Akenogaoka Park Pira-ri

A mysterious “Pira-ri” is situated in the Akenogaoka Park. The park is approximately 3 kilometers southeast from central Makubetsu. “Pira-ri,” a monument symbolizing Makubetsu, is in one corner of the park. The word “Pira-ri” means “great cliff” in the Ainu language. It was constructed in 1996 as one of the commemorative works of the 100-year anniversary of the town’s foundation. About 50 residents participated in a workshop to decide its design. “Pira-ri,” which rises up as if looking down at the ground, has a cliff as the motif as its name suggests. It also represents an eye on the ground that gazes into the future. It symbolizes the wish that “Pira-ri” will watch over all households and their happiness. From the 8-meter high observatory tower, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Makubetsu, vast crop fields, the Hidaka Mountains as well as the Taisetsu mountain range.

Maruyama Observatory

Some people say that pirates buried a treasure on Maruyama. It is an area that is elevated about 300 meter north of central Churui. According to the legend, pirates hid treasures and gold dust in the last days of the Tokugawa regime. Even now mystery and a romantic atmosphere envelope that spot. After five minutes’ drive from the entrance, you will find yourself at the observatory at the top of this hill. You can see the whole town of Churui, the fields and the paddies all the way to the Hidaka Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The vast scenery shows the true Hokkaido, and the sight may cause you to exclaim.

Scenic Café Churui

You will fully enjoy agricultural scenery from this “scenic café.” Scenic Café Churui is a café terrace built on Churui Kyoei Farm, spreading across a low hill. Since “scenic” means “providing views of beautiful natural scenery” in English you can expect to have magnificent views from the 189-meter high hill, looking at cows peacefully eating field grass and freeing yourself from your everyday life. Open Saturdays and Sundays from July to September. Local volunteer staff serve coffee at the cottage and sometime play music. Would you like to have a relaxed time with the rich and tasty aroma of coffee against the tranquil scenery?

Fishway observation facility TOTO-ROAD

This is an untouched natural river environment. There are two fishways and many fish swim up the river. The New Chiyoda Waterway was built to safely release water from the Tokachi River, and consists of two fishways. The current on the waterway-type fishway is gentle so that small, weak fish can swim up there. One can watch through a glass barrier how fish swim across “steps” in the fishway. Visitors may see medium- to large-sized fish including salmon and trout salmon (Masu). From “TOTO-ROAD,” the observation facility along the new waterway, one can observe the ecology of fish including Japanese daces with their characteristic silver scales, salmon swimming up the Tokachi River from the end of August, and pink salmon with a spotted tail fin, as if one is with them in the water.

Sarubetsu River Salmon Capture Station

Absolutely spectacular! A school of salmon swimming up the river. In the Sarubetsu River, which flows through the middle of the town, one can observe schools of salmon swimming upstream to spawn from August to November every year. At a site approximately two kilometer downstream from central Makubetsu, the river is temporarily dammed to catch salmon for the sake of maintenance and to increase resources for hatching, rearing and releasing. Salmon are caught in a basket trap and scooped onto a worktable. After sorting males and females, a vehicle with a water tank transports the salmon to a hatchery. The workers sorting them demonstrate true craftsmanship.

Frontier Street

Frontier Street was chosen as one of the 100 Best Roads of Hokkaido. In front of this street, the splendid Hidaka Mountains and colorful fields are spreading. Driving down from a farm road starting near the Tokachi Makubetsu Onsen Grandvrio Hotel, there is a calm and peaceful rural scene. Driving another 10 kilometers, you will see picturesque scenery looking as if it was drawn on a canvas.

Kumagera House

This building faces the Sarubetsu River, where the Salmon Park Golf Course is situated. During the high season of park golf, many players come here to take a rest. The interior and exterior decorations of this house are made of Japanese larch and Sakhalin fir wood, extending a warm welcome to visitors. Why don’t you play park golf with your friends, and take a rest in the house with a lunch box? Goods related to park golf are displayed inside of the house.

Straight road extending to the Hidaka Mountains

This straight road runs all the way to the Hidaka Mountains and seemingly remains straight all the way. “Wow!” You will exclaim in admiration of the wonderful scenery. Driving from Makubetsu Town, passing Meirin Makubetsu Teishaba Street, just before entering Obihiro, you will observe this scenery. This road extending from a hill to the Hidaka Mountains is truly straight. Check for yourself.