| Tokachi - Heartland, Wonderland (Aug. 1998)
Imagine an area five times the size of metropolitan Tokyo, stubbed with mountains, laced with rivers and carpeted with pastureland. This is Tokachi, Japan's heartland - and a wonderland of nature. The Tokachi district of Hokkaido occupies an important place in Japanese imagination and history. Its sprawling vistas have enthralled visitors from crowded urban centers and have made it central to the development of modern Japanese agriculture. The nation owes much of its dairy production to Tokachi, and meat and vegetables are major bounties of this fertile land. These fresh ingredients are put to advantage in a fine, hearty regional cuisine. Despite large-scale farming, much of the area remains a wilderness. You may remember Taiki-cho in eastern Tokachi as the awesome Japanese launch site in the movie Contact. Taiki-cho is even more splendid in person than on film. Taisetsu National Park is known for superb hiking and hot springs including Tomuraushi. At this riverside bath you might share the river with the Ezo deer who come to sip the pristine waters. And in winter, Nissho Ski Ground offers beautiful scenery of open fields of snow, a skier's or snow boarder's dream. Eastern Tokachi preserves the legacy of the Ainu people, with artifacts still visible by the riverside. Another river, the Rekifune, is said to be the most beautiful in Japan. To make the most of your time in Hokkaido's wonderland, pick up the English-language "What's Happening in Obihiro?", published monthly b the Obihiro International Relations Section (0155-34-0122). Fukui Hotel Its attractions include Biplane Restaurant, which is known throughout the area for its food. Guests are advised to make reservations for dinner. If you wish, order ahead of time and the chefs will put together a menu to meet your budget. W1 S11, Obihiro/0155-25-1717 Hokkaido Hotel Hokkaido Hotel offers you the comfortable surroundings of Hokkaido, right down to the floor under your feet The hotel was constructed using red bricks made from distinctive Tokachi clay. Inside, the stairs, floors and even the furniture in the rooms are made from locally grown timber. In the lobby, the atmosphere is enhanced by the plastered blue wall. The hotel also boasts a famous hot spring known for the natural properties of its water. W7 S9, Obihiro/0155-21-0001. Hotel North Land Obihiro Located just south of Obihiro JR Station, this newly opened hotel offers fine dining courtesy of a chef trained in Canada and lighting planned by world-famous designer Motoko Ishii. W2 S13, Obihiro/0155-24-1234, e-mail: jrhotel@tokachi.ne.jp. Yadokari-no-Ie Yadokari-no-Ie is a welcome stop for the weary traveler. Intended originally for touring motorcycle riders, the house offers a warm room at rock-bottom prices. The house is on the spartan side, with emphasis on a good time rather than keeping things spit polished. There are separate rooms for men and women. Up to 60 can use the men's room at one time. Men are advised to bring sleeping bags. The women's room is smaller, but it is better appointed, boasting futons, a TV and even karaoke. The cost is only 600 yen a night in summer and 800 yen in winter. Other amenities include a hot spring five minutes from the house and cooking facilities. Higashi 9-jo Bldg., E9 S16, Obihiro/0155-23-6640. TONE A Hokkaido-based band which has spent the last 10 years bringing together Western and traditional Japanese musical influences will give its first concert outside Japan this summer. Tone, a three-person band which combines the guitar, koto (harp) and shakuhachi (flute), will perform in Paris this August. Tone's music reflects Hokkaido's majestic natural beauty and its changing seasons For more information, contact the Tone Project at 011-614-1080. Akatohgarashi Few associate the Tokachi district with ethnic cuisine, but the same superb ingredients that make this agricultural heartland a culinary jewel combine exotically at Akatohgarashi. The restaurant's name translates as red chilli pepper, so it's not surprising to find the proprietors dishing up pungent Thai, Mexican, Chinese and Indian treats. Tokachi's bounty is evident in the ample servings - a single dish feeds two - at reasonable prices. And visitors from overseas will find the English menu easy to navigate. The festive, Mexican-inspired atmosphere and authentic flavors make Tohgarashi a favorite among non-Japanese living in the Obihiro area. Rancho El Paso There isn't a person in Obihiro who doesn't know of this local landmark. Rancho El Paso serves locally brewed Obihiro Beer, along with hams and sausages prepared next door. Long-popular and always crowded, it is must-try restaurant in the city. There is also a mail-order service for those wishing for the taste of Rancho El Paso but who are unable to make the trip. W16 S6, Obihiro. Tel. 0155-34-3494. Tokachi Guide West Tokachi -Shintoku- Famed for nearby Taisetsuzan National Park, as well as for Sahoro Resort. Lake Shikaribetsu and Shikaribetsu Canyon. Enjoy seasonal events held in a beautiful natural setting. -Shimizu- The Nissho Pass (Route 274) connects central and eastern Hokkaido The sweeping view of the Tokachi Plain is best enjoyed from Biman Panorama Park. -Memuro- Taking its name from an Ainu word meaning "a place with spring waters." Memuro is famous for its colonies of mizubasho flowers. North Tokachi -Ashoro- Lake Onneto's color changes, earning it the name "Five Color Lake." -Rikubetsu- Ginga-no-mori Observatory has a 110 cm reflector telescope with is the largest in Japan. -Otofuke- Famous for Tokachigawa Hot Springs. -Shihoro- The popularity of one famous sight, Shihoro Kogen Nupuka-no-sato, is rising. -Kamishihoro- The Hokkaido Balloon Festival is held here. Enjoy Higashi Taisetsu Guide Center and Naitiai Plateau Farm. South Tokachi -Nakasatsunai- This popular setting for outdoor activities is the basin of the Nakasatsunai River, the clearest stream in Japan. -Churui- The setting for a legend involving hidden treasure, Churui is also the site of the discovery of the remains of the prehistoric Naumann's elephant. -Sarabetsu- Visit the internationally recognized Tokachi International Speedway. -Hiroo- Here, in the southernmost part of Tokachi is the world's only "Santa land" outside of Norway. East Tokachi -Ikeda- Some 600,000 visitors come here every year to sample the local wine. -Toyokoro- Attractions include Harunire, a 130-year-old elm tree which has been declared a Municipal Cultural Property. Toitokki Beach and Lake Chobushi have been designated as Hokkaido Environmental Properties. -Makubetwu- Enjoy park golf along the banks of the Satsunai River, the cleanest in Japan. -Honbetsu- Learn the ancient legend of Yoshitsune and Benkei. -Urahoro- Situated at the mouth of the Tokachi River. Access JR: Sapporo - Obihiro, 2 hr. 15 min. About 7,000 yen. JR: Ueno Sta. in Tokyo - Obihiro, 17 hr. Ferry: Tokyo - Tokachi, 28 hr. About 50,000 yen for two people plus a car. Air: Haneda Airport - Obihiro Airport: 95 min. About 30,000 yen. Flights available from Kansai Intl. Airport and Fukushima Airport. Contacts Tokachi Kanko Renmei / 0155-24-3111 Hokkaido Kanko Renmei / 011-231-1122 Tokachi Plaza Kanko Annai / 0155-22-8600 Information Corner, Obihiro JR Sta. / 0155-23-6403 Information Corner, Obihiro Airport / 0155-64-4078 English Information is Available There are computer terminal guides at Obihiro Station and Tokachi Plaza just south of the station. These terminals provide a wide range of information on Tokachi, covering everything from hot springs to hotels, with maps provided. Information is in Japanese, with some English available. Pages can also be printed out. Higashi Taisetsu Nature Guide Center This new nature center opened last year in eastern Taisetsu National Park. It offers a chance to appreciate unspoiled nature and local animal species such as the Ezo deer. A wide variety of outdoor experiences are also available. These include hot air ballooning, nature watching, night excursions, fishing, rock climbing, country crafts, canoeing and camping. For more information, call Aza Nukaibara, Kamishoro, at (01564) 4-2261. There are nine different accommodations at Lake Nukaibara, where you can enjoy outdoor hot spring bathing. Events Aug.
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