Things to Do in Tōma (当麻町), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Tōma (当麻町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園), Asahi Mt. (旭岳), Yōmei-zan and served by Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 179 m elevation (43.8192°N, 142.5942°E), Tōma offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Pippu (比布町) (14.1 km), Aibetsu (愛別町) (14.2 km), Higashikawa (東川町) (17.8 km), Higashikagura (東神楽町) (18.1 km).

Tōma is located on the eastern edge of the Kamikawa Basin, and the mountainous area to the east of the town continues into the Daisetsuzan mountain range. The Ishikari River flows along the border with Pippu Town, and its tributary, the Ushishube River, flows through the town. The area of Tōma was part of Matsumae Domain in the Edo period. In 1893, 400 tondenhei soldier/settlers colonized the area. The primary industry, centered on rice farming, is the main industry. Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Tōma (当麻町) 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 Tōma (当麻町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Tōma (当麻町) from Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) at 179 m elevation (43.8192°N, 142.5942°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Tōma):

• Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) — local sightseeing landmark near Tōma (当麻町).
• Asahi Mt. (旭岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Tōma (当麻町).
• Yōmei-zan — local sightseeing landmark near Tōma (当麻町).
• Kamikawa Basin — local sightseeing landmark near Tōma (当麻町).
• Ushishube River — local sightseeing landmark near Tōma (当麻町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Tōma: Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Tōma

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Tōma (当麻町) and Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Pippu (比布町) — 14.1 km from Tōma (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Aibetsu (愛別町) — 14.2 km from Tōma (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Higashikawa (東川町) — 17.8 km from Tōma (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Higashikagura (東神楽町) — 18.1 km from Tōma (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Asahikawa (旭川市) — 19.2 km from Tōma (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Tōma & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Tōma (当麻町) via Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 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 Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) to reach central Tōma (43.8192°N, 142.5942°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Tōma (当麻町) and neighboring Pippu, Aibetsu, Higashikawa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Tōma, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Tōma and continuing toward Pippu 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 Tōma: While Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) anchors public transit for Tōma, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) and Asahi Mt. (旭岳) with nearby Pippu (比布町) (14.1 km), Aibetsu (愛別町) (14.2 km), Higashikawa (東川町) (17.8 km), Higashikagura (東神楽町) (18.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Tōma (当麻町) & Hokkaido

Dining near Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) and across Tōma (当麻町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Tōma:

• Local specialty & terroir of Tōma (当麻町): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside premium greenhouse melon cultivation and horticultural farming.
• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Tōma (当麻町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tōma (当麻町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Tōma (当麻町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tōma (当麻町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Tōma (当麻町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Tōma (当麻町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km).

Where to Stay in Tōma (当麻町)

Visitors staying overnight in Tōma (当麻町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Pippu, Aibetsu, Higashikawa for quick train access into Tōma. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Tōma & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Tōma (当麻町, 179 m elevation at 43.8192°N, 142.5942°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 Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) in Tōma (当麻町) 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 Tōma (当麻町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Tōma: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) for local bus schedules to Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) and walking maps of Tōma (当麻町).
• Cash & ATMs in Tōma: Convenience stores and major hotels around Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Tōma accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Tōma: Around Tōma Station (当麻駅) (6.2 km) and neighboring Pippu, Aibetsu, Higashikawa, 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.