【Complete Conquest】15 Roadside Stations in Tokachi to Enjoy Around Obihiro｜Savor Food, Play, and Hot Springs to the Full

Tokachi is so vast that it’s often said “your sense of distance gets distorted,” with endless dairy farms and rural scenery. Around the Obihiro area, there are many roadside stations easily accessible by car where drivers can casually stop. This time, we visited all 15 of them, achieving a complete conquest of Tokachi’s roadside stations.

Even within Tokachi, each town has its own unique ingredients, landscapes, and culture—no two stations are alike. From local gourmet dishes made with plenty of fresh milk and wheat to direct sales of specialty products, hot springs and footbaths, and breathtaking scenic spots that make you want to snap a photo—this is a journey full of new surprises at every stop.

※The information in this article is current as of the date of publication, and all prices include tax.
※For the latest updates on events and business hours, please check the Hokkaido Roadside Stations official website.

1. Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen (Otofuke Town)

Located in the center of Tokachigawa Onsen, “Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen” reopened as a roadside station in July 2020. As a complex facility that includes dining areas using local ingredients and spa facilities utilizing moor hot springs, it is beloved by many visitors.

The first thing that catches your eye is the wide variety of gourmet options using locally grown Tokachi ingredients. Inside, there are four restaurants offering a diverse menu.

• “Yorimichi Bakery,” famous for its freshly fried curry bread
• Italian cuisine featuring local ingredients at “Table Veggie”
• Sweets & Café “Cafe in the Shade”
• “Karaage House,” serving fried chicken made with Nakatsatsunai free-range chicken

It’s hard to choose among all these tempting spots, but this day we went with the salt ramen and pizza at “Table Veggie.”
The “Vegetable Ramen (980 yen)” uses homemade noodles kneaded with broccoli, paired with a perfectly seasoned broth for a healthy and gentle flavor.

Salt ramen packed with local vegetables. A popular dish with perfect balance of color and nutrition.

The “Margherita Pizza (1,300 yen)” features chewy dough made from Tokachi wheat and a refreshing tomato sauce with just the right acidity. The freshly baked aroma is irresistible.

The simple yet delicious Margherita pizza.

There are terrace seats both inside and outside, allowing you to bring dishes from multiple shops and enjoy your own combination—a popular dining style. It’s a perfect place to take a pleasant break during your trip.

After your meal, relax in the moor hot spring. One of the highlights of Garden Spa is that you can enjoy moor hot springs—designated as a Hokkaido Heritage—together with family or couples while wearing swimsuits. It’s easy to drop by during sightseeing, and the gentle quality of the water soothes both body and mind.

There is also a free footbath area inside. Since it’s covered, you can use it even on rainy days, and towels are available for purchase, so you can come empty-handed. A casual way to experience the moor hot spring, the footbath is perfect for refreshing yourself during a trip.

A covered footbath that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. A gentle warmth for a peaceful holiday.

“Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen” is a roadside station where “food” and “healing” come together in one place. Whether as a travel destination or a stopover, it adds color to your journey.

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2. Urahoro (Urahoro Town)

Located on a hill along National Route 38, almost halfway between Obihiro and Kushiro, “Roadside Station Urahoro” was registered as Hokkaido’s 109th roadside station in July 2009 and opened in September of the same year.

The building uses larch wood, creating a calm atmosphere filled with the scent and warmth of wood as soon as you step inside. It’s a popular stop for bikers and drivers, who say it gives them a sense of comfort.

In the direct sales corner, you’ll find Urahoro-processed goods and fresh vegetables.

Freshly harvested Urahoro vegetables on display at the direct sales area. A convenient way to pick up seasonal produce.

The eat-in space offers fresh Urahoro milk for 250 yen a glass. You can also enjoy excellent sweets made with milk. Among them, the “Cream Puff with Double Cream (350 yen)” is especially popular for its rich and smooth flavor.

Cream puffs generously filled with Urahoro milk cream. Smooth texture with plenty of satisfaction.

Another specialty is the “Rugosa Rose Soft-Serve Ice Cream (400 yen),” topped with sauce made from rugosa roses grown in Urahoro. This limited treat is only available here, with a floral fragrance reminiscent of roses and a refreshing berry-like tartness.

Rugosa Rose Soft-Serve Ice Cream, notable for its elegant aroma and tart flavor.

Just a short stopover will allow you to experience both the nature and warmth of the people of Urahoro. If you’re in the area, be sure to drop by Roadside Station Urahoro.

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3. Stella★Honbetsu (Honbetsu Town)

“Roadside Station Stella★Honbetsu” opened in March 2009 by repurposing the old Honbetsu Station building. Inside, you’ll find local handicrafts and famous sweets that make it hard to choose what to buy.

Honbetsu is known as the “town of beans.” A special section is dedicated to beans produced in Honbetsu, with a wide selection on display.

The interior is packed with a wide variety of beans. Product descriptions on the shelves help you choose.

Within the grounds, a 28-meter section of track from the “Furusato Galaxy Line,” which was discontinued in 2006, has been restored and preserved.

A footbridge and preserved tracks offer a rare chance to see railway relics up close.

The original footbridge has also been preserved, making it a popular spot for photography.

About five minutes by car from the roadside station is “Yoshitsune’s Village Honbetsu Park,” a leisure spot full of family activities.

A park named after the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune visiting Honbetsu with Benkei.

In the park, new large playground equipment was installed in 2023, and children were happily playing.

After enjoying the bean culture and railway history at “Stella★Honbetsu,” refresh yourself at “Yoshitsune’s Village Honbetsu Park.” It’s a well-balanced day course combining both learning and play.

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4. Shikaoi (Shikaoi Town)

About a 35-minute drive from central Obihiro, “Roadside Station Shikaoi” is loved as a direct-sales hub featuring the town’s famed soba, local sweets, and seasonal vegetables.

What first catches your eye inside is the bundles of soba displayed at the entrance. Branded “Soba Shikaoi-jin,” they use 100% locally grown buckwheat with no salt or additives. The carefully selected local ingredients are sealed in for pure flavor—perfect as souvenirs or gifts.

A symbol of this “soba town” displayed at the entrance—bundles of Shikaoi-grown buckwheat. 350 yen per bag (serves 2).

The sweets lineup is also extensive. The “Pika Pika Mouse Cookies,” modeled after the pika found around Lake Shikaribetsu, are among the bestsellers. Available in plain (2 pieces, 140 yen) and cocoa (2 pieces, 160 yen), they boast gentle sweetness and a satisfyingly firm crunch.

Thin cookies shaped like a pika, offering a pleasantly firm bite.

A short stroll from the station brings you to “Sen no Koen,” a beloved community park. The grounds bloom with seasonal flowers, and a fountain adds to the unhurried ambiance.

A highlight is the carillon, often called the world’s largest instrument. It’s a rare pitched percussion instrument played with bells and a keyboard.

The towering carillon is awe-inspiring. You can hear it at 12:00, 17:00, and 21:00 only.

When visiting Shikaoi, meet the local flavors at “Roadside Station Shikaoi,” then unwind at “Sen no Koen” for a soothing break.

【INFORMATION】

5. Urimaku (Shikaoi Town)

Head north on Route 274 from “Roadside Station Shikaoi” for about 10 minutes and you’ll arrive at “Roadside Station Urimaku,” set amid peaceful pastureland. It’s known for its wealth of activities such as horseback riding and park golf.

At the adjoining “Shikaoi Riding Park,” even beginners can easily meet and ride horses.

The most popular is the “Single-Rider Experience (640 yen),” where staff lead the horse for two laps on a dedicated course. It takes about 3–4 minutes and requires no reservation, so you can drop in and enjoy a casual riding experience.

A family-friendly horseback riding experience full of smiles. Children 4 and up can ride solo if they are at least 100 cm tall.

For small children, the “Two-Rider Experience (840 yen)”—riding together with a guardian—is recommended. There’s also the “Grooming & Brush Experience (1,050 yen / about 15 minutes),” which includes brushing, feeding, and a single-rider ride; this one requires advance reservation.

Food lovers shouldn’t miss the specialty “Nikujaga-man (270 yen).” It’s a fluffy bun stuffed with beef-and-potato stew made from Shikaoi’s “Himuro” potatoes and Shikaoi pork. The reasonable price and rich, mouth-filling flavor will have you reaching for seconds.

A palm-sized treat—perfect for takeout!

At “Roadside Station Urimaku,” you can connect with horses and stay active while experiencing Shikaoi’s charms. A 20-minute drive away is the mystical Lake Shikaribetsu—ideal to pair with your visit if you’re seeking relaxation.

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