From Tomakomai, nature and hot springs such as Lake Shikotsu, Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Utonai are a short drive away, and New Chitose Airport and Sapporo are easy day trips. Longer trips within Hokkaido, to Wakkanai, Rishiri, Rebun, Shiretoko or Kushiro, and ferry journeys to Niigata, Sendai and Oarai on Honshu all start from Tomakomai's port.
This guide is based on photos our president has taken since 2007 and on records of actually visiting each place. Instead of photos from other websites, we use our own dated photos and first-hand information.
Travel times are estimates calculated from road map data (OpenStreetMap). They change with traffic lights, congestion, winter roads and ferry schedules.
NearbyDay trips by car from Tomakomai
Within 30 min by car
Right next to the city center. Views of the city, the sea and Mt. Tarumae from the observation deck
The ferry gateway to Honshu. The fishing port diners are famous too
A residential-area station near the sea and the forest on the west side of Tomakomai
A clear stream flowing from the foot of Mt. Tarumae, and a road through the forest
A lake of wild birds and swans. Sea smoke and frost flowers on winter mornings
Looking out over the vast land of Tomato from a hilltop
Hokkaido's gateway by air, close to Tomakomai
A horse-breeding town. Hayakita, home of the snowman post office
Within 1 hour by car
An active volcano with a lava dome, visible from all over Tomakomai
Japan's northernmost ice-free lake. Clear water and columnar joints
A hot spring area on the Pacific coast. Kojohama, Shiraoi Town
Jigokudani and Oyunuma. One of Hokkaido's best-known hot spring areas
A fall foliage spot with three waterfalls along the road
Home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. F Village
A large, little-known waterfall in the mountains of Shiraoi
Odori Park, the TV Tower and the Clock Tower. Also the venue of the Snow Festival
Pacific cliffs and a white lighthouse. Muroran's spectacular coast
One of the largest suspension bridges in eastern Japan, and port-town stations
Within 1 h 30 min by car
Hokkaido's only national government park. Ashiribetsu Falls
Sapporo's hidden retreat: Jozankei Onsen and Nakayama Pass
A caldera lake and Mt. Usu. Views from the mountain pass are another highlight
Mt. Yotei, the "Ezo Fuji," and a park with famous spring water
An avenue of cherry trees about 7 km long, and horse country where famous racehorses rest
A canal town lined with stone warehouses
Within 2 hours by car
A world-famous ski resort and a corridor of snow in spring
Over 2 hours by car (weekend trips)
A cape jutting into the "Shakotan Blue" sea
Further afield (Hokkaido)Longer trips and island hopping in Hokkaido; places for an overnight stay
The Soya region around Wakkanai is the northernmost part of Japan. It is about 5 hours by car from Tomakomai, with nort…
Photo: 2013 · 2015 · 2026
Rishiri is a round island in the sea west of Wakkanai. Mt. Rishiri (“Rishiri Fuji”, 1,721 m) rises in the middle and ca…
Photo: 2026
Rebun is a long, narrow island north of Rishiri. Known as the “floating island of flowers”, it is famous for alpine flo…
Photo: 2015 · 2026
Looking for a home or selling in Tomakomai?
“Lake Shikotsu or Noboribetsu on weekends”, “near the airport and port makes travel easy”: we suggest areas and homes around Tomakomai that fit the way you want to live.