Hanatokachi Obihiro: Best Butadon & Parking Tips 2026

Obihiro Must-Try Restaurants

Hanatokachi

© Text/Photos by Nomad Ssalmi

When you're planning a trip to Obihiro, Hokkaido,

there's one iconic dish you absolutely cannot miss:

It's Butadon (pork rice bowl)!

Obihiro is known as

the birthplace of Butadon,

and the old town is brimming with countless famous restaurants

that proudly serve this specialty.

Among the many Butadon eateries,

I visited a place called Hanatokachi (豚丼のはなとかち),

which is rumored to have excellent reviews among locals.

I'll introduce it in detail below.

1. Hanatokachi Basic Information (Opening Hours, Parking, etc.)

Many popular Butadon restaurants

in Obihiro's city center

either don't have their own parking lots

or require you to use nearby paid parking.

While Hanatokachi isn't a massive restaurant,

the fact that it has its own dedicated parking area

is a huge advantage!

It can accommodate about five cars.

For those exploring the Obihiro area

by rental car,

this is the perfect spot to visit for a meal

without worrying about parking.

2. What About Waiting?

We arrived a little early, right before the evening opening hours,

but locals were already ahead of us,

waiting in line.

It was clear right from the entrance

that this place is a tried-and-true local favorite.

Since the interior seating isn't particularly spacious,

if you fall behind the initial rush after opening,

the waiting time can become surprisingly long.

If you want to avoid a long and tedious wait,

I recommend arriving 15-20 minutes early

before the lunch or dinner opening time to queue up early (an 'open run').

(Even on Google Street View, there's a queue! 🤣)

3. Recommended Menu and Review

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One of Hanatokachi's biggest advantages

is that you can order according to your appetite,

thanks to their detailed portion sizes and reasonable prices.

✔️ Small size (1,200 yen)

100g meat + 250g rice

(I had this size)

✔️ Medium size (1,650 yen)

150g meat + 250g rice

(This is a size that men with average appetites would find perfectly satisfying.)

✔️ Largest Size (2,200 yen)

250g meat + 400g rice

(Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy plenty of meat or big eaters!)

If you come here, don't hesitate! You absolutely must try this restaurant's signature dish:

Half-and-Half Sirloin & Pork Belly Butadon!

Of course, you can freely choose a menu with just the lean sirloin or just the savory pork belly, depending on your personal preference.

The lean, tender sirloin with a satisfying chew and the rich, savory pork belly are piled high on the rice, half-and-half.

The special sauce deeply infused into the meat's surface, combined with a subtle smoky aroma, makes it incredibly mouth-watering just from the visuals alone.

When you're enjoying Butadon,

the sweet and savory sauce combined with the richness of the meat can sometimes make the aftertaste a little greasy or overwhelming, right?

But here, their Butadon has fresh wasabi

delicately placed on top of the meat!

The subtle pungency of the wasabi perfectly cuts through any greasiness, allowing you to enjoy every last bite cleanly and without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Tips for Your Visit

✅ Extra Sauce on the Table

There's an extra bottle of Butadon's special tare sauce available on your table.

If you're eating and think,

'I'd like the rice to have a bit more flavor,'

you can freely add more sauce to adjust it to your liking.

My seasoning was just right, but my husband felt it wasn't enough and poured more sauce on his.

✅ Ask for a Spoon in Advance

When your food is served,

only chopsticks are provided by default.

Given the nature of Butadon,

it's much more convenient to have a spoon when scooping up the rice, sauce, and meat together,

or when eating the sauce-mixed rice, isn't it?

If you ask the staff for a spoon when your food arrives,

you'll be able to enjoy your meal much more comfortably and neatly.

Even the locals at the next table were asking for spoons,

so don't hesitate to request one yourself!

5. Wrapping Up

Experiencing Hanatokachi in Obihiro, the home of Butadon, was truly more satisfying than I expected. It perfectly combines the authentic taste of char-grilled meat with a wonderful wasabi harmony and convenient parking.

If you're on a rental car trip around Obihiro and looking for a truly delicious, authentic Butadon spot with easy parking,

don't hesitate! Make sure to visit Hanatokachi and experience the true essence of charcoal-grilled Butadon!

I hope my post helps you have a wonderful and enjoyable trip.