[Maruyama Observation Deck in Shimizu] Magnificent Landscape Can Be Enjoyed

Shimizu Maruyama Observation Deck

Maruyama Observation Deck (円山展望台) is a viewing platform on a small hill in Maruyama Ranch, Shimizu town located in the northwestern direction of Obihiro city, and is near Tokachi Millennium Forest (十勝千年の森). Here is known as a good place to view Tokachi Plain (十勝平野), so visitors can enjoy a good scenery with few artifacts because the Maruyama Observation Deck is surrounded by pastures. The Maruyama Ranch is used as shooting places for Japanese Movie “Silver Spoon” (映画「銀の匙」) and NHK Morning Drama serials “The Summer Sky” (NHK連続テレビ小説「なつぞら」). A parking lot, a public restroom, a field kitchen, outdoor tables, Gozu Kannon (牛頭観世音菩薩) as well as the observation deck are built at the site. But the public restroom and the field kitchen are closed. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

Movie of Shimizu Maruyama Observation Deck

Speaking of the Shimizu, some restaurants serve Diced Steak and Scrambled Eggs Rice Bowl (牛玉ステーキ丼), a local dish. I ate it at Restaurant Fusha (レストラン風車), and it was tasty. As for tasty restaurants in the Shimizu, Mebunryo (目分料), Sobadokoro Mishina (そば処 三品), Tonkatsu-no-Mishina (とんかつのみしな), Sobadokoro Noshijuku (そば処 農志塾), Drive-in Ito Tokachi Shimizu Head Office (ドライブインいとう とかち清水本店) and Horyu Shimizu Branch (寶龍 清水店) are popular in particular. Unfortunately, a day trip onsen can not be enjoyed in the Shimizu.

Tokachi Millennium Forest

Tokachi Millennium Forest (十勝千年の森) is a popular garden at the foot of Hidaka Mountains in Shimizu town located in the northwestern direction of Obihiro city, and is near Shimizu Maruyama Observation Deck (清水円山展望台), and is one of 8 gardens chosen by Hokkaido Garden Path (北海道ガーデン街道). Mr. Dan Pearson, a famous British gardener, designed this garden, and the Tokachi Millennium Forest has been opend since 2008. 5 gardens, ranches, Garden Cafe Rau Rau (ガーデンカフェ ラウラウ), Natural Cheese Making Experience Studio Kisara (ナチュラルチーズ体験工房 キサラ), a public restroom and a parking lot are built at the site of about 40 ha. Except tour on foot, segwey tour is psroivded, too, and it is popular. Admission is charged. The parking lot is free of charge. They close a business from late October to late April. Read More

Diced Steak and Scrambled Eggs Rice Bowl

I visited here to eat Diced Steak and Scrambled Eggs Rice Bowl (十勝清水牛玉ステーキ丼) around 15:00 on a weekday. No customer enjoyed their meal. I sat at a table seat, and ordered the Diced Steak and Scrambled Eggs Rice Bowl. The price was JPY 980. The Diced Steak and Scrambled Eggs Rice Bowl is a local gourmet born on July 17, 2010 in the Shimizu. It won consecutive victories in Local Gourmet Grand Prix Hokkaido (新・ご当地グルメグランプリ北海道) 2013 and 2014. Some restaurants in the Shimizu serve it. Read More

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View form Shimizu Maruyama Observation Deck

The viewing platform is built on the small hill of about 490 m height. A road to the hilltop is narrow, so drive carefully. Short grass like a lawn is covered with the site, and the out door tables are provided on the grass, so I think that visitors can take a lunch. The height of the 2 story viewing platform is about 8 m, and visitors can enjoy 360-degree view such as the Tokachi Plain and Hidaka Mountains (日高山脈) containing Mt. Memurodake (芽室岳). A few people come, so here is a little‐known good spot.

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in the Shimizu. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

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Tokachi Inn Shozo(清水イン勝造)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Guest House Radaniba(ゲストハウス ラーダニーヴァ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Small Inn Komorebi(大草原の小さな宿こもれび)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Nagomi-no-Kaze(和みの風)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Marufuku(ビジネスホテルまるふく)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Ariake Ryokan(ありあけ旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Echuya Ryokan(越中屋旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Inn Restaurant Kitano(宿泊レストラン北野)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Dacha(ダーチャ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Automobile Campsite Playhouse Conifer(隠れ家的オートキャンプ場「遊び小屋コニファー」)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten