Discover Obihiro

Obihiro brings together an unusual horse race, an extensive forest area, and cultural sites with clear historical and artistic details. The world’s only Banei racing is held year-round at the Obihiro Racecourse. Obihiro Forest spans 406.5 hectares and 11 kilometers. Midorigaoka Park includes a 400-meter bench and a sculpture trail. The city offers several distinct themes to help you plan your stay.

Banei Racing: Strength on a Straight Track

In Banei racing, horses weighing more than one ton pull iron-weighted sleds along a straight racecourse. They are tested on strength and speed. Pulling power is therefore a visible part of the competition and shapes the sport’s distinctive character. The year-round races offer a clear point of reference if you want to discover Obihiro through a specific experience.

Obihiro Forest: Forest, Park Golf, and Nature Experiences

Obihiro Forest covers 406.5 hectares, is about 550 meters wide, and stretches for 11 kilometers. The forest’s recreational offerings include three park golf courses: “Rinkan Course,” “Furusato no Mori,” and “Undō Kōen.” Equipment is available to borrow free of charge at the athletics stadium. Alongside nature observation and forest care, park golf offers another way to spend time in Obihiro.

The Obihiro Forest Hagukuumu facility serves as a center for forest care and use. The forest-management experiences offered there include thinning, nature observation, woodworking, walks, and making wood pellets. The program combines nature observation and hands-on activities with topics related to forest management and the use of wood. This offers a way to discover the forest not only as a landscape, but also through practical activities.

Art and City History in Midorigaoka Park and Beyond

Midorigaoka Park is home to the 400-meter bench, once listed in the Guinness Book as the world’s longest bench. The park also features a sculpture trail, completed in 1973 at the suggestion of sculptor Hongo Shin. Along the trail are 21 modern sculptures made of Tokachi Mikage stone, created by 18 artists. Here, a striking standalone landmark and artworks along a path offer two different ways to experience the park.

Another trace of history is the Tokachi Prison Oil Storage Building. Built in 1900, this brick building is a designated cultural property of Obihiro and the oldest surviving building in the city. Together with the sculpture trail, it offers a perspective different from Banei racing: here the focus is on architectural history and public art, while there it is on the competition between horses and sleds.

Obihiro as a Destination for Different Interests

When planning your stay, you can compare experiences by their focus: Banei racing is about equestrian sport and pulling power, while Obihiro Forest offers park golf, nature observation, and activities involving forests and wood. At Midorigaoka Park, a distinctive bench and sculptures come together; the Tokachi Prison Oil Storage Building adds a perspective on the city’s history. First consider which of these themes you want to shape your trip most. This gives your search for a vacation rental in Obihiro a clear focus without reducing the different experiences to a single type of trip.

Discover more destinations: Tokachi District, Niikappu, Menashi District, Kitahiroshima, Hamatonbetsu, Furano, Urakawa, Kameda District

For the broader travel overview: Hokkaido.