Nitori Yoichi Dinosaur Park: Hokkaido's New Animatronic Dinosaurs, an Hour from Sapporo by Car (2026)

Hokkaido got a new roadside stop for families this summer: Nitori Yoichi Dinosaur Park, an open-air park of life-size animatronic dinosaurs that opened on July 25, 2026 next to the Nitori Tourist Orchard in Yoichi, about an hour west of Sapporo by expressway. Around 30 robotic dinosaurs move and roar when you walk up to them — the star is a 15-meter Tyrannosaurus that breathes mist — and the orchard next door does pick-your-own fruit through early November. This guide covers what it costs, how to get there by car, and how to turn it into a half-day trip with the orchard and Otaru.

1. The essentials (September 2026)

Hours, prices and payment come from the Yoichi Tourism Association's opening notice (Japanese); the address, parking and phone from the Hokkaido official tourism database. As of this writing the park has no page of its own — the orchard's official site (Japanese) carries a banner — and we could not find an official social-media account for the park itself. Beware: several unrelated "Dinosaur Park" accounts exist in Japan (a touring show based in Shizuoka, a park in Okinawa); for Yoichi, trust the tourism association and the orchard.

2. What you actually see

The dinosaurs are full-scale animatronics spread across an open hillside site. Reports at the opening counted about 30 (some say 35) figures, headed by an 18-meter Brachiosaurus and a 15-meter Tyrannosaurus that sprays mist from its mouth; sensors trigger movement and sound as you approach, so it is a walk-through rather than a show with set times. The tourism association also mentions a ride-on dinosaur cart corner for small children and an observation deck looking over wine vineyards to the Sea of Japan and the Shiripa cape. Allow 60–90 minutes.

It is entirely outdoors. September days in Yoichi are mild but evenings are cool; from October bring a real jacket, and by the end of the season in early November it is winter-coat weather. See what to wear in Hokkaido month by month.

3. Getting there by car from Sapporo

Take the Sasson Expressway west, continue past Otaru Junction onto the Shiribeshi Expressway and exit at Yoichi IC. Toll-route guides put Sapporo-Kita IC to Yoichi at about 50 km and 40 minutes; from central Sapporo, budget about an hour door to door. On ordinary roads (Route 5 via Otaru) it is closer to an hour and a half. The orchard is about 5 minutes by car from JR Yoichi station, and its 200-space car park is free. On weekends the orchard's fruit-picking crowd arrives mid-morning, so aim for the 9:00 opening.

New to driving here? Our guides to renting a car in Hokkaido and day trips from Sapporo by car cover the basics. Yoichi sits just beyond Otaru, so the Otaru day-trip route gets you most of the way.

4. Make it a half day: dinosaurs + fruit picking + Otaru

The park sits on the orchard's grounds, so the natural plan is dinosaurs first, then fruit. The orchard is open 9:00–17:00 from early May to early November, and autumn is apple and grape season. Travel sites list the all-you-can-eat picking course at about ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,500 for elementary-age children (confirm the current fruit and price on arrival — it changes with the season). Orchard admission is separate from the dinosaur park ticket; there was no combined ticket at the time of writing. Add the Nikka Yoichi whisky distillery or the roadside station in town if you have time, then head back through Otaru for the canal in the late afternoon.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is there English signage or an English website?

We have not seen an English page for the park. The tourism association's Japanese notice is the most reliable source; the park itself is easy to navigate without reading Japanese — it is a walking loop with dinosaurs.

Q. Does it open in the rain?

There is no official rain policy published. It is an outdoor site, so on a wet day call the orchard (0135-23-6251, Japanese) before driving out, or switch to an indoor plan in Sapporo.

Q. Can I visit in winter?

No. The 2026 season runs until early November, and the reported plan is seasonal operation from late April to early November each year.

Q. Is fruit picking included in the ticket?

No. Dinosaur park admission (¥1,000 / ¥500 / free under 6) and the orchard's picking courses are charged separately.

Before you go: Hours, prices and the season can change. Check the orchard's site and the Yoichi Tourism Association (both Japanese) before you set out. Details above were verified on September 3, 2026.

Hokudora (ホクドラ) is a Hokkaido driving and travel site based in Sapporo. More English guides · 日本語版はこちら