[1] The city contains the headquarters of the Fifth Division of the Northern Army of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

From Obihiro, it takes 2 hrs 30 mins to get New Chitose Airport by train and just over 4 hours to get there by car.

The headquarters of 3 nationally renowned pastry companies (Rokkatei, Ryugetsu, and Cranberry) are also located in Obihiro.

Due to the decreasing birth rate in the area (and across the entire nation) some elementary schools are scheduled for closing by 2012.

[citation needed] Obihiro has one of Japan's most pristine rivers flowing through its city limits.

[5] It is designated as a Class A River by the Japanese government due to its importance to environmental conservation and the national economy.

In the Ainu language, Satnay means "dry river", and even today, most of its 82 km (51 mi) run is shallow.

The other major river in the city is the Tokachi, but its water is not used for drinking as it has much higher pollution levels.

In 1974, a plan for the creation of an expansive city recreation space was initiated, and from 1975 to 2004 large groups of Obihiro citizens participated in "Tree Planting Festivals" (市民植樹祭).

Obihiro has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) with warm summers and cold winters, very similar with the coast of New England (although the lower averages are with more extreme records).

Large and powerful draft horses pull sleds that can weigh more than a ton while their rider whips them hard to make them go faster.

The track and facilities were renovated in 2007 due to major efforts by the city government to increase the popularity of the races.

The Kita no Yatai (北の屋台) is an alleyway of unique foodstands that is open all year-round, and offers foods from many different countries.

Two major events held here each year are the "Friends of the World Cookout", where over 2,000 people gather to cook and eat international food, and the "Mori no Halloween" party where over 1,000 costumed parents and children celebrate a holiday that is not native to Japan.

An Olympic sized indoor speed skating rink, Meiji Hokkaido-Tokachi Oval, has been completed on the west side of Obihiro.

The mayor of Seward sent a message, a coat of arms, and a medal; all of which were personally delivered by a member of the entourage of the U.S.-Japan Fishing Industry Negotiation Team in Japan at the time.

Interaction between the two cities began with Chaoyang's Economic Observation Group Visit to Obihiro on May 30, 1985.

In September that same year, Obihiro sent the 15 member Northeast China Friendship and Observation Group to Chaoyang.

In addition, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has been sending agricultural specialists to Chaoyang.