About Tobetsu Town
A town adjacent to Sapporo where the history of settlement and life in the snow are still very much alive. Let us introduce you to Tobetsu Town in Hokkaido—the birthplace of Kanako and a hub for planning travel adventures.
About 45 minutes from downtown Sapporo
Kuninao Date Settled There
(A River Flowing from a Marsh)
City of Leksand
Kuninao Date and the History of Settlement
The settlement of Tōbetsu Town began in 1871 (Meiji 4), when Date Kuninao, the lord of the Iwadeyama Date clan of the Sendai Domain, settled there with his retainers. It is a town with a history that is rare even in Hokkaido, as the lord and his entire retinue worked together to carve out a new land.
The current city of Date was founded by Kuninari’s younger brother, Date Kuninari (of the Watari Date clan). In 2020, marking the 150th anniversary of the settlement’s founding, Tobetsu Town and Date City signed a “Historical Sister City Agreement.” By around Meiji 35, the settlement had developed into the most prosperous rural community within the Sapporo Subprefectural Office’s jurisdiction (at that time).
It takes about 40 minutes by train on the Gakuen Toshi Line from JR Sapporo Station to Ishikari-Tobetsu Station. It’s also about a 40-minute drive (via National Route 275 or 337). It’s close enough to the center of Sapporo to make for an easy day trip.
Recommended Day Trips
Here are some recommended seasonal itineraries you can enjoy on a day trip from Sapporo.
Exploring Tōbetsu Town by Bicycle
The cycling map created by the Tobetsu Town Tourism Association features four courses, each with a different theme.
- Course A: Stroll Through the Streets of Tobetsu
- Course B: Sweden Hills, with a Touch of Scandinavia, and a Roadside Station
- Course C: A Tour of the History Associated with Lord Kuninao Date
- Course D: Delicious Food and Rural Scenery
A Day Tracing the History of Kuninao Date
This is a day to trace the history of settlement while enjoying experiences unique to the snowy season.
- Logging Experience
- History Lecture at a Shrine
- Armor Try-On Experience
