Summary
The Hokkaido Ishikari Subprefectural Bureau and Hokkai Gakuen students launched a mystery-solving walk rally in Tobetsu Town from July 4, 2026.
The Hokkaido Ishikari Subprefectural Bureau, in partnership with Hokkai Gakuen University of Commerce and the Town of Tobetsu, launched a Mystery-Solving Walk Rally in Tobetsu from July 4, 2026 (Saturday). The rally sends participants around Tobetsu Station and surrounding shops and shrines to solve puzzles designed by university students.
What happened
Two hundred mystery kits are being distributed for free at Tobetsu Station, and the rally continues until they run out. The route is a walking course of roughly 60 to 90 minutes and is designed to be enjoyed by a wide age range. The kits were designed and produced by Hokkai Gakuen University of Commerce students who conducted field research in Tobetsu during the previous academic year, incorporating feedback from local residents and town officials.
Why it matters
The rally is part of the Ishikari Regional Youth Retention Promotion Project, which aims to build ties between university students and communities in the Ishikari area. From a visitor perspective, it also gives a low-cost, self-guided way to explore Tobetsu, a smaller town north of Sapporo that is not typically featured in inbound itineraries.
Key details
- Start date: July 4, 2026 (Saturday). Ends when 200 kits are distributed.
- Venue: Around Tobetsu Station, participating shops and shrines in Tobetsu.
- Kit distribution: Free of charge inside Tobetsu Station.
- Duration: Approximately 60 to 90 minutes on foot.
- Organizers: Hokkaido Ishikari Subprefectural Bureau, Hokkai Gakuen University of Commerce, Town of Tobetsu.
For international readers
Tobetsu is easily reached from Sapporo by the JR Sassho Line. The rally content is in Japanese; overseas travellers who speak or read Japanese, or who come with a bilingual companion, can use it as a light and structured way to explore a smaller Hokkaido town.
Source: Hokkaido Government press release.
Source Details
| Source | Hokkaido Government |
|---|---|
| Original Title | 【北海道・石狩振興局】「フクロウに隠された町の記憶」周遊型謎解きウォークラリーを実施します！ |
| Original Published | 2026-06-30 |
| Region | Ishikari |
| Target Reader | general |
| Review Status | reviewed |
| Risk Level | normal |
| Original Source | Hokkaido Government |
Editor Note
キットは200部限定・先着配布のため、公開時期によっては終了している可能性があります。公開前に石狩振興局（TEL 011-204-5814）へ現在の配布状況を確認してください。