 cm, where children can enjoy sliding into the water from slides. The splash after sliding down is the highlight of summer fun! 🌞 Challenge yourself on the 40-meter roller slide designed to resemble the trunk of a Nauman elephant, and feel the thrill and connection with nature as cheers fill the air. Next door, at the Nauman Elephant Memorial Museum, you can explore elephant fossils excavated in the 1970s and experience an intellectual journey filled with ancient romance. 🦣 The park is also equipped with camping and barbecue facilities, making it perfect for tent stays or dining under the starry sky. With a perfect blend of fun, learning, and nature, this spot is ideal for families and couples looking for a memorable one-day trip. End your adventure at the roadside station and hot spring facility next to the park for a 100% satisfying travel plan.

📍Tokachi Hills in Tokachi, Hokkaido Located about 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station 🚗³₃ The Umbrella Sky, which can only be seen in June, starts today❣️ Available from June 1st to June 30th. Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ⏰ It tends to get crowded on sunny days and holidays, so visiting early in the morning or on weekdays is recommended! The main Umbrella Sky is located in the free area, but there are also displays in the paid area. Getting an annual pass is overwhelmingly cost-effective 🉐 Tokachi Hills hosts various events depending on the season ✨️

Tokachi Hills is a tourist facility in Obihiro City, Hokkaido, where you can enjoy gardens, restaurants, and activities. The facility is themed around 'food,' 'agriculture,' and 'nature,' and you can stroll through gardens with beautiful flowers and landscapes. Here are the main features: Features 1. Gardens There are various gardens that take advantage of Tokachi's nature, allowing you to enjoy different flowers and plants each season. 2. Restaurants & Cafes There are restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients. The dishes made with fresh vegetables and meat are popular among visitors. 3. Activities There are also hands-on activities such as workshops and garden tours. 4. Seasonal Enjoyment In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms and tulips, in summer, roses and lavender, and in autumn, the changing leaves. Access It is about a 20-minute drive from the center of Obihiro City, making it easily accessible. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature and delicious food while spending a relaxing time.

#Outdoor Activities Tokachi Hot Air Balloon 📍Address: Tokachigaoka Park Flower Raku 💰Average Consumption: 2,500 yen Features - Tethered Hot Air Balloons. Now in summer, it is a tethered flight at an altitude of about 40 meters. Hot air balloons are more suitable for sunrise when the air flow is stable and the wind is steady. In summer, the sunrise time is relatively early, so you have to arrive at 5 o'clock to experience it. It is only 14 degrees in the morning, so you have to keep warm. It is also recommended to wear easy-to-move clothes and shoes and sunscreen. 🗓️Itinerary: You have to leave the hotel in the early morning, so it is recommended to drive and choose a nearby hotel. 🏖️Environment: You can see the Tokachi Plain and the Hidaka Mountains from above. You stay for about 40 minutes and slowly enjoy the beautiful rural scenery. #Natural Landscape But it is recommended to experience hot air balloons before June or in early winter. There is still snow to see the Daisetsuzan, plus the height can rise to 400 meters, which will be more cost-effective. #Japan #Hokkaido Travel #Hot Air Balloon #100 Ways to Travel

#Sapporo Attractions Tsunaei Shrine is a historic shrine located in a beautiful natural environment with a rich cultural atmosphere. There is a magnificent torii at the entrance of the shrine, symbolizing the sacred realm. The moment you walk through the torii, it seems as if you have entered a quiet and sacred world🌳. The towering trees around provide a shade, allowing people to feel the breath of nature. The main hall of the shrine is built in traditional Japanese architectural style, and the curve of the roof is elegant and unique, which makes people stop and admire it. Various festivals and activities are often held here, attracting many believers and tourists to participate, adding to the lively atmosphere of the shrine🎉. The Zanai Shrine is a great place to experience unique religious culture, such as worshipping, throwing coins to pray, and writing down wishes. The amulets and mascots in the shrine are also popular among tourists and have become a symbol of spiritual sustenance for many people🔮. These small items not only represent blessings, but also serve as beautiful souvenirs to take home.

This is a memorial museum built to commemorate the discovery of the fossil of Naumann's elephant in Churui. They introduced the excitement from the discovery to the excavation of the Naumann's elephant through panels, videos, and reconstructed models. It seemed like a very exciting time, and there were many newspaper articles from that time, but it looked like a lot of fun. There was also a live reconstructed model of a mother and child Naumann's elephant in the park in front of the museum. 🕰️ Business hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm * Open as usual during the winter season Closed: Tuesdays (if Tuesday is a public holiday, the next day) New Year's holiday (December 29th - January 3rd of the following year) #0 yen trip #Hokkaido #Churui

This time, I would like to introduce "Tokachi Naumann Onsen Hotel Arco" in Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido. It is about a 30-minute drive from Obihiro Airport, and I stayed there while sightseeing at space-related facilities in the neighboring town of Taiki. The hotel's name is said to be derived from the place where the fossils of the Naumann Elephant were excavated. Right next to it are a roadside station, Naumann Park with its many playground equipment, and the Naumann Elephant Memorial Museum. The guest rooms were spacious, and from the windows you could see a pleasant view of a green field. It was a simple yet attractive building, as you would expect from a stone building surrounded by power stones from the Rekifune River, which is said to be "the purest river in Japan." The large public bath was an alkaline simple spring, and the water was soft and beautiful for the skin. There was also a sauna and an open-air bath, and it was nice to take a bath in the open air after the sauna. The water from the source was lukewarm, so it was comfortable even in the summer. Address: 384-1, Churui-Shirogane-cho, Makubetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido 089-1701 #Hokkaido Tourism #Hokkaido Trip #Tokachi #777 #Obihiro #Nakagawa-gun

This is a full-scale ski resort in Makubetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gun. There is also an area for sledding only, so families can enjoy it. The advanced course is a full-scale course and is sometimes used for training camps. Although it is run by the town, it is a full-scale ski resort with a pair lift, night lighting, and a lodge for accommodation. 415 Churui Shirogane-cho, Makubetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido 089-1701 Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 *Operation in 2022 is expected to end on March 15th. #skiing #ski resort #snow scenery

This ski resort is located in Makubetsu Town, Hokkaido. Although it is a small ski resort, the facilities are very well maintained, and on the day we visited, many people were enjoying skiing and snowboarding. It seems to be popular with both locals and those from a little further away. #Snowscape #Skiing #SkiResort

Pirari Park is located in Makubetsu Town, Hokkaido. It has a stylish Gaudi-style exterior, and since it is located on a hill, the view is spectacular. I went around all the typical tourist spots in Obihiro, and found a favorite spot that I want to keep secret. Pirari 496-20 Akeno, Makubetsu Town, Nakagawa District, Hokkaido #Secret summer resort #Japan Genki Project 2021 #Summer trip