Discover Shibetsu

Shibetsu brings together unusual insights into sheep farming, regional history and nature. At the World Sheep Hall, you can discover rare sheep from around the world; according to the facility, some can only be seen there in Japan. There is also a nature exhibit at the Shibetsu City Museum, stories of the area’s settlement and activities centred on wool from Shibetsu. Nature, culture and hands-on experiences each have their own place in your travel plans.

City Museum and History

The Shibetsu City Museum lies west of the centre. It is easy to reach by car, but public transport is also an option. The nature exhibit covers the upper reaches of the Teshio River, which is fed by Teshio-dake; the geological history of the Shibetsu region; the cold northern climate; and the animals that live there. Visitors interested in landscapes and nature will find a perspective here that ranges from the river basin to the conditions of the northern climate.

Shibetsu’s history is also explored at various locations. The Shibetsu Public Hall Exhibition Hall is a building reconstructed in 1989 from the former Shibetsu Public Hall, which had previously been used as a meeting room, assembly venue and community centre. The exhibition at Tondenhei House recreates the daily life of the Tondenhei soldiers who lived there. The settlement of Shibetsu by the northernmost and last Tondenhei began in 1899. The former use of a public building and the history of the Tondenhei are presented as distinct historical topics.

Sheep, Wool and Local Experiences

The World Sheep Hall on Sheep and Cloud Hill showcases rare sheep from around the world. The claim that some can only be seen there in Japan comes from the facility. Depending on the season, the hall also hosts a sheep-shearing show, which includes both a demonstration and the chance to take part in shearing a sheep. This offers a different way to explore the subject of sheep than seeing the animals themselves.

At Kururun, the focus is on working with wool. Felt crafts made with wool from Shibetsu are offered there. Visitors can choose from more than 20 projects, including scarves, sweaters and pendants. If you are interested in hands-on crafts, you can include this activity in your selection of experiences alongside the exhibitions and sheep-shearing show.

Another natural highlight is the Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees at Shibetsu Shrine on Tsukumo Hill: about 2,000 trees bloom there at the same time. Their approximate number and simultaneous flowering make this a special sight for travellers who want to enjoy nature as well as history and wildlife. Green Sports, behind the Shibetsu City Museum, offers a different perspective. It has a running track, a campsite and walking trails—various ways to stay active and spend time outdoors.

Which side of Shibetsu would you like to discover?

The landscape of the municipality is also part of its character: Mount Teshio, at 1,557.0 metres, lies within the municipality of Shibetsu. It is the centrepiece of the 9,369-hectare Teshio-dake Prefectural Natural Park. The nature-related highlights mentioned here therefore range from the river basin featured in the museum exhibit to a mountain and a large nature park within the municipality. When planning your trip, you can consider whether to focus on the museum and history, sheep and crafts, or nature and walking trails.

Your bearings within the city may also depend on location: Michi-no-Eki Sheep Town Samurai Shibetsu is in the central urban area and brings together local food and tourism. Along with the city museum’s location west of the centre, this gives you specific points of reference for two different places in Shibetsu. Choose your holiday rental based on the experiences that interest you most, and consider the option of reaching the museum by car or public transport.

More Destinations

If you’d like to explore more destination pages: Shintoku, Hidaka, Saroma, Kamifurano, Samani, Oshidomari, Odori and Teshikaga.

For the overall travel guide: Hokkaido.