Never take it off! 10 sightseeing spots in Obihiro that you can enjoy with kids

Have you ever found yourself at a loss for what to do on a rare weekend when your kids are begging you to go sightseeing? After mustering up the courage, you end up just going shopping. If you've experienced this, this article is for you! Here, we introduce tourist spots in Obihiro and its surrounding areas that are not only affordable but also enjoyable for children. Obihiro offers a wealth of attractions that both kids and adults can enjoy without breaking the bank. Be sure to refer to this when planning your family trip to Obihiro!

1. Obihiro Zoo

If you want to enjoy interacting with animals with your children while sightseeing in Obihiro, I highly recommend the zoo!

At "Obihiro Zoo," you can see not only familiar large animals like monkeys and giraffes but also birds, and animals unique to the northern regions such as polar bears and seals. In fact, Obihiro Zoo is the only place in Hokkaido where you can see elephants! This rare zoo is popular with both children and adults as a tourist spot.

As soon as you enter, you will be greeted by a flock of flamingos standing on one leg. While you might think, "This feels like a tropical country even though I'm in Obihiro," seals, sea lions, and polar bears, which live in cold regions, will also greet you with their charm.

There are amusement park-like play facilities within the zoo, where you can enjoy a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round. During long holidays, the zoo is a very popular tourist spot for families with children.

With so many animals and play equipment, the admission fee is very reasonable: 420 yen for adults, 210 yen for high school students, and free for junior high school students and younger. Make many wonderful memories of Obihiro sightseeing with your children at Obihiro Zoo!

2. Obihiro Children's Cultural Hall

Located in a corner of Midorigaoka Park, directly opposite Obihiro Art Museum, is the Obihiro Children's Cultural Hall. Here, in addition to accommodation facilities that foster children's cooperation, there are various events and facilities designed to cultivate children's curiosity and desire to explore science. It's a place where children can learn while having fun, making it a great tourist spot in Obihiro for children.

First, I would like to introduce the science exhibition room. Renovated in November 2016, it is an interactive exhibition room where you can learn about the wonders and fun of science.

There are a variety of exhibits, such as an experiential booth that uses the mechanism of electricity, a corner where you can feel the vastness of the universe, and a device that allows you to observe insects using a magnifying glass, experiencing the wonder of life and the fun of a small world.

There is also a planetarium where you can see the beauty and grandeur of a universe filled with countless stars that you cannot normally see with the naked eye.

In addition, there are programs that feature interesting stories about the universe, so both children and parents can naturally learn about the universe while sightseeing. There is also a light exercise room where you can enjoy table tennis and air hockey, perfect for families who want to get some exercise. Be sure to visit with your children and get some exercise while sightseeing!

3. Obihiro Art Museum

Located about a 16-minute bus ride from Obihiro Station, the Obihiro Art Museum is the fifth public art museum to be built in Hokkaido. Situated within the grounds of Midorigaoka Park, you can often spot squirrels darting between trees, scurrying from the canopy to the roots in search of food.

The Obihiro Art Museum primarily showcases three genres of art.

First, there's Western painting, with a particular focus on 19th-century Barbizon School works. Notable artists featured include Jean-François Millet, famous for his painting "The Gleaners," and Gustave Courbet, known for works like "The Artist's Studio" and "Bonjour M. Courbet." The realistic paintings of the Barbizon School are so captivating that even children who aren't interested in art can't help but be drawn in.

Second, the museum exhibits works by artists and art enthusiasts with ties to eastern Hokkaido. These pieces often depict the harsh natural environment of eastern Hokkaido and the resilient spirit of its people.

Third, the museum showcases contemporary print art. Posters serve as a reflection of modern society. The museum's extensive collection of domestic and international print art can provide a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on ourselves and our society in the context of the contemporary world.

For families with children, the museum offers various events designed to introduce elementary school students to art, as well as a "Kids' Museum" play area. There's also a beautiful courtyard where you can relax in the tea lounge and a gift shop selling postcards featuring famous artworks, making it easy to lose track of time.

Of course, for children, there are events designed to familiarize elementary school students with art, as well as a "kids' museum" where children can play. This makes it easy for parents with young children to visit.

Additionally, you can relax and take a break in the tea lounge while enjoying the beautiful courtyard. There is also a gift shop selling postcards featuring famous works of art, making time fly by.

4. Obihiro Forest Ice Arena

Obihiro is known as a "figure skating kingdom," having produced numerous Olympic skaters. Why not create a memorable sightseeing experience by skating with your children? The "Obihiro Forest Ice Arena" is open to the public for about half a year, from mid-July to the end of March, allowing anyone to enjoy ice skating.

The usage fee is free for junior high school students and younger, and a very reasonable 230 yen for high school students and older. Skate rental is also inexpensive at 300 yen, making it easy for families without skates to enjoy ice skating. Please note that the hours of public skating vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the website before your visit.

5. Obihiro Centennial Museum

The "Obihiro Centennial Museum" exhibits the history, industry, and nature of the Tokachi region and Obihiro. It's a recommended sightseeing spot for history-loving families.

In 1883, under the leadership of Benzo Yoda, the "Banshosei" group took the first step in developing Obihiro. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the "Obihiro Centennial Museum" was built in Obihiro's Midorigaoka Park.

The museum provides a detailed explanation of the history and culture of the people living in Tokachi, including the geophysics of Hokkaido and Tokachi, the formation of the land from ancient times, the appearance of humans, the footsteps of pioneers, the development of agriculture, and more. The meticulously crafted models, especially the ones recreating the lives of people in the Showa era, are particularly captivating.

This is a sightseeing spot in Obihiro that children who love history can enjoy. Even children who aren't fond of studying can naturally become interested in history just by looking around, making this one of the attractions of the Obihiro Centennial Museum.

6. Ecology Park

If the weather is nice, why not extend your trip and play with your children in the great nature of Obihiro? The "Tokachi Ecology Park" is a vast natural park located about a 20-minute drive from Obihiro Station. It's a popular park for sightseeing.

The park, located along the Tokachi River, has a management building, playground equipment, and numerous campsites, making it perfect for family camping as well as camping with friends and acquaintances. Why not enjoy the nature of Obihiro by making sightseeing and camping your main purpose?

If you're planning a day trip with your children, the "Fluffy Dome" is highly recommended! This white rubber mountain allows you to bounce high when climbed barefoot. It's a playground equipment that not only children but also adults can't help but enjoy.

Additionally, the park is home to numerous animals and plants, and it's a haven for many birds. The management building has videos and picture books featuring these animals and plants that visitors can view freely. It's a great place to visit with children who love animals and plants.

Outdoors, you can enjoy stilt walking in summer, cross-country skiing rentals in winter, and park exploration on a snowmobile, allowing you to enjoy physical activities all year round. This is a recommended sightseeing spot for those who want to play energetically with their children in Obihiro and get some exercise.

7.Midorigaoka Park Green Park

Green Hills Park is located about a 15-minute walk southwest of Obihiro Station. Within the park, you'll find a vast grassy area called "Green Park," a 400-meter bench that was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, a water park and athletic playground that children love, and a pond where you can freely explore by boat. This makes it an ideal spot for parents to enjoy with their children.

It's rare to find a city with such a vast park so close to the center. The ability to play catch or soccer without worrying about your surroundings in the expansive Green Park might seem like a small thing, but it's something that people living in urban areas surrounded by buildings would envy. If you're visiting Obihiro with your children, this is a must-see spot.

8.Beet Museum

Obihiro, located in Hokkaido's Tokachi region, has long been a major producer of beets (sugar beets) thanks to its cold climate. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Nippon Beet Sugar Co., Ltd., which has been operating in this region since its founding, the Beet Museum was built.

The Beet Museum is located in a lush residential area in southern Obihiro. Despite being in an urban area, the nearby "Kikogura no kawa" river originates from a spring in the Obihiro suburbs, making it a place surrounded by greenery. Inside the facility, visitors can learn about the history of Nippon Beet Sugar Co., from its founding to the present day, as well as view agricultural tools and machinery used in the sugar-making process. It provides a glimpse into the sugar industry that once supported Japan.

Obihiro is now famous for its sweets, with many well-known confectionery companies headquartered there. The Beet Museum offers a chance to understand the background of how Obihiro became what it is today, making it a fascinating place to visit with children. You can teach your children that the sweetness of their cakes is thanks to the hard work of those involved in the sugar industry! It's a fun and educational spot in Obihiro, perfect for children's independent research projects.

9.Obihiro City Wildflower Garden

Even in Hokkaido, where vast natural landscapes remain, pristine forests that have preserved their ancient appearance are becoming increasingly rare. Amidst such a backdrop, the "Obihiro City Wildflower Garden" stands out as a place where the natural state of the past remains untouched. It's a must-visit spot for children who want to learn about Hokkaido's natural environment.

Located on a sloping hill near the previously mentioned "Obihiro Art Museum," the "Obihiro City Wildflower Garden" is home to various types of wildflowers, including skunk cabbage, gentian, and iris.

As the harsh, long winter comes to an end and the snow melts, diverse wildflowers begin to sprout, and from April to June, colorful blooms adorn the garden. It's a great way for children to learn about the flora of Obihiro. While it's fun to play games and sports with your children, why not create opportunities for you and your family to connect with nature?

10.Green and Flower Center

The "Green and Flower Center" is a tourist attraction located within Obihiro City's Midorigaoka Park. In addition to being home to various plants, the center regularly holds workshops on plant cultivation methods, compost making, and other green and floral topics. Even those who have relied on their own cultivation methods can learn the correct way to care for plants here. Consider stopping by during your sightseeing trip to Obihiro.

Furthermore, if you're worried about your houseplants not looking their best and don't know what to do, you can have your plants examined by the center's staff. The opportunity to have your plants diagnosed is rare, making this a must-visit spot for plant enthusiasts.

Why not grow bright red cherry tomatoes or lush green cucumbers with your children in your home garden or on your balcony? You can directly ask the staff at the "Green and Flower Center" for explanations about cultivation methods that may be difficult to understand from books, all while enjoying your sightseeing trip. Growing plenty of corn, asparagus, or other vegetables at home can be a wonderful experience for children.

◎Summary

Obihiro offers a plethora of tourist attractions that both adults and children can enjoy together. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, an opportunity to expose your kids to art, or a chance to marvel at the wonders of science and the universe, Obihiro has something for everyone. You can even delve into the city’s rich history. There are countless ways to experience the fun of sightseeing in Obihiro.

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