Hokkaido Places

Town Tokachi Subprefecture

Otofuke 音更町

おとふけちょう

Otofuke is the most populous town in Hokkaido.1 It lies directly north of Obihiro, across the Tokachi River, and grew as a commuter suburb of Obihiro; more than 10,000 residents work or study outside the town.23 The town grows more wheat and soybeans than any other municipality in Japan.4 It is also home to Tokachigawa Onsen, a "moor" hot spring, a type Japanese Wikipedia calls rare worldwide, whose water carries organic matter from ancient peat.53 Its Michi-no-Eki Otofuke came first in Hokkaido Jalan's roadside-station ranking in both 2025 and 2026.6

Population (2020 Census)
43,576
Area
466.02 km²
District
Kato District (河東郡)
Official website
www.town.otofuke.hokkaido.jp

Known for

  • Japan's No. 1 wheat and soybean town: in 2024 Otofuke led the country in wheat planted area (6,650 ha), wheat harvest (42,000 t) and soybean harvest (8,710 t).4
  • Tokachigawa Onsen (十勝川温泉): a "moor" hot spring (モール温泉) whose water rises through layers of lignite and peat and carries plant-derived humic matter. It was named a Hokkaido Heritage site in 2004, and "Tokachigawa Onsen" became a registered regional collective trademark in 2008.5
  • Michi-no-Eki Otofuke "Natsuzora no Furusato" (道の駅おとふけ なつぞらのふる里): it moved to a new site in 2022 and was No. 1 in the Hokkaido Jalan roadside-station ranking in 2025 and 2026. More than 6 million people had visited the new site by May 2026.618
  • Sweets and dairy: Ryugetsu (柳月), maker of the birch-log baumkuchen Sanporoku (三方六), has had its head office functions in Otofuke since 2001.19 Yotsuba Milk Products (よつ葉乳業) has its registered head office and its Tokachi main plant in the town.20
  • Tokachi Farm and its birch avenue: the national Livestock Improvement Center's Tokachi Farm covers 4,092 ha, the largest of the centre's 12 stations. Its 1.3 km white-birch avenue has appeared in films and TV dramas.421
  • Sairinka (彩凛華): a light-and-sound show held on winter nights at Tokachigaoka Park as part of the Tokachigawa Swan Festival.22
  • NHK drama Natsuzora (なつぞら, 2019): the Shibata family's dairy farm is set in 音問別, a fictional community in Tokachi.23 It is often said to be modelled on Otofuke (unverified). Replicas of the Shibata farmhouse, barn and silo and of the Setsugetsu sweet shop now stand at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.24

Sights & activities

  • Nature & scenery
    • Tokachi Farm white-birch avenue (十勝牧場 白樺並木): 1.3 km of white birches at the entrance to the national Livestock Improvement Center's Tokachi Farm in Komaba (駒場並木8-1).211
      • Screen appearances: the avenue has been a location for many films and dramas, including NHK's Massan.1
      • The farm: covers about 4,100 ha. It keeps about 650 beef cattle, 100 dairy cattle, 200 work horses and 150 sheep, and has an observation tower. Some areas are closed to the public, so follow the signs.21
    • Tokachigaoka Park (十勝が丘公園): above Tokachigawa Onsen. It has the 18 m flower clock "Hanack", a foot bath and an observation deck. It hosts Sairinka in winter and balloon rides from spring to autumn.4946
    • Suzuran Park (鈴蘭公園): cherry blossoms, and lilies of the valley in early June.49
    • Sunflower fields (ひまわり畑): in bloom from late September to early October.49
    • Swans on the Tokachi River: they winter near the onsen.22
  • Onsen
    • Tokachigawa Onsen: 18 inns can take about 4,200 guests a night.5 The water is sodium chloride and bicarbonate, and the tourism association calls it a "natural skin toner".550
      • Inns include: Kangetsuen (観月苑), Hotel Daiheigen (ホテル大平原), Sasai Hotel (笹井ホテル), Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel (十勝川温泉第一ホテル 豊洲亭・豆陽亭) and Sanyōan (三余庵).50
    • SPA KOHAKU at Garden Spa: a moor-onsen spa where you bathe in swimwear. See the Michi-no-Eki section below.51
  • Museums & heritage
    • Otofuke Furusato Museum: free admission.48
    • Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden (柳月スイートピア・ガーデン): the confectioner's factory and shop, next to Michi-no-Eki Otofuke. It has a factory viewing route, a café and a sweets-making workshop.4919
    • Yotsuba Milk Products Tokachi main plant: open for factory visits.49
  • Outdoor & seasonal activities
    • Tokachi Ecology Park (Tokachigawa Onsen Minami 18-chome): open 9:00–17:00.36
      • Summer: the giant Fuwafuwa Dome bouncing pillow (11 April–3 November in 2026), water-play areas, a campground (open until 31 October) and cottages (until 30 November).3643
      • Winter: snow activities.43
    • Tokachi Nature Center (十勝ネイチャーセンター): at Tokachigawa Onsen. It runs guided outdoor activities all year, including the early-morning balloon rides.4943
    • Tokachigawa Onsen Aqua Park: the finish of the July raft race.43
  • Food experiences
    • Michi-no-Eki Otofuke: nine restaurants in one place (see below).42
    • Otofuke Ra~men: at town ramen shops.43
    • Anpan and wheat festivals: in autumn and August.1743
    • Sweets: Sweetpia Garden's café.49

Roadside stations (Michi-no-Eki)

Otofuke "Natsuzora no Furusato" (道の駅おとふけ)

  • Location: Natsuzora 2-banchi (音更町なつぞら2番地), on National Route 241 (the Obihiro North Bypass). Tel. 0155-65-0822.5253
    • Nearby: it stands just east of Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, south of the Otofuke-Obihiro IC on the Dōtō Expressway.1753
  • Hours (as of September 2026 — check before visiting):
    • Main building: 9:00–19:00 from April to October, and 9:00–18:00 from November to March. Hours vary by shop.52
    • 24-hour facilities: toilets and parking are open all day, every day.52
    • Closures: closed over the New Year holidays.52
    • Natsuzora Area: 9:00–18:00, closed in winter.52
    • Toilet works: the main toilets close from 19:00 on 14 October 2026 and reopen on 15 October. During that time, use the toilet block at the bus stop behind the building.54
    • Extension works: building work began in June 2026, and some areas have limited access.556
  • Shops & products:
    • Natsuzora Ichiba (なつぞら市場): the farm market, open the same hours as the main building (tel. 0155-65-0931).56 It sells:
      • local vegetables such as asparagus, corn and potatoes
      • cheese and meat
      • local alcohol
      • sweets and processed foods
  • Food: nine outlets use local wheat, cheese, pork and vegetables.42 Winter hours are often shorter.
    • Yōshoku Petit Joie (洋食プチジョア): "white omurice" made with local vegetables and Yotsuba butter.
    • Butadon no Butahage (豚丼のぶたはげ): grilled pork-loin butadon.
    • Ramen FUJI: "Otofuke" chāshū ramen made with local pork and wheat.
    • Sobaya Zen (そばや 然): beef-and-burdock soba.
    • Udon Mugishō Ichie (うどん 麦笑 壱咲): Sanuki-style udon, including beef-and-burdock tempura udon.
    • Indian (インデアン なつぞら店): Tokachi's local curry chain, serving a hamburger curry sold only at this branch.
    • CHA-YA GREEN: a Japanese tea café. It serves hōjicha tiramisu and kinako soft-serve (¥550).
    • SKYPIEA: bone-in karaage fried chicken and soft-serve cups (vanilla, chocolate or mix, ¥450).
    • Michimasu (みちます): a bakery that opens at 7:30 from April to October. It is run by the bakery Masuya Shōten (満寿屋商店) and sells the "Natsuzora burger" made with beef from a local ranch and local soybeans and azuki.
  • Facilities:
    • Parking (per the station website):52
      • 244 cars and 22 large vehicles
      • 12 overnight-vehicle spaces
      • 4 accessible spaces
      • 10 motorcycles and 15 bicycles
      • The Hokkaido Michi-no-Eki site gives 216 cars.24
    • EV charging: 2 chargers.52
    • Accessibility: accessible toilets and an ostomate toilet.24
    • Visitor services: a tourist information centre and rental bicycles.57
    • Families: Wi-Fi, a nursing room, and kids' corners for children under 3 and for children 3 and over.24
    • Other: a dog run and a grand piano that anyone may play.24
    • Intercity buses: coaches to Sapporo and Asahikawa and airport buses stop here.53
  • Notes:
    • Registration: registered on 16 April 1996. The first station stood at Kino-ōdōri Nishi 19-chome.2453
    • Move: it reopened on the present site on 15 April 2022.53
    • Stamp: available 24 hours a day, even on closing days.24
    • Natsuzora Area: has replicas of sets from the NHK drama Natsuzora: the Shibata family farmhouse, barn and silo, and the sweet shop "Setsugetsu".24
    • Operator: a designated-manager group led by Okamoto Corporation (株式会社オカモト).55
    • Awards:
      • Hokkaido Jalan ranking: No. 1 in 2025 and 2026.6
      • Hokkaido Michi-no-Eki ranking: No. 1 in three categories in 2024 and again in 2025. In 2025 these were "most restful", "best for families" and "want to stay longest".658
    • Visitors since the move: 5 million on 18 September 2025 and 6 million on 23 May 2026.818

Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen (道の駅ガーデンスパ十勝川温泉)

  • Location: Tokachigawa Onsen Kita 14-chome 1 (十勝川温泉北14丁目1), on Hokkaido Route 73. Tel. 0155-46-2447.44
    • By car: about 20 minutes from Obihiro Station.59
    • Nearby: it is in the middle of the onsen district, near Tokachigaoka Park.49
  • Hours (as of September 2026 — check before visiting):
    • May–October: 9:00–19:00 Monday to Thursday, and 9:00–21:00 on Fridays, weekends and holidays.45
    • November–April: 9:00–19:00, or until 21:00 during events.45
    • Closures:4445
      • May–October: the 2nd Tuesday of each month (in August, the 4th Tuesday)
      • November–April: every Tuesday
      • 1 January
    • Stamp: available during opening hours only, not on closing days.44
  • Shops & products:
    • Hinata Marché (ひなたのマルシェ): sells seasonal Tokachi specialties and farm produce, beans, processed moor-pork products and moor onsen cosmetics (clay pack ¥1,650, mist ¥1,375, hand cream ¥1,155).4544
  • Food: four outlets.45
    • Yorimichi Bakery (よりみちベーカリー): curry bread fried to order with Tokachi ingredients.
    • Kokage no Café (木かげのカフェ): a café and bar.
    • Table Végé (ターブル・べジ): pizza and pasta made with Tokachi vegetables.
    • Karaage House (からあげハウス): fried chicken.
    • Signature item: the "Moor Pork Big Frank Dog", listed by the Hokkaido Michi-no-Eki site.44
  • Facilities:
    • SPA KOHAKU: a moor-onsen spa where men and women bathe together in swimwear.51
      • Prices: adults ¥1,500, children aged 4–12 ¥600, under-3s free. The first swimsuit rental is free.
      • Extras: a summer water-play area, "moor mist", and hot yoga on Thursdays by reservation.
    • Sora no Ashiyu (そらの足湯): a free foot bath. Towels can be rented for a fee.45
    • Other: experience workshops (40-minute food-processing programmes), free Wi-Fi, a nursing room, a dog run and cashless payment.4544
    • Parking: the station gives 93 spaces, including 3 for buses.45 The Hokkaido Michi-no-Eki site lists 88 cars and 13 large vehicles.44
  • Notes:
    • History: the facility opened on 8 December 2016 on the site of a former hotel, to bring life back to the onsen town.35
    • Registration: registered as a Michi-no-Eki on 1 July 2020 and opened as one on 22 July 2020.3544
    • Ranking: No. 5 in the Hokkaido Jalan roadside-station ranking in both 2025 and 2026.6

Getting there & around

  • Rail: Otofuke has had no railway since the JNR Shihoro Line closed on 23 March 1987.30
    • About the old line: it ran 78.3 km from Obihiro to Tokachi-Mitsumata. Its stations in Otofuke were Kino, Otofuke, Komaba and Mugi (武儀).30360
    • Nearest station: JR Obihiro on the Nemuro Main Line, about 15 minutes by car from central Otofuke. Limited expresses from Sapporo take about 2 hours 40 minutes.61
  • Expressway: the Otofuke-Obihiro IC (音更帯広IC) on the Dōtō Expressway opened in 1995.333
    • From Sapporo: about 2 hours 40 minutes from Sapporo-Minami IC.61
    • New Smart IC: a new Smart IC, provisionally named (仮称)長流枝スマートIC, was approved in 2020.8
  • Roads:
    • National Route 241: the main road, including the Obihiro North Bypass, opened in 1994.3361
    • Hokkaido Route 73: leads to Tokachigawa Onsen.44
  • Buses:
    • Local: Tokachi Bus and Takushoku Bus run local and community routes.3
    • Intercity: the Potato Liner to Sapporo, the North Liner to Asahikawa and the Tokachi Milky Liner to New Chitose Airport serve the town.3 The Sapporo–Obihiro bus takes about 3 hours 50 minutes and also stops in central Otofuke.61
    • Free onsen shuttle: guests staying at Tokachigawa Onsen inns ride free between Obihiro Station and the onsen from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The normal fare is ¥1,200 return.62
  • Air: the nearest airport is Tokachi-Obihiro Airport, about 1 hour 45 minutes from Haneda and about 50 minutes by car from central Otofuke.61
    • Airport buses: they run between the town and the airport six times a day each way.3
    • From New Chitose: Garden Spa is about 2 hours 50 minutes from New Chitose Airport by car, via Chitose-Higashi IC.59
  • Getting around: sights are spread out, so a car is easiest. Rental bicycles are available at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.57

Practical tips

  • When to go:
    • Late January–mid-February: for Sairinka and the swans.
    • Late June–July: for flowers.
    • August: for fireworks and the wheat festival.
    • Late September–October: for sunflowers, ginkgo and the food festivals at the Michi-no-Eki.174349
  • Winter cold: yearly lows of −20 °C to −27 °C are normal.11 Sairinka shows run from 19:00 to 21:00, outdoors, so wear full winter gear.22
  • Snow: snow cover is usually around 60 cm, but it can be much deeper. It reached 129 cm in early February 2025.11 Drive carefully on icy roads.
  • Tourist information:
    • Otofuke Tokachigawa Onsen Tourism Association (音更町十勝川温泉観光協会): Tokachigawa Onsen Minami 12-chome 1, tel. 0155-32-6633, open 8:45–17:30.63
    • Michi-no-Eki Otofuke tourist information centre: open 9:00–19:00 from April to October and 9:00–18:00 from November to March.57
    • Town office tourism section: tel. 0155-42-2111.43
  • Opening days to check:
    • Garden Spa: closed on Tuesdays in winter.45
    • Otofuke Furusato Museum: closed on Wednesdays.48
    • Tokachi Ecology Park: the campground closes at the end of October.36
    • Hot-air balloon: runs only in fine weather.43
  • Tokachi Farm: it is a working farm, and some areas are open only to staff. Follow the signs.21
  • Wildlife (general Hokkaido advice, unverified for specific places in Otofuke):
    • Deer: Ezo sika deer cross rural roads at dusk.
    • Brown bears: they live in Hokkaido's forests. Check local warnings before walking in wooded river valleys.

More about Otofuke

At a glance
Field Details
Type Town (町)
Subprefecture Tokachi (十勝総合振興局). Otofuke lies in the middle of the Tokachi Plain.7
District Kato District (河東郡)3
Population 2020 Census: 43,576 people in 18,362 households. People aged 65 and over made up 29.7%, and the average age was 48.4.2 The town chronology gives a slightly different Census figure of 43,587 people in 18,307 households; the reason is not stated (possibly the preliminary count; unverified).8 Latest: 41,732 people (19,783 men, 21,949 women) in 21,117 households on 31 August 2026, according to the town website.9 Peak: 45,085 at the 2010 Census. On the resident register, the peak was 45,600 at the end of FY2010.2
Area 466.02 km² (GSI, 1 April 2026).10 The town measures 28.7 km east to west and 32.8 km north to south.7 About 49% of the land is upland fields (畑, 22,754 ha), 23% is forest (10,945 ha) and 12% is pasture (5,704 ha), as of 1 January 2025.11
Density About 89.6 people/km² in August 2026 (calculated). It was 93.5/km² at the 2020 Census.2
Municipal history Settlement: Ōkawa Uhachirō (大川宇八郎) from Iwate Prefecture settled here in 1880. Village office: an office for Otofuke and two other villages opened in 1901. Village: Otofuke became a second-class village in 1906 and a first-class village in 1921. In 1921 the villages of Shikaoi and Kawakami (now Shihoro) also split off from it. Town: Otofuke became a town on 1 July 1953.71213 Anniversary: it marked 120 years since its founding on 15 October 2020.8 English Wikipedia gives 1905 as the year the village was founded. The official chronology gives 1906 (明治39年).147
Neighboring municipalities Obihiro and Makubetsu to the south, across the Tokachi River. Shihoro to the north, Shikaoi and Memuro to the west, and Ikeda to the east.7
Symbols Tree: white birch (白樺). Flower: lily of the valley (スズラン). No town bird is listed. Emblem: adopted 10 April 1966. Town song: adopted 18 September 1966, with music by Ifukube Akira (伊福部昭), the composer of Godzilla.1516
Mascot Ōsode-kun (おおそでくん): the "Otofuke food ambassador", based on the local Ōsodefuri soybean (音更大袖振大豆). Mō~ru-chan (モ〜るちゃん): the character of Tokachigawa Onsen.17
Official website https://www.town.otofuke.hokkaido.jp/

Name origin
  • Official explanation: the town says the name comes from the Ainu word Otopuke (オトプケ), "hair grows" (毛髪が生ずる). The name is said to describe the many tributaries of the Otofuke and Shikaribetsu rivers, which spread across the land like hair.7 Japanese Wikipedia gives the same explanation.3
  • Shared name with the river: the Otofuke River (音更川) is 94 km long. It rises on Mt. Otofuke (音更山, 1,932 m) in Kamishihoro and joins the Tokachi River inside the town.25
  • Shikaribetsu (然別): the town chronology says the name "Shikaribetsu-puto" (シカリベツプト) first appears in records in 1800. Under 1868 it notes that the Kaitakushi's business reports (開拓使事業報告) wrote the place near today's Shikaribetsu as 士狩別太.26
  • Other theories: none of the sources consulted for this entry gave a competing Ainu etymology for "Otofuke".

History
  • Ainu era: the town's official chronology opens with an entry for 1457 that reads "Otopuke (音更) chief Shagani" (オトプケ（音更）酋長 シャガニ).26
  • Late Edo period:
    • 1855: five households (10 men and 14 women) lived at Shikaribetsu-puto.
    • 1858: Matsuura Takeshirō (松浦武四郎) explored inland Tokachi and entered what is now Otofuke. Shikaribetsu then had 16 households.267
  • Early Meiji:
    • 1874: the American Lyman (ライマン) came over from the Daisetsuzan area and surveyed along the Otofuke River.
    • 1879–1880: Ōkawa Uhachirō, born in Karumai, Iwate, in 1855, began trading with the Ainu in 1879. He settled in Otofuke in 1880 and is regarded as the town's founding pioneer.2627
    • 1888: an Ainu kotan (village) was established at Otofuke (音更アイヌコタン).26
  • Settlement:
    • 1889: Watanabe Masaru (渡辺勝) began clearing land at Shikaribetsu.
    • 1896: the first road between Obihiro and Otofuke was built, and the Kino Village Farm (木野村農場) was founded.
    • 1897–1899: the Yabe (矢部) and Enami (江波) settler groups arrived in 1897, Mino Kaikon Gōshi Kaisha (美濃開墾合資会社) in 1898, and the Abe Farm (阿部農場) was founded in 1899.26
    • Settlers from Toyama: the Higashi-Shikari and Yabe lion dances were brought from Toyama Prefecture in 1902 and 1904. This shows that Toyama settlers were among those who arrived.28
  • 1900s–1920s:
    • 1900: people began piping in hot water for local use, the start of today's Tokachigawa Onsen.26
    • 1901: a joint office was set up for Otofuke and two other villages, Shikaribetsu and Higashi-Shikari.26
    • 1906: Otofuke became a second-class village.7
    • 1910: the Cabinet's Horse Administration Bureau (内閣馬政局) founded the Tokachi Stud Farm (十勝種馬牧場), today's Tokachi Farm.26
    • 1914: larch planting began to mark the Taishō Emperor's accession. The trees later became a well-known larch avenue.13
    • 1920: sugar-beet farming began.13
    • 1921: Shikaoi and Kawakami (now Shihoro) split off, and Otofuke became a first-class village.13
    • 1923: 伊福部利三, father of the composer Ifukube Akira, is listed as the 7th village head. The family moved to Otofuke because of this post.1329
    • 1925: Hokkaido's first civil airfield opened in Otofuke. The same year the JNR Shihoro Line opened between Obihiro and Shihoro, on 10 December 1925.1330
  • Shōwa era:
    • 1929: the hot spring, then called Shimo-Shihoro Onsen, was renamed Amemiya Onsen after Amemiya Komahei (雨宮駒平), who drilled a 42 °C well in 1928. The Otofuke airfield closed the same year.315
    • 1933: the spring received its present name, Tokachigawa Onsen.31
    • 1953: Otofuke became a town.7
    • 1985: sister-town ties were formed with Karumai, Ōkawa's birthplace.32
    • 1987: the Shihoro Line closed on 23 March, ending what the town chronology calls 63 years of history.3230
    • 1988: the cable-stayed Tokachi Chūō Bridge opened between Otofuke and Makubetsu, and Obihiro Otani Junior College moved to the town.32
  • Heisei era:
    • 1991: a specialty-products centre opened. It was later registered as a Michi-no-Eki.33
    • 1994: the Route 241 north bypass opened.33
    • 1995: the Shimizu–Ikeda section of the Dōtō Expressway opened.33
    • 1996: Tokachigawa Onsen Aqua Park was completed.33
    • 2004: the moor onsen was named a Hokkaido Heritage site.5
    • 2009: the resident population passed 45,000 on 19 March.34
    • 2011: part of an Otofuke River levee was washed away.34
    • 2016: several typhoons caused damage, and Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen opened.3435
  • Reiwa era:
    • 2020: Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen was registered as a Michi-no-Eki.8
    • 2022: the town declared itself a Zero Carbon City, and Michi-no-Eki Otofuke reopened on its new site.8
    • 2025: the town recorded its highest-ever temperature, 38.2 °C on 24 July. The Michi-no-Eki welcomed its 5 millionth visitor on 18 September, and the sister-town tie with Karumai reached 40 years.8
    • 2026: the Michi-no-Eki's 6 millionth visitor arrived on 23 May.18

Geography & climate
  • Setting: Otofuke sits almost in the centre of the Tokachi Plain in eastern Hokkaido, and most of the land is flat.714
  • Rivers:
    • Tokachi River (十勝川): forms the southern boundary with Obihiro and Makubetsu.7
    • Otofuke, Shikaribetsu and Shihoro rivers: cross the town on their way to the Tokachi.325
    • Otofuke River: a steep, fast river. Its flow has dropped because of the Nukabira Dam and diversions upstream.25
  • Urban areas: the town has four main urban areas: Otofuke (音更) itself, Kino (木野), Komaba (駒場) and Tokachigawa Onsen (十勝川温泉).17 Kino borders Obihiro and holds the largest share of the population.2
  • Tokachi Bozu (十勝坊主): a field of more than 300 small, mound-shaped earth hummocks. They are fossil soils (化石土) formed during a cold period 2,000–4,000 years ago, and were designated a town cultural property in 2000.28
  • Parks: Tokachi Ecology Park (十勝エコロジーパーク) straddles Otofuke, Ikeda and Makubetsu along the Tokachi River. It is run by a foundation as Hokkaido's designated manager.36
  • Climate: continental, with hot summers and very cold winters. The main weather station is the Komaba AMeDAS station, 112 m above sea level.3
    • Averages (2018–2022): 7.1 °C mean temperature, 844.2 mm of precipitation and 1,968.7 hours of sunshine a year.7
    • Monthly means: −8.1 °C in January and 19.6 °C in August.3
    • Record high: 38.2 °C on 24 July 2025.118 The town's overview page still gives an older record of 37.8 °C (2014).7
    • Record low: −32.1 °C on 27 January 2000.37
    • Recent yearly lows: −20 °C to −27 °C in 2021–2025.11
  • Snow: the deepest snow cover each year (measured at the Obihiro observatory) was 58–67 cm in 2021–2024. In 2025 it reached 129 cm on 4 February.11

Economy & industry
  • Agriculture: farming is the main industry, with 611 farm households as of 1 April 2024.12

    • Cropland: 21,032 ha was planted in 2024.37 By area:

      Crop Share
      Wheat 31.5%
      Beans 25.3%
      Forage crops 12.6%
      Sugar beet 12.3%
      Potatoes 10.4%
      Vegetables 5.2%

    • Output value (2024): about ¥22.0 billion from crops, the sum of the categories shown in the town's chart. The largest items were:38

      • Wheat: ¥5.91 billion
      • Beans: ¥4.67 billion
      • Sugar beet: ¥3.47 billion
      • Potatoes: ¥3.20 billion

    • Livestock (2024): about ¥8.43 billion, of which milk brought in ¥6.19 billion. Milk income has nearly doubled since 2005 (¥3.17 billion).38

    • National rankings: in the 2023 and 2024 crop years, Otofuke ranked No. 1 in Japan for wheat planted area and harvest and for soybean harvest (2023: wheat 44,400 t, soybeans 7,980 t; 2024: 42,000 t and 8,710 t).4

    • Earlier rankings: Japanese Wikipedia lists No. 1 in Japan for azuki beans (2018) and No. 1 in Hokkaido for carrots (2013).3

    • National Wagyu Competition 2027: the 13th National Wagyu Competition, Hokkaido meeting (第13回全国和牛能力共進会北海道大会), is planned for 26–30 August 2027. Judging is to take place at the Hokuren Tokachi livestock market's Agri Arena, with related events at Kibōgaoka Sports Park. About 380,000 visitors are expected over the five days.39

  • Food processing: Otofuke had 25 manufacturing sites in 2021. Together they shipped about ¥88.2 billion of goods. Food manufacturing accounted for about ¥70.1 billion of that and for 861 of the 1,173 jobs.40 Big food makers in the town:
    • Yotsuba Milk Products (よつ葉乳業): founded in 1967 by eight Tokachi farm co-operatives, it makes milk, butter, cheese and powdered milk at its Tokachi main plant.20
    • Ryugetsu (柳月): its factory and shop, Sweetpia Garden, has stood in the town since 2001.19
    • Industrial parks: the town lists the IC Industrial Park (IC工業団地) and the Otofuke Teisen Industrial Park (音更町テイセン工業団地) on its industry page.41
  • A commuter town: at the 2020 Census, 10,636 residents worked or studied outside the town. The daytime population was only 85.6% of the night-time population, and 80.4% of residents lived in the densely inhabited district (DID).2
    • Jobs by sector (2020): of 20,853 employed residents, 2,557 worked in primary industry, 3,972 in secondary industry and 14,241 in tertiary industry.2
  • Population trend: Otofuke grew steadily as Obihiro's suburbs spread, from 24,118 people in 1970 to 45,085 in 2010.2
    • Decline since 2010: the town has lost people every year. In FY2024 there were 230 births and 564 deaths, though more people moved in than out.2
  • Tourism: Otofuke had 2,554,800 visitors in FY2024, 2,200,100 of them day-trippers. Guests spent 378,300 nights in the town, including 77,278 foreign guest-nights.40
    • Growth: visitor numbers were 1.42 million in FY2019 and jumped to 2.56 million in FY2022, the year the new Michi-no-Eki opened.40
    • The Michi-no-Eki alone drew a record of more than 1.63 million visitors in FY2025.18

Local specialties
Specialty Category Details & where to get it
Otofuke wheat (音更産小麦) Grain Japan's largest wheat harvest.4 Restaurants at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke use local wheat.42 The town celebrates the harvest at the Mugikansai wheat festival (麦感祭) each August.43
Soybeans, including Ōsodefuri (音更大袖振大豆) Beans Japan's No. 1 soybean harvest (8,710 t in 2024).4 The Ōsodefuri variety inspired the town mascot Ōsode-kun.17
Azuki beans (小豆) Beans The town says long-established Japanese confectioners across Japan use its azuki. Azuki is also a furusato nōzei gift.1
Otofuke Ra~men (音更ら〜麺) Local dish (ご当地グルメ) The town's new local ramen. The noodles are made from Otofuke wheat mixed with powdered Otofuke broccoli, and each ramen shop in town adds its own flavour. An Otofuke Ra~men Village (音更ら〜麺村) event runs at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke in October.1743
Potatoes (Kita-Akari, Tōya) Vegetables A 9 kg two-variety potato box is a popular furusato nōzei gift.1
Sanporoku (三方六) Sweets Ryugetsu's baumkuchen, designed to look like a split birch log and on sale since 1965.19 Sold at Ryugetsu Sweetpia Garden, next to Michi-no-Eki Otofuke. There are Golden Week specials such as honey-lemon Sanporoku and kinagoromo soft-serve.17
Yotsuba butter & dairy (よつ葉) Dairy Made at Yotsuba's Tokachi main plant in the town.20 Salted Yotsuba butter (a set of 6) is a popular furusato nōzei gift.1 The plant holds a Milk Festa each September.17
Moor pork (モール豚) Meat Processed moor-pork products and the "Moor Pork Big Frank Dog" at Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen.44
Moor onsen cosmetics Beauty products Clay pack (¥1,650), mist spray (¥1,375) and hand cream (¥1,155) made with moor onsen water. Sold at the Hinata Marché in Garden Spa.45
Butadon (豚丼) Local dish Tokachi's grilled pork rice bowl. Served at Butahage (豚丼のぶたはげ) inside Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.42
Other furusato nōzei gifts Various Gifts listed include Hanabatake Farm burrata, corn, beans, melons, wine and udon.1

Culture & festivals
Event When Highlights
Tokachigawa Swan Festival "Sairinka" (十勝川白鳥まつり 彩凛華) Late January to mid-February (2026: 24 January–15 February). 19:00–21:00. Held at Tokachigaoka Park. About 600 computer-controlled lights, including triangular light cones and a 5.4 m tower, change in time with music. Shows start at 19:00, 19:30, 20:00 and 20:30. Adults ¥500, hotel guests ¥300, children free. The festival is named after the swans that come to Tokachigawa Onsen every year.22 The 2027 edition is planned for late January to mid-February.43
Winter Fes in Ecopa (ウィンターフェス in エコパ) 1 December–31 March Snow rafting, snow tubing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Tokachi Ecology Park.43
Night cherry-blossom illumination (夜桜ライトアップ) Late April to early May, 19:00–21:00 The cherry trees of Suzuran Park are lit up at night.17
Early-morning hot-air balloon rides (早朝熱気球体験) 26 April–30 September (2026) A tethered balloon rises about 30 m at Tokachigaoka Park. Weather permitting. Run by the Tokachi Nature Center.43
Ecopa Soba Festival (エコパ蕎麦まつり) Once a month, May–October A local group serves 300 portions of handmade soba each time at Tokachi Ecology Park.43
Hanack and the Flower Road (ハナックと花ロード) Late June–late July Tokachigawa Onsen is decorated with flowers, from the prefectural road up to "Hanack", an 18 m flower clock in Tokachigaoka Park.46
Tokachi River Raft Race (十勝川イカダ下り) Early July (the 54th race was on 5 July 2026) Home-made rafts float from Tokachi Ōhashi Bridge down to Tokachigawa Onsen Aqua Park.43
Komaba Summer Festival (こまば夏まつり) July (the 45th was on 5 July 2026) Games, live bands, food stalls and a prize draw. The 2026 date was moved from the 18 July printed on the event map.4717
Otofuke Chamber of Commerce Summer Festival & Fireworks (音更町商工会夏まつり納涼花火大会) Early August (1 August 2026) Stage shows, festival stalls, a beer garden and about 1,000 fireworks. Held at a special venue by the Shintōri Kaikan.17
Yukata de Naito (浴衣でナイと) August (venue to be decided in 2026) An evening recalling the old onsen town, with stage events, food stalls and a street fair. Visitors in yukata get a bonus.43
Mugikansai 2026 in Otofuke Melody Line (麦感祭) August (8 August 2026) A wheat-harvest festival for "Japan's No. 1 wheat town", with giant field art in the wheat fields, a wheat-roll rolling game, and bread, okonomiyaki and pizza made from the new wheat, billed as the earliest in Hokkaido. Held at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke, Miura Farm and Garden Spa.43
Summer ranch experience day (夏休み牧場体験Day) Early August Children can try calf and sheep care and a vet's work at Tokachi Farm.17
Yotsuba Milk Festa (よつ葉ミルクフェスタ) September (19 September 2026) Factory tours and dairy stalls at Yotsuba's Tokachi main plant.17
Minori~mu Festa Otofuke (みのり〜むフェスタおとふけ) October (4 October 2026) A festival of local farm produce and food at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.17
Anpan Festival (あんぱん祭り) October (10–11 October 2026) Popular bakeries from Tokachi and across Japan sell anpan made with Tokachi wheat and azuki. At Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.17
Otofuke Ginkgo Festival (音更いちょうまつり) Mid-October A ginkgo avenue planted about 40 years ago near Mutsumi Amenity Park is lit up, with a night market.17
Otofuke Ra~men Village (音更ら〜麺村) October (18 October 2026) Town ramen shops serve Otofuke Ra~men at Michi-no-Eki Otofuke.17
Jack-o'-lantern lighting (ジャック・オ・ランタン点灯) 24 October–14 November (2026) About 80 lanterns line part of the Otofuke Melody Line road.43
Tokachigawa Onsen Kohaku Night & Marché (琥珀ナイトアンドマルシェ) November Light installations and a market at Garden Spa Tokachigawa Onsen.43
  • Folk performing arts: Otofuke has three town-designated folk performing arts:28
    • Tokachi Koma-odori (十勝駒踊): a horse dance begun in 1916 by staff of the Tokachi stud farm and performed at the Komaba Shrine autumn festival.
    • Higashi-Shikari lion dance (東士狩獅子舞, 1902): performed at Higashi-Shikari Shrine.
    • Yabe lion dance (矢部獅子舞, 1904): performed at Sumiyoshi Shrine. Both lion dances came from Toyama Prefecture and use a long "hundred-legged" lion.
  • Suzuran Park (鈴蘭公園): opened in 1926 as Otofuke Park. It has a poem monument to Matsuura Takeshirō put up in 1919, and was listed as a "Northern Landscape Heritage" (北の造園遺産) site in 2017.133134
  • Otofuke Furusato Museum (音更ふるさと資料館): in the Lifelong Learning Centre in Kibōgaoka. Admission is free, and it is closed on Wednesdays.48 Its exhibits cover:
    • geology
    • finds from more than 100 archaeological sites
    • Ainu culture
    • farm mechanisation, from hand labour to smart farming
    • pioneer life

Ainu heritage
  • Before the settlers: Otofuke was Ainu land long before Japanese settlement.
    • Oldest entry: the town chronology's first entry (1457) names an Otopuke chief, Shagani.26
    • Edo-period records: before any Japanese settlement, the chronology records 5 households at Shikaribetsu-puto in 1855 and 16 at Shikaribetsu in 1858.26
    • Trade: the first Japanese settler, Ōkawa Uhachirō, began by trading with the Ainu in 1879.26
    • 1888: the chronology records the establishment of the Otofuke Ainu kotan in 1888. It gives no further details.26
  • Place names: the town name Otopuke, and river and district names such as Shikaribetsu, come from Ainu.726
  • Ifukube Akira: the composer lived in Otofuke from the ages of 9 to 12. English Wikipedia says the area's mixed Ainu and Japanese population deeply influenced his music.16
  • Where to learn more: the Otofuke Furusato Museum has an Ainu culture section on traditional life, tools and present-day cultural transmission.48
  • Limits of the sources: no Ainu-specific sites (such as chashi forts) or living cultural groups in the town were documented in the sources consulted.

Sister & friendship cities
  • Karumai (軽米町), Kunohe District, Iwate Prefecture: sister town since 31 October 1985.2764
    • Why Karumai: it is the birthplace of Ōkawa Uhachirō, the pioneer of Otofuke.27
    • Exchanges: each year, children from both towns visit each other on study tours, and each town's newsletter reports on the other's news.27
    • 40th anniversary: the partnership reached 40 years in 2025.8
  • International: none found.

Notable people
  • Ifukube Akira (伊福部昭, 1914–2006): composer of more than 250 film scores, including Godzilla (1954). Born in Kushiro, he spent part of his childhood in Otofuke and wrote the music for the town song.1615
  • Nishikawa Takahiro (西川隆宏): former member of the band DREAMS COME TRUE, from Otofuke.314
  • Fujinokawa Takeo (藤ノ川武雄): former sumo wrestler, from Otofuke.314
  • Taki Natsuki (滝菜月): Nippon TV announcer, from Otofuke.3

Sources

Numbers in the text link to these sources. Figures as of 23 September 2026

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