- Home / Destinations / Central Hokkaido, Otaru & Niseko / Tomakomai
Hokkaido’s largest industrial city nestles between the Pacific Ocean and the impressive volcano of Tarumae-san, Tomakomai (苫小牧) has one of Japan’s busiest ports and a number of long-distance ferries operate from Honshu. Hokkaido’s fourth-largest city doesn’t get much attention, but Tomakomai offers a somewhat unique attractions, such as the bird sanctuaries on the lake Utonai-ko and the scenic Northern Horse Park.
Sightseeing
Midorigaoka Park
緑ヶ丘公園
25min walk from Tomakomai Station
If you have a few hours to kill time before boarding the ferry, wander this hillside oasis just north of town. The park contains a sizable pond, a 102m-long roller slide and a children’s playground. The observation tower (展望台) offers the best views of the city and the active volcano Tarumae-san.
Tomakomai City Museum
苫小牧市美術博物館
20min walk from Tomakomai Station
Set in Idemitsu Culture Park on Route 36, this museum has wide-ranging collections in the city, including archaeological finds from the Paleolithic period, Ainu artifacts and materials of the development periods. The museum is attached to the art hall, which hold various works by local artists.
Utonai-ko
ウトナイ湖
39min by bus from Tomakomai Station
One of Hokkaido’s major landing zones for 260 migratory birds in the Yufutsu Plain, Utonai-ko is a 275-hectare shallow lake and average depth is just 60cm. Birdwatching is best in April and October, especially at dawn and dusk. The Lake Utonai Wildlife Center (ウトナイ湖野生鳥獣保護センター) displays large-scale paintings of ecosystems and information about wild birds.
Northern Horse Park
ノーザンホースパーク
15min by free shuttle bus from New Chitose Airport
Operated by Japan’s largest thoroughbred horse racing stable group, this horse-themed park offers assisted riding, horse carriage tour, riding show and horse sled. There are also stables (including retired racehorses), paddocks, horse museums and eateries. You can see the majestic scenic ranch from the Horse Viewing Peak.
Nishiki-Onuma Park
錦大沼公園
40min by bus from Tomakomai Station
At the foot of Tarumae-san, this 236-hectare park has a plenty of walking tracks pass through the beautiful forest and marshes. It is especially attractive during tender green in June. There are also park golf links, cottages, campsites and an onsen in the leafy grounds.
Yunomi-no-yu ♨︎
ゆのみの湯
42min by bus from Tomakomai Station
Inside Nishiki-Ōnuma Park (Auto Resort Tomakomai Arten), Yunomi-no-yu is a large public onsen with yellowish brown cloudy hot water. You can see Tarumae-san from a roten-buro (open-air bath).
Sponsored
Hotels
Tomakomai is a good transit point for New Chitose Airport, Noboribetsu and Hidaka. You will find a mid-range rooms in the city center.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Grand Hotel New Oji
グランドホテルニュー王子
5min walk from Tomakomai Station
The city center’s best hotel is a few minutes’ walk straight down from JR Tomakomai Station. It features panoramic views from its upper floor rooms and a sky restaurant on the 16th floor. There is a variety of restaurants and shops. The airport bus stops here.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Dormy Inn Tomakomai ♨︎
天然温泉樽前の湯 ドーミーイン苫小牧
10min walk from Tomakomai Station
Some 700m south of JR Tomakomai Station, the Dormy Inn has indoor and open-air onsen on the top floor. A convenience store Seicomart on-site. You can take a free shared taxi from and to the train station.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Hotel Wing International Tomakomai
ホテルウイングインターナショナル苫小牧
2min walk from Tomakomai Station
Located near Tomakomai Station bus terminal, this 9-story hotel has bright and spacious rooms. A buffet breakfast is an additional cost.
Map
Getting There
JR TRAIN
The limited express trains run to Tomakomai from Sapporo (45min), Muroran (1hr) and Hakodate (3h).
There are also local trains from Sapporo (1hr), Muroran (1hr 20min), Iwamizawa (1.5hr) and Mukawa (30min).
BUS
Tomakomai bus terminal is outside the train station’s south gate. The Cocotoma building has a Donan Bus ticket office.
Highway buses run from Sapporo (1hr 40min), with some going directly to/from Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal (1hr 50min).
FERRY
Tomakomai offers long-distance domestic ferry services to/from Honshu. It is served by two ferry terminals. Fares will be raised and book well in advance during the high-season.
Tomakomai West Port (苫小牧西港: Nishi-ko) is about 5km east of the center. Donan Bus 24 and some highway buses run to/from JR Tomakomai Station (17min).
Tomakomai East Port (苫小牧東港: Higashi-ko) is about 25km southeast of the center. On the sailing day, a shuttle bus runs to/from JR Minami-Chitose Station (40min). Alternatively, it is a 25-minute walk west of unstaffed Hama-Atsuma Station (浜厚真), two stops east of Tomakomai on the JR Hidaka Line (21min).
Getting Around
BUS
Donan Bus operates local buses from JR Tomakomai Station.
There are buses to Biratori (1hr 41min), Shizunai (2.5hr), Erimo (3hr 50min; reservation recommended) and Noboribetsu-onsen (1.5hr).
Bus 30 connects Tomakomai Station with New Chitose Airport (1hr) via Utonai-ko. From JR Tomakomai Station north gate (苫小牧駅北口), Bus 3 runs to the Arten-mae (アルテン前: 42min) at the Yunomi-no-yu, stopping at Nishiki-Onuma-mae (錦大沼前).
BICYCLE
Rent bikes (レンタサイクル) are available at Tomakomai Tourism Association (see below). Apr-Nov.
Information
Tomakomai Tourism Association
苫小牧観光協会
On the ground floor of the Cocotoma (ココトマ) building next to JR Tomakomai Station south gate.
Tomakomai Station
苫小牧 | 도마코마이
Address：6-4 Omote-machu, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido
Distance：71km from Sapporo
Elevation：8m
北海道 苫小牧 旅遊觀光 飯店住宿 | 홋카이도 도마코마이 여행 호텔