Hop on Aero K from Incheon or Cheongju and fly straight to Tokachi, Hokkaido in winter.The flight takes only about three hours.Based in Obihiro, your journey begins as you fully immerse yourself in Tokachi’s charm—an endless world of sparkling white.
With a sightseeing taxi, there’s no need to worry about driving on winter roads or getting around.You can enjoy hot springs, local cuisine, and snowy landscape activities efficiently and comfortably!
In this article, we’ll introduce a model plan to help you confidently enjoy Tokachi in winter—even on your first trip to Hokkaido.
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From Cheongju to Tokachi–Obihiro in About 3 Hours
From Korea’s Incheon International Airport or Cheongju International Airport, you can reach Tokachi–Obihiro Airport, the gateway to the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, in about 2.5 to 3 hours on a direct flight.Round-trip fares can sometimes start in the 20,000-yen range, making it a popular route for an easy winter getaway to Hokkaido.
After arriving at the airport, it’s a smooth 40-minute ride to central Obihiro on the airport shuttle bus—making it easy to get around even on your first Hokkaido trip.
Aero K Flight Schedule
＜Incheon Route＞
November 11, 2025 – March 28, 2026
| Flight No. | Route | Operating Days | Departure | Arrival |
| RF358 | Incheon → Tokachi–Obihiro | Tue / Sat | 11:50 | 14:20 |
| RF357 | Tokachi–Obihiro → Incheon | Tue / Sat | 15:20 | 18:40 |
＜Cheongju Route＞
October 26, 2025 – March 27, 2026
| Flight No. | Route | Operating Days | Departure | Arrival |
| RF354 | Cheongju → Tokachi–Obihiro | Mon / Wed / Fri | 14:00 | 16:35 |
| RF357 | Tokachi–Obihiro → Cheongju | Mon / Wed / Fri | 18:05 | 21:20 |
The Appeal of Obihiro, Hokkaido
Tokachi–Obihiro is known for having some of the harshest winters in Hokkaido.In January, the average temperature is around −8°C, and mornings and evenings often drop below −15°C. When radiative cooling occurs, it can even feel close to −30°C.
Even so, many travelers still make their way to this bitterly cold destination. Because winter-only experiences are waiting for them.
Hot-air balloon free flights and skiing in crisp, clear air are activities that let you feel Tokachi’s great outdoors with your whole body.If you want a more active winter adventure, ski-focused tours are also highly recommended!
ntabi introduces Tokachi ski tours that everyone can enjoy, from beginners to advanced skiers.
After your activities, soaking in Tokachi’s “Moor Onsen” is another must for a winter trip here.These plant-derived hot springs are rare even on a global scale, and the smooth, amber-colored water gently warms you from the core.
Tokachi is also known as one of Japan’s leading food-producing regions. Dishes that make the most of local ingredients—and Tokachi sweets famous for their quality—will broaden your travel delights even more.
It’s in the deep freeze that beauty and warmth stand out most── Winter in Tokachi is a special destination where you can savor true “awe” beyond the harshness.
A Day Trip Winter Sightseeing Taxi Tour in Tokachi
Hokkaido is vast, and the distances between sightseeing spots—especially in the Tokachi area—can be long. In winter, roads can also be slippery with snow, so many travelers find getting around by rental car or local bus challenging.
That’s why “sightseeing taxis,” with a dedicated driver-guide, are so popular with travelers.
Benefits of a Sightseeing Taxi
- Travel is effortless: Leave all the driving to a professional—no worries about winter roads.
- No time wasted: An efficient route that covers major highlights, keeping you comfortable even in the cold season.
- Your luggage is safe: Even with large bags, you can leave them in the car while you sightsee.
- They’ll guide you to the best photo spots: A local-savvy driver escorts you to prime viewpoints.
- Ideal for group travel: Great value when you split the cost—popular for families and friends.
How to Use It
To use a sightseeing taxi, it’s best to make a reservation in advance once your travel dates are set.
For example, “Taisho Kotsu Sightseeing Taxi” offers: ・A sedan type that can carry up to 4 passengers ・A jumbo taxi (wagon type) that can carry up to 9 passengers so you can choose a vehicle that fits your group size.
Pricing is based on a simple hourly system depending on the vehicle type.They also provide model courses, and if you tell them where you want to go, they can arrange a custom-made plan as well.
Whether you want to “take photos while enjoying snowy scenery” or “relax in a hot spring,” share your wishes in advance and they’ll propose a route that suits you best.
Next, to help you picture what your trip could look like, here’s a day plan that lets you fully enjoy Tokachi.It includes winter-only snowy views, crisp clear air, hot springs to warm you up, plus local gourmet food and sweets. Use it as a reference for your own trip.
Cold Yet Cozy: The Best of Tokachi in Winter—A One-Day Plan
| Time | Plan |
| 9:00 | Depart from your hotel in Obihiro / Obihiro Station |
| 9:30 | Tokachi Ranch: White birch avenue & watch the “Umaoi” exercise |
| 11:00 | Experience Shikaribetsu Kotan at Lake Shikaribetsu |
| 13:00 | Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen (Lunch) |
| 13:35 | Kangetsuen (Tokachigawa Onsen bathing) |
| 15:00 | Shopping (Rokkatei Main Store / Ryugetsu Main Store) |
| 16: 00 | Arrive at Obihiro Station |
9:00 Depart from your hotel in Obihiro / Obihiro Station
9:30 Tokachi Ranch: White birch avenue (photo stop) & watch the “Umaoi” exercise
Tokachi Ranch in Otofuke Town, Tokachi, Hokkaido transforms into a world of white in winter. The highlight is the straight 1.3 km birch-lined road—an iconic winter Tokachi景 spot. The striking contrast of the snowfields and white birches makes it a popular “photo spot.”
If your timing works out, we also recommend watching the “Umaoi” exercise.
This important exercise is done to maintain and develop the health of pregnant horses, and you can watch it on weekday mornings from mid-January through the end of February. Seeing draft horses weighing around one ton thunder down an 800 m track, kicking up snow as they run, is truly spectacular.
【INFORMATION】
Address: 8-1 Komaba Namiki, Otofuke Town, Hokkaido
Umaoi exercise viewing season: Weekday mornings (around 9:30) from January to February (about 1 hour)
*May be canceled depending on weather and track conditions
Official website
10:00 Transfer to Lake Shikaribetsu
11:00 Arrive at Lake Shikaribetsu “Shikaribetsu Kotan”
“Shikaribetsu Kotan” is a “phantom village” that appears only in winter on the frozen surface of Lake Shikaribetsu in Shikaoi Town, Hokkaido. Igloos and ice buildings made of snow and ice line the site, and you can enjoy an open-air bath on the ice and a footbath.
Season: Typically late January to mid-March(In 2026: planned for January 24 – March 15)
Hours: 9:00–20:00 (until 18:00 in March)
Location: Lake Shikaribetsu, Shikaoi Town, Kato District, Hokkaido (within Daisetsuzan National Park)
Fee: 500 yen for elementary school age and up (approx. 4,760 KRW) *Sponsor contribution / season-pass style
Official website
Official website (English)
12:00 Depart Shikaribetsu Kotan
13:00 Roadside Station Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen (Lunch)
Take a lunch break at the roadside station “Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen,” a multi-purpose facility where you can enjoy souvenirs, food, and a footbath.
Inside, there are several restaurants offering gourmet meals made with Tokachi ingredients, giving you plenty of choices. At the Italian restaurant “Table Vegi,” the salt ramen packed with the umami of local vegetables and freshly baked pizzas made with Tokachi wheat are especially popular.
With terrace seating both indoors and outdoors, you can freely bring dishes from multiple shops and enjoy them together.
【INFORMATION】
Address: 1 Tokachigawa Onsen Kita 14-chome, Otofuke Town, Kato District, Hokkaido
Phone: 0155-46-2447
Hours: Apr–Oct: 9:00–19:00 (Mon–Thu) / 9:00–21:00 (Fri–Sun & holidays)
Nov–Mar: Daily 9:00–19:00
Closed: May–Oct (2nd Tue each month), Aug (4th Tue), Nov–Apr (every Tue), New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
*Restaurant closing days and hours vary by shop. For details, seehere
Official website
13:30 Depart Roadside Station “Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen”
13:35 Kangetsuen (Tokachigawa Onsen)
After lunch at the roadside station, head to nearby “Kangetsuen.” Here you can experience the world-famous—and rare—“Moor Onsen” on a day-trip basis.
The large public bath includes a cypress bath, a reclining bath, and a walking bath, so you can feel thoroughly refreshed even with a short soak.
A guest favorite is the garden open-air bath overlooking the Tokachi River.In winter, when snow falls quietly, you can enjoy a “snow-viewing bath,” savoring Tokachi’s seasonal beauty.
Day-use bathing fees are 1,800 yen for adults (approx. 17,150 KRW) and 500 yen for children (approx. 4,800 KRW). In addition to free towel rentals, amenities such as lotion and beauty serum are also provided—another welcome perk for travelers, as you can visit empty-handed.
【INFORMATION】
Address: 14-2 Minami, Tokachigawa Onsen, Otofuke Town, Kato District, Hokkaido
Hours:
・Weekdays & Sundays: 5:00–8:00, 13:00–21:00
・Saturdays & special days: 5:00–8:00, 13:00–15:00 (reception), 18:00–21:00
Closed: None
Phone: 0155-46-2001
Official website
14:30 Depart Kangetsuen (Tokachigawa Onsen)
15:00 Shopping (Rokkatei Main Store / Ryugetsu Main Store)
A must-try is the classic “Marusei Butter Sandwich,” a longtime best-seller. This beloved treat features a signature cream made with white chocolate, 100% fresh-butter, and California raisins, sandwiched between biscuits, with a hint of brandy adding depth and richness.
At the main store, you can also enjoy freshly made sweets available only on the spot—such as the “Sakusaku Pie,” filled with cream after you order.
【INFORMATION】
Address: 6 Minami 9-chome, Nishi 2-jo, Obihiro, Hokkaido
TEL: 0120-12-6666 (9:00–18:00)
Hours: 9:00–18:00
Closed: None
Official website
Ryugetsu is a long-established confectionery maker that代表 Tokachi and Obihiro. Their signature product “Sanporoku” is a birch-log-inspired Baumkuchen that has been loved for over half a century—an icon of Tokachi sweets. They also offer popular items like “Anbatasan,” a Tokachi red-bean cream sandwiched between fermented-butter sablés, and “Rambaja,” featuring a fun texture from Tokachi wheat, Hokkaido butter, rice flour, and rice puffs—each showcasing a deep commitment to ingredients.
Simple yet deeply flavorful, these treats are perfect as travel snacks or souvenirs. It’s a shop filled with Tokachi’s魅力, ready to color your旅 memories.
【INFORMATION】
Address: 15 Odori Minami 8-chome, Obihiro
TEL: 0155-23-2101
Hours: 8:30–19:00
Closed: None
Official website
Depart once shopping is complete
16:00 Arrive at Obihiro Station / Tour ends
This Winter, Experience a Kind of Wonder You Can Only Find in Tokachi
A winter day in Tokachi, comfortably touring snowy landscapes by private taxi. The majestic winter scenery at Tokachi Ranch, the幻想 experience of the ice world of Shikaribetsu Kotan, a relaxing break at hot springs, and time filled with popular sweets—each is a special encounter you can only have in this season.
Why not fully enjoy winter Tokachi with Aero K?
