Create your own simple and enjoyable Tokachi itinerary.
Use this guide to build a travel plan that fits your style, pace, and interests.
How to plan your trip
- Start with a simple structure
- Focus on a few key experiences
- Leave time for driving and relaxing
- Do not over-schedule your day
Step 1: Choose your travel style
Relaxed trip
Focus on hot springs, cafes, and slow travel.
Scenic drive
Explore wide landscapes and countryside roads.
Food-focused trip
Enjoy local meals, sweets, and dairy products.
Step 2: Build your day
A simple Tokachi day can be structured like this:
- Morning: Start from Obihiro and enjoy a scenic drive
- Lunch: Local dish such as butadon
- Afternoon: Visit cafes, photo spots, or countryside areas
- Evening: Relax at a hotel or hot spring
Step 3: Choose your base
- Stay in Obihiro for convenience
- Choose a hot spring area for relaxation
- Pick a location that matches your travel pace
Step 4: Keep it simple
Tokachi is best enjoyed with a simple plan.
A few good stops, a relaxed drive, and time to enjoy food and scenery will create a better experience than a busy schedule.
Example 2-day plan
Day 1
- Arrive in Tokachi
- Lunch in Obihiro
- Scenic drive and cafe stop
- Stay at hotel or hot spring
Day 2
- Morning drive or short visit
- Souvenir shopping
- Return or continue your journey
Make your own Tokachi experience
There is no single “correct” way to travel in Tokachi.
The best trip is the one that fits your style — simple, comfortable, and focused on what you enjoy most. Model CourseThings to DoWhere to Stay
How Long to Stay
Two to three days based in Obihiro is ideal for a first visit — enough to combine food, a hot spring, and a scenic drive without feeling rushed. With more time, you can add gardens, farm experiences, and day trips deeper into the countryside.
Getting Around
Tokachi is spread out and public transport between sights is limited, so a rental car is strongly recommended. Obihiro makes an excellent base, with both Tokachi-Obihiro Airport and the JR station close to the city center.
A Simple 2-Day Plan
- Day 1 — Obihiro: butadon lunch near the station, Banei horse racing at the racecourse, then check in at Tokachigawa Onsen for the night.
- Day 2 — Countryside: visit a garden such as Tokachi Hills or Manabe Garden, take a scenic drive (Naitai Highland Farm in summer), and stop at a farm cafe for sweets before you leave.
Budget and Practical Tips
Carry some cash for rural shops and smaller cafes, fill the tank before long drives, and check seasonal opening dates — many gardens and farm attractions close during winter. In the snowy months, allow extra driving time and consider a vehicle with winter tires.