Things to Do in Shimizu (清水町), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Shimizu (清水町) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kyūsan Dake (久山岳), Tsurugi Yama (剣山), Memuro Dake (芽室岳) and served by Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 190 m elevation (42.9676°N, 142.8828°E), Shimizu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Memuro (芽室町) (16.7 km), Obihiro (帯広市) (26 km), Otofuke (音更町) (27.5 km), Shikaoi (鹿追町) (30.1 km).

The name Shimizu is taken from the Japanese translation of the Ainu word "Pekerebetsu", which means bright clean river. Situated across rolling inland terrain at 190 m elevation in Hokkaido Prefecture, Shimizu is anchored by local landmarks including Kyūsan Dake (久山岳), Tsurugi Yama (剣山), Memuro Dake (芽室岳) and connects to neighboring Memuro, Obihiro, Otofuke via Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km). Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Shimizu (清水町) 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 Shimizu (清水町): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shimizu (清水町) from Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) at 190 m elevation (42.9676°N, 142.8828°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shimizu):

• Kyūsan Dake (久山岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimizu (清水町).
• Tsurugi Yama (剣山) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimizu (清水町).
• Memuro Dake (芽室岳) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimizu (清水町).
• Tomuraushi Yama (トムラウシ山) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimizu (清水町).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shimizu: Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shimizu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shimizu (清水町) and Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Memuro (芽室町) — 16.7 km from Shimizu (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Obihiro (帯広市) — 26 km from Shimizu (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Otofuke (音更町) — 27.5 km from Shimizu (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Shikaoi (鹿追町) — 30.1 km from Shimizu (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Shimukappu (占冠村) — 33.4 km from Shimizu (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Shimizu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shimizu (清水町) via Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 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 Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) to reach central Shimizu (42.9676°N, 142.8828°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Shimizu (清水町) and neighboring Memuro, Obihiro, Otofuke. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shimizu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Shimizu between Sapporo and Memuro 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 Shimizu: While Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) anchors public transit for Shimizu, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Kyūsan Dake (久山岳) and Tsurugi Yama (剣山) with nearby Memuro (芽室町) (16.7 km), Obihiro (帯広市) (26 km), Otofuke (音更町) (27.5 km), Shikaoi (鹿追町) (30.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shimizu (清水町) & Hokkaido

Dining near Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) and across Shimizu (清水町) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shimizu:

• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimizu (清水町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimizu (清水町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimizu (清水町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimizu (清水町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimizu (清水町) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shimizu (清水町) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km).

Where to Stay in Shimizu (清水町)

Visitors staying overnight in Shimizu (清水町) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Memuro, Obihiro, Otofuke for quick train access into Shimizu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shimizu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shimizu (清水町, 190 m elevation at 42.9676°N, 142.8828°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 Kyūsan Dake (久山岳) in Shimizu (清水町) 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 Shimizu (清水町)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shimizu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) for local bus schedules to Kyūsan Dake (久山岳) and walking maps of Shimizu (清水町).
• Cash & ATMs in Shimizu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kyūsan Dake (久山岳) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shimizu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shimizu: Around Haobi Station (羽帯駅) (2.2 km) and neighboring Memuro, Obihiro, Otofuke, 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.