Five Select Tourist Destinations to Enjoy the Special Hokkaido Activity of Horseback Riding

1. Makiba Hokkaido (Engaru Town)

This is a ranch located among the grand nature away from any inhabitants, one hour to the east of Asahikawa. It offers a wide variety of horseback riding experiences. There are more than ten different courses, ranging from a five-minute course on a horse that is led by a staff member to a five-hour trek. You can have the horseback riding experience that suits you, be it a leisurely ride while enjoying the scenery or an exciting full cantor. The course that can be recommended for both beginners and experienced riders is the Miharashi-no-oka Course (18,300 JPY (incl. tax) for approx. 2 hours at a regular pace and approx. 1.5 hours including trotting). It is a course that goes over fields and streams. There is a mesmerizing view from the destination point of Miharashi-no-oka.

2. Clark Horse Garden (Asahikawa City)

This is a Western-style garden where you can ride horses in a relaxing, idyllic environment. A ride inside the circular horseback riding ground on a horse led by a staff member (1,000 JPY (excl. tax)) is recommended if you want a casual experience. If you want to learn the basics of horseback riding, try the lesson in the riding ground (2,600 JPY (excl. tax)). You can experience basic actions such as go, stop, and change directions. You can also have a proper horseback riding experience through forests and along a river on the course that goes outside the grounds (40 minutes and up for 6,000 JPY and up (excl. tax)). This is a wonderful way to enjoy interacting with a horse while enjoying the majestic Daisetsu Mountain Range.

3. Northern Horse Park (Tomakomai City)

This is a tourist facility where approximately 80 horses of 12 breeds are stabled. You can experience horseback riding through horse trekking. The majestic scenery seen from atop a horse is special. There is also an experience where you can ride on a horse lead by a staff member, so small children can safely enjoy a ride.

Entrance fee (April 15 - November 5): 800 JPY/adult (junior high school and older), 400 JPY/elementary school, free for pre school-age children (entrance is free after 4:00 pm and between November 6 and April 9).
*There are additional fees to participate in activities. Refer to the official homepage for details.

4. Urakawa Yushun Village AERU (Urakawa Town)

This is a tourist facility where you can experience horseback riding with a view of the beautiful Hidaka Mountain Range. The majority of the horses here are gentle and are used to people, and the instructors here give thorough guidance. There is also a variety of courses starting with the "Sampo Course (30 minutes, 4,100 JPY) for those with no experience, to the Ezo Shika Course (90 minutes, 14,500 JPY), on which you may be able to see Ezo deer, and the Oromappu Course (90 minutes, 45,300 JPY) with hills and valleys for experienced riders.

*The horseback riding experiences require reservations at least one day in advance

5. Noboribetsu Horse Park Yushun (Noboribetsu City)

This is a horseback riding facility that utilizes the spacious land of Hokkaido. There are courses that present different views each season, and you can avail of lessons, catered to a variety of experience levels. The recommended course for those who want to experience just a little horseback riding is the Horseback Riding Experience Course (4,000 JPY/approx. 30 minutes). It includes basic horseback riding lessons followed by a ride on the perimeter of the facility. There is also a course where you remain within the facility on horses lead by staff members (1,000 JPY/approx. 3 minutes), which is perfect for children. There are also ponies on the grounds, that you can feed carrots to and touch.

Be sure to wear long pants and a top that is easy to move in if you are going horseback riding. Enjoy a safe ride wearing comfortable sneakers, not high heels!