Obihiro is the main city of the Tokachi region in eastern Hokkaido, spread across a vast, flat plain of farmland ringed by mountains. It is Japan's farming heartland: potatoes, wheat, beans, sugar beet and dairy from here supply kitchens all over the country, and the city's food culture reflects it. Travellers come for wide-open landscapes, clear winter skies, powder snow, hot springs and sweets made with local cream and red beans. Flights to Obihiro put you right in the middle of this countryside, and Traveloka helps you compare routes from Malaysia through Japan's major hubs.

About Tokachi-Obihiro Airport

Location

Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, code OBO, sits in farmland to the south of Obihiro city. The runway is surrounded by fields, and on a clear day you can see the Hidaka mountains to the west as you land. The airport is the air gateway for the whole Tokachi region, not only the city itself.

Terminals

OBO has one compact terminal building serving domestic flights. Inside you will find check-in counters, a souvenir area stocked with Tokachi cheeses, sweets and snacks, and a small restaurant. Because the building is small, moving from the plane to the arrivals hall is quick.

Getting to and from the airport

Airport buses timed to flight arrivals take passengers into central Obihiro, stopping at Obihiro Station, and some services also serve the Tokachigawa Onsen hot spring area. Taxis wait outside the terminal. Many visitors rent a car here, because the attractions of Tokachi are spread out and public transport in the countryside is limited. In winter, choose a car with snow tyres and drive with extra care.

Direct and connecting flights to Obihiro

Tokachi-Obihiro Airport mainly handles domestic flights, with Tokyo as the key link. From Malaysia, the usual plan is to fly to Tokyo and connect to a domestic flight to OBO. Tokyo has two major airports, so check whether your international and domestic flights use the same one; if they do not, allow plenty of time for the transfer across the city.

Another option is to fly into New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, which has more international connections, and continue to Obihiro by train through the mountains. For the return trip, the popular Obihiro to Tokyo flight connects neatly with onward services home. Use the Direct filter for the domestic leg and the stopover filter to compare full journeys from Kuala Lumpur.

When to fly to Obihiro

Obihiro has cold, snowy winters with some of the sunniest winter skies in Japan, and temperatures well below freezing. It is a magical season for snow scenery, ice events and hot springs. Summers are mild and comfortable compared with Malaysia, perfect for cycling past farms and flower gardens, and autumn brings crisp air and colourful leaves in the forests and hills.

Domestic demand in Japan rises during Golden Week, the Obon holidays in August and the New Year period. Malaysian travellers flock to Hokkaido in the winter school holidays and around Chinese New Year for snow, and summer breaks and Hari Raya are also busy. The monthly fare chart on this page shows how prices tend to move, and Price Alert can notify you when fares for your dates change.

Popular places in Obihiro

Tokachigawa Onsen

This hot spring town on the Tokachi River is famous for its moor water, a rare, silky spring water coloured amber by ancient plant matter. Soaking in an outdoor bath while snow falls around you is one of the great Hokkaido experiences.

Kofuku Station

The former Kofuku Station, whose name means happiness, stands on a railway line that closed decades ago. Its small wooden station building and old carriages have become a popular spot for couples and souvenir tickets, and it is easy to combine with a drive south of the city.

Lake Shikaribetsu

In Daisetsuzan National Park to the north, this quiet mountain lake is surrounded by forest. In winter it freezes over and has hosted an ice village with igloos and ice structures on its surface. In summer, canoeing and nature walks are popular.

Tokachi gardens

The Tokachi plain is known for large landscaped gardens, such as the Tokachi Millennium Forest and several flower gardens open from spring to autumn. They are a lovely way to see Hokkaido nature at its most colourful.

Ban'ei horse racing

Obihiro is the home of ban'ei racing, where huge draft horses pull heavy sleds up sand slopes. It is a unique Hokkaido tradition, and races are held at the Obihiro racecourse in the city.

Where to stay in Obihiro

The area around Obihiro Station is the most convenient base, especially without a car. It has a good choice of business-style places to stay, shops, restaurants and the Kitanoyatai food stall alley, and it is the hub for trains and buses.

Tokachigawa Onsen, just outside the city, is ideal for a relaxing stay with hot spring baths. Travellers with a rental car often choose farm stays or countryside lodges around Otofuke, Memuro or Nakasatsunai, where the views stretch across the fields to the mountains.

Food to try in Obihiro

Butadon

Obihiro's signature dish is butadon, slices of pork grilled in a sweet soy glaze and served over rice. It was created in the city and is served in many local restaurants. It is a pork dish, so it is not suitable for Muslim travellers.

Tokachi dairy and cheese

Local farms produce rich milk, butter and cheese, which you can taste in soft-serve ice cream, pizzas and cheese platters all over the region. Many farms have shops or cafés where you can try their products fresh.

Red bean sweets

Tokachi is famous for azuki red beans, the key ingredient in Japanese sweets. Look for wagashi confections, dorayaki pancakes and pastries filled with sweet bean paste.

Fresh vegetables and potatoes

Hokkaido potatoes and sweet corn are at their best in late summer and autumn. Simple steamed potatoes with butter or grilled corn from roadside stands are an honest taste of Tokachi.

Big skies, gentle farmland and some of Japan's best powder snow await. Pick your dates above, compare connections via Tokyo or Sapporo, and book your trip to Obihiro with Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 customer service.