黃國棟's Reviews Page 1/5

Obihiro has quite a few famous butadon restaurants, and Butadon Ichiban is also a very popular local spot where people line up. The moment it arrives at the table, the white rice is completely covered with grilled pork, and just looking at it makes your mouth water. The pork is charcoal-grilled, giving it an enticing charred and smoky aroma. Paired with the rich, slightly sweet sauce, the sweet and savory flavor goes perfectly with the rice. However, the seasoning is fairly strong, so it may start to feel a little heavy toward the end. That’s when you can use the sansho pepper, shichimi spice, or black pepper on the table to change up the flavor and keep each bite satisfying!

One bite of tender, flavorful pork, then one bite of white rice—this is the taste of happiness in Obihiro. Overall, it was quite delicious and had a distinctive local flavor from Tokachi, Hokkaido.

Founded in 1933, Ganso Butadon No Pancho is a long-established and well-known butadon restaurant in Obihiro. After more than 90 years, it remains extremely popular, and you can often see people lined up outside. Its reputation is definitely well deserved!

When the butadon arrives, the steaming white rice is completely covered with pork. The aroma of charcoal grilling makes your mouth water as soon as it gets close. The pork has an enticing smoky flavor, and together with the sauce, it’s savory without being overly salty. The sauce slowly soaks into the rice, making every bite satisfying.

I really like this kind of simple yet memorable flavor—

There aren’t many fancy toppings, but the charcoal aroma, sauce, and rice bring out the flavors of Tokachi, Hokkaido to the fullest.

There’s a reason this restaurant has kept its delicious aroma going for more than 90 years. When you visit Obihiro, besides taking in Tokachi’s vast scenery, don’t forget to sit down and enjoy a bowl of Obihiro’s soul food, butadon.

Winter in Hokkaido always has a kind of magic that makes you want to slow down. On this visit to Obihiro Shrine, the entire shrine was covered in thick white snow. The torii gate, approach, and trees were all dressed in pure white, and the scenery truly looked like a painting.

You can also find the popular "snow fairies" of eastern Hokkaido here—the long-tailed tits. If you're lucky, you may encounter these adorable little creatures in the woods around the shrine.

Although the deep snow on the ground makes walking a little difficult in winter, with your feet sinking into the snow with every step, that's also what makes it feel like you've truly entered Hokkaido's snow country.

Standing before the torii gate in the snow, surrounded by endless white, it was so quiet that all I could hear were my footsteps in the snow... It took some effort, but it was truly worth it.

Visiting in winter, I found a lake completely covered in ice and snow. The "phantom bridge," which normally emerges from the lake only from winter to early summer, stood quietly on the frozen surface. It was so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off it.

The bridge has a history spanning half a century. Although time has gradually weathered and deteriorated it, this has also given it a unique, timeworn beauty. In the depths of winter, the bridge and the endless frozen lake form a striking scene together, as if time itself has stopped at this moment.

What surprised me most was that a winter visit also offered views of ice bubbles on the lake and unusual mushroom-shaped layers of ice stacked on top of one another. Nature truly is incredible!

Standing in this world of ice and snow and looking at this old bridge filled with history, I could feel both the grandeur of Hokkaido in winter and the traces left by time. The phantom bridge, frozen lake, ice bubbles, and mushroom-shaped ice made this winter trip truly worthwhile!

When visiting Tokachi in Hokkaido, don't just enjoy the food—step into Kita no Yatai for the most authentic local atmosphere! The small, distinctive food stalls offer all kinds of dishes, from local Tokachi ingredients to Hokkaido specialties, and each one has its own charm. At night, lanterns light up one after another, filling the entire alley with a warm atmosphere that really captures the feeling of a winter night in Japan.

It doesn't feel as formal as a tourist attraction. Instead, it's more like part of everyday local life, where people stop after work for a drink, something to eat, and a chat. Sit inside one of the tiny stalls, raise a glass with strangers, and experience Tokachi's most genuine and lively local warmth.

When you visit Tokachigaoka Park near Tokachigawa Onsen in Hokkaido, the winter scenery looks completely different. Centered around the famous flower clock, the park is filled with colorful flowers in summer, but in winter, the entire park is covered in a blanket of pure white snow. Everywhere you look is a silvery-white landscape set against the blue sky and distant woods, so quiet that it feels like stepping into a fairy-tale world.

The park also has a footbath and observation deck, where you can soak your feet in warm water while enjoying the snowy winter scenery. There are no bustling crowds, only white snow, blue skies, and crisp, cold air, which makes it even easier to appreciate the unique purity and romance of winter in Hokkaido.

Although there were no blooming flowers during this winter visit, I discovered another kind of Tokachi beauty--the flower clock park covered in white snow, quietly beautiful.

Cape Notoro is an attraction in Abashiri that is well worth visiting, with lush green grasslands and expansive ocean views. In winter, you can also see the magical drift ice scenery. It has a different look in every season.

When I visited this winter, the entire landscape was covered in white snow, with an endless snowy view stretching out before me. Against the clear blue sky, the scenery looked especially crisp and beautiful. Standing on the cape in the cold winter wind and gazing at the vast natural landscape was truly soothing. Having such good weather was also a very lucky moment during the trip!

A classic attraction in Abashiri, Hokkaido. The former Abashiri Prison facilities, built during the Meiji period, have now been preserved and opened as a museum. Admission is JPY 1,500. The grounds are very large, and you can visit many historic buildings and learn about the working and living conditions of prisoners and guards at the time. There is also a stamp-collecting activity in the buildings, with a unique stamp at each major spot. I especially liked the ingenious design of the prison area, which allowed guards to see several cells at a glance. There is also a recreation of the escape by Yoshie Shiratori, the “King of Prison Breaks,” which was really interesting!

Lake Abashiri is a distinctive natural attraction in eastern Hokkaido, with a different appearance in every season and many outdoor activities to try. When I visited, it was winter, and the lake was covered in thick ice, with white snow all around and distant mountain scenery quietly stretching into the distance, creating a uniquely peaceful atmosphere. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good on the day I arrived. The entire sky was gray, so it lacked the clear look it would have under a blue sky. Still, Lake Abashiri in winter has a quiet and unique beauty that is worth experiencing in person.

When visiting Abashiri, besides enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, I also highly recommend stopping by the local history museum to learn more about the city's history and culture. The first floor mainly features nature exhibits and animal specimens, while the second floor covers everything from the Jomon and Ainu periods through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. There is a lot to see.

Admission is only JPY 120, which is a great deal! The building itself is also worth seeing, with a strong Meiji-era character. It is quaint and beautiful, making this a nice little spot to explore at a leisurely pace.