Visiting Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido: My Summer Experience

If you love horses or horse racing, Northern Horse Park is a place worth visiting during a trip to Hokkaido.

I visited Northern Horse Park in mid-August 2026, arriving around noon.

The park was moderately busy, but it didn’t feel too crowded during my visit. I was able to see many different horses, explore the large park, and enjoy several activities.

Based on my experience, I especially recommend visiting during the summer season, when you can enjoy both the horses and outdoor activities.

Here’s what you should know before visiting Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido.

What Is Northern Horse Park?

Northern Horse Park is a horse-themed park located in Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

The park combines horses, nature, and outdoor activities in a large open area.

You can see different horses, experience horse-related activities, explore the park by bicycle, and try various sports and outdoor activities.

For horse racing fans in particular, I think this is a place worth visiting at least once.

I Visited in Mid-August

I visited Northern Horse Park around noon in mid-August.

There were a fair number of visitors, but I was still able to enjoy the park comfortably.

Personally, I think summer is a great time to visit Northern Horse Park.

Hokkaido’s summer weather makes it enjoyable to walk around the large grounds, see the horses, and try outdoor activities.

If you’re planning to visit in summer, comfortable walking shoes are a good idea because the park is quite large.

How Much Does Northern Horse Park Cost?

During the summer season, the current admission prices are:

VisitorAdmission
Adults (junior high school and older)¥1,200
Elementary school students¥600
Children under elementary school ageFree

When I visited, I paid ¥1,200 per adult.

I also recommend carrying some Japanese yen in cash so you’re prepared during your visit.

Admission fees and opening hours can change, so check the latest information on the official website before traveling.

Northern Horse Park – Official Admission & Hours

The Park Is Bigger Than You Might Expect

One thing I noticed immediately was how large Northern Horse Park is.

You can definitely explore the park on foot, and walking around at a relaxed pace is enjoyable.

However, if you want to explore more efficiently, I recommend using a Land Car or bicycle.

Land Cars are available for driving around the park, while several types of bicycles are also available.

For me, I would choose based on how you want to spend your day:

Want to take your time? → Walk

Want to explore more of the park? → Rent a bicycle or Land Car

Seeing the Horses Is Relaxing

Of course, the biggest attraction is the horses.

You can see many different horses around the park, and simply spending time watching them was surprisingly relaxing.

If you’re a horse racing fan, you’ll probably enjoy the experience even more.

But you don’t need to know anything about horse racing to enjoy Northern Horse Park. Seeing horses surrounded by Hokkaido’s natural scenery makes it an enjoyable place for regular tourists as well.

There’s More Than Just Horses

One thing that surprised me was the number of activities available besides horse-related experiences.

Depending on the season and operating conditions, activities include:

  • Short tennis
  • Street basketball
  • Park golf
  • Balloon archery
  • Laser shooting
  • Cycling

Several of these activities are also included in the park’s activity pass.

This makes Northern Horse Park more than just a place to see horses.

Families, couples, and groups of friends can spend time trying different activities while exploring the park.

Check Out the Northern Horse Park Souvenirs

Before leaving, I recommend visiting the souvenir shop.

During my visit, I found Northern Horse Park-exclusive souvenirs and other horse-related products.

It’s especially worth checking out if you’re looking for something unique to take home from Hokkaido or a gift for someone who loves horses or horse racing.

Is Northern Horse Park Worth Visiting?

Based on my experience, yes — especially if you love horses or horse racing.

I visited in mid-August and enjoyed seeing the horses, walking around the spacious grounds, and discovering that there were many other activities to try.

You can enjoy the park entirely on foot, but because the grounds are large, renting a bicycle or Land Car can make exploring easier.

For horse racing fans, I think Northern Horse Park is a place you should visit at least once.

Even if you’re not interested in horse racing, it’s still an enjoyable way to experience horses and nature during a summer trip to Hokkaido.

Before visiting, check the official website for the latest admission fees, opening hours, activity schedules, and other visitor information.

Northern Horse Park Official Website

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