10 Things to Do in Tomakomai City

10 Things to Do in Tomakomai City

Tomakomai (苫小牧市) is a bustling port city in the Iburi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. It is the fourth largest city in Hokkaido. The place gets its name from the Ainu words "to" and "makomai", meaning "marsh" and "river which goes into the depths of the mountain", respectively.

For those planning to visit the city to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Tomakomai City:

Tomakomai City manhole covers

1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Tomakomai City. So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover. It is commonly seen around the town. There is a colored version of it located near the Tomakomai City Hall but Mother Nature has removed most of its color already. 

Tomakomai City Pokemon manhole cover

2. Take a picture of the Tomakomai City Pokemon manhole cover at Idemitsu Culture Park. It features Vulpix and Ninetales.

Tarumaezan Shrine

3. Visit the Tarumaezan Shrine (苫小牧総鎮守 樽前山神社). It’s the main shrine of the city of Tomakomai. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail of the shrine’s goshuin if you are collecting them.

Lake Utonai Roadside Station

4.  Visit Lake Utonai Roadside Station (道の駅 ウトナイ湖). You can buy souvenirs and also get the roadside station stamp for your stamp collection. The scenic Lake Utonai is also behind the establishment so it’s worth checking out too. 

Takuyu Park

5. Stroll around and enjoy the fresh air at Takuyu Park (拓勇公園). It’s a green space with a fountain, observation deck, and a playground. You can also bring your pets with you. Just don’t forget to clean up after them. In my opinion, the best time to visit the park is in October as the autumn foliage makes the park picturesque. 

Tomakomai Onsen Honoka

6.  Take a dip at the onsen of Tomakomai Onsen Honoka (苫小牧温泉 ほのか). It’s conveniently located along National Route 36. This onsen facility has a sauna, bedrock bath, and an outdoor “soy milk” hot spring. It also has a restaurant. It’s a great place to stop if you are on a long drive. 

Midorigaoka Observation Deck

7. Head up Midorigaoka Observation Deck (展望台). It is located inside Tomakomai Midorigaoka Park. The view from the observation deck is breathtaking. You see a panoramic view of the city below and if the conditions are good, you might be able to witness a beautiful sunset. Admission is free.

Lake Utonai 

8.  Go bird watching at Lake Utonai (ウトナイ湖). The lake is a National Designated Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a high chance that you’d see migratory birds and rare local birds around the lake so don’t forget to bring your telephoto lens when you visit. 

Tomakomai City Technology Center

Mir Spacecraft Museum

9. Visit the Tomakomai City Technology Center (苫小牧市 科学センター) and learn more about science stuff. The center is connected to the Mir Spacecraft Museum (ミール展示館). You will see a real Soviet-made space station displayed inside the facility. It was featured in both the anime and live-action adaptation of Kei Sanbe’s manga series Erased or Boku dake ga Inai Machi. Admission Fees to both facilities are free.

Mt. Tarumae

10. Hike Mt. Tarumae (樽前山). Although it has a “peak” this mountain is a volcano. You should try walking around the outer crater for an added adventure. However, you should check the weather before hiking. This place can get very windy at foggy at times. On the other hand, if you manage to hike on a clear sunny day, you will surely love the view.

I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Tomakomai City gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this bustling city in the Iburi subprefecture of Hokkaido.

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