Local Guide
 6 recommended sightseeing spots in Furano, Tokachi and Chitose to enjoy even on rainy days

The Chitose, Furano, and Tokachi areas are full of sightseeing spots where you can enjoy the charms of Hokkaido even when it rains. With "Experience" and "Tour" as keywords, here are six recommended sightseeing spots that can be enjoyed even on a rainy day.

 Lake Shikotsu Large Water Tank
Lake Shikotsu Large Water Tank" reproducing the "Lake Shikotsuko blue" color

The "Chitose Aquarium, Home of Salmon" has one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Japan, where you can see salmon and other freshwater fish from Hokkaido. One of the highlights is the "Lake Shikotsuko Large Tank. Lake Shikotsu is a freshwater lake located in Chitose City and is one of the clearest lakes in Japan, and its deep blue water is called "Lake Shikotsu Blue. The large tank, with a diameter of 7.2 meters, is a replica of the inside of the lake. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful sight of schools of Japanese landlocked salmon and native American landlocked salmon swimming and shimmering in the silver color of the tank. On weekends, divers can be seen diving and feeding the fish. A touch pool where visitors can directly touch the fish and a bait gacha (100 yen per bait, limited quantities available) are also recommended.

Japan's first "Underwater Observation Zone" where visitors can observe the bottom of the river

 Visitors can observe the inside of the Chitose River through a 1m long x 2m wide window.
Visitors can observe the inside of the Chitose River through a 1m long x 2m wide window.

At Japan's first "Underwater Observation Zone" in the Chitose Aquarium, visitors can look into the river through seven windows in a room embedded in the Chitose River. What can be observed are the schools of salmon that come up in September and October, spawning behavior in winter, young fish in spring, and sea urchins whose body color turns red after the spawning season in summer. Here we have the four seasons of the Chitose River.
It is also attractive to see the river changing its expression depending on the season and weather. On a sunny day, the river is clear, but on a rainy day, the water becomes muddy, creating an unexpected scene. This is a place where you can enjoy the Chitose River as it is.

Local Guide Comment
I was impressed by the water tank of the Chitose River! All zones are easy to understand how to exhibit and enjoy slowly.
Chitose Aquarium, home of salmon
  • Address 2-312 Hanazono, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 minutes walk from JR Chitose Station. 10 minutes drive from New Chitose Airport.
  •  Business hours 9:00-17:00
  •  Closed Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays and for maintenance.
  •  Admission fee Adults 800 yen, high school students 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 300 yen, preschool children free *You can enter the museum as many times as you like on the same day.
  •  TEL 0123-42-3001
  •  Parking Free *Use the parking lot of "Roadside Station Salmon Bark Chitose
 Underground ripening cellar is open to visitors.
Underground ripening cellar is open to visitors.

Furano Wine is brewed at the Furano Wine Factory of the Furano Grape and Fruit Research Institute. Furano's climate is similar to that of Northern Europe, and it was proven to be suitable for grape growing and wine making. More than 40 years later, the wine has grown into a highly acclaimed wine.
A tour of the factory, which includes an underground aging cellar with large aging barrels and tanks, and an exhibition area with panels explaining the production process, is popular, as is a tasting corner where visitors can enjoy two different types of wine and one type of grape juice, which changes daily.

Local Guide Comment
Various kinds of wines are on sale, which is a must for wine lovers. There is even a lavender-scented label.

Furano wine and Furano's bounty at Furano Wine House

 Furano-style cheese fondue Petit fondue 900 yen Furano grape juice red 430 yen
Furano-style cheese fondue Petit fondue 900 yen Furano grape juice red 430 yen

Wine and grape juice can be purchased at the factory store. The highlight is the "Zweigeltrebe Seignier & American Oak Matured. Aged for more than 10 years, the vintage is only available at the store.
The Furano Wine House Restaurant is the best place to taste Furano wine onsite. It is only a 2-minute drive from the factory and offers a wide variety of wines directly from the factory. You can enjoy dishes using local ingredients and wine, such as cheese fondue made from Furano milk.

Furano Wine Factory
  • Address Shimizuyama, Furano-shi, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 5 min. drive from JR Furano Station
  •  Business hours 9:00-17:00
  •  Closed Year-end and New Year holidays *Temporary closing on Sundays in January
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0167-22-3242
  •  Parking Free of charge
 Shibare Glass
Shibare Glass" glass expressing diamond dust

Glass Forest in FURANO is a glass studio located in Rokugo, Furano City. Their signature piece is "Shibare Glass. This glass is inspired by diamond dust, a natural phenomenon that can be seen locally during the extremely cold season. The "shibare" feeling is expressed by fine cracks. The three-layered structure is created by a special technique that combines hard glass and different types of glass. The fine cracks that spread over time become the individual characteristics of each piece of glass. Visitors can enjoy searching for their favorite pieces in a variety of colors and shapes.

Local Guide Comment
The cracks are all different, so you can enjoy how they continue to grow and develop.

Try your hand at making glass works

 Most popular is the
Most popular is the "Miniature Dome" Creation Experience

At Glass Forest in FURANO, visitors can not only see and buy glass works, but also make them. The program offers six courses, including glass blowing, sandblasting, and tonbo dama (glass beads). The most popular is the "Miniature Dome. This involves laying out small glass accessories, seashells, marbles, etc. inside a glass dome. Visitors can create their own world, such as a world inhabited by dinosaurs or a cute world with dancing angels and hearts. This is an experience that will engage everyone from young children to adults.

Glass Forest in FURANO
  • Address 3, Urban area of Furukugo, Furano City, Hokkaido (next to "Pick-up House")
    Please use the map code (550 798 020) to set the destination in your car navigation system. MAP
  •  Direction Approx. 20 min. by car from JR Furano Station
  •  Business Hours 9:00-18:00 (extended hours until 19:00 in July and August)
  •  Closed Open all year round in summer, closed in winter (check website).
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 0167-39-9088
  •  Parking Free of charge
 Trick Art Museum
Trick Art Museum" where the building itself is a work of art

The Trick Art Museum is the main Property of Kamifurano Town's "Fukayamatoge Art Park. Trick Art is a new genre of art created in Japan based on traditional trompe l'oeil. Using optical illusions, visitors can enjoy the mysterious world in which a picture on a flat surface appears to pop out of its frame, or the same picture changes depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The greatest feature of this museum is that visitors can touch and photograph the works. Each painting has a different trick, and the exhibits are changed from time to time, so visitors will always have something new to discover.

Local Guide Comment
The fun is doubled if you ask a Staff/staff member to show you how to view and photograph the artwork.

Enjoy Genghis Khan on the covered terrace

 Barbecue on the covered terrace
Barbecue on the covered terrace

From May to September, the covered barbecue terrace of the product center is open. Visitors can enjoy Kamifurano pork sagari and pork belly as well as Hokkaido's typical jingisukan. For dessert, we recommend the "Touge no Cheese Tart" made with rich Furano milk and "Gelato" made with Furano haskap, buckwheat seeds, and natural honey from Biei. At the Experience Corner, visitors can try their hand at glass etching (glass sculpture) and other art experiences that take from 10 to 60 minutes (reservations are required from November to March and held inside the museum).

Trick Art Museum (Fukayamatoge Art Park)
  • Address Fukayamatoge, North 33, West 8 line, Kamifurano-cho, Sorachi-gun, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction About 10 minutes by car from JR Kamifurano Station. Approximately 20 minutes from Asahikawa Airport by car.
  •  Business Hours 9:00-17:00 (until 18:00 from May to August, until 16:00 from December to March) *Last admission to the Trick Art Museum is 30 minutes before closing.
  •  Closed No admission *Open only for the Trick Art Museum from December to March.
  •  Admission fee Trick Art Museum / Adults: 1,300 yen, Junior high school and high school students: 1,000 yen, 5th and 6th graders: 700 yen, 4th graders and younger: free
    Art Experience / 500-800 yen per menu
  •  TEL 0167-45-6667
  •  Parking Free of charge
 Tokachi Wine
Tokachi Wine" has become a specialty of Ikeda Town

Ikeda Town is home to the world-renowned "Tokachi Wine. The symbolic "Ikeda Wine Castle" was once a wine factory. Ikeda's winemaking began in June 1963 as part of a plan to rebuild the town's agriculture, which had been hit hard by the 1952 Tokachi-oki Earthquake and two consecutive years of cold weather, and was the first attempt by a municipality to produce wine in Japan. The impetus for the project came from the discovery of mountain grapes growing wild by the mayor of the town at the time. From the mountain grapes, he developed the brewing variety "Kiyomi", and then "Kiyomai" and "Yamayuki". It is now the representative brand of Tokachi wine.

Wine Castle Guided Tour and C Warehouse

 Wine barrels lined up in the
Wine barrels lined up in the "underground aging room" of the wine castle

Warehouse C, located behind the wine castle, is a sparkling wine production and aging room. The process is the same as that of Champagne in Champagne, France: secondary fermentation in the bottle. It is said to produce fine, persistent bubbles, and also to improve the aroma and taste.
Visitors can freely observe the production process, but we recommend the "Wine Castle Guided Tour," which takes visitors with a guide through Warehouse C, the "Grape Exhibition Garden," and the "Underground Aging Cellar," where wine barrels and vintage wines are lined up. The tour concludes with a Tokachi wine tasting.

Local Guide Comment
We also recommend the "Premium Brandy Soft Ice Cream," an adult soft serve with a hint of brandy.
Ikeda Wine Castle
  • Address 82 Kiyomi, Ikeda-cho, Nakagawa-gun, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction Approx. 15 min. walk from JR Ikeda Stn. or approx. 40 min. by car from JR Obihiro Stn.
  •  Business Hours 9:00-17:00
    Wine Castle Guided Tour: Daily 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 *Special guided tours during GW and Bon vacation periods
  •  Closed Year-end and New Year's holidays
  •  Admission Fee Free of charge
  •  TEL 015-572-2467
  •  Parking Free of charge
 Large stained glass windows are eye-catching
Large stained glass windows are eye-catching

Beet, an essential crop for field cultivation in Hokkaido, is the raw material for sugar. The Beet Museum was built in 1989 on the site of the former Obihiro Sugar Refinery of Nippon Beet Sugar Co.
In the first exhibition room on the first floor, there is a model of the Obihiro Sugar Refinery at the time of its establishment. It was restored to a scale of 1/70th from the original drawing surface stored at the Dyer Company in the United States. The stained glass windows on three sides of the atrium are also worth seeing. The center depicts the Obihiro Sugar Refinery, the windbreak forest that protected Tokachi's fields on the right, and a farm couple standing with farm equipment on the left, creating a scene typical of Tokachi.

Enjoy a guided tour by the director

 Old farm equipment in the second exhibition room on the second floor
Old farm equipment in the second exhibition room on the second floor

The history of the beet sugar industry is detailed in two exhibition rooms on the second floor. The theme of the second exhibition room is the history of technology, and visitors can see models of farm equipment used in the past, a continuous leaching tower used in the beet sugar production process, and crystal cans. In the third exhibition hall, the development of the beet sugar industry in Obihiro is explained with materials and panels. The director of the museum offers a guided tour of the museum. The director provides a guided tour of the museum, not a conventional tour, but one that is tailored to the time spent and interests of the visitors.

Local Guide Comment
The director's passionate and easy-to-understand explanations will draw you in!
Beet Museum, Nippon Beet Sugar Refining Co.
  • Address West 14, South 8th Line, Inada-cho, Obihiro City, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction Approx. 10 min. from JR Obihiro Station by car
  •   Direction 20 min. ride on Tokachi Bus (Ozora Danchi Line) from JR Obihiro Station, get off at Nishi 12-jo 34-chome, 3 min. walk.
  •  Business Hours 9:30-16:30
  •  Closed August 15, September 5, year-end and New Year's holidays
  •  Admission fee 300 yen, 200 yen for university students, 100 yen for high school students and younger
  •  TEL 0155-48-8812
  •  Parking Free of charge

After enjoying sightseeing, spend a relaxing time at a unique hotel.

All Guest rooms are spacious and relaxing.

 Guest rooms are suites of more than 100 square meters
Guest rooms are suites of more than 100 square meters

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, about 90 minutes by train from New Chitose Airport, is surrounded by a vast 1,000 hectares of nature and is a resort that can be visited any time of the year. In summer, "UNKAI Terrace" offers spectacular views, and the "Farm Area" lets you experience the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. In winter, you can enjoy not only the ski slopes but also the "Ice Village," a town of ice, where you can fully enjoy your stay even if you don't ski. Within the area, there are two accommodations, "Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu" and "The Tower," that can be selected according to the purpose of your trip, allowing you to enjoy a stay that is perfect for you.

Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu" is a hotel nestled on a mountainside surrounded by the resort's forest. The 32-story high-rise hotel has only four Guest rooms per floor. The 32-story high-rise hotel has only four guest rooms per floor, providing a spacious and luxurious atmosphere.
All Guest rooms are suites. All rooms are equipped with a jet bath with magnificent views and a private sauna. Traveling with children can be made even safer and more comfortable.
We also offer the "Mamanakudama Suite" and the "Pet Room" where you and your dog can spend time together. The Tower" is the resort's first and only building with a private sauna.

Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu

Casual and active living

 Diverse Guest room types from twin to four-suite (Photo: Family Four-suite)
Diverse Guest room types from twin to four-suite (Photo: Family Four-suite)

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, about 90 minutes by train from New Chitose Airport, is surrounded by a vast 1,000 hectares of nature and is a resort that can be visited any time of the year. In summer, "UNKAI Terrace" offers spectacular views, and the "Farm Area" lets you experience the magnificent nature of Hokkaido. In winter, you can enjoy not only the ski slopes but also the "Ice Village," a town of ice, where you can fully enjoy your stay even if you don't ski. Within the area, there are two accommodations, "Hoshino Resorts RISONARE Tomamu" and "The Tower," that can be selected according to the purpose of your trip, allowing you to enjoy a stay that is perfect for you.

The Tower by Hoshino Resorts is a landmark of Tomamu, located in the center of the resort. The twin towers of the high-rise hotel are designed to resemble a forest in summer and winter, respectively. The Tower is close to a variety of Restaurants and Property, and is recommended for those who wish to spend their time actively. A total of 535 Guest rooms are available in various types, including standard rooms and family rooms. They can accommodate a wide range of needs, including couples and families. In particular, the Family Twin and Family Force rooms have low beds and are safe for small children.

Hoshino Resorts Tomamu the Tower by Hoshino Resorts

A hotel where you don't stop at just sleeping, but rather, where your trip will be more exciting

 Superior Rooms
Superior Rooms" have storage space under the bed and can be used spaciously by two or three persons.

Asahikawa, a base city with good Direction to Furano and Biei, is a town that fascinates you with its individuality every time you visit, from the Asahiyama Zoo with its many attractions to the seasonal delicacies you will encounter in the local gourmet ladder. Located in the center of Asahikawa, OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts is also the departure point for airport buses, providing convenient Direction. Public spaces that are also part of the city and Guest rooms that emphasize ease of use for tourists, the Property offers a new way to enjoy Asahikawa, not only as a place to stay overnight, but also as a place to keep the excitement of your trip alive for a long time.

Hoshino Resorts OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.