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Known as Japan’s top glutinous rice producing area, the agricultural city of Nayoro (名寄) makes a good base for several excursions in the Nayoro Basin.
In summer lovely sunflowers blooming in the scenic fields. On the other hand, ice-bound winter brings powder snow and mysterious sun pillars.
If you just have a few hours at the train station, makes a beeline for the leafy Nayoro Park with a museum.
Nayoro is also a jumping-off point for Shumarinai-ko and northern part of Okhotsk Region.
Sightseeing
Nayoro Sunflower Fields
なよろひまわり畑
21min by fare-free bus from Nayoro Station, get off at Sunpillar Koryukan-mae
From late July to mid August in summer, fields of himawari (sunflowers) bloom around the city. Chiebun’s MOA Nayoro Farm (MOA名寄農場), about 10km north of the city center (60min by bike) is the prettiest of the city’s sunflower fields. Hokkaido Sunpillar Park also has small fields.
Hokkaido Sunpillar Park
北海道立サンピラーパーク
21min by fare-free bus from Nayoro Station, get off at Sunpillar Koryukan-mae
This well-equipped, 67-hectare prefectural hillside park offers plenty of opportunities for curling (Nov-Mar), playing and camping, as well as being the location of the Nayoro City Astronomical Observatory Kita Subaru. You can see the sunflower fields in summer. It is about 20 minutes by bike from the station.
Nayoro Kitaguni Museum
名寄市北国博物館
17min walk / 6min by bike from Nayoro Station
Located at the south side of Nayoro Park, this museum has a permanent exhibition on the local history and nature, including lifestyle, industry and Ainu culture.
Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Area
なよろピヤシリスキー場
30min by fare-free bus from Nayoro Station
About 9km north of the city center, Piyashiri calls itself ‘Japan’s most light and dry snow ski area’. There are nine beginner and advanced runs. Full equipment rental is available.
Nayoro Onsen Sunpillar
なよろ温泉サンピラー
1min walk from Piyashiri Ski Area
After a day of skiing, this onsen offers standard indoor baths.
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Hotels
Photo: じゃらんnet
Hotel Mystays Nayoro
ホテルマイステイズ名寄
10min walk from Nayoro Station
Nayoro’s most modern hotel features a public bath where hours are separated for genders. Rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Grand Hotel Fujika