Tokachi Ohashi Bridge (十勝大橋)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A large bridge that spans the Tokachi River (十勝川) and connects Otofuke Town (音更町) with Obihiro City (帯広市). The cable-stayed form, with white cables spreading out like a folding fan, stands out even from a distance and is cherished as a symbol of the towns of Tokachi. Walk down to the riverbank and the wide flow of the Tokachi River and the unobstructed Hokkaido sky come into view all at once. With the sound of cars crossing the bridge behind you, simply watching the water surface glitter builds excitement for the water play to come. Telling your children that the water in the afternoon's wading pool ultimately traces back to this same Tokachi river system changes the way they take an interest in it. The walking distance is short, making it just right as a gentle warm-up stop in the morning.

Tips

There is little shade on the riverbank, so bring a hat and drinks and keep the stop short for comfort. Do not go near the water's edge when the river is swollen or after rain. Park your car following the signs for the parking area on the riverbank side. The light tends to be against you in the evening, so mornings give the nicest photos.

Best time to visit

About 45 minutes. The clear air of the morning best suits the view of the river and the bridge.

Access & map

1-chome Kino-odori Nishi, Otofuke-cho, Kato-gun, Hokkaido 080-0301