New Year’s Trip to Tokachi, Hokkaido: A Winter Getaway of Hot Springs and Gourmet Delights

Hokkaido during the New Year holidays is truly the best of winter. Among its regions, Tokachi stands out as a beloved destination where grand nature, rich food culture, and heart-warming hot springs come together.

Wrapped in the quiet of snowfields, you can sink into plant-derived moor hot springs and savor seasonal flavors unique to Japan’s “agricultural kingdom” of Tokachi—an experience perfectly suited to welcoming a brand-new year. Focusing on “hot springs” and “gourmet,” here’s a deep dive into Tokachi’s winter charm.

Three Highlights of Traveling in Obihiro–Tokachi

Winter in Tokachi/Obihiro is known for its particularly harsh cold, even within Hokkaido. The average temperature in January is around −8°C (17.6°F). Mornings and nights can drop below −15°C, and under radiational cooling it can feel close to −30°C.

Even so, many travelers deliberately choose this frozen season. Here are three reasons why winter Tokachi is so captivating.

1. Soothe Body and Soul in the Famous “Beauty Bath” Moor Hot Springs

Tokachi’s signature attraction, the “moor onsen,” is a plant-derived hot spring that, worldwide, bubbles up only in Tokachigawa Onsen and a few places in Germany. Ancient plants matured within geological layers, enriching the water with humic acid—hence its reputation as a “beauty bath” that leaves skin supple and moisturized.

The amber-colored water is slightly viscous, and the post-bath silkiness is exceptional. Designated a Hokkaido Heritage in 2004, it’s a symbol of Tokachi. Many hotels in the area offer open-air baths fed directly from the source; in winter you can enjoy the ultimate luxury—bathing while watching the snow fall.

2. Feast on Superb Cuisine from a Treasure Trove of Ingredients

Winter in Tokachi is a season of flavor worthy of its title “Kingdom of Food.” The clear air and large day–night temperature swing produce agricultural and livestock products packed with umami that elevate every dish.

Local specialties like Tokachi pork bowls and rich, milk-based sweets are truly outstanding. In cafés and restaurants along your journey, you can savor “winter delicacies” crafted with producers’ passion—an experience for all five senses.

3. Enjoy Events and Activities That Harness the Winter Cold

Experiences unique to the severe cold make a Tokachi trip truly special.
At “Sairinka®” in Otofuke, a fantastical nightscape of light and sound spreads beautifully through the crisp air.

“Jewelry Ice” in Toyokoro is a photogenic spot where you can witness ice art sparkling in the frigid morning sun.

And at “Shikaribetsu Kotan” on Lake Shikaribetsu, events celebrate snow and ice with open-air baths on the frozen lake and snow activities held across the region.

Winter in Tokachi overflows with ways to embrace the cold as part of the fun.

(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/obihiro-winter-kankou/)”]

Three Hot Spring Inns for Peace of Mind and Body Amid Snowy Scenery

To indulge in winter-only luxuries in silvery Tokachi, we recommend staying at a hot spring inn. Wrapped in steam amid pristine air and silence, even the frostiest season feels pleasant and serene.

Here are three carefully selected inns where you can enjoy the rare “moor onsen” while gazing at snowy views—places to immerse yourself in grand nature, healing waters, and Tokachi’s culinary bounty, perfect for a winter trip.

Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel (Otofuke)

Set along the Tokachi River, Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel is a hot-spring resort comprising three buildings: Toyosu-tei, Toyo-tei, and San-yo-an. At “Toyosu-tei,” which features open-air moor hot springs in every room, you can soak while admiring snowy scenery and the illuminated Tokachi Chuo Bridge.

“Toyo-tei” offers a calm, modern-Japanese atmosphere and spacious rooms with panoramic river views. “San-yo-an” provides the pinnacle of relaxation for a truly luxurious stay.

For dinner, the buffet restaurant “Komorebi” with a live kitchen serves the “Tokachi Buffet” made with ingredients from all 19 municipalities of Tokachi—mooru-bred pork, fresh seafood, local vegetables, bean dishes, and more.

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Tokachigawa Onsen Kangetsuen (Otofuke)

Kangetsuen is a riverside ryokan where you can fully enjoy both the Hokkaido Heritage–listed moor hot springs and the bounty of Tokachi.

In the garden open-air bath amid snowy views, steam drifting over the river and a star-filled sky create a dreamy atmosphere.

The large communal baths offer a variety of tubs—cypress baths, reclining baths, and walking baths—while the renovated authentic Finnish sauna allows for self löyly.

Dinner at the restaurant “Nire no Mori” features a Japanese–Western buffet using fresh Tokachi ingredients. Seasonal local vegetables, cheeses, and items from the Tokachi corner are especially popular.

Enjoy a stay that warms you inside and out amid the crystal-clear winter air.

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Hokkaido Hotel (Obihiro)

Five minutes by car from Obihiro Station, “Mori no Spa Resort Hokkaido Hotel” is an urban resort where nature and city harmonize.

Its imposing exterior uses over 600,000 bricks made in Tokachi, while the interior features abundant oak for a warm ambience. Fed by Hokkaido-Heritage moor hot springs, the baths warm you to the core—one of the hotel’s proudest features.

Within the hotel you’ll find a variety of dinner venues showcasing seasonal Tokachi ingredients: the kaiseki restaurant “Rokuro,” the live-cooking teppanyaki “EZO TEPPAN W6,” and “Sushi-doko Kasuga,” where artisans shape each piece by hand—choose according to your mood.

Breakfast features refined dishes such as Japanese/Western sets and soup curry, all highlighting local ingredients. Gaze out at the snowy garden and savor a wintertime filled with fine food and deep relaxation.

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Five “Tokachi Gourmet Spots” to Savor Over the New Year

In the New Year season, Tokachi becomes a trove of fine foods grown by an extreme climate that deepens flavor. Winter in Tokachi is so enticing that “eating” can become the very purpose of your trip.

From signature pork bowls and jingisukan to limited sweets from long-established confectioners and beloved local curries—we’ve handpicked five “Tokachi gourmet spots” that are must-visits in the cold season.

Butadon no Pancho (Obihiro)

“Ganso Butadon no Pancho” is known as the birthplace of Obihiro’s famous pork bowls.

Since its founding in 1933, it has preserved the tradition of grilling over charcoal. The name plays on the Chinese word for “dining hall” (hantei). In a playful twist honoring the first proprietress “Ume-san,” the rank order of “pine-bamboo-plum” is reversed so that “Ume (plum)” is the top tier.

Charcoal-grilled pork loin tossed in a secret sauce crowns a bowl of rice—fluffy, tender, and the quintessential Obihiro pork bowl.

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(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/butadon-obihiro/#google_vignette)”]

Rokkatei Obihiro Main Store (Obihiro)

About a 6-minute walk from JR Obihiro Station, the Rokkatei Obihiro main store is the flagship of a confectioner founded in 1933. It’s perfect for souvenir shopping, with staples like “Marusei Butter Sandwich,” “Yuki ya Konko,” and “Choco Marron.”

Don’t miss items exclusive to the main store.

Highlights include the crisp-pastry “Sakusaku Pie” filled with rich custard, “Marusei Ice Sandwich” (butter cream in ice-cream style), and “Yuki ya Konko Cheese,” a cheesecake between black-cocoa biscuits—treats available only here.

Drop in during your sightseeing to enjoy both Obihiro-style souvenir browsing and a sweet experience in one stop.

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Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden (Otofuke)

About 20 minutes by car from Obihiro Station, “Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden” sits next to the Otofuke roadside station and showcases the charms of Ryugetsu, a venerable confectioner producing over 300 types of sweets annually.

The shop features seasonal and store-exclusive treats, and the café offers free coffee—perfect for a rest during sightseeing.

A fan favorite is “Sanporoku no Kirehashi,” ends of their signature baumkuchen “Sanporoku.” Known as a legendary bargain item, it can draw lines before opening.

Factory tours, hands-on confectionery classes, and photo spots round out the fun—making this a representative Tokachi attraction for families and friends.

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Jingisukan Shirakaba Main Store (Obihiro)

Founded in 1957, “Jingisukan Shirakaba” is hailed by locals as offering the best jingisukan in Tokachi—a landmark of Obihiro’s mutton-grilling culture.

Shirakaba’s devotion shows in the thickness and blend of meats. Cut into bite-size pieces to balance satisfying chew and tenderness, a trio of cuts—loin seared over charcoal, fatty belly, and hearty round—are blended to draw out the lamb’s inherent flavor.

The sauce is a secret recipe passed down since its founding—its toasty aroma and rich depth stoke the appetite.Sizzle, aroma, and taste—if you want a five-senses jingisukan experience, the main Shirakaba location is unmissable.

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(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/obihiro-genghis-khan/)”]

Curry Shop Indian – Machinaka (Downtown) Branch (Obihiro)

For Obihiro residents, “curry means Indian.” Founded in 1968, this long-standing curry specialty chain is known for the quirky tagline “the second-best curry in Obihiro”—because “the best is Mom’s or your wife’s.” The concept radiates local love.

Choose from three sauces—“Indian,” “Basic,” and “Vegetable”—and pair freely with toppings like pork cutlet, hamburger steak, and shrimp. A unique local custom is to bring your own pot for takeout.

The “Katsu Curry (Indian sauce)” packs aromatic spice and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Homestyle yet profound—experience Obihiro’s soul food for yourself.

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(https://matoka-tokachi.jp/obihiro-curry-14sen/)”]

Three “Special Winter-Only Activities”

Winter turns Tokachi into a stage that exists only now.

A wealth of activities make the most of the clear air and snowy landscapes—true winter-only experiences. Here are three especially popular “special activities.”

Tokachi Winter River Cruising (Obihiro)

Photo: Samurai Produce Co., Ltd.

Hosted by Samurai Produce, “Tokachi Winter River Cruising” is an experiential tour that epitomizes winter in Tokachi. Glide gently for about two hours down the lower reaches of the Obihiro River in an “E-Boat,” enveloped in crisp air.

On clear mornings, trees coated in rime ice and migrating swans unfold before you—like stepping into a painting.

Photo: Samurai Produce Co., Ltd.

When temperatures drop below −15°C, water vapor from the river can freeze, creating ethereal frost. Drifting over the hushed surface, you’ll tune in to birdsong and the crunch of snow—an experience like no other.

Photo: Samurai Produce Co., Ltd.

At the end of the tour, you’ll receive a delicious local sweet to take home—perfect for reliving the cruise afterward.

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