Discover Urakawa

Urakawa offers several different ways to experience its regional culture and landscape: the history of thoroughbred breeding sits alongside insights into Ainu culture, activities in the forest park and cherry blossoms along Yushun Sakura Road. This gives you a range of different themes to choose from when planning your trip, rather than a single vacation theme.

Horse breeding as part of regional history

The Baji Museum in Urakawa opened in 1980. It presents the history of thoroughbred breeding, an important industry in Urakawa, and explores the relationship between people and horses in this horse-breeding region. The museum aims to deepen understanding of these subjects as part of the region’s culture. If you are interested in the connection between work, animals and local history, it offers a concrete introduction to Urakawa’s horse-breeding tradition.

The landscape of horse breeding can also be experienced along the so-called Thoroughbred Road: Nishihorobetsu, in the Hidaka-Horobetsu River basin, and Ogifushi, in the Motoura River basin, are extensive horse-breeding areas known by this name. The two districts belong to different river basins. The name “Thoroughbred Road” thus connects a regional distinction with specific areas of Urakawa’s landscape.

Museum exhibits and Ainu culture

The Urakawa Town Local History Museum offers another cultural perspective. An Ainu house has been reconstructed there, and the museum also displays household items and attushi textiles made from bast fibers. These exhibits provide a tangible focus for your visit: alongside the reconstructed dwelling, you can learn about everyday objects and a textile craft. This complements the exploration of horse breeding with a different way to learn about culture and ways of life.

Forest trails, views and cherry blossoms

At Urakawa Forest Park, the focus is on outdoor activities and observing nature. The area is used for hiking and also for birdwatching and forest bathing. From a lookout point in the park, you can see the Pacific Ocean and the town; the Hidaka Mountains may also be visible in the distance. This lets you combine time in the forest with views of several landscape features.

Yushun Sakura Road offers a different nature experience. It stretches for about 3 km, with more than 1,000 Ezo-yamazakura cherry trees lining both sides of the road. When the trees are in full bloom, they form a cherry blossom tunnel. Its stated length and number of trees make the road a distinct attraction for anyone looking to discover Urakawa during cherry blossom season. The forest park and Sakura Road offer different experiences: nature watching and time in the forest on the one hand, and cherry trees lining the road on the other.

Activities and getting around

At the AERU Experience Farm, you can grow vegetables. If you would like to include a hands-on activity in your trip, you can consider this alongside museum visits and nature experiences. Urakawa Riding Park has a different focus: it promotes horseback riding for residents and offers beginner courses for residents. These include general courses as well as women’s, spring and autumn courses. These activities are specifically intended for residents.

Urakawa Daikokuza Cinema is also useful for planning your arrival: it is a one-minute walk from the “Daidori 3-chome” stop on the Pegasus express bus route between Sapporo and Urakawa. Knowing the specific stop can help you factor this place into your plans for traveling by bus.

When choosing a vacation rental in Urakawa, you can first consider which aspect of the destination matters most for your stay: the history of horse breeding and museum visits, time in the forest, cherry blossoms, or a hands-on activity such as growing vegetables.

More local destination pages: Koshimizu, Higashikagura, Okushiri, Abuta District, Shiraoi District, Tomakomai, Suttsu and Kameda District.

For the overall travel guide: Hokkaido.