Tokachimura is a sightseeing spot adjacent to Obihiro Racecourse, where you can watch “Banei Horse Racing,” the only one of its kind in the world. It’s the perfect gateway to Tokachi sightseeing, where you can experience the appeal of Tokachi all at once.
After choosing seasonal vegetables, agricultural products, and souvenirs from Tokachi at the direct market, you can enjoy Tokachi gourmet dishes in the dining area. Or you can visit the “Horse Museum” to learn about the history of development and horses, then enjoy the thrilling Banei horse races──the real charm of Tokachimura lies in how food, learning, and excitement are all connected in one experience.
Because there is so much to see, it’s easy to feel unsure about “where to start and how to get around.” That’s why, as a local, I’ve created a classic model course that’s easy to follow even for first-time visitors. Let’s make lasting memories at Tokachimura.
Contents
- Tokachimura Classic Model Course
- 11:00〜 Shopping at the Tokachi Direct Market
- 11:40〜 Explore the History of Development at the Horse Museum
- 12:00〜 Gourmet Time at Tokachimura West and East Buildings
- 13:30〜 Feel the Thrill Watching Races at the Racecourse
- Let Your Tokachi Trip Begin from Tokachimura
- For a Smooth Sightseeing Plan, Use the “Route Search Service”!
Tokachimura Classic Model Course
There are many ways to enjoy Tokachimura. For those wondering in what order to visit the different spots, here is a tried-and-true model course you can follow.
| Time | Activity |
| 11:00〜 | Shopping at the Tokachi Direct Market |
| 11:40〜 | Learning about development history at the Horse Museum |
| 12:00〜 | Gourmet experience at Tokachimura West and East Buildings |
| 13:30〜 | Watching heart-pounding races at the racecourse |
With this plan, you can use Tokachimura as the starting point of your Tokachi trip and then head out to other sightseeing spots afterward.
11:00〜
Shopping at the Tokachi Direct Market
Once you arrive, head first to the “Tokachi Direct Market.”
It’s like “Tokachimura’s supermarket,” offering not only fresh vegetables grown locally but also processed foods made with ingredients from Tokachi. Even just strolling through as if window-shopping will naturally give you a feel for Tokachi’s specialties and current food trends.
First, we recommend taking a lap around the market and making a mental note of any items that catch your eye.
Of course, you can also stop by the Direct Market again on your way out and stock up on souvenirs. Since there is no admission fee for Tokachimura, you can easily come back after visiting other spots.
Be sure to look for gifts for your loved ones and a special treat for yourself here at the Direct Market.
＼PICK UP！／
Store Manager’s Recommendation: Kanno Jingisukan
The Direct Market is lined with all sorts of “delicious things from Tokachi.” If you’re not sure what to choose, it’s a great idea to ask the staff, who know the area well, for their recommendations. The “special pick” the store manager shared with me was “Kanno Meat Shop Seasoned Lamb Jingisukan.”
When you mention Jingisukan in Tokachi, Kanno Meat Shop is a name that often comes up. Their lamb, marinated in a secret sauce, is a popular product that lets you enjoy authentic flavor at home with ease. Shoulder loin, which can only be obtained in small quantities from a young sheep, is characterized by fine muscle fibers and tender texture. Even though it’s thick-cut, it bites cleanly and rewards every chew with a burst of umami.
Because it’s beloved by so many locals, you can feel confident choosing it as a souvenir. It’s sold frozen, but you can ask the staff to arrange shipping on the spot, which is another nice touch.
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/obihiro-omiyage/)”]
11:40〜
Explore the History of Development at the Horse Museum
After enjoying your shopping at the Direct Market, head over to the Horse Museum. The history of Tokachi’s development cannot be separated from the presence of horses.
Horses transported goods, tilled the fields, and even pulled up the roots of large trees—they played an active role in all kinds of frontier work and supported people’s lives. Through the exhibits, you can casually learn about the relationship between people and horses. When you watch Banei horse racing afterward, you’ll feel even more attached to the horses working so hard, and you’ll find yourself cheering for them with extra passion.
【INFORMATION】
Opening Hours: 10:00–16:00
Closed: Wednesdays from December to March (excluding New Year holidays)
Phone: 0155-34-7307
*The museum is closed during winter, and advance reservations by phone are required if you wish to visit.
12:00〜
Gourmet Time at Tokachimura West and East Buildings
When you start feeling hungry, it’s time to enjoy the “food experience,” one of Tokachimura’s main attractions. The dining area is divided into the West Building, where you can have a proper meal, and the East Building, where you can enjoy sweets and light snacks.
Refuel Properly at the West Building
When it comes to classic Tokachi gourmet, butadon (pork bowl) is a must. At “Kikuchiya” in the West Building, you can savor a bowl where the harmony of char-grilled pork and sweet-savory sauce becomes an addictive combination. It’s a place you definitely want to keep in mind when you’re craving a truly Tokachi-style lunch.
The West Building offers plenty of options. You can enjoy ramen at “Men Village,” where popular shops appear on a monthly rotation, or take a relaxing break at “Matena Coffee.” You’re free to choose whichever place suits your mood. The West Building of Tokachimura will fill not only your stomach but also your heart with the deliciousness of Tokachi.
＼PICK UP！／
Hot Snacks at Tokachi Kitchen
When traveling with children, hot snacks that everyone loves can be a real lifesaver. At “Tokachi Kitchen,” you’ll find a wide variety of kid-pleasing items like pizza, hot dogs, and French fries.
We especially recommend the “special pizza” made with Tokachi wheat and cheese. Since it’s baked to order, you can enjoy it piping hot and delightfully chewy.
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at the East Building
“Shichiku Garden Café” is a shop where you can casually enjoy scones, macarons, soft-serve ice cream, and more from the restaurant of “Shichiku Garden,” a famous spot in the outskirts of Obihiro. Here at Tokachimura, you can get a small taste of the vibrant world of Shichiku Garden, which boasts expansive grounds of about 50,000 square meters.
＼PICK UP！／
“My Favorite Eggs”
At “My Favorite Eggs,” a new spot that opened in 2025, you can enjoy a menu full of originality. In addition to an “evolved TKG (tamago kake gohan, rice with raw egg)” that combines eggs from Nakasatsunai Village with cold-smoked seasonings, their pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and other sweets are also very popular.
Since they open from 9:00 a.m., it’s a great place to enjoy a slightly late breakfast. With such a wide-ranging menu, you can also use it for lunch or a sweets break, depending on your plans.
For more detailed information about “My Favorite Eggs,” check out the link below!
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/my-favorite-eggs-baneikeiba/)”]
13:30〜
Feel the Thrill Watching Races at the Racecourse
If time allows, be sure to experience the excitement of watching Banei horse racing at Obihiro Racecourse.
Races are basically held on Saturdays and Sundays, with some Mondays also scheduled depending on the week. The first race generally starts between 14:00 and 14:30, although times can vary by day. For peace of mind, check the day’s timetable on the page below in advance.
One Wave of Excitement After Another—You’ll Find Yourself Cheering Out Loud
In Banei horse racing, draft horses pull iron sleds weighing up to one ton, guided by jockeys, and race along a straight 200-meter course toward the finish line. There are two trapezoid-shaped hills along the course, so it’s not just speed—stamina, power, and the jockey’s sense of pacing are key factors that determine the outcome.
＼POINT！／
The Biggest Highlight: The Second Obstacle
When the horses stop in front of the 1.6-meter-high hill, gather their strength, and then charge up in one powerful burst—the entire venue erupts.
Because the horses climb the steep slope slowly, at a pace where you could almost keep up on foot, you can watch from close enough to feel like you’re running alongside them—something unique to Banei racing. At such close range, cheers come out naturally. The roar of the crowd echoing through the venue is part of the charm, and when you shout yourself hoarse cheering, you may even feel as though the entire venue has become one.
Buying a Ticket Makes Watching Even More Fun
Simply watching Banei horse racing is exciting enough. But if you’re going to be there, even those who “aren’t really into gambling” might want to try buying a small betting ticket. Tickets start from just 100 yen. When you entrust your hopes to a horse that catches your eye and watch the race, it becomes instantly more thrilling.
About 25 minutes before the start, the racehorses appear in the paddock (parade ring). If you watch their temperament, the way they walk, and their chemistry with the jockeys, it becomes easier to find a horse you want to cheer for.
There are eight types of betting tickets, including single-win and place tickets. If it’s your first time and you’re unsure how to buy, don’t worry—the staff at the beginner’s corner in the venue will kindly walk you through the process.
Let Your Tokachi Trip Begin from Tokachimura
Time spent at Tokachimura is perfect both for getting a broad sense of Tokachi and for immersing yourself in the history and culture of horses. As a guideline, plan for the following stay durations:
Shopping + Gourmet + Race Viewing: 4 hours
If you start your day at Tokachimura in the morning, you’ll still have plenty of time afterward to fully enjoy sightseeing around Tokachi.
Use Tokachimura to grasp the “overall picture” of Tokachi, then head out to your next destination. For example, you might savor local gourmet food in downtown Obihiro, or relax and unwind from your travels at a day-trip hot spring. If you decide on your stops and travel flow before you set out, you’ll be able to move around without confusion on the day of your trip, making everything much smoother.
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/obihiro-gourmet/)”]
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/tokachi-higaeri-onsen/)”]
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/kita-no-yatai/)”]
For a Smooth Sightseeing Plan,
Use the “Route Search Service”!
If you want to put together your Tokachi travel plan even more smoothly, make good use of “MATOKA,” a tourism media platform dedicated to Tokachi. By using the “Route Search Service,” you can combine sightseeing spots, transportation options, and nearby facilities to generate a route tailored to your goals—very handy for planning your trip.
\(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/travel_plan_search_usage_guide/)”]
Be sure to partner with MATOKA and create the perfect route for your Tokachi journey.
