When is the best time to visit Manabe Garden?

The optimal visiting period is May through September when flowers are in full bloom. The garden closes from late November through late April due to winter conditions.

How long should I plan to spend at the garden?

Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the pathways and explore the garden areas. Add 30 minutes to 1 hour if visiting the café or gift shop.

Are there facilities like restaurants or shops at Manabe Garden?

The garden has a café serving refreshments and light meals, plus a gift shop selling plants, seeds, and garden merchandise.

Is there parking available at the garden?

Yes, Manabe Garden provides on-site parking for visitors arriving by car. Parking is typically free for garden guests.

Are pets allowed in Manabe Garden?

Pet policies vary by season and garden rules. Contact Manabe Garden directly to confirm current regulations regarding animals on the property before bringing pets.

Manabe Garden

4.2 (1233)GardenTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Manabe Garden is a 2.5-hectare botanical garden located in Obihiro, Hokkaido, renowned for its authentic conifer-focused landscape design. Established in 1966 by nurseryman Manabe Kiyoshi, the garden was created as both a commercial nursery and a showcase for Western-style gardening techniques adapted to Hokkaido's harsh continental climate. The site gained wider recognition when it served as a filming location for the popular Japanese television drama series, attracting visitors interested in both horticulture and popular culture.

The garden's significance lies in its pioneering approach to cultivating non-native conifers and perennials in Hokkaido's extreme temperature conditions, where winters can drop below -20°C. Manabe's vision was to demonstrate that European and North American garden styles could thrive in northern Japan through careful plant selection and microclimate management. The landscape features distinct seasonal displays, with conifer collections providing year-round structure, spring bulbs and early perennials, summer flowering borders, and dramatic autumn foliage that draws photographers and garden enthusiasts.

Visitors can explore winding paths through themed garden rooms, each showcasing different plant combinations and design principles. The garden maintains a naturalistic aesthetic with informal plantings that contrast with Japan's more formal traditional gardens. A small café on the premises serves light refreshments and allows guests to rest while enjoying views across the cultivated landscape. The garden shop sells plants, seeds, and gardening supplies, many propagated from specimens growing in the garden itself.

Manabe Garden is located approximately 20 kilometers southwest of central Obihiro. Visitors traveling by car can reach the site in roughly 30 minutes via Route 236. Public transportation options are limited, making rental cars or taxis the most practical choices for independent travelers. The nearest train station is Obihiro Station on the JR Hokkaido network. Admission fees apply, with reduced rates available for children and groups.

What other travelers are saying about Manabe Garden

Incredible relaxing and peaceful park. Ornately curated with care taken in the placement of every single plant / tree. Love the variety of all the plants here. ¥1000 to enter per person but it's worth it if it's to pay the staff and their excellent work Cute little cafe and handicraft shop just attached to it

Oliver Leow

Jul 18, 2025

Visited on a rainy day when even the squirrels were taking shelter, so there wasn’t a great deal of wildlife to see, but the garden is peaceful and well looked after. It’ll depend on the time of year as to what you see, but it’s a nice way to spend an hour or two walking around and experiencing Japanese nature. The garden has a long history and a big shop and a small cafe are attached.

A beautiful garden with a variety of different areas. The cafe serves tasty & fresh food. My vegan friend said the salad was great. Highly recommend a visit.

There are varieties of garden style here. Entrance fee is 1000 yen but I think it's well worth it. We went when most flowers were yet to bloom. It's still very beautiful and peaceful. I imagine it would be really gorgeous when the flowers are in full bloom. Even at the time we go, we still took many amazing photos.

There are zones of different style of gardens along the path, not particularly stunning by themselves, the scenery is decent. I find the last zone "monster garden" the most interesting. Saw many squirrels on the trees at the entrance area. There were a lot of mosquitos inside when I went there (in late Aug). Some people bring there dogs inside for a walk, so I think it's dog-friendly.

Manabe Garden

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What other travelers are saying about Manabe Garden

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