2026 Tobetsu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Are you tired of the crowds in Sapporo and Otaru? This time, I want to open a snowy door and take you to a hidden gem that even many locals in Hokkaido might not have heard of—Tōbetsu Town. Here, there are no tourist groups, only knee-deep powder snow, a shrine quietly revered in silence, and a pristine forest waiting for you to leave your mark. 🌨️【Tōbetsu Town · Two Days and One Night Immersive Snow Country Diary】🌨️ ❶ Tōbetsu Shrine · Facing History in a Snow Garden This is one of the very rare “Personage Shrines” in Hokkaido, dedicated to the pioneering hero Kuninao Ida. Put on specially prepared traditional clothing, listen to a passionate story inside the hall, then gently step into the wide snow garden covered in pure white. ❷ Forest Snowshoe Trek · Entering a “Heavy Snow” Fairy Tale The snow in Tōbetsu is Hokkaido’s “hidden gem”—thicker, softer, and quieter. In the forest, I wore snowshoes for the first time. Not walking, but “floating” on knee-deep snowfields. Try your hand at logging, watch the axe shake snow off the treetops like a waterfall; sledding, building snowmen, and ice sculptures~ The real snow forest is not just a view, it’s a full-body experience. ❸ Dusk · Ending with Warmth In the evening, heal your body with steaming hot Jingisukan barbecue, then soak away the cold in a traditional hot spring bath. Day Two: 【Immersive Forest Time · Become Part of the Snow】 The real adventure begins when you step into the “Nakagoya Town Forest.” Put on ancient “kanjiki” (snowshoes) and step into waist-deep flawless powder snow. Try logging yourself, feel the solid vibration when the axe hits the tree trunk, and a cloud of snow mist. Sit around a campfire you started yourself, roasting food, sipping hot tea, and listening to the guide’s forest stories—at this moment, you are no longer a tourist but a temporary resident of this snowy forest. 【Snow Cabin Lunch · Warmth for the Senses】 Enjoy a surprising creative local meal in a cozy cabin by the forest. Fresh ingredients, plating as exquisite as a painting, paired with a cup of richly aromatic hand-drip coffee—this warmth and beauty deep in the snow country can heal the entire winter. 【ROYCE’ Town · Sweeten Your Journey】 We switch to a sweet factory filled with the aroma of cocoa. At the ROYCE’ chocolate factory, you can witness the magical process of chocolate creation and indulge in tasting various limited flavors. Don’t forget to take home a few boxes of freshly made raw chocolate. ✨【Why Recommend This Place?】 ▫️Super soft and abundant snow, outdoor snow activities far surpass ordinary tourist spots ▫️Deep integration of culture and nature, gaining both tranquility and adventure in one trip ▫️Truly off the beaten path and peaceful, as if you have the whole of Hokkaido to yourself 📌 Travel Tips: Transportation: About 40 minutes from Sapporo Station; self-driving or booking local transfers is recommended Clothing: Waterproof and warm clothing is a must! The snow in the forest is really deep If you’re tired of the typical Hokkaido trips, then this winter, you must come to Tōbetsu.

“A sweet journey to Tobetsu — my mother-in-law’s hometown — made even more special with a visit to the ROYCE’ Chocolate Factory. Surrounded by family and the scent of rich, velvety chocolate, we explored where world-famous treats are born and created memories that were just as sweet. It wasn’t just a tour — it was a connection to heritage, love, and the little joys that bring us together.” #Tobetsu #Royce’s chocolate factory

#tripแจกโรงแรมฟรี For those who are visiting or have plans to visit Sapporo, I recommend a newly opened place that is not crowded yet. It is suitable for friends, lovers, or even families. It is Royce Chocolate Factory. This is a factory that produces and sells Royce chocolate. There is a museum that is very worthwhile because it teaches from the beginning of cocoa to the end of the chocolate production process. There is also a place for us to try making our own DIY chocolate. It is so much fun. #travel #sapporo

Kabato Noodle Factory Kabato Noodle Factory is a popular udon restaurant located in Tobetsu, a neighboring town of Sapporo, about 35 minutes by car from Sapporo. It is open for a limited time from mid-April to around November every year, and is so popular that even on weekdays there is always a line. The restaurant is self-service, and you order and pay at the register first. There are both hot and cold udon noodles, and the classics include "bukkake", "kamatama" and "kamatabutter", but there is also a wide variety of "tempura" dishes made with seasonal ingredients, which are also delicious. 【information】 Business hours 11:00-15:00 355 Kabato-cho, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-gun, Hokkaido 061-0218 Tel: 0133-22-3377 #0yentripNovember

I had soft-serve ice cream made with Date Milk at the "Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu" in Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido! This roadside station had so many soft-serve flavors that I had trouble deciding, but I started with the normal Date Milk soft-serve! The building had take-out shops and a restaurant where you could eat at your leisure. There was also a small kids' corner, so it seemed like children who were bored with the drive could play there. #DomesticTravel #SoftServeIceCream #GourmetTrip #Gourmet #RoadsideStation

We went on a factory tour that was fun for adults, but also incredibly fun for kids. It was actually a kind of pre-opening celebration, so we got to enjoy the factory tour, which normally costs money, for free!! The factory tour included learning about the process of making chocolate from cacao, a chocolate quiz, a place where you could learn about the process at Royce's factory while having fun (mostly just playing), and a chance to actually decorate chocolates. Making chocolate costs an additional fee, but it was worth it. There was also a shop, which sold the usual products as well as outlet items since it's directly managed by the factory. The rose garden is being renovated, and it looks like beautiful flowers will bloom in the summer. Do roses bloom so quickly?! I'll go again in the summer. #DomesticTravel #KidsPlacesToGo #KidsPlaces #Royce #FactoryTour #FactoryDirectSales