What city is Nayoro?
Nayoro City is located at latitude 44 degrees north and longitude 142 degrees east. Similar to many other areas in Hokkaido, its name is derived from the indigenous Ainu word “Niolopt”, which means “a confluence”. As the name suggests, Nayoro is the configuration at the point where the Teshio River, the fourth largest river in Japan, is joined by the Nayoro River, its tributary. The area was opened up by 38 immigrants from Yamagata in 1900, and the Yamagata Shrine established at that time still exists today after 100 years. The area was inherited by the successors of the 38 immigrants and other local residents. At that time, residents made their living by farming and manufacturing wooden materials while since then, agriculture has developed mainly as rice cultivation and the area has become a railway hub of northern Hokkaido. The City merged with Chiebun Village (currently the Chiebun District) in 1954 and Furencho (currently the Furen District) in 2006.
Sunflower fields
From late July to mid-August, Nayoro city prides itself with the countless blooming sunflower fields. It was all originated from the Chiebun district in 1897. Nowadays, sunflower fields simply exist everywhere in the city. The largest one is in the Hokkaido Sun Pillar Park, which was the shooting location for the movie “Stargazing Dog” (2011) starring Toshiyuki Nishida. It is now a tourist hotspot.
Top producer of Mochi rice in Japan
About 90% of the paddy fields in Nayoro City are for the production of sticky mochi rice. The area is about 3,138 hectares, equivalent to as many as 568 Sapporo Domes (as of 2015). The production of sticky rice in Nayoro accounts for 1/3 of the total in Hokkaido and about 1/10 in Japan, and it is also widely loved and used as the ingredient of many glutinous products for its high quality. Besides, “mochimaki” (rice sowing) events are held from time to time in different corners of the city. Sowing as much as 300 kg of sticky rice is just impressive, you can find it nowhere else but just in Nayoro.
Nayoro Mochi ambassador
“Mochitsuki Champion Final Competition” is an event of the Nayoro Industry Festival, and its winner is appointed as the ” Nayoro Mochi ambassador” to share about the secrets of Mochitsuki at various events.
The Best Snow Quality in Japan
Nayoro is a land with extremely cold weather that the temperature sometimes drops to -30 °C.
The snow created in such a natural environment is called silky snow, which is much silky-softer than powder snow. For this, Nayoro declares having “the best snow quality in Japan” itself.
The snow created in such a natural environment is called silky snow, which is much silky-softer than powder snow. For this, Nayoro declares having “the best snow quality in Japan” itself.
The sun pillar phenomenon
Under special conditions when temperature drops below -20 °C in early morning or dusk with no wind, water vapor in the air sublimates to produce spectacular, glittering diamond dust. When the splendid diamond dust reflects the sunlight, the rare but fantastic sun pillars appear.
(*) Typical locations: Piyashiri Ski Resort, nearby the Meibo Tunnel, Nisshinbashi
(*) Typical locations: Piyashiri Ski Resort, nearby the Meibo Tunnel, Nisshinbashi
Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Resort
A ski paradise for all from beginners to advanced skiers, it consists of 4 gondola lines and 9 different ski courses. Indulge in the Japan’s top quality snow quality, created by the rare but harsh climate conditions sometimes as low as -30 °C. (*) Rental ski , snowboards, and other gears are available.
■Address／Nisshin, Nayoro-shi
■TEL／01654-2-2131
Nayoro Piyashiri Ski Jump
A ski jump facility with normal and medium hills. It’s the stage for various nationwide competitions including the famous summer jumps with a huge number of Olympic medalists participating. It is the oldest stadium for the official competition (Winter Games) in Japan.
Nayoro Hot Spring Sun Pillar
Nayoro Hot Spring Sun Pillar is right at the ski resort for visitors to enjoy the hot spring, meals, or even stay overnight.
Nayoro Observatory KITASUBARU
Nayoro Observatory KITASUBARU is within easy reach from the heart of Nayoro City, in just a 15-minute driving journey. Yet, it is the perfect environment for star gazing, milky way, and many other stunning phenomenon as there are no artificial lights. You may even see those difficult dark astronomical objects. The rooftop observation room is equipped with multiple telescopes, including those with a diameter of 40/ 50 cm.
■Address／157-1, Nisshin, Nayoro-shi
■TEL／01654-2-3956
■Opening hours／Summer [Apr-Oct] 1:00pm – 9:30 pm ; winter [Nov – Mar] 1:00pm – 8:00 pm
■Closed on every Monday and the New Year period
■Admission fee／General- JPY 410 Student- JPY310 Seniors (65 or above) – JPY200 High school students or below- free
■Address／157-1, Nisshin, Nayoro-shi
■TEL／01654-2-3956
■Opening hours／
Summer [Apr-Oct] 1:00pm – 9:30 pm ; winter [Nov – Mar] 1:00pm – 8:00 pm
■Closing day／Closed on every Monday and the New Year period
■Admission fee／
General- JPY 410 Student- JPY310 Seniors (65 or above) – JPY200 High school students or below- free
Planetarium
In addition to the starry sky guidance from the staff, the panoramic sky projection (four times a day) also made the spot enjoyable for all from children to adults. Besides the general projection, the space can also be widely used for musical events and lectures.
Exhibition corner
In the exhibition corner, visitors can visualize the size of the entire solar system, valuable materials of the Rebun Island solar eclipse presented by the founder of the former Kihara Observatory (the late Mr. Hideo KIHARA), as well as his telescope at that time. Furthermore, at the meteorite corner, there are several meteorites from both Japan and overseas countries, along with some for visitors to touch and feel.
Nayoro Kitaguni Museum
A museum themed with “Northern countries”. On top of the exhibition of 100,000 items of winter life tools such as heat equipment, winter clothes, and skis donated mainly by local citizens, visitors can also learn about the ecology of animals and plants that are very much different from those in Honshu, the main island of Japan. There are also various special exhibitions, nature observation sessions, and hands-on lectures for visitors to learn and experience the history and nature of the region.
(*) Also, don’t miss out the actual exhibition of “Kimaroki” and other items. (Not available in winter)
(*) Also an exhibition of the Sumo player “Nayoroiwa”
(*) Also, don’t miss out the actual exhibition of “Kimaroki” and other items. (Not available in winter)
(*) Also an exhibition of the Sumo player “Nayoroiwa”
■Address／222, Midorioka, Nayoro-shi
■TEL／01654-3-2575
■Opening hours／9:00am – 5:00pm (Last admission- 4:30 pm)
■Closed on every Monday and the New Year period
■Admission fee／General- JPY220 Seniors (65 or above) – JPY110 High school students or below- free
■Address／222, Midorioka, Nayoro-shi
■TEL／01654-3-2575
■Opening hours／9:00am – 5:00pm (Last admission- 4:30 pm)
■Closing day／Closed on every Monday and the New Year period
■Admission fee／
General- JPY220 Seniors (65 or above) – JPY110 High school students or below- free
Snow-plowing steam locomotive KIMAROKI
“Kimaroki”- the only snow-plowing steam locomotive in Japan. The locomotive is named after the initials of its snow-plowing car formation- “KI (steam), MA (plowing), RO (snow blower), and KI (locomotive)”. “Kimaroki” has been mainly maintained by volunteers, and it is still on display on the old Nayoro Main Line. It is not open to public during winter for protection and maintenance while visitors can see the magnificent train from the windows of the train running on the Soya Main Line when there is no snow.
