If you’re looking for a laid-back city that offers a unique blend of peaceful parks, delicious regional cuisine, and a slower, more local side of Japan, you’ve found your destination. Obihiro is perfect for a relaxing Japanese city experience that values local agriculture. It’s located in the southside of Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido. Imagine a countryside city surrounded by serene landscapes that look like a scene out of a Studio Ghibli movie! Let’s get started with my three day weekend itinerary of Obihiro. Feel free to copy my itinerary as I show you what to do, what to eat, where to stay, and how to get around.
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Day 0 (Day of arrival)
Starting with Day 0, we arrived in Obihiro from Tokyo in the evening, so we didn’t have time to do much except eat dinner. After checking into our hotel, we walked 15 minutes to Hamazushi, a casual Japanese conveyor belt sushi restaurant. To eat here, you order from a tablet that offers a wide array of different sushi. The sushi is then delivered right in front of you via the conveyor belt. Hokkaido is famous for its fresh sushi, so eating here is a great, affordable option. I recommend checking out their seasonal menu. And with our bellies happy & full, we walked back to our hotel and went to bed to get ready for Day 1.
Day 1
Breakfast at a Masuya Mugioto Bakery
To begin my tour of Obihiro, I took a 20-minute bus ride to Masuya Mugioto Bakery for breakfast. This local bakery makes bread exclusively from wheat grown in the Tokachi area, right next to Obihiro. They even have their own wheat field behind the bakery! Inside, the smell of freshly baked bread is irresistible. Like your eyes will roll to the back of your head. Grab a tray and choose from any of the 120 varieties available, and you can take it to-go or eat in. I did both and enjoyed a breakfast set of curry pan with clam chowder and potato wedges. Then, I took the rest of my bread with me and ate it throughout the day.
Venture back to the past at Kofuku Station
After breakfast, I took a 30-minute bus ride to venture into Obihiro’s past by visiting Kofuku Station. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, I recommend you enjoy the views of the vast fields and listen to your favorite Ghibli playlist during the ride. So Kofuku Station is a closed train station that remains a popular tourist spot because “Kofuku” means “happiness” in Japanese. So a lot of visitors like to buy these train tickets, write a message, and post it in the former waiting house, which is covered with pink tickets. At this time, I was a few months pregnant, so I wrote a message to my husband and future baby. Don’t forget to step inside the old train cars—it really feels like a flashback to the past.
Take a walk down Obihiro’s history at the Sugar Beet Museum
After visiting Kofuku Station, I took a 30-minute bus ride back to the city to visit the Sugar Beet Museum. Sugar beets are another significant crop grown in the region. I arrived at the museum an hour before closing, so I was the only one there. But the friendly museum guide gave me a 1-1 tour, explaining how the sugar beet industry influenced the development of Obihiro. We communicated back and forth using our translators which was something I had never done before.
Enjoy the conveniences of Japanese shopping
After the museum, I walked 12 minutes to a nearby mall to pick up a couple of clothing items at Uniqlo, because Obihiro was much colder than I expected during the month of May. The mall also has plenty of other stores like Daiso, GU, and many others if you’re interested in shopping. I only needed to grab a few items so I didn’t stay long.
Dine at Kiri, a ramen hole-in-the-wall
I took a 10-minute bus ride back to the hotel to meet Vivek, and together we walked 12 minutes to Kiri, a ramen hole-in-the-wall restaurant—perfect for the chilly evening. We ordered miso ramen, which was invented in Hokkaido, specifically in Sapporo. If you plan to visit Sapporo too, check out my food travel guide here. Our miso ramen experience was super cozy, local, and casual. There was no English menu, so we just pointed at what we wanted to order, and the chef happily served us. The broth was so flavorful and rich with miso that I couldn’t stop slurping. And it really hit the spot before we ended the night.
Day 2
Morning relaxation in the comfort of your hotel room
Starting Day 2, I had breakfast in my hotel room as I planned the rest of the trip. I had originally planned to join Vivek on his agricultural tour, but I found out on the first day that I couldn’t join after all. So, planning for this trip became impromptu, which gave me the chance to travel solo again.
Tranquility walk at Obihiro Wild Grass Garden
After breakfast, I decided to take the bus to Obihiroshi Yasoen, a beautiful botanical garden known for its wild grass. Since it was morning, the walk was very peaceful and a perfect slow start to the day.
Hokkaidoritsu Obihiro Museum of Art
And in the same area, just a few minutes away, I visited the Hokkaidoritsu Obihiro Museum of Art to check out the current photography exhibition. I couldn’t shoot any videos here but I would check out the current exhibition when you visit if you like art museums.
See current exhibitions at Hokkaidoritsu Obihiri Museum of Art here
Snack outside Obihiro Centennial Hall
Then, I got hungry, so I walked around the park and finally sat in front of Obihiro Centennial Hall. I enjoyed the rest of the bread I had bought at Masuya Mugioto Bakery. If you visit Obihiro Centennial Hall, you can learn more about the history, agriculture, and nature of Obihiro and Tokachi.
Shop ‘til you drop at Mega Don Quijote
But I decided I had enough quiet time, so I hopped on a bus to shop at the iconic Mega Don Quijote, a discount shopping destination. It’s like a giant department store that carries thousands of Japanese products at affordable prices. Many tourists even pack empty luggages just to fit all their purchases from this store alone.
Feast on Japanese curry at a local chain, Curry Shop Indian Machinaka
And after what felt like hours of perusing this mega store, I enjoyed lunch at Curry Shop Indian Machinaka, a Japanese curry restaurant located within the Don Quijote building. This restaurant is a must-try, as it’s only found in Obihiro. The curry is so full of flavor, with a variety of options to suit different tastes and spicy levels. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax and refuel after a shopping spree.
Wash and soak at Yayoi No Yu Onsen
After eating and continuing to browse Don Quijote, I decided it was time to get off my feet and enjoy some much-needed onsen time. Obihiro has many onsens, ranging from small and affordable to large and luxurious. I chose to visit Yayoi No Yu, a small onsen just a 20-minute commute away. Unfortunately, I can’t show you what it’s like inside, but it’s a public bathhouse with showers, saunas, and outdoor hot springs that I really enjoyed. It wasn’t too crowded when I went, and I recommend visiting an onsen at least once during your trip to anywhere in Japan. I wish I could have stayed longer to order food and drinks, but I headed out to meet Vivek for dinner.
Dine at Kitanoyatai / Hamazushi
After a 45 minute commute back to my hotel, I walked with Vivek and his tour group to Kitanoyatai, a street of izakayas or casual bars that serve Japanese food. If you like casual drinking at pubs, you’re going to love this place. You can order beer or sake and enjoy anything on the menu. Many of these izakayas can only accommodate a handful of people, so if you’re in a large group like us, you might need to split up. Unfortunately, we didn’t end up eating there, but it’s still a place I would highly recommend checking out. Instead, we ended up at Hamazushi to accommodate our large group. But there are plenty of restaurants in Obihiro, so you’re sure to find a good place to eat!
Day 3
Soufflé pancakes at Three Standard Coffee
Day 3 was my last day before flying back to Tokyo. After checking out and leaving my luggage at the front desk, I had breakfast at Three Standard Coffee, just a 2-minute walk away. It’s located inside the Obihiro JR station, where you’ll find many local snacks and dishes to bring back home as souvenirs. I treated myself to coffee and soufflé pancakes, which I had never tried before, and they were perfectly not-too-sweet. The ambiance was jazzy and very relaxing while I slowly and delightfully enjoyed my meal.
Last minute 100 Yen grabs at Esta Mall
Also located inside the JR station is a 100 yen store similar to Daiso, so I picked up some last-minute souvenirs and necessities I needed for my trip in Japan, such as a reusable bag since most stores charge a fee for plastic bags.
Wander and eat galletes at Manabe Garden
Afterwards, I met up with Vivek back at the hotel, and we took a 30-minute bus ride to Manabe Garden, a charming stroll-style garden featuring three distinct botanical areas with views of wild Hokkaido birds and playful squirrels. It’s pretty expansive, and exploring all the gardens could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. After our leisurely stroll, we enjoyed a peaceful lunch at the garden café, where we indulged in delicious galettes. The serene atmosphere and lush surroundings made it even more relaxing.
Last meal of Obihiro at Butahage
Back at the Obihiro JR Station, we grabbed a last-minute meal at Butahage, known for its specialty Hokkaido dish: butadon. This delicious dish features tender grilled pork slices drizzled with a sweet soy glaze, served on top of a bed of steamy, fluffy rice. The combination of savory and slightly sweet flavors made it a satisfying final taste of Obihiro before we flew out.
Ride the Airport Bus to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport
Afterwards, we picked up our luggage from the hotel and took the airport bus to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, which picked us up directly from our hotel. The airport bus has specific pick-up locations, so I recommend checking their website to see which hotels they serve. You can purchase tickets at the front desk of the participating hotels.
View pick up locations on the Obihiro Airport Bus Website here
Obihiro Travel Tips
Where to stay in Obihiro
We stayed at Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro, which is situated right in the center of Obihiro city. I highly recommend first time visitors to stay here because it’s conveniently located next to Obihiro JR Station and several bus stops, including the Airport Bus. The hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants, convenience stores, and Aeon Mall.
Hotel Nikko Northland Obihiro Website
How to get around Obihiro
You can get around Obihiro easily using public bus transportation. You can check the schedule, fare, and track the live locations of each bus using Google Maps.
So you board the bus through the middle door and take a numbered ticket. When you get off at your stop, show your ticket to the bus driver and pay your fare based on the number on your ticket, which is displayed at the front of the bus.
Since I was using the bus frequently, I downloaded the Japan Transit Planner app and purchased a 1-Day Obihiro bus pass each day. So instead of paying cash each time, I simply showed my mobile ticket from the app.
And if you rent a car, you can explore more of Hokkaido, which I highly recommend! Be sure to check out my Hokkaido travel and food guides here and here to check out other spots in Hokkaido that you can drive to.
That’s a wrap-
-on my 3-day itinerary in Obihiro, Hokkaido! From peaceful gardens and delicious butadon to easy public transport and fresh local bread, this charming town offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Obihiro is the perfect spot for a peaceful and authentic Japanese getaway. Take care, travel safe, and if you have any questions about Obihiro, feel free to comment below—I’ll do my best to help!
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