15 minutes by car from central Obihiro. The moment you pass through the gate, an Ezo squirrel’s tail flicks softly and the tips of conifers fade into a sky-blue haze—this is Manabe Garden. A circuit-style garden of about 82,500 m² nurtured over more than 60 years, featuring thousands of tree species collected from around the world. Start your Tokachi flower tour at this “hidden favorite” on the Hokkaido Garden Highway.
Contents
Walk the Three Themed Gardens of Manabe Garden
| Garden | Atmosphere |
|---|---|
| European Garden | Feel the seasonal breeze by the garden’s icon “Red-Roof House,” the Rugosa rose path, and the Kids’ Garden |
| Japanese Garden | Highlights include Shōseikaku, built as a rest pavilion for Emperor Taishō (then the reigning emperor), and the carp pond |
| Landscape Garden | Stroll leisurely past Oripin Falls and the Forest Open Gallery toward the rainbow-trout pond |
*A relaxed loop takes about 60 minutes. Photography lovers, budget an extra 30 minutes.
Experience Report｜Take a Deep Breath in the “Pale-Blue Forest”
9:00 The scent of haircap moss and a chorus of birds
Enter right after opening and you’ll find the lawn beaded with morning dew while varied tits sing overhead. Rows of pale, glinting conifers rise around you, and the sounds of Obihiro city feel far away.
9:30 An encounter with an Ezo squirrel
While walking near the wooden bridge in the area called the “Pale-Blue Forest,” you may spot an Ezo squirrel sprinting up an Ezo spruce trunk. The squirrels here are used to people, so you can photograph them on a smartphone even without a telephoto lens.
10:30 “Forest sweets” on the café terrace
Order coffee and milk soft-serve at the café terrace beside the garden exit. Linger over sweets as great tits flit in and out nearby.
How to Enjoy: Flower Tour × Garden Highway
- Morning: Manabe Garden
- Conifers and wildflowers in harmony—soak in the deep “forest hues.”
- Afternoon: Tokachi Hills (30 min by car)
- Stroll the Rose Walk, then lunch at a café overlooking the fields.
- Next day: Rokka no Mori & Nakasatsunai Art Village
- Tour the flowers from iconic wrapping-paper designs and art works to savor Tokachi’s nature and culture.
That completes three stamps on the Tokachi Garden Highway!
The Joy of “Taking It Home” at the Garden Center
- Seedlings of the latest horticultural varieties: Choose conifers, colorful foliage plants, and more while consulting with garden-center staff.
- Workshops for container plantings & wreaths: Seasonal classes are held, and you can purchase containers and materials.
- Staff horticulture advice: Friendly guidance for beginners on sun exposure, overwintering, and more—plus purchase support.
If you’re new to gardening, ask staff about “sun exposure” and “overwintering tips”—they’ll kindly jot down notes for you.
Seasonal Photo Ideas
| Month | Subject | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-May | Weeping cherry (across the pond) | Around the European Pond— you might catch reflections |
| Early July | Lilacs | At the European-style garden entrance— enjoy the fragrance and colors |
| Late September | Autumn foliage (red, yellow, green) | Near the Flowing-Stream suspension bridge— mosaic-like hues |
| Early October | Conifers wrapped in autumn mist | Deep in the Pale-Blue Forest— a dreamy landscape awaits |
【Information｜Contact】
Address: Inadachō Higashi 2-sen 6, Obihiro, Hokkaido
TEL: 0155-48-2120
Open season: Late April–early November / 8:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00) *Shorter hours in Oct–Nov
Admission: Adults ¥1,000 / Elementary & Junior High ¥200
(Group/Disability discounts and annual pass available)
Closed: December–late April
Official Website・Instagram・Facebook
A “Fairy-Tale Land” Isn’t Made in a Day
The forest, grown over more than 60 years from saplings gathered worldwide, continues to mature with every visit. Blue-toned conifer shadows, the murmur of the stream, the patter of squirrels’ feet—Manabe Garden is a place not just to “see” but to “feel.” For the first step of your Tokachi flower tour, shed city time and take a deep breath in the “Pale-Blue Forest.”
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