Tokachi is one of the best places in Japan to enjoy beautiful gardens. The region forms the heart of the Hokkaido Garden Path, a scenic route linking some of the island’s finest gardens, which burst into color from late spring through autumn.
Tokachi Millennium Forest
Designed in part by the acclaimed British garden designer Dan Pearson, the Tokachi Millennium Forest is an award-winning landscape of meadow, forest, and farm gardens conceived to evolve over a thousand years. It is a must for garden lovers.
Tokachi Hills
Set on a hillside with views over the plain, Tokachi Hills combines flower gardens with a farm-to-table restaurant, making it a relaxing half-day stop.
Manabe Garden
Manabe Garden in Obihiro is Japan’s first conifer garden, a green, shady landscape of evergreens with Japanese, European, and natural-style sections.
Shichiku Garden
Shichiku Garden is a sprawling flower garden started by a local resident, famous for its seasonal beds and a cafe serving dishes made with home-grown herbs and flowers.
Rokka no Mori
Created by the confectioner Rokkatei, Rokka no Mori scatters art galleries — some housed in old buildings relocated from Croatia — across a meadow and oak forest, blending art, nature, and sweets.
Visiting the Gardens
The gardens are generally open from late April through October and are at their most colorful in summer. They are spread across the region, so a rental car is the best way to visit several in a day. For more ideas, see things to do and how to plan your trip.
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