[A Local's Guide to a Foodie Trip] 4 Days and 3 Nights in Obihiro/Tokachi | A Travelogue Healed by Gourmet Food and Great Nature

When you think of Obihiro, you think of "pork bowls" and "sweets," butit is actually a city packed with so much charm that even 4 days and 3 nights isn't enough.

This time, I am delivering a travelogue of my stay exclusively in Obihiro, where Iate, was healed, and experiencedeverything it has to offer!

✅ In this article, I will introduce:
✔️ Exquisite gourmet food in Obihiro and Tokachi
✔️ Dairy farming experiences you can only have here
✔️ A stay report of "Daiichi Hotel," popular for its moor hot springs
✔️ Driving tips that even beginners can feel safe with

I will introduce everything from famous spots listed in guidebooks to hidden gems known only to locals♪

※This article contains Amazon affiliate advertisements.
Please also take a look at my other recommended travelogues!

🗓️ Chapter 1 | 4 Days and 3 Nights in Obihiro Only! A Mother-Daughter Trip Enjoying Food and Nature

“Isn't it standard to combine Sapporo and Otaru for a Hokkaido trip?”

That's what I thought, but when I dared to spend4 days and 3 nights in Obihiro alone, it was more intense than I imagined—in fact, I didn't have enough time!

In early July, my mother and I flew from Haneda to Tokachi-Obihiro Airport and immersed ourselves ingourmet food, nature, hot springs, and experienceson our Obihiro trip.

In this article, I will present the spots and shops we visited as a travelogue.

🌱 Day 1 | Arriving in Obihiro! Kicking off the trip with Genghis Khan

After a one-and-a-half-hour flight from Haneda Airport, we arrived atTokachi-Obihiro Airportin no time✈️.

The moment we stepped out of the airport, the refreshing July breeze of Tokachi told us, "You've arrived in Hokkaido!"

We headed by rental car toShirakaba, a Genghis Khan restaurant loved by locals.

Wrapped in the aroma of piping hot lamb and sweet and spicy sauce, I was already fully satisfied at the start of our trip🍺.

In the afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll through the gardens ofTokachi Hillsand sampled Tokachi wine atIkeda Wine Castle.

Captivated by the rich aroma, I ended up buying a bottle as a souvenir.

At night, we checked intoSuper Hotel Premier Obihiro-Ekimaein front of Obihiro Station.

After dropping off our luggage and taking a breather, it was finally time for dinner. We enjoyed charcoal-grilled local ingredients at "Kita no Yatai Enjin" and toasted with my mother🔥

🏨 Super Hotel Premier Obihiro-Ekimae has sufficient facilities and services despite being compact

For this trip to Obihiro, I stayed at the

Super Hotel Premier Obihiro Ekimae for the first two nights. It is within walking distance from JR Obihiro Station, and very convenient as a base for sightseeing.

I stayed in a compact twin room with no meals included.

The room was a bit small, but at about 42,000 yen for two people for two nights, it was great value for money.

💡 Points
✔ Equipped with Mall Onsen (not free-flowing from the source, but enough to soothe travel fatigue) ✔ Pillows can be chosen according to your preference (first-come, first-served) ✔ After checking in, the

service where you can freely drink alcohol and other beverages in front of the lobby is also delightful!

Although it doesn't have the relaxed feel of a luxury inn, it is close to the station and has well-equipped facilities, making it perfect for those who say, 'The hotel is just for sleeping, as the main focus is sightseeing and eating out.'

🌿 Day 2 | Farm and Sweets Galore, My First Time at Ban'ei Horse Racing

In the morning, I had an exquisite breakfast at the Rokkatei Garden Store.

Enjoying Tokachi wheat bread and coffee while looking out at the beautiful garden is exceptional.

In the morning, I passed through the White Birch Avenue and headed to the Tokachi Ranch Observatory. My mother was also moved by the endless green hills, saying, 'It's like a picture book.'

Next, I checked for souvenirs at Roadside Station Otofuke and Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden. It's an irresistible spot for those with a sweet tooth🍰

🛍️ Roadside Station Otofuke and Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden

On the morning of the second day, after fully enjoying the White Birch Avenue and the Tokachi Ranch Observatory, I headed to **Roadside Station Otofuke** and **Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden** in Otofuke Town.

These two are located right next to each other, making it easy to visit both, so I highly recommend visiting them as a set.

🌾 Roadside Station Otofuke
Souvenirs from Otofuke and Tokachi are lined up, and the selection is so vast that you might think, '**Can't I get all my souvenirs here?**' It's a fun shopping spot just to look around, with plenty of local vegetables and processed goods.

🍰 Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden
A must-visit spot for sweets lovers. If you're lucky, you might even find the
scraps of the popular Baumkuchen '**Sanporoku**' on sale at a bargain price! Also, be sure to check out the Sweetpia Garden exclusive products.

For lunch, I enjoyed the local Obihiro specialty, pork bowl, at Butadon Kashiwa. The savory sauce whets the appetite.

In the afternoon, I tried Ban'ei Horse Racing for the first time. The sight of the horses moving powerfully while kicking up sand was so impressive that my mother and I couldn't help but cheer out loud.

At night, I went back to the Kita no Yatai. This time, I wrapped up the day at 'Nekoyanagi' while savoring the bounty of Hokkaido.

🐄 Day 3 | Heartwarming Dairy Farming Experience and Kofuku Station

We rented a car this day to head to the suburbs. First, we went to "i-Farm" for milking and feeding experiences🐄. The cows' eyes were so gentle, it was instantly healing.

For lunch, we had Western-style food at "Rokkatei Poroshiri." My mother smiled at the voluminous hamburger steak and said, "I definitely want to eat this again."

In the afternoon, we strolled through the retro station buildings at Kofuku Station and Aikoku Station, taking plenty of photos📸. Finally, we prayed for a safe trip at
Obihiro Shrine.

At night, we went to Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel Soyotei. The viscous water of the famous moor hot spring left my skin feeling moist. My hot-spring-loving mother also raved, "This is the best...!"

🎈 Day 4 | Wrapping Up the Tokachi Trip with a Hot Air Balloon Flight

On the final day, we started early in the morning with a hot air balloon flight🎈. The 360-degree panorama of the Tokachi Plain seen from the sky was breathtaking, and it was a moment where I truly felt, "I'm so glad I came to Hokkaido."

After returning to the hotel and enjoying the morning bath and buffet, we went for a leisurely drive to Tokachigaoka Observatory and Otofuke Melody Line.

Finally, we got takeout of the famous Obanyaki at "Takahashi Manju-ya."

We returned the car, bought souvenirs at Obihiro Station, and headed to the airport. Since we had time before our return flight, we waited for our flight to Haneda while eating crispy pies at "
Rokkatei"✈️

✍️ Thoughts on the 4-day, 3-night trip

I thought, "Maybe I'll get bored just spending time in Obihiro?" but with the breadth of gourmet food, the beauty of nature, and unique local experiences, it was such a fulfilling trip that I actually thought, "I wish I had stayed one more night!"

🍜 Chapter 2 | The Local-Recommended Gourmet Food Was on Another Level

Speaking of Obihiro, it's a treasure trove of gourmet food. From pork bowls and Genghis Khan to sweets made with local ingredients, I was constantly moved, thinking, "Hokkaido is amazing..." no matter what I ate.

From here, I will introduce the shops that left the biggest impression on me during our mother-daughter trip to Obihiro.

🥢 1. Shirakaba | Exquisite Genghis Khan Worth the Wait in Line

The first place I headed after arriving at Obihiro Airport was the local favorite Genghis Khan restaurant, "Shirakaba".

It is a popular restaurant that is only open for lunch and closes as soon as the meat runs out.

There is bound to be a line on weekends, but the turnover is fast, so the wait wasn't as long as I expected.

The lamb grilled over charcoal had absolutely no gamey smell and was surprisingly tender.
It went perfectly with the sweet and spicy sauce, and my mother and I nodded to each other, saying, "We could eat this forever."

📌 Recommended Points
✔ Excellent access, about 15 minutes by car from Obihiro Airport
✔ Fast service, so the wait time is not a bother
✔ Tender lamb with zero gamey smell

🛒 Mail order is also exquisite!
Shirakaba also sells Genghis Khan sets online, and it's said to be best when cooked on a hot plate and finished by simmering udon noodles in the remaining sauce as a kind of stewed udon. Being able to recreate that taste after the trip is a nice bonus.

🔥 2. Kita no Yatai Enjin | Enjoying Gibier and Smoked Foods in an 8-Seat Hideaway

Dinner on the first day was at "Kita no Yatai," a 5-minute walk from Obihiro Station.

Among the small shops lined up in the food stall street, the one we chose was "Enjin".

Since the owner does the hunting himself, you can enjoy fresh gibier (wild game) dishes at this restaurant.

🦌 Moved by the Ezo deer tataki-style & brown bear wine stew
When I opened the menu, words I don't usually see jumped out at me...
・Ezo deer tataki-style
・Brown bear wine stew
・Assorted 3 types of smoked foods (duck, iburigakko, oyster)

I ordered them all because I was intrigued by their rarity, but I was surprised that **there was no gamey smell at all, and that gibier could be so elegant and easy to eat...!**

The smoked assortment, in particular, had a savory smoky aroma that filled my mouth, making the wine go down easily🍷

📌 Recommended Points
✔ A small shop with only 8 counter seats
✔ Open only at night. It is safer to go right when they open
✔ You can hear the owner's hunting stories, a special experience you can only have here

🍰 3. Rokkatei Garden Store | An Elegant Morning While Looking Out at the Garden

On the morning of the second day, we went to the "Rokkatei Garden Store," which I absolutely wanted to visit when coming to Obihiro.

Actually, the only three stores that offer breakfast at Rokkatei are the Obihiro Garden Store, Sapporo Kita Store, and Kushiro Tsurumibashi Store.
It is a rare breakfast that even Hokkaido locals rarely get to experience☕

🌿 While gazing at the beautiful gardens of Tokachi...
The garden visible through the large window looks just like a painting.
Having a morning set in the quiet morning air was a luxurious time that healed the fatigue of my travels.

What I had this time was the Clam Chowder Coupe (with strawberry jam) and Rokka no Mori Yogurt.

• 🥣 The clam chowder is rich and packed with the flavors of vegetables and seafood, a dish that warms both heart and body from the morning.

• 🥖 The coupe is simple yet fragrant, and the accompanying strawberry jam (280 yen) was absolutely exquisite and moved me!

• 🍓 The Rokka no Mori yogurt was as rich as cheesecake, and it paired perfectly with the strawberry jam.

What's even better is that vegetable salad and coffee are all-you-can-refill.

The coffee, in particular, is a surprising 150 yen! For this quality... I couldn't help but have a few cups!

🎁 I want to buy it as a souvenir, but...?
It was so delicious that I thought, "I want to buy the strawberry jam and yogurt as souvenirs!" but when I checked with the staff, they said they are not sold at the airport branch.

I was about to give up because they are refrigerated items and bulky, but then...

Thanks to that, I was able to pick them up at the airport on the final day and successfully bring them home as souvenirs.

📌 Bulky items and refrigerated goods can sometimes be picked up at the airport by booking in advance.

Not all products are necessarily eligible, so it is recommended to check with the shop staff about items you are interested in!

📌 Recommended Points
✔ A hidden gem for Obihiro breakfast ◎
✔ You can spend a relaxing time while gazing at the garden
✔ Strawberry jam & yogurt are also great as souvenirs (don't forget to book in advance)

🍖 4. Butadon Kashiwa | A specialty shop where tender pork with a charcoal aroma is exquisite

Lunch on the second day was at the

Butadon specialty shop "Kashiwa" in Otofuke Town.The moment I parked the car, the scent of sweet and savory sauce drifted over, and that alone was enough to make my stomach growl.

🔥 Overwhelmed by the fragrance of charcoal grilling
The menu is simple, with only Butadon.

You can choose from small, medium, or large sizes, but the small is about the size of a rice bowl, so for a normal meal, medium is recommended, and for those who want to eat well, large is recommended.

The Butadon that was brought to us had the fragrance of charcoal grilling and the sweetness of the sauce hitting my appetite directly!

And above all, I was surprised by the tenderness of the pork. It was to the point where my mother and I looked at each other and said, "I didn't know pork could melt like this."

📌 Recommended Points
✔ Excited by the scent of the sauce drifting from the moment you get out of the parking lot
✔ The charcoal flavor is a taste that cannot be replicated at home
✔ The sauce is not for sale, so tasting it at the shop is the only way!

🍛 5. Rokkatei Poroshiri | Heartwarming Home Cooking Enjoyed in the Forest

For lunch on the third day, we headed to "Rokkatei Poroshiri" in Nakasatsunai Village.

Located within the Nakasatsunai Art Village surrounded by forest, this restaurant is a home-style eatery run by Rokkatei.

🌿 Navigation is a must! Be careful at the turn-off point
It's tucked away a bit from National Route 236, and there are no prominent signs.

Follow your navigation, and when it tells you to turn, we recommend slowing down and turning safely and carefully 🚗

🍛 The tender meat "Poroshiri Curry"
The menu focuses on home-style cooking using seasonal ingredients.

The popular "Poroshiri Curry (1,350 yen)" is especially satisfying, packed with chunks of meat stewed until tender.

It's a bit spicy and has a kick, so you might want to be careful if you have small children.

🥒 A hidden gem: "Sweet and Spicy Pickled Cucumber"
You definitely have to order the "Sweet and Spicy Pickled Cucumber (280 yen)" along with it.

Personally, this is the best cucumber pickle I've ever had! The balance of sweet, spicy, and crunchy is exquisite, and it makes it impossible to stop eating rice.

📌 Recommended Points
✔ Heal your mind and body in the quiet space of the forest
✔ Very satisfying with fresh vegetables and hearty side dishes
✔ Be sure to check, as it is only open on weekends and holidays (4/25–10/26)

🐄 Chapter 3 | Learning about "Food and Life" at i-Farm Iwatani Ranch

On the third day, we drove a bit from Obihiro city to "i-Farm Iwatani Ranch" in Makubetsu, Nakagawa District.

Here, they offer experience programs that go beyond just interacting with cows, making you think deeply about milk and meat.

🌱 Dairy farming experience is a "journey of discovery"

At the ranch, you are first asked questions like these:

• When does a cow start producing milk?

• Who is milk for?

• What is the difference between a cow that produces milk and a cow raised for meat?

We drink milk and eat meat without giving it much thought. It's rare to have the opportunity to learn what it means to "receive life" from a consumer's perspective, but here, you can learn it through experience thanks to the staff's careful explanations.

I even felt that this content could be incorporated into school education.

🐮 Experience Details (Duration: approx. 2 hours)

1️⃣ Dairy farming and milk talk
2️⃣ Milking experience
3️⃣ Feeding experience
4️⃣ Calf bottle-feeding experience
5️⃣ Walking with calves
6️⃣ Ice cream making (or butter making)
7️⃣ Farewell

You can interact with various animals like cows, ponies, and cats, and finish off with handmade ice cream.

The calf bottle-feeding experience is maximum cuteness and very healing but at the same time, it gently conveys the weight of 'receiving life'.

📌 Program Information
・Period: Year-round
・Duration: Approx. 2 hours
・Price: Adults 6,000 yen / Children 4,000 yen
・Meeting Place: 236 Koshin, Churui, Makubetsu-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido
・Access: 10 minutes by car from Roadside Station Churui

📍 Points to Note
✔ Due to disease prevention, those who have traveled abroad within the last week cannot participate
✔ Japanese language only
✔ Those with animal or food allergies cannot participate
✔ Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty

🌟 Impressions

The farm experience was a precious time that not only healed me with animals but also made me realize once again that 'being able to eat every day is not something to be taken for granted.'

Even if it's a bit far, farms where you can have this experience are rare so it is well worth the trip.

🏨 Chapter 4 | Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel Stay Report | Moor Hot Springs and Exquisite Buffet

The accommodation for the third night was the long-established Daiichi Hotel in Tokachigawa Onsen. Speaking of Tokachigawa Onsen,
'Moor Onsen' is famous.

It is a rare plant-based hot spring in the country, rich in organic plant matter, and is popular as a 'beauty bath' that leaves the skin feeling moisturized.

🌿 Relaxing with Moor Onsen and Footbaths

I stayed in 'Toyotei,' the most reasonably priced of the three wings.

The room was a standard Japanese-style room with no specified view and no open-air bath, but it was a space where the scent of tatami was comforting.

The Moor Onsen in the large public bath had a memorable, silky texture that clung to the skin.

It was a bit disappointing that it wasn't a free-flowing spring but it gently healed my tired body.

Also, the footbath, which guests can use freely, is recommended.

The time spent dozing while looking out at the Tokachi River is the ultimate luxury.
It's also nice that it's casual enough to drop by, as ordering a drink is not required.

Towels are provided, so you can come empty-handed, which is reassuring.

🍽️ Dinner and Breakfast Buffets are at an Impressive Level

The best thing about Daiichi Hotel is the food!

At the dinner buffet, there was a lineup of large steaks grilled right in front of you and dishes made with plenty of local ingredients.

What impressed me most was the special cream puff at the dessert corner.
The crispy crust and rich cream were exquisite, and they were so delicious that I wanted to go back for seconds and thirds.

Furthermore, dinner was all-you-can-drink, including alcohol, which was a big plus! (*Please be sure to check the plan details when making a reservation.)

Breakfast also featured a menu using plenty of ingredients from Hokkaido and Tokachi, and it was a satisfying way to wrap up the trip.

📌 Accommodation Notes
・Accommodation Building: Yotei (relatively reasonable price range)
・Plan: Buffet with 2 meals included (includes all-you-can-drink alcohol)
・Price: Usually 53,000 yen → 43,990 yen using a campaign
・Cost-performance: Very satisfying when including the meals

✨ Impressions

The room was a standard Japanese-style inn room, and while there were parts where I felt "I wish it were a bit better for this price," the quality of the food and the moor hot spring make the cost-performance acceptable.

It is a smart choice to use campaigns and the like to stay a bit more affordably.

🚗 Chapter 5 | Safe even for a paper driver? Impressions of driving in Obihiro & Tokachi

"You really need a rental car for a trip to Hokkaido..."
But for those who are paper drivers and don't usually drive much,

On this Obihiro trip, I drove myself for 2 days out of the 4 days.

I was guided by a local acquaintance for the remaining 2 days, and I will honestly share my impressions from that time.

🚦 Few cars & wide roads!

The Obihiro/Tokachi area has very few cars and wide roads, so I had the impression that it was very easy to drive.

Especially in the suburbs, there are many straight roads and visibility is good.

As long as you obey the "Stop" and "Temporary Stop" signs, even beginners can drive calmly.

🅿️ It's also nice that there are few multi-story parking lots

Most of the parking lots in the city are flat, making it an environment friendly to those who are not good at parking.

There was almost no worry about "being nervous in a multi-story parking lot..."

📌 Recommended points for driving beginners
✔ Low traffic volume allows for calm driving
✔ Many straight roads make it hard to get lost
✔ Many flat parking lots make parking safe

✨ Impressions

Honestly, I was a little anxious before leaving, but Obihiro and Tokachi were areas friendly to driving beginners.

✨ Summary | 4 days and 3 nights just in Obihiro, the satisfaction was beyond imagination!

I was a little worried, thinking, "Can I really spend 4 days and 3 nights just in Obihiro?" but in reality, it was a fulfilling trip packed with gourmet food, nature, hot springs, and experiences.

Even without extending your trip to Sapporo or Furano, you can fill both your heart and stomach just in Obihiro.

This is a travel style I highly recommend, especially for those who want to prioritize food.

On your next trip to Hokkaido, please try a relaxing foodie trip in Tokachi and Obihiro🍽️✨