| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 07:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 17:00 coffee shop |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, car needed or bus travel available, restrooms, souvenir store, cafe |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 30 minute drive south from central Obihiro, take route 236. For those using public transport, from the bus terminal in front of JR Obihiro Station, take the Tokachi Bus bound for "Hiroo" and get off at the "Happiness" bus stop (about 45 minutes). It's 5 minute walk from here. From the Tokachi airport, it only a 5 minute drive or taxi ride. Obihiro, Hokkaido 089-1246 |
Kōfuku Station is a closed railway station from the now defunct Hiroo line. The station originally opened on 1st November 1956, but the line, which went from Obihiro to Hiroo, was discontinued in 1987 bringing an end to the station. Even though the station closed down, it still remains a popular sightseeing spot for tourists. Why? Well, it comes down to the name of the station. The name Kofuku (幸福）translates to “happiness” and the station became famous after it was featured on a Japanese NHK TV travel programme which aired in 1973. The station name is formed from the combination of the original name of the area, Kōshin. Plus many farmers settled here in 1902 coming from Fukui prefecture after flooding. Kō + Fuku = Kōfuku.
Kōfuku Station is part of Kōfuku Kōtsu Park. In this area, there is a nice little coffee shop, plus a small souvenir store (the Kōfuku train ticket is a very popular item), and photography area. There are two old trains here that have been turned into small museums. This area is especially popular for couples as the site was chosen as a ‘Sanctuary for Lovers’ in 2008. There is a special bell here that can be rung for good luck, plus the main attraction is the small hut here. You can write a message on a pink ticket and stick it to the wall. The hut is covered with thousands of these messages. Kōfuku Station is a popular spot to visit, if you can get out that way.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, parking, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located on the south east coast of Hokkaido in the small town of Toyoni, in the district of Hiroo. The shrine is on route 336. It is just on the outskirts of Hiroo on the way to Obihiro. 〒089-2455 Hokkaido, Hiroo District, Hiroo, Toyoni Hondori 47 |
The beginnings of Toyoni Shrine dates back to August 1891. It all started as a simple and small garden shrine that was created by a settler, Kanjiro Inoue, who had made his way to the district of Hiroo. As a guardian deity of the area, he held a ritual of protection during the seasons of spring and autumn. For entertainment, folk songs were sung and children’s sumo events were held. All of this stopped suddenly, and later in 1945 after much discussion and organization for funds, a full shrine was built and completed. Due to decay and deterioration the shrine was reconstructed in 1985, and has maintained its appearance as you see it today.
The shrine is just off route 336, and it can easily be seen from this road, especially if you are driving from Hiroo to Obihiro. Obihiro being an hour drive away from the coast. It is just before the small town of Toyoni. There isn’t any parking but there is a drive way and grassland where you can stop. The grounds are quite nice in the summer months, and there are gardens and wild flowers growing around the area. This is a small shrine with 125 households as parishioners. The shrine is 11.5 tsubo.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 011-5582-2063 |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, parking, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located on the south east coast of Hokkaido in the district of Hiroo. It is the in the centre of town and is part of the main park in town. It is a 2 minute walk from route 336. 1-13 Moyori, Hiroo, Hiroo District, Hokkaido 089-2637 |
Tokachi Shrine dates all the way back to June 1666. The shrine is located in the coastal town of Hiroo. Hundreds of years ago, the fishing industry here became strong. As the town prospered, so did the reverence of the deities. According to the local history, a piece of driftwood washed up along the coast which had the representations of a dragon, and then enshrined here. Later on, this driftwood was then carved into a statue. The date of this is unknown, but the statuette was about four inches and was carved into a likeness of Prince Shōtoku.
November 1799 saw the development of a new road between Hiroo and Samani. This opening increased trade and more wealth was attributed to the town. In turn, the shrine prospered and went through developments. As of 2021, the number of parishioners numbers 3,214 households, and 130 worshippers. This shrine is part of the main park in Hiroo. It is a great place to wander around and stretch the legs. The shrine has a nice long stone path which leads towards the shrine. Here, you can get some nice pictures of Tokachi Shrine.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot , no parking |
| Location / Getting There | The falls are a 5 minute drive before arriving in the town of Hiroo. They are a 45 minute drive from Cape Erimo, and are on route 336 across from the ocean. Funbe, Hiroo, Hiroo District, Hokkaido 089-2634 |
From Cape Erimo to the small town of Hiroo, there is a road that winds its way along the coast. Just fifteen minutes before the town of Hiroo, you can find the Funbe Falls. The road (route 336), that these falls are by, is known as the ‘Golden Road’. This road was originally started in 1798 and cut through the steep and craggy Hidaka mountains. It is called the Golden Road, as it cost a lot of money to make and through trade, the road spread gold. On one side of the road is the rough Pacific Ocean and on the other, is the cliffs of the Hidaka mountains that spreads deep into central Hokkaido. These mountains spread for 140 km and it is from the base of these mountains that the Funbe Falls flow all year round.
The Golden Road, after rock fall stopped traffic, was renovated and completed in 1981 due to avalanches from the cliffs. The waterfall is not that big and can be easily missed. It is just before a turn in the road and although there is no parking, there is room to stop off on the road side. The falls are surrounded by small headstones and shrines. These shrines are decorated with flowers and make for a good photo. There are a couple of signs with information about the Golden Road and surrounding mountains, but these are only in Japanese. Open all year round, the falls freeze over in winter and also make for a good photo.
| Pricing Guide at restaurant (Avg. cost per person) | ¥1000 - ¥3500 |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 16:30 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-4663-1666 |
| Notes | Souvenir store, restaurant, restrooms |
| Location / Getting There | From Sapporo the cape is about a 4 hour drive down the south coast. There is also a return express bus from Sapporo station. JR Hokkaido Bus (High Speed) to Erimo, (reservation required until the day before departure). *JR Sapporo Station 16:30 departure-Erimo 20:30 arrival *Erimo 5:30 departure-JR Sapporo Station 9:30 arrival Erimomisaki, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0342 |
The Erimo Misaki Tourist Center serves as a souvenir store, information center, and as a seafood restaurant. It can be found at Cape Erimo on the point. There is a large carpark here as well, and the Tourist Center is definitely a welcome place during cold, wet and windy weather. Close by, you can also find the entrance to the Kaze no Yakata (house of wind), wind museum. The tourist center has numerous souvenirs inside. These include mainly animal products from the local wildlife such as antlers from the Hokkaido deer.
The restaurant is large and one of the best spots to try some local seafood while in Erimo. There are not a lot of restaurants in Erimo, so this is a good spot for some lunch while on the road. Being on the coast, there is plenty of seafood to choose from. They have a great sea urchin bowl that comes with rice, pickles and a miso soup. It is costly at ¥3600 a bowl, but if you have the money, it’s worth a try. Other dishes include sashimi, sushi, and shellfish. You can also find some large tanks with equally large snow crabs for sale. These things are huge and aren’t cheap! Overall, Erimo Misaki Tourist Center is a good place, although a little old, to stop off at take a look at its wares, or have a taste of its local cuisine!
| Admission | ¥300 Adults ¥200 Children ¥240 Groups (15 or more) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | December, January and February. |
| Contact | 011-4663-1133 |
| Notes | Museum, seal viewing location |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is located at Cape Erimo. From Sapporo, it is about a 4 hour drive down the south coast. There is also a return express bus from Sapporo station. JR Hokkaido Bus (High Speed) to Erimo, (reservation required until the day before departure). *JR Sapporo Station 16:30 departure-Erimo 20:30 arrival *Erimo 5:30 departure-JR Sapporo Station 9:30 arrival Erimomisaki, Erimo, Horoizumi District, Hokkaido 058-0342 |
The ‘House of Wind’ is situated overlooking Cape Erimo. Cape Erimo is famous for its strong winds and rolling mists. Because of this, the museum is actually built into the mountain. Its prominent feature is the large glass windows that face out from the cliff face with spectacular (and warm) views over the ocean and the rocky peninsular. Access to the museum is via a long and damp stone carved corridor. The charge is very affordable and once inside the warm and inviting museum, you can access a theatre, exhibits, a seal observation deck, a wind tunnel, plus information about the surrounding area.
The main focus of the museum is the wind and the seal colony. The ‘House of Wind’ has a great wind room. The room has a large fan at one end and it is here you can safely experience gale force winds with a wind speed of 25 meters per second. There are hand rails to hold onto. Other exhibits in the museum focus on the seal colony that lives at Cape Erimo. These are Kuril Harbor Seals. The seals here can be viewed at the observation deck via a number of binoculars that have been set up. The number of these seals numbers at around 600 and are listed as ‘near threatened’. The best time to see these seals is in the summer when they usually out of the water. At Kaze no Yakata, you can also find information on the local wildlife plus skeleton exhibits.
