Things to Do in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Pinne Mt., Gumbetsu Mt., Shokanbetsu Mt. and served by Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 195 m elevation (43.5904°N, 141.7281°E), Shintotsukawa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Uryū (雨竜町) (11.7 km), Takikawa (滝川市) (15.8 km), Urausu (浦臼町) (17.6 km), Sunagawa (砂川市) (18.9 km).

Shintotsukawa is located in the near center of the Sorachi Subprefecture's administrative zone. The eastern area is where Ishikari River and Sorachi River converge, along the right bank of the Ishikari River. In 1889, a group of settlers from Totsukawa in Nara Prefecture relocated there following catastrophic flooding. Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) serves as a town (町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

What to See & Do in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) from Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) at 195 m elevation (43.5904°N, 141.7281°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shintotsukawa):

• Pinne Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Gumbetsu Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Shokanbetsu Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Kogane Mt. — local sightseeing landmark near Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Ishikari River — local sightseeing landmark near Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shintotsukawa: Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shintotsukawa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Uryū (雨竜町) — 11.7 km from Shintotsukawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Takikawa (滝川市) — 15.8 km from Shintotsukawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Urausu (浦臼町) — 17.6 km from Shintotsukawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Sunagawa (砂川市) — 18.9 km from Shintotsukawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Hokuryū (北竜町) — 20 km from Shintotsukawa (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Shintotsukawa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) via Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km): 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. From Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) to reach central Shintotsukawa (43.5904°N, 141.7281°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and neighboring Uryū, Takikawa, Urausu. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shintotsukawa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Shintotsukawa and continuing toward Uryū can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Shintotsukawa: While Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) anchors public transit for Shintotsukawa, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Pinne Mt. and Gumbetsu Mt. with nearby Uryū (雨竜町) (11.7 km), Takikawa (滝川市) (15.8 km), Urausu (浦臼町) (17.6 km), Sunagawa (砂川市) (18.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) & Hokkaido

Dining near Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) and across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shintotsukawa:

• Local specialty & terroir of Shintotsukawa (新十津川町): traditional sake brewing fed by pure mountain spring water and local rice alongside irrigated paddy rice cultivation, seasonal produce, and rural satoyama landscapes.
• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km).

Where to Stay in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町)

Visitors staying overnight in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Uryū, Takikawa, Urausu for quick train access into Shintotsukawa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shintotsukawa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shintotsukawa (新十津川町, 195 m elevation at 43.5904°N, 141.7281°E): June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.

Wider sightseeing across Hokkaido Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Pinne Mt. in Shintotsukawa (新十津川町) includes: Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

Practical Travel Tips for Shintotsukawa (新十津川町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shintotsukawa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) for local bus schedules to Pinne Mt. and walking maps of Shintotsukawa (新十津川町).
• Cash & ATMs in Shintotsukawa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Pinne Mt. often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shintotsukawa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shintotsukawa: Around Shintotsukawa Station (新十津川駅) (12.8 km) and neighboring Uryū, Takikawa, Urausu, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.