Where to stay in Obihiro

Obihiro (帯広市, Obihiro-shi) is a city located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 31 December 2025, the city had an estimated population of 159,294 in 90105 households, and a population density of 257 people per km2.

Founded in 1883 by settlers from Honshu, and designated as a city in 1933, Obihiro is architecturally undistinguished except for a few kitsch pachinko (pin ball) palaces. To the visitor it appears a city of car dealers and cake shops. Arranged on a regular north–south grid, most of the city lies in the south western quadrant. Two main features lie diagonal to the grid: the railway line with the main JR station and Midorigaoka Park, a green hill where some of the cities main attractions (the museum, zoo etc.) are located.

Getting around

The center of Obihiro, located on the north side of JR Obihiro Station, is small and walkable, though most of the larger shopping areas are outside of this. The city as a whole is large and spread out, though easy to navigate. Similar to Sapporo, it is laid out on a grid, and intersections are signed in both Japanese and English (e.g., West 1 South 10). The north–south axis (which lies close to the city center) is called Ōdōri. City buses exist, though services are less frequent than on the more densely populated island of Honshu.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.