Toyokoro Town | Jewellery Ice

Tokachi Region, Hokkaido / 豊頃町（北海道十勝）

Welcome to Toyokoro Town! In winter, Toyokoro Town is one of Hokkaido’s captivating tourist destinations, where you can experience mysterious and beautiful natural phenomena.

Particularly in winter, Toyokoro Town is known for “jewellery ice,” a phenomenon where frozen ice is carried by sea, broken by waves and currents, and washed up on the beach. The ice fragments are rounded off, resembling jewels that shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight or moonlight.

Jewelry ice is a captivating attraction for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Its beauty is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, making a visit to Toyokoro during the cold winter season worthwhile.

Another highlight of Toyokoro in winter is the Haru elm tree, called ‘Harunire Tree’. This giant elm tree is believed to be the oldest in Japan and designated as a national natural monument.

Harunire Tree boasts an impressive age of over 400 years and reaches a height of approximately 25 meters. Its trunk is remarkably thick, measuring about 7 meters in circumference, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight. During winter, the Haru elm tree is adorned with a layer of snow, shining brightly in the beautiful snowy landscape.

Harunire Tree is worth visiting in winter, spring, and summer. In spring, it sprouts fresh green leaves, while in summer, the tree is covered in lush green foliage, providing a refreshing breeze. Additionally, beautiful flowers bloom around the Haru elm tree, offering unique charm throughout the seasons.

Beyond its size and beauty, Harunire Tree holds historical significance. The local community reveres it as the “Tree of the Gods” and has been cherished as a guardian of the region.

When visiting Toyokoro, be sure to explore the enchanting jewellery ice and visit the majestic Haru elm tree. Their impressive presence and graceful posture will leave a profound impression on your heart. Immerse yourself in the distinct winter charms of Hokkaido.

Why did I visit there?

Toyokoro town is far from Sapporo in Hokkaido, and it takes about an hour by car from the main city of Obihiro (Tokachi Obihiro Airport). I happened to have the opportunity to visit the East of Hokkaido in winter and decided to go to Toyokoro Town, which is a recommended spot at this time of year.

Jewellery ice is a mysterious natural phenomenon that has attracted worldwide attention, as it is said to be seen only enough in Toyokoro Town to be introduced in the New York Times¹ (2017) as ’Ice That Sparkles Like Diamonds Washes Onto Japanese Shores‘. I left early in the morning to watch the sunrise, but it was about 20 degrees below zero and the sea wind was strong, making the temperature incredibly cold and my skin sore. The views I saw while braving the cold were very impressive.

Harunire tree, on the other hand, is perhaps the most famous tree in Hokkaido. In Japan, the tree is often used as a motif in commercials, music videos and packaging, and is a familiar, familiar and proud tree for me as a Hokkaido resident. When I went there, I was pleasantly surprised to find a vast expanse of land with Harunire tree standing in the middle of it, a world of tranquillity and detachment from everyday life.

How do I get to TOYOKORO TOWN?

It is advisable to take a tour or hire a car.

• 40-minute drive from Tokachi Obihiro Airport (OBO)
• 40-minute drive from JR Obihiro station
• 3hr drive from New Chitose Airport (CTS)

If you want to see jewellery ice, visit between mid-January and early March².

Useful Links

1. The New York Times 2024, ‘Ice That Sparkles Like Diamonds Washes Onto Japanese Shores (Published 2017)’, viewed 12 March 2024, <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/science/jewel-ice-tokachi-river-hokkaido-japan.html?_r=0>. ↩︎
2. 豊頃町観光協会【公式】 2016, ジュエリーアイス　豊頃町観光協会【公式】, viewed 12 March 2024, <https://www.toyokoro-kankoh.com/>.
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