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Founded as Hokkaido’s first prison Kabato Shujikan in 1881, this town was named after the first warden Tsukigata Kiyoshi. Prisoners carved out the forest and roads of the region. Sorachi’s oldest town is now offers melon and cut flowers.
Sightseeing
Tsukigata Kabato Museum
月形樺戸博物館
1min walk from Tsukigata-yakuba bus stop
The old Kabato shujikan (樺戸集治監) prison office opposite the town hall has been converted into a museum. It showcases with dioramas, photos, items for jailer and prisoner. Closed 1 Dec-19 Mar.
Kairaku Park
皆楽公園
13min walk from Tsukigata-eki bus stop / 1min walk from Tsukigata-onsen bus stop
An old oxbow lake of Ishikari-gawa is now a cheerful playground for locals. You can enjoy boating, park golf and camping. There are also rental bikes. It is about 1km east of Tsukgiata-eki bus stop. The facilities are closed from November to late April.
Tsukigata Onsen Yurikago
月形温泉ゆりかご
Inside Kairaku Park
After a picnic, take a moment to relax at the cozy onsen Yurikago facing Kairaku Park. Currently closed for repair.
Map
Getting There
BUS
Tsukigata-eki (月形駅) at the former train station is the town’s main bus stop. All buses stop at Tsukigata-yakuba (月形役場) in front of Kabato Prison Museum.
The municipal bus Toberu-go (とべーる号) runs from JR Tobetsu Station south gate (当別駅南口) to Tsukigata-eki, via JR Hokkaido-iryo-daigaku Station (北海道医療大学駅) and Tsukigata-yakuba (月形役場).
From Tsukigata-eki, Chuo Bus runs to Iwamizawa Terminal (45min), via Tsukigata-yakuba, Otomi (大富) and Kitamura-onsen (北村温泉). The municipal bus Kabatoru-go (かばとーる号) runs to Urausu-eki (浦臼駅: 34min) via Tsukigata-onsen (月形温泉).
Information
Tsukigata Tourism Association
月形町観光協会
Inside the town hall at the corner of the Kabato Prison Museum.
Tsukigata-eki bus stop
月形駅 | 츠키가타
Address：Tsukigata-cho, Hokkaido
Distance：20km from Iwamizawa
Elevation：13m