| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-5521-3172 |
| Notes | Large park, playground, walking paths, park golf, event space, museum, jogging spot, picnic area, free parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The park is in central Obihiro. The park is an 18 minute walk from Obihiro station or a 6 minute drive. Simply head straight down 'Koen Odori Avenue'. 〒080-0846 Hokkaido, Obihiro, Midorigaoka, 2 |
This massive park is located in the middle of the city of Obihiro. Stretching to 50 hectares, this comprehensive park contains a park golf course, the Obihiro Zoo and the Obihiro Centennial Hall, plus walking trails and a pond. Midorigaoka Park has many different sections to it. One area is the ‘Green Park’ is a huge mowed lawn for people to enjoy. It is lined by a bench, but not just any bench. The bench here runs for 400 meters! Plenty of space to find a seat. beyond this large green space is a large stage used for events. Plus there is a park golf course as well.
You can find many of Obihiro’s older residents enjoy the park golf course. Past this is the Obihiro Centennial Hall, which serves as a museum and gallery for the local area. Near here there are winding paths that run through the park with sculptures and benches to enjoy. There is also a large pond. here you can rent out small row boats and have a paddle. Further on is the entrance to to zoo. This park, is not too far a walk from the station and if you have time is a top spot to visit in any season. In spring, the cherry blossoms are out and the autumn leaves are equally beautiful.
| Admission | ¥700 Year ticket ¥350 Adults ¥190 Highscool & seniors |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | Mondays New Year Holidays |
| Contact | 0155-24-5352 |
| Notes | Museum, art gallery, parking available, free wi-fi, wheelchair access, free English, Chinese, & Korean audio service |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is in Midorigaoka Park which is right in the heart of Obihiro. It is a 25 minute walk south west from Obihiro station. 2 Midorigaoka, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-0846 |
The Obihiro Centennial City Museum was opened back in 1982. It is part of Midorigaoka Park which also contains the Obihiro Zoo. This museum exhibits materials relating to the natural history and local history of Obihiro and the Tokachi region. These exhibits include dioramas, photographs, art works, and items pertaining to that area. This museum also looks at the industries that made Obihiro what it is today. Other exhibits are dedicated to the history and culture of the Ainu the buried cultural property.
The hall also has finds from the Jōmon period. These items were excavated from the Yachiyo A site and have been designated as ‘Important Cultural Property’. There is an extensive amount of information for those interested in the local area. The centre also acts as an art museum with exhibitions held on a rotating basis. For those wishing to visit the centre, there is ample parking at the park itself and makes for a nice day out. The centre is easily accessed and doesn’t cost a lot to enter.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 011-5431-4557 |
| Notes | Small park, festivals held here, no parking |
| Location / Getting There | The park is located in central Kushiro. It is near the nightlife district, and is only a 9 minute walk from Kushiro station. 6 Chome-9 Sakaemachi, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0013 |
Sakaemachiheiwa Park is located in the center of Kushiro. There are very few green spaces in Kushiro and this park is often used for festivals during the summer and winter and many locals use this park. There is a bit of interesting history behind the park and the area. In 1945, nearing the end of the war, Kushiro was hit by an air raid. The war damaged city was reconstructed and a site was secured for the Sakaemachi Heiwa Park in 1945. Further projects were further created in 1947.
In 1972, the submerged park was redeveloped. A fountain was installed in the middle of the park. The fountain with the surrounding trees and grass area is a pleasant place to rest. As there aren’t many places to enjoy the greenery, this small park is quite a popular with the locals. The park is also right among the entertainment district so it’s easy to find a restaurant, izakaya, or bar close by. This park is a small space in town and is not a bad place for a stroll.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 0154-31-4557 |
| Notes | Small park area, sightseeing spot, children playground, toilets |
| Location / Getting There | The square is located in central Kushiro. It is just off the main road, Kitadori 113, and right by the Nusamai Bridge. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. 1 Nusamaicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0836 |
This park in Kushiro can be found overlooking the city and is a quiet and peaceful spot to enjoy. In this small park, among the flowers and trees, you can also find the Takeshirō Matsuura Ezo Expedition Statue. Takeshirō Matsuura was a Japanese explorer, cartographer, writer, painter, priest, and antiquarian. Born in 1818 he was an important figure in the development of Hokkaido. He was instrumental in the naming of the island and many of its places and is often referred to as the “Godparent of Hokkaido”. This statue is in the center of the park and overlooks the city.
To get to the park, you need to pass over the the popular Nusamai Bridge. There is a path that winds its way up past the round about and up a flight of steps. The design of this path is really nice and has a distinct European feel to it. This gives the area a beautiful atmosphere. Once at the top, there are nice views. The sunset here is particularly nice. This park has play equipment for kids and benches to sit. For such a small park, this area is quite a nice spot to visit and is recommended in the late afternoon.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Small park area |
| Location / Getting There | The square is located in central Kushiro. It is just off the main road, Kitadori 113, and right by the Nusamai Bridge. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. 1 Okawacho, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0837 |
Friendship Square can be found overlooking Kushiro River. Kushiro River starts from Lake Asshan and runs for 154 kilometers. It finally makes its way down to Kushiro. At the mouth of the river you can find Friendship Square. The square runs for about four hundred meters by the river. It lies between two of the bridges, one being the popular Nusamai Bridge. It can be accessed via a path that runs along the promenade. The square is directly in front the Kushiro Century Castle Hotel, which has views over the river.
The whole area is a pleasant place to walk around and enjoy the river, and the harbor. This area is also famous for its nice views of the sunsets. The square has a nice view of Nusamai Bridge with the sunset. Along this promenade you can also find the Kobunkan (a small historical museum). Plus, on the other side of the river, there is the hugely popular Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, which is a great shopping and dining area. Friendship Square is a quiet pleasant spot, good for a sit down, have some lunch and take in the calm.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, parking, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located just to the south of Obihiro city. It is a 21 minute drive from central Obihiro along route 236. It is between Obihiro and Kōfuku Station Higashi 1 Sen-84 Taishocho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 089-1242 |
In the Obihiro district there is an expanse of farmlands and wilderness. Between the city of Obihiro and Hiroo, you can find Kofukuji. This temple, also known as the ‘happiness temple’ is a Shinto temple that is just off the main highway highway off route 236. It is quite a large temple and due to its remoteness it is in a quiet area. The Buddhist temple has a large wooden gate which allows access into the courtyard. For those driving you can park your vehicle along the road out the front.
The shrine is not too far from Kōfuku Station which is hugely popular sightseeing spot. For those traveling in the area and are interested in shrines and temples, Kofukuji is an easy temple to stop off at and have a look. Inside the courtyard of the temple, there is a large bell that is rung by the priests here. The bell is known as a bonshō or as tsurigane (hanging bell) and is prominent in Buddhist temples. Apart from the bonshō in the courtyard, there is are some small japanese style headstones to observe.
