Top 10 Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido

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Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's main islands, is blessed with breathtaking natural scenery, from its soaring mountains to its pristine surrounding seas. Among Hokkaido's many areas of natural bounty, the east of Hokkaido is held in great esteem for its beautiful views and famous places, which include: the precious ecosystem of the Shiretoko Peninsula (a World Heritage Site); the three caldera lakes of Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo and their surrounding hot springs; as well as Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetlands.

With some of Japan's leading fishing grounds around the coast, and the prosperous agriculture and dairy farming areas inland, a lot of delicious food is produced here, making this one of our highly recommended Japan travel destinations. Summer and winter, great food and the great outdoors: we here at JAPANiCAN.com are happy to bring you the Top 10 Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido!


Hokkaido is known for its fertile farmlands, and in the vast Tokachi Plains the fields of wheat and potato seem to go on forever. Variously known as the "Kingdom of Agriculture" and the "Candy Kingdom", Tokachi is a place where you can drive around, take in the Hokkaido scenery, and enjoy the delicious local desserts.

A whistle-stop sweet tour of the Candy Kingdom!
With its numerous old candy factories and shops, Tokachi has become known as the Candy Kingdom. If you like sweets, grab a map of the area around Obihiro Station and have yourself a sweet tour! Photos from left to right: An Obanyaki cake filled with red bean jam made from locally produced adzuki beans; soft-serve ice cream from Ikeda Wine-Jo; and the famous local banana manju steamed buns. On the outskirts of Obihiro City lies Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, the factory of Hokkaido's popular Ryugetsu candy maker. As well as factory tours, visitors can enjoy shopping here or eat some cakes in the cafe. I recommend the cute cow-pattern choux cream puffs!
Tokachi Wine Tokachi wine is known across the world. On top of a hill in the town of Ikeda is the Ikeda Wine-jo research institute. This tourist attraction resembles a medieval European castle, and has therefore become known as Ikeda Wine "Jo", which means "castle" in Japanese. As well as being able to visit the underground fermentation rooms, visitors can buy the factory's famous products in its shop, as well as enjoy wine tasting. (By R.)
Beautifying spa treatments at Tokachigawa Onsen
Kangetsuen The properties of the waters at Tokachigawa Onsen hot springs are quite particular. These botanical waters are known as Moor waters, as they emerge from a brown coal stratum in the ground that has been created by deposits of plant matter over many years. The resulting amber-colored water is rich in botanical organic matter, and is well reputed for its beauty-enhancing properties that leave the skin feeling silky-smooth. Rooms with their own private open-air baths facing the Tokachi River are available, and are highly recommended. all Tokachigawa Onsen accommodations


All across Eastern Hokkaido visitors will find loads of great food on offer, thanks to its huge land areas producing agricultural and dairy products, and seafood from the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean. Here are just some of the mouthwatering things we tried when JAPANiCAN.com visited Eastern Hokkaido.

Kattedon seafood bowl at Washou Market in Kushiro City. A kattedon is a do-it-yourself, create-your-own seafood bowl: buy a bowl of rice in the size of your choice, then head to the market stalls that sell the seafood you want. Choose the toppings you want, and the person at the stall will put it in your bowl. The price for each topping is labeled, making it easy to work out how much you will spend. The bowl I had was with saury, tuna, and shrimp and cost me about JPY 700. (Kushiro City)


If you visit Hokkaido, you have to try seafood ramen! The dish in the photo on the left is the ryuhyo (drift ice) ramen available from the cafeteria in Mokoto Station on the JR Senmo Line. The dish is given its name due to the small rice balls that come with it resembling pieces of drift ice. The noodles are richly flavored with crab sauteed in butter. In the photo on the right is Shiretoko Seafood Ramen (with sea urchin), available from Kumanoya in Utoro (diagonally across from Utoro's roadside station you'll see the signboard with a bear on it). The noodles' light-flavored soup is delicious to the last drop!


Butadon: the Tokachi area favorite This simple dish consists of a bowl of rice topped with grilled pork and a salty-sweet sauce. Around Obihiro Station there are loads of restaurants that specialize in butadon pork bowls, each with their own take on this local specialty. (Obihiro City)



The clear water of Lake Mashu, also known as Kaminokoike (Child of God Pond), wells up from an underground source. The lake has a mysterious blue color, and does not freeze over, even in winter, leading it to become known as "a gift from God." (Kiyosato Town)


The Todowara of the Notsuke Peninsula. The strange sight of these Sakhalin fir trees weathered by the incoming ocean tide contrasted with the lush, natural flower gardens make you feel that you truly have reached the end of the earth. These wetlands are recognized under the Ramsar Convention. (Bekkai Town)


Mt. Iou, the active volcano that is the origin of the Kawayu Onsen hot springs. The violent power with which the vapors erupt from the mountain and the lingering smell of sulfur remind us of the mysteries of the earth beneath our feet. (Teshikaga Town)