Obihiro and Tokachi: Exploring Hokkaido’s Countryside, Hot Springs and Lake Shikaribetsu

Obihiro Airport, also known as Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, is a starting point for a holiday in Tokachi. Think of food, farming landscapes, gardens and hot-spring stays, with Lake Shikaribetsu offering a mountain-lake chapter beyond the plains.

Getting from Tokachi-Obihiro Airport — Transport Information

The airport is south of Obihiro, and there is no rail station. Two airport bus services run into the city: one to Obihiro Station Bus Terminal and one that loops around central hotels. Tokachigawa Onsen and Lake Shikaribetsu are reached by bus from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal rather than from the airport.

Connection details

• Airport buses: Buy tickets from the machine in the arrivals lobby; buses leave from in front of the terminal. Tokachi Bus notes that seats are limited and a bus can fill up at busy times.
• Which bus? Take the station bus if you are continuing by train or route bus. The hotel-loop bus is handier if your hotel is on its list of stops.
• Tokachigawa Onsen: Route 45 runs from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal to the hot-spring hotels. Check the weekday and weekend timetables separately; Tokachi Bus reduced some weekday services from 13 October 2026.
• Lake Shikaribetsu: Takushoku Bus runs from platform 4 at Obihiro Station Bus Terminal to the Shikaribetsu-ko (Shikaribetsu-ko Kohan Onsen) stop by the lake. The one-way fare is ¥1,930; a return ticket (¥3,400, valid for three days) is sold at the bus terminal. Buses are few, so check the timetable and the last bus back before you go. A car is more flexible if you want to combine the lake with other sights.

Public transport or a rental car?

Obihiro itself and Tokachigawa Onsen work without a car. Gardens, farm areas and Lake Shikaribetsu are spread across a wide plain, and a car is the practical choice for visiting several in a day.

Winter travel

Winter roads in Tokachi can be icy, with strong winds and reduced visibility on open farmland. If you are not used to these conditions, base yourself in Obihiro or Tokachigawa Onsen and choose organised transport for outings.

Check current fares, timetables and service changes before traveling.

Official Transport Information

• Tokachi-Obihiro Airport: bus access
• Tokachi Bus: airport bus
• Tokachi Bus: route timetables, including route 45 to Tokachigawa Onsen
• Takushoku Bus: Shintoku–Shikaoi–Shikaribetsu Line to Lake Shikaribetsu

Quick Overview

• Obihiro: A city base for exploring Tokachi through its food.
• The Tokachi countryside: Agricultural scenery and selected gardens or visitor facilities.
• Tokachigawa Onsen: A hot-spring stay with a different pace from the city.
• Lake Shikaribetsu: A mountain-lake setting within Daisetsuzan National Park.

Understanding the Area

Tokachi is a broad region. A list of gardens, farms and lakes can conceal how dispersed a holiday becomes. Group the experiences that interest you, then decide whether Obihiro, a hot-spring stay or a lakeside base should anchor each part. Lake Shikaribetsu lies within Daisetsuzan National Park but is usually visited from Tokachi.

Main Places to Visit

Obihiro

Make food part of the purpose of your city stay. Butadon, a pork rice bowl associated with Obihiro and Tokachi, offers a starting point; leave space to explore local sweets as well. Avoid scheduling every meal between distant sights. A relaxed city evening can give the countryside portion of the holiday a useful contrast. Official reference Official reference

Countryside and Tokachigawa Onsen

Choose particular gardens and places that welcome visitors rather than assuming every attractive farm is open to the public. Farming scenery is also a working landscape. Tokachigawa Onsen provides a separate overnight option when bathing and time at the accommodation matter more than city evenings. Its moor hot springs are one of the area's distinctive features. Official reference

Lake Shikaribetsu

The lake shifts the holiday from open agricultural country toward forest and mountain scenery. Give it a deliberate place in the plan. Choose an overnight stay if quiet lakeside time is a priority, and check the availability of any nature activity you want. A photograph of the lake does not establish that an activity operates on your dates. Official reference

Planning Your Stay

A food-and-garden trip can focus on Obihiro and a small selection of countryside visits. A slower version can add Tokachigawa Onsen. For a stronger nature focus, give Lake Shikaribetsu a separate chapter rather than combining it with every garden on your list. Continue toward Kushiro only if you want a new regional chapter and have time to change the pace and base.

Seasonal Considerations

Check garden opening periods and current displays in spring and summer. Autumn changes the countryside and the mountain setting on different schedules. Winter is a distinct reason to visit, but seasonal lake events and experiences depend on conditions and the year's programme. Do not assume a winter event or access onto frozen water is available without confirmation from its organiser. Official reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Obihiro simply a stop on the way to Kushiro? It need not be. Tokachi can support its own holiday centred on food, countryside and a slower stay.

How do I get from the airport to Tokachigawa Onsen? Take the airport bus to Obihiro Station Bus Terminal, then Tokachi Bus route 45. A taxi or rental car is simpler with heavy luggage.

Should I stay in the city or by a lake? Choose the city for its dining focus, and a lakeside stay when the setting itself is the reason to travel. Splitting the stay can work if both experiences matter.

Related planning guides

• Hokkaido Travel Guide
• Flights from Tokyo to Hokkaido (How-To)
• Haneda Airport to Obihiro (Route)

Updated 20 October 2026: Added a transport section on getting from the airport to Obihiro, Tokachigawa Onsen and Lake Shikaribetsu, including the bus to the lake from Obihiro Station Bus Terminal.