Tobetsu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Tobetsu Roadside Station, formally called Roadside Station Nordic Wind Tobetsu (北欧の風 道の駅 とうべつ)  is one of the 128 roadside stations around Hokkaido Prefecture. It is located at 774-11 Tobetsu, in the town of Tobetsu in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Tobetsu Roadside Station
Tobetsu Roadside Station

Tobetsu Roadside Station Details 

Tobetsu Town's "Nordic Wind Roadside Station" is the closest roadside stop to central Sapporo, conveniently located near the Sapporo Ohashi Bridge along National Route 337. Its Nordic-inspired architecture, complete with a striking triangular roof and Bengala-colored exterior, is modeled after Tobetsu's sister city, Leksand in Sweden. This unique design gives the station a distinct and charming atmosphere that reflects the town's international connection.

Tobetsu Roadside Station - Tobetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture
Tobetsu Roadside Station - Tobetsu town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Inside, you'll find a variety of local gems. The highlight is "Café Terzina," helmed by Chef Horikawa Hideki of the renowned "Trattoria Terzina," specializing in Hokkaido Italian cuisine. For a quick bite, there’s a gourmet take-out shop run by a local business. Another must-visit is "Hana Pokke," a farm produce store managed by the JA, where you can pick up fresh vegetables, locally grown rice, and high-quality cut flowers—Tobetsu is known for being a top producer in Hokkaido.

Tobetsu Roadside Station facade

Tobetsu Roadside Station facade
Tobetsu Roadside Station facade

Tobetsu Roadside Station facade

Tobetsu Roadside Station facade

北欧の風 道の駅 とうべつ
北欧の風 道の駅 とうべつ

Tobetsu Roadside Station floor guide
Tobetsu Roadside Station floor guide

For those with a sweet tooth, the "SWEETS" shop offers an array of local and sister-city specialties, including dumplings made with Tobetsu's rice by the famous Ichikyu Daifukudo. The entire facility is dedicated to showcasing the best of Tobetsu's local ingredients.

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Inside Tobetsu Roadside Station

Tobetsu Roadside Station
Tobetsu Roadside Station toilet 

Tobetsu Roadside Station

Tobetsu Roadside Station special soft cream
Tobetsu Roadside Station special soft cream

Sweden Mix soft cream - the blue has an amazake flavor while the yellow has elder yellow flavor
Sweden Mix soft cream - the blue has an amazake flavor while the yellow has an elder yellow flavor

Adding to its convenience, the Tobetsu Roadside Station features a 24-hour convenience store, making it a popular stop for travelers and local residents who can rely on it for any time access. Whether exploring Hokkaido or just passing through, the Nordic Wind Roadside Station Tobetsu is a charming and practical destination that celebrates the town's rich agricultural heritage and international ties.

PWD parking in Tobetsu Roadside Station
PWD parking in Tobetsu Roadside Station

Swedish Dala Horse display in Tobetsu Roadside Station
Swedish Dala Horse Display in Tobetsu Roadside Station

Tobetsu-themed vending machine
Tobetsu-themed vending machine

Tobetsu colored manhole cover
Tobetsu colored manhole cover

Tobetsu Pokemon manhole cover
Tobetsu Pokemon manhole cover

In addition to the various shops, you'll find Tobetsu's colorful manhole cover installed just outside the roadside station. There's also a special Tobetsu Pokémon manhole cover featuring Alolan Vulpix, Sinistea, and Polteageist, adding a playful touch to the site.

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

Team Nicerio visits Tobetsu Roadside Station

My family and I made our first visit to Tobetsu Roadside Station on March 19, 2023, which happened to be my 503rd day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. Along with our goal of exploring all the municipalities of Hokkaido, we're also aiming to visit every roadside station in the prefecture. One of the things we loved about this stop was the "Swedish Soft Cream." Its blue and yellow colors mirror the Swedish flag, and the taste didn’t disappoint!


Tobetsu Roadside Station Admission Fee

It’s FREE to park, enter, and explore Tobetsu Roadside Station. However, it is highly recommended that you bring cash as there are numerous things worth buying inside the roadside station. 

Tobetsu Roadside Station Operating Hours 

Tobetsu Roadside Station is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day


Why visit Tobetsu Roadside Station?

Tobetsu Roadside Station is a unique stop in Hokkaido, blending Nordic-inspired architecture with local charm. Modeled after Tobetsu’s sister city, Leksand, Sweden, its distinctive design sets it apart. Inside, visitors can enjoy delicious local cuisine, including the popular "Swedish Soft Cream," and explore farm-fresh produce at "Hana Pokke." The station also features colorful Tobetsu manhole covers and a special Pokémon-themed manhole, making it a fun spot for photos. With a 24-hour convenience store, it offers round-the-clock services for both travelers and locals, making it a must-visit on your Hokkaido journey.


Getting to Tobetsu Roadside Station

 

To get to Tobetsu Roadside Station (Roadside Station The Nordic Winds Tobetsu) from Sapporo, follow these steps:

  1. Take a JR Train from Sapporo Station: Board the JR Gakuentoshi Line (Sassho Line) from Sapporo Station heading towards Ishikari-Tobetsu Station. The train ride takes around 40–45 minutes, with a one-way fare of approximately JPY 640.

  2. Take a Local Bus or Taxi: From Ishikari-Tobetsu Station, you can take a local bus toward Tobetsu Roadside Station. Buses generally depart every 20–30 minutes, and the ride takes about 10–15 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi ride from the station will take about 5 minutes and cost approximately JPY 1,000.

  3. By Car: If you have access to a car, Tobetsu Roadside Station is about a 30–40 minute drive from central Sapporo via Route 337, making it an easy and scenic drive through the countryside.

Once there, you can enjoy the station’s Nordic-inspired architecture, fresh local produce, and delicious dairy treats while relaxing in the rural surroundings.


Ratings

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall rating


Comments

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Cavite Adventure: Tagaytay City

Hiking Mt. Gulugod Baboy

List of Festivals in the Philippines: April

Munting Buhangin Beach Camp - Batangas

Casa Hacienda de Tejeros - Cavite

Sombrero Island - Batangas

Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Hokkaido

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Quezon

Shirahama - Wakayama

Tenryuji - Kyoto