A Gentle Night with Obihiro’s Basha BAR in Tokachi – A Miraculous Time When the Rhythm of Hooves Unwinds Your Heart

Clip-clop, clip-clop — the sound of hooves gently stirs the quiet of the night. This is the Basha BAR, a horse-drawn carriage that walks through the streets of Obihiro after dark.

The moment you place your foot on the carriage step, the gentle rhythm of the hooves blends into the stillness of the night. Light footsteps echo in the darkness, the warm breath of the horse, and the soft shadows cast by the streetlights. In the glass you hold, bubbles quietly sway in a single beer. Its coolness quenches your throat and seeps deep into your chest along with the night breeze.

All of these moments nestle close as they soak into your heart, and the tension in your body quietly melts away.

What awaits you here is “a night in Obihiro unlike anywhere else.” Let us slowly share this special time with you through photographs.

“Basha BAR” – A Way to Enjoy the Night in Obihiro

“Basha BAR” is a unique night-time activity where you tour the streets of Obihiro in a classic horse-drawn carriage while enjoying drinks. It is an experience you can have only here in Obihiro, the central city of the Tokachi region in Hokkaido.

The horse pulling the carriage is a breed called “Banba,” which also competes in Obihiro’s famous Ban’ei horse racing. Their strength, gentle temperament, and the warmth that radiates from their large bodies quietly loosen the hearts of those who ride with them.

The sound of hooves, the creaking of the wooden wheels, and the time that flows slowly as the city lights glide by — it all feels like surrendering yourself to the night of Obihiro.

The Cityscape of Tokachi / Obihiro

Obihiro is the central city of the Tokachi region in Hokkaido. With a population of around 160,000, it is known for its cityscape that leaves a strong impression of “openness,” created by its wide sky and low-rise buildings. While commercial facilities are scattered throughout, there are also roadside trees and parks, giving the town an overall calm and quiet atmosphere.

With few neon lights, the streetlights and shadows of the trees gently illuminate the hearts of those who visit

The downtown area of Obihiro that you tour with Basha BAR feels as if time flows more slowly. The softness of the streetlights and the comfort of the night breeze will quietly fill your heart.

Basha BAR Experience Report

A journey with Basha BAR, slowly touring the night streets of Obihiro together with a horse. From here, we’ll share the scenes from an actual ride, along with photos. Relive this special 50-minute journey where every moment leaves a lasting impression.

The Horse Pulling the Carriage – Expressions of Musashikoma

The horse pulling the Basha BAR is Musashikoma, a Ban’ei draft horse that once competed in the local “Ban’ei Tokachi” races. Affectionately called “Koma-chan” by locals, he is a dignified chestnut stallion born in 2012 (13 years old as of 2025), with a striking broad white blaze on his forehead.

He raced actively until October 2018, and his strength is still very much alive. Standing about 170 cm at the withers and weighing over one ton, he easily pulls a carriage that weighs up to about four tons when fully loaded with passengers.

Yet when you stand in front of him, his expression is gentle. His eyes are soft and kind, as if he can sense the feelings in people’s hearts.

Before Boarding – A Classical Carriage Showcasing Master Craftsmanship

The departure point is “HOTEL NUPKA,” located just a short walk from Obihiro Station. Here, Musashikoma waits quietly, while Mr. Nagata, the manager of Basha BAR and your guide, welcomes guests with a warm smile. On this day, a woman visiting from Cheongju, Korea, joined the tour as well.

Travelers from different countries share the same carriage as they tour the night streets together. These chance encounters are one of the unique charms of this tour.

Your guide is Mr. Nagata, the manager of Basha BAR. English guidance is also available.

The carriage is designed so that guests can enjoy an elegant, high-quality time, and the craftsmanship shines through in every detail. It was created through a collaboration between Minerva, a furniture workshop that also restores carriages for the Imperial Household Agency, and a group of skilled artisans from Tokachi.

The warmth of the wood and the classical design blend gently into the streets of Obihiro.

The first floor is an indoor space, while the second floor is an open deck, and guests are free to move between them via a spiral staircase even while the carriage is in motion.

Departure – Heading into the Night with Tokachi Snacks in Hand

On this day, we took seats on the second floor. On the table, the drinks and snacks we had reserved in advance were already laid out.

Among the pre-selectable drinks, one of the most popular is the fruity “Tabi no Hajimari Beer” (“The Journey Begins Beer”). It’s an original craft beer from HOTEL NUPKA made with 100% barley malt produced in Tokachi.

The snacks include steamed potatoes of the rare, sweet variety “Saya Akane,” natural cheese from Tokachi, and edamame from Nakasatsunai Village — a lineup rich with local flavors.

Then comes the signal to depart. As Koma-chan pushes off with strength, the carriage sways ever so slightly, and the wooden wheels begin to roll quietly.

The carriage rocks a bit at the moment of departure, so hold onto the handrail.

That powerful force is transmitted through the carriage to your body, and it feels as though you are experiencing the very moment the journey begins with your whole being.

The Flowing Cityscape – Hearts Dancing to the Pleasant Sound of Hooves

Once the carriage is moving, you’re surprised by how smooth the ride is. There is hardly any jostling, and the steady rhythm of the hooves, along with the slowly changing night scenery, makes your heart leap with joy.

With the pleasant sound of hooves echoing around you, gazing down at the city while holding a drink is a truly special experience.

At times, the carriage passes very close to parked cars when going through narrow streets. Although there is a slight thrill, you can feel at ease thanks to the driver’s skillful reins and safe handling.

Passing in front of “Kita no Yatai,” a row of 20 unique food stalls. Stopping by after the Basha BAR tour is also recommended.

Before long, the carriage reaches the main avenue in front of Obihiro Station.

Basha BAR moves powerfully along the broad avenue in front of the station.

Illuminated by the city lights, the carriage proceeds slowly along the main avenue in front of Obihiro Station. A road that would look like just another main thoroughfare from a car takes on a completely different expression when viewed from the height and speed of the carriage. The unhurried pace makes it feel as though you are savoring the night of Obihiro more deeply.

Break Time – A Moment to Connect with Koma-chan

As the tour enters its latter half, the carriage returns to the area around “Kita no Yatai.” Here, it’s time for Koma-chan to take a break after working hard to pull the carriage. Each passenger gets a chance to hand him a carrot and offer their thanks.

Koma-chan munches on the carrot with great delight.

For a short while, there is also a “contact time” with Koma-chan, during which you can gently touch parts of his body that you rarely have the chance to feel — his hindquarters, back, neck, and nose. It’s an experience made possible because of Koma-chan’s calm and gentle nature.

His coat is soft and fluffy, and surprisingly warm. As you rest your hand on that warmth, you may even forget about the cold. The quiet rhythm of life within his large body seems to gently resonate with your own heart.

The Final Stretch – Parting Bittersweetly, Promising to Meet Again

After the break, it’s time for the final stretch back to the terminus at HOTEL NUPKA. As the carriage makes its way slowly through the night streets, the sound of Koma-chan’s hooves echoes softly.

Once back in front of the hotel, Koma-chan looks somehow relieved. His expression appears to be one of contentment, as if he’s glad to have safely brought all of his passengers back.

A heartfelt “thank you for your hard work” naturally wells up inside. At the moment of parting, you stroke Koma-chan’s head once more and say “thank you,” and he quietly leans closer. In that instant, it feels as though your hearts have truly connected.

I’m pretty sure it wasn’t me who stepped forward — it was Koma-chan who walked up to me.

The Basha BAR journey lasts about 50 minutes. It was a time when waves of emotion — laughter, healing, and the bittersweet feeling of farewell — washed over us again and again. With the thought, “I’ll come back to see Koma-chan again,” the night in Obihiro slowly drew to a close.

Boarding Information

Basha BAR is a relaxing way to tour the streets of Obihiro at a leisurely pace while feeling the night breeze. Below is a summary of the operating schedule, fares, meeting place, and other details you’ll want to know before departure.

【information │ Contact】

An Unforgettable 50-Minute Journey that Gently Accompanies the Night in Obihiro

The short yet deeply rich time spent on Basha BAR allowed us to feel the profound gentleness of Obihiro’s night. The sound of hooves, the warmth of the horse, and the soft glow of the streetlights — each is a small source of comfort that gently loosens your heart along the way.

If you visit Tokachi, we highly recommend riding Basha BAR at least once. The pleasant feeling of moving at a relaxed pace will let you experience the charm of Obihiro’s night on a much deeper level.