The Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi) offers concentrated tourism resources with distinct regional characteristics, including hot spring resources represented by Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Toya Onsen, the Toya-Usu Geopark where visitors can experience volcanic landscapes, Ainu culture in Shiraoi, and seafood from Muroran.
Starting February 21, a one-month ANA Pocket "Check-In Challenge" will be held in the area, widely promoting West Iburi's winter attractions while touring roadside stations and tourism information centers.
During the challenge period, character panels of the local anime characters "Hokkaido ★ Tabi Joshi" (Hokkaido Travel Girls) will be installed at spots in each West Iburi municipality, serving as travel landmarks and providing the joy of visiting them.
ANA Akindo Co., Ltd. Sapporo Branch (Location: Chuo-ku, Sapporo City; Branch Manager: Junko Miyasaka; hereinafter "ANA Akindo") and ANA X Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President: Shinya Kanda; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "ANA X") are collaborating with the Noboribetsu Toya Wide Area Tourism Council (Location: Noboribetsu City; Chairman: Shunichi Ogasawara) to implement the Check-In Challenge "[Hokkaido] Tour the Winter Noboribetsu and Toya Area!" within the smartphone app "ANA Pocket," where you can earn miles for all your travel, from February 21 (Saturday) to March 23 (Monday), 2026.
In this challenge project, "Hokkaido ★ Tabi Joshi" anime characters that promote the charms of various Hokkaido regions will have "panels" installed as travel landmarks at spots in each municipality of the Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi), allowing visitors to enjoy traveling through West Iburi—from Shiraoi, Noboribetsu, Muroran, Date, Sobetsu, Toya, and Toyoura—through check-ins. These anime characters are originals co-created by municipalities and ANA Akindo in 2024, providing a new form of travel where visitors can enjoy touring each spot while going to meet the characters.
Charms of the Noboribetsu and Toya Area (West Iburi)
Located in southwestern Hokkaido and comprising seven municipalities, the Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi) is an attractive region where each area has distinct characteristics, from hot springs representing Hokkaido to terrain, landscapes, culture, food, and night views created by volcanic activity.
- Hot Springs: Areas with high winter stay value such as Noboribetsu Onsen and Lake Toya Onsen
- Geopark: Toya-Usu Geopark where you can experience the "changing earth" including Lake Toya and Mt. Usu
- Culture: Base for experiencing Ainu culture centered in Shiraoi
- Night Views: Muroran's unique night views woven by the port and industrial city
- Food & Roadside Stations: Stop-by bases where you can enjoy local products and gourmet food starting from roadside stations
Event Overview
"Hokkaido ★ Tabi Joshi" Anime Character Introduction (West Iburi 7 Municipalities)
The "Hokkaido ★ Tabi Joshi" anime characters for the Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi) are original characters co-created by municipalities and ANA Akindo in 2024 to promote the charms of various Hokkaido regions and enliven the area.
In this project, character panels installed at spots in each municipality serve as travel landmarks, creating opportunities for visits.
- Yuri Oba / Shiraoi: Enjoys handicrafts and reading, loves reading at Poroto Mintar.
- Kiko Jigokudani / Noboribetsu: Helps with tourism guidance at Jigokudani (Hell Valley), conveying the charms of the hot spring resort.
- Umi Araragi / Muroran: A "beach kid" who loves Muroran yakitori.
- Aihime Date / Date: A food guide who tours the city aiming to conquer Date's gourmet offerings.
- Megumi Daichi / Sobetsu: Studying to become a Toya-Usu Volcanic Meister. Promotes nature and learning.
- Izumi Kojima / Lake Toya: Good friends with Toryu-kun. Loves going out to scenic spots.
- Urara Toyo / Toyoura: Favorite spot is Rebunge Seaside Park. Conveys the charms of nature.
Message from the Noboribetsu and Toya Area (West Iburi)
This winter, "Hokkaido ★ Tabi Joshi" character panels will welcome you at tourist bases throughout the Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi). Please tour the spots using the panels as landmarks, and come meet the "Tabi Joshi" while experiencing the charms of the Noboribetsu and Toya area (West Iburi).
About ANA Pocket
ANA Pocket (https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/share/ana-pocket/) is a service provided by ANA X, a smartphone app where you can earn points for all daily travel including walking, cycling, automobiles, trains, and airplanes. You can also earn points by checking in at designated spots during travel. Accumulated points can be exchanged for ANA miles, discount coupons, and more. Going forward, it will also link with regional revitalization and related population measures, increasing visit motivation and promoting customer attraction, circulation, and stays in regions. It aims to realize smart tourism utilizing ANA's unique mobility data and the power of regional collaboration.
Download here (https://anapocket.go.link/jFRwL)
