Previously, my trips to Hokkaido consisted of Sapporo, Otaru, and Furano in summer, but I went to Tokachi-Obihiro to see the autumn leaves.
Therefore, I would like to introduce the sightseeing spots we visited in the Tokachi-Obihiro section in several parts.
For the Obihiro trip, I took a flight from Haneda Airport to Obihiro Airport and used a rental car to visit various places.
We went to Kofuku Station and Kofuku Kotsu Park on the former Hiroo Line of the Japanese National Railways, which is a sightseeing spot close to Obihiro Airport.
Former Hiroo Line Kofuku Station and Park
Address : 161, Higashi 1 line, Kofuku-cho, Obihiro City, Hokkaido
Access : 30 minutes from JR Obihiro Station by car, 10 minutes from Obihiro Airport by car
Kofuku Station, known as "Aikoku to Kofuku" (from Aikoku to Kofuku), became known in March 1973 in NHK's travelogue program "Shin Nihon Kiko" (New Japan Travelogue), entitled "Kofuku e no Tabi - Obihiro.
Since Aikoku Station (not a neighboring station) was also located on the Hiroo Line, the station became famous with the ticket "Aikoku to Kofuku" (Aikoku to Kofuku).
※ Kofuku" in Japanese is used to mean happiness.
Entrance to Kofuku Kotsu Park (former site of Kofuku Station on the former Hiroo Line of Japan National Railways)
Along with the history of Kofuku Station, you can feel the history of the Hiroo Line and the hardship of Hokkaido's development.
(Station Building)
The station building (waiting room) where Kofuku station was used in 2013 is being rebuilt in wood.
Cards of people wishing happiness are pasted around the building.
(Bell of Happiness)
On the way to the railroad tracks after passing through the station building, there is a bell of happiness. Since it was Halloween, pumpkins were decorated around the bell.
Since it was Halloween, pumpkins were decorated around the bell.
(Remains of tracks and platform)
The platform remains after passing the bell of happiness.
Only the entrance to the platform has a new wooden ramp, but the rest of the platform is preserved as it was when the line was abandoned.
The diesel cars of the former Hiroo Line are still preserved, and although it was not possible to enter due to the new coronavirus, if nothing is wrong, you can enter the cars and take a rest.
The contrast between the diesel cars, the spreading sky, and the tones of the trees in the distance is beautiful.
If you are a good photographer, you may be able to take some pretty good pictures.
(The platform ruins from the park side)
Two diesel cars are placed.
Memorial plaques and other items are displayed on the front side of the building, but we were not allowed to enter.
As you can see, there is nothing around. It is not because the station is gone, but because there was nothing there in the first place.
The station name display on the platform of the former Hiroo Line is reproduced.
The stations next to "Aikoku to Kofuku" are Taisho and Nakasatsunai. Aikoku station is one more station closer to Taisho station.
This is a photo spot and many people were taking commemorative photos.
(Shop)
There are two stores.
Hours of operation are from 7:00 to 18:00, but may change during the winter season.
Note that the store is introduced on Kofuku Station website as Uncle Kofuku's store, but it has already been replaced by someone else (as the website has not been updated recently).
The souvenir here will be a ticket from Aikoku to Kofuku.
This ticket is made of the same material as that used by the former Japanese National Railways (now JR Hokkaido) with permission from the former Japanese National Railways.
The date imprinting device has also been used since the days of the former Japanese National Railways, and can be dated from the date of birth or anniversary.
(Photo point in front of the store)
As for Kofuku Station, I had tickets at home and my grandfather had visited there before, so I wanted to go there once.
Although it is close to Obihiro Airport, I thought it might be empty because it is in the suburbs, but there were visitors of all ages, including a college-aged woman taking pictures to post on social networking sites.
It may not be a place you will visit more than once, but if you are going to Tokachi via Obihiro Airport, you may stop by once before returning to the airport.
