At Obihiro Racecourse, horses pull sleds weighted with iron along a straight track; at Obihiro Forest, activities range from park golf to nature observation. The city also offers art in Midorigaoka Park and a historic brick building. Obihiro can therefore be explored from sporting, scenic and cultural-historical perspectives.

Banei Racing: A Distinctive Sporting Attraction

The world’s only Banei races are held year-round at Obihiro Racecourse. Horses weighing more than one tonne pull sleds weighted with iron along a straight racetrack. Strength and speed are key in the competition. For travelers looking for a specific sporting theme to shape their choice of destination, Banei racing is a clear focus in Obihiro.

Obihiro Forest: Size, Park Golf and Forest Management

Obihiro Forest covers 406.5 hectares, is about 550 meters wide and stretches for 11 kilometers. With this width and a much greater length, the wooded area has an elongated profile. These measurements convey a sense of its scale. Obihiro Forest is approximately twenty times as long as it is wide.

Obihiro Forest has three park golf courses: “Rinkan Course,” “Furusato no Mori” and “Undō Kōen.” The courses have distinct names, and equipment is available to borrow free of charge at the athletics stadium. Alongside the size of the wooded area, these specific recreational activities are part of its appeal.

The Obihiro Forest Hagukuumu facility serves as a center for forest management and use. Among other activities, it offers hands-on forestry experiences involving thinning, as well as nature observation, woodworking, walks and wood pellet making. The activities provide a range of ways to engage with the forest: through its management, observation, hands-on work and walks.

Art in Midorigaoka Park

Midorigaoka Park is home to the 400-meter bench, once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest bench. The park is also home to the Sculpture Path, completed in 1973 at the suggestion of sculptor Shin Hongo. Along the path are 21 modern sculptures made from Tokachi Mikage stone, created by 18 artists. The bench and Sculpture Path offer distinct points of interest: the bench is associated with its former Guinness record, while the path showcases modern art and has its own history of creation.

A Historic Building in Obihiro

The Tokachi Prison Oil Storehouse is a brick building built in 1900, a designated cultural property of Obihiro and the city’s oldest surviving building. Obihiro’s cultural history thus includes not only the artworks in Midorigaoka Park, but also a specific historic structure.

When looking for hotels in Obihiro, you can start by considering what you want your trip to focus on: Banei racing, activities around the forest, or art and city history. These different interests offer a clear starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Shibetsu, Kamikawa, Shibetsu District, Shiraoi District, Muroran, Abashiri, Iwamizawa, Kitahiroshima

For the overview of the wider area: Hokkaido.