Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido in Summer and Autumn & AccessKushiro
We introduce transportation packages and tours recommended for those who want to enjoy the major attractions, such as Akanko (Lake Akan) and Kushiro Marsh, in the Kushiro area.
Recommended for those who want to relax in the great nature of a national park or enjoy a hot spring
Bus to Akanko Hot Springs
Lake Akan, nestled in a deep forest, has a lakeside resort that is cool even in summer. In addition to enjoying the hot spring at each lodging facility, there are many ways to enjoy the resort, including the Ainu Kotan, a large Ainu community, and Kamuy Lumina, a much talked about night walk set in a night forest. It is perfect for those who want to leave the hot city and refresh themselves.
Hotels at Akanko Hot Springs (along the lakeside): 10 to 20 minutes on foot from the Akanko Bus Center.
*We recommend that you confirm with the accommodation you have reserved whether a shuttle service is available.
Bus schedule from Kushiro Station / Kushiro Airport to Akanko Hot Springs
| Departure from Kushiro Station | Departure from Kushiro Airport | Departure from Tancho-no-Sato | Arrival at Akanko Bus Center | Remarks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arrival: 10:00 | → | Arrival: 10:17 | → | Arrival: 11:15 | Akan Airport Liner Bound for Akanko Hot Springs |
||
| Departure: 10:10 | → | Arrival: 10:57 | → | Arrival: 11:22 | → | Arrival: 12:10 | Bound for Akanko Hot Springs |
| Departure: 12:00 | → | Arrival: 12:47 | → | Arrival: 13:22 | → | Arrival: 14:10 | Bound for Akanko Hot Springs |
| Departure: 14:50 | → | Arrival: 15:37 | → | Arrival: 16:02 | → | Arrival: 16:50 | Bound for Akanko Hot Springs |
| Departure: 17:15 | → | Arrival: 18:02 | → | Arrival: 18:27 | → | Arrival: 19:15 | Bound for Akanko Hot Springs |
*As of June 2023
*Kushiro Station - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥2,750, Kushiro Airport - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥2,190
*Tancho-no-Sato - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥1,650
*The Akan International Crane Center adjacent to Tancho-no-Sato is open 9:00 - 17:00.
*The Akan Airport Liner passes through Akanko Hot Springs’ hot spring district (each hotel).
Bus schedule from Akanko Hot Springs to Kushiro Station / Kushiro Airport
| Departure from Akanko Bus Center | Departure from Tancho-no-Sato | Arrival at Kushiro Airport | Arrival at Kushiro Station | Remarks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure: 7:30 | → | Arrival: 8:13 | → | Arrival: 8:40 | → | Arrival: 9:30 | Bound for Kushiro Station |
| Departure: 10:20 | → | Arrival: 11:03 | → | Arrival: 11:30 | → | Arrival: 12:20 | Bound for Kushiro Station |
| Departure: 11:50 | → | Arrival: 12:45 | → | Arrival: 13:10 | Akan Airport Liner Kushiro Airport |
||
| Departure: 12:30 | → | Arrival: 13:13 | → | Arrival: 13:55 | → | Arrival: 14:45 | Bound for Kushiro Station |
| Departure: 16:00 | → | Arrival: 16:43 | → | Arrival: 17:10 | → | Arrival: 18:00 | Bound for Kushiro Station |
*As of June 2023
*Kushiro Station - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥2,750, Kushiro Airport - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥2,190
*Tancho-no-Sato - Akanko Hot Springs: ¥1,650
*The Akan International Crane Center adjacent to Tancho-no-Sato is open 9:00 - 17:00.
*The Akan Airport Liner passes through Akanko Hot Springs’ hot spring district (each hotel).
Recommended for those who want to visit the lakesides of the Kushiro area in Eastern Hokkaido
Sightseeing bus that tours around Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo
Scheduled sightseeing bus Pirica-go (Akan Bus)
This is a scheduled summer sightseeing bus that departs Kushiro and takes you to the three lakes of Eastern Hokkaido: Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Akan. Since you can get off at Lake Akan, it is also recommended for those who wish to stay at Lake Akan.
- Route
- Kushiro Station / the city of Kushiro → Lake Mashu → Io-zan Mountain → Lake Kussharo → Lake Akan → Kushiro Airport → Kushiro Station / the city of Kushiro
Recommended for those who want to visit Kushiro Marsh, the largest marshland in Japan
Transportation packages recommended for those who want to enjoy Kushiro Marsh
Kushiro Marsh, the largest marshland in Japan, stretches to the north of Kushiro-shi, one of Japan's leading port cities. Visitors can enjoy full-scale activities such as canoeing on the Kushiro River that flows through the marshland, and can also casually enjoy the marshland by strolling along easy-to-walk wooden paths. The marsh observatory on the east side of Kushiro Marsh and strolling at On-ne-nai are recommended, as are the Hoso-oka observatory on the west side and the Norokko train.
- Access
- It takes about 50 to 60 minutes by bus from downtown Kushiro to the Marsh observatory and On-ne-nai Visitor Center. Hoso-oka Observatory is about 20 minutes from JR Kushiro Shitsugen Station.
- Take a route bus - Kushiro Marsh and On-ne-nai wooden path walking plan with a local guide
A plan on select days to walk the On-ne-nai wooden paths on the west side of Kushiro Marsh with a local guide. A round-trip bus ticket between Kushiro Station and On-ne-nai Visitor Center is included.
- Fee
- Tour price ¥5,800
*Travel Planning and Execution Akan Bus Trading Akan Bus Travel Services
Japanese Page（translatable）
- Taxi plan - Kushiro Marsh and On-ne-nai Wooden Path Walking Tour
Taxi pick-up and drop-off plan starting at the city of Kushiro to enjoy strolling along On-ne-nai Wooden Paths, concluding at Kushiro Airport. You will have 50 minutes to spend at the On-ne-nai Visitor Center and Wooden Paths. Total time: Two hours.
- Fee
- Tour price ¥5,000 - ¥13,500
*Travel Planning and Execution Akan Bus Trading Akan Bus Travel Services
Japanese Page（translatable）
- Taxi plan - Kushiro Marsh and Hoso-oka Observatory Tour
Taxi pick-up and drop-off plan starting at the city of Kushiro to enjoy Hoso-oka Observatory, concluding at Kushiro Airport. You will have 40 minutes to spend at Hoso-oka Observatory. Total time: 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- Fee
- Tour price ¥6,000 - ¥17,000
*Travel Planning and Execution Akan Bus Trading Akan Bus Travel Services
Japanese Page（translatable）
Kushiro Marsh Norokko Train (JR Hokkaido)
A popular sightseeing train that runs from Kushiro Station through Kushiro Marsh to Toro*. Riding in the observation car (reserved seats only), you can enjoy a trip of less than 50 minutes to feel the cool breeze. *There is an extended service to Kawayu Onsen on select days.
- Fee
- One-way fare (train ticket + reserved seat ticket) ¥1,480 (¥740 for children)
- Dates of operation
- From late April to early October Available at major stations (Midori-no-madoguchi) and through online reservation service "Ekinet."
Japanese Page（translatable）
This is the gourmet food of Eastern Hokkaido!
Recommended for those who want to eat special oysters
Popular for oyster gourmet!
JR to Akkeshi
Akkeshi-cho, from the Ainu word for "a place full of oysters," is a famous oyster production area where oysters can be eaten raw year-round! There are many shops where you can enjoy delicious oysters, including Akkeshi Mikaku Terminal Conchiglie.
- Access
- It takes about one hour by JR from Kushiro Station to Akkeshi Station via JR Hanasaki Line.
Japanese Page（translatable）
Recommended for those who want to fully enjoy Eastern Hokkaido from Kushiro
Sightseeing bus trip to Shiretoko and Abashiri
Scheduled sightseeing bus Kushiro-Shiretoko-go / Shiretoko-Kushiro-go (Akan Bus)
Kushiro is the starting point for this tour to Abashiri and Shiretoko via scenic spots such as Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, and Bihoro Pass. This is a scheduled sightseeing bus touring Shiretoko and the Notsuke Peninsula, the farthest east, before returning to Kushiro. Recommended for those who want to thoroughly enjoy the highlights of Eastern Hokkaido
- Route
- [Route | Kushiro-Shiretoko-go] Kushiro Station / Lake Akan → Lake Mashu → Io-zan Mountain→ Kawayu Hot Springs → Lake Kussharo → Bihoro Pass → Memambetsu Airport → Abashiri → Shiretoko Utoro
Japanese Page（translatable）
Intercity buses from Kushiro to various locations
Kushiro → Kitami | Senpoku-go (Akan Bus / Hokkaido Kitami Bus)
145 East Longitude: An intercity bus connecting Kushiro and Lake Akan with Kitami, the central city of Okhotsk. Two round trips a day, reservation required. Jointly operated by Akan Bus and Hokkaido Kitami Bus.
- Route
- Kushiro Station ⇆ Lake Akan ⇆ Tsubetsu ⇆ Kitami Station
*Using the service only between Kushiro Station and Lake Akan is not permitted.
Kushiro → Nemuro | Limited Express Nemuro-go (Nemuro Kotsu / Kushiro Bus)
An intercity bus connecting Kushiro with Hamanaka/Nemuro. Three round trips a day on weekdays, two round trips a day on weekends and holidays. No reservation required. Jointly operated by Nemuro Kotsu and Kushiro Bus.
- Route
- Kushiro Station / the city of Kushiro ⇆ Hamanaka ⇆ Attoko ⇆ Nemuro Station / the city of Nemuro
*Using the service only between Hamanaka and Attoko is not permitted.
Japanese Page
Kushiro → Asahikawa | Sunrise Asahikawa-Kushiro-go (Akan Bus / Dohoku Bus)
An intercity bus connecting Kushiro and Lake Akan with Asahikawa. Currently one round trip a day on weekdays and Saturdays, two round trips a day on Sundays. Reservation required. Three-row independent seat vehicle is used. Jointly operated by Akan Bus and Dohoku Bus.
- Route
- Kushiro Station / Lake Akan ⇆ Tsubetsu ⇆ On-neyu ⇆ Sounkyo ⇆ Asahikawa Station *Using the service only between Kushiro Station and Lake Akan and between Onneyu,Sounkyo and Asahikawa is not permitted.