About 55km north of Asahikawa on Route 40 and JR Soya Line, the city of Shibetsu (士別) is home to sheep farming and training camp for Japanese top athletes. A few attractions are dotted around the town.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 55km north of Asahikawa
Population 18,000
Highlights Hitsuji-to-Kumo-no-Oka
Tourist Information Shibetsu Tourist Association (士別観光協会): www.shibetsu.ne.jp/kanko-k/
01 SCENIC FARM
Hitsuji-to-Kumo-no-Oka
羊と雲の丘 / 5351 Nishi-Shibetsu-cho / 9am-6pm / FREE / hitsuji.tesio.net
The main attraction in Shibetsu is its idyllic Hitsuji-to-Kumo-no-Oka (meaning the hill of sheep and clouds), called the Suffolk Land. This hillside farm has a grand pastoral scene.
The World Sheep Museum (¥200) is raising rare sheep of the world. In the shepherd house, there is also a barbecue restaurant (11am-7pm) that serves local suffolk dishes.
This farm is 3.5km west of JR Shibetsu Station, a taxi will cost around ¥1500 for up to four people. Shibetsu Hire (士別ハイヤー: Tel 0165-23-5000: www.shi-hr.com) operates the Sahotchi Taxi (さほっちタクシー: 3 daily: need to make reservation) from JR Shibetsu Station for ¥500 per person.
02 ONSEN & SKIING
Hinata Onsen
日向温泉 / 10am-9pm / Closed 2nd Tue / Day bathing ¥450 / 1-day ski ticket ¥1600 (10am-8.30pm)
On a pleasant hillside setting overlooking the Nayoro Basin, this modern public onsen has ski slopes and a shokudo. There are two free local buses from JR Shibetsu Station (28min).
SHIBETSU MAP
GETTING THERE
JR Soya Line local and rapid trains run roughly hourly from Asahikawa to Shibetsu (70min). Limited express trains from Sapporo, Asahikawa or Wakkanai stopping at Shibetsu.
GETTING AROUND
If you are an antique bus nerd, Shibetsu Kido (士別軌道) operates the 1982 monocoque bus (Hokkaido’s oldest) from mid May to late June, and early September to mid October. For more information, check www.s-kido.jp (in Japanese).
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