オススメ度
外国語対応
About Kushiro
Kushiro is a city on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido, and is the political and economic center of the area.
However, its population of 180,000 is decreasing each year.
Its rich natural environment and wonderful scenery, such as the Kushiro Marsh (the largest marshland in Japan) and the sunsets are so spectacular that it is considered one of the three best sunsets in the world.
Kushiro also has one of the best fishing ports in Japan (once the largest fishing port in Japan), so you can enjoy excellent quality seafood at reasonable prices.
Let’s go over a brief history of the area.
Since ancient times, the indigenous Ainu people have lived in the Kushiro area.
After the Edo period (1603-1868), Japanese began to visit the area regularly to trade with the Ainu, and when the eastern part of Hokkaido became part of the Edo shogunate in 1799, the number of farmers and fishermen who migrated from the mainland increased, and Kushiro became a major center for fishing, trading, and transportation.
Kushiro has developed greatly since then, mainly due to its coal mining, fishing and paper manufacturing industries, but the city has been gradually declining since the 1960s when the coal mining industry went out of business.
Kushiro is close to Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo, so it is best to visit them together.
Recommendations/Worthy Mentions
Enjoy beautiful nature and good food!
For scenic nature views your best bet would be Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and sunsets.
You can’t go wrong with the excellent seafood when it comes to food.
Kushiro happens to be one of the largest fishing ports in Japan, and fresh seafood lands here every day.
The best part about that is you can enjoy delicious seafood at robatayaki restaurants (grilling in front of customers) and markets at very reasonable prices.
Don’t neglect the high quality ramen around here too.
Access to Kushiro
Kushiro is about 300 km away from Sapporo, which makes it inconvenient to see both areas at the same time.
But, if you are traveling from Sapporo it is better to fly, albeit a little expensive. By air, it will take about 45 min. and cost between ¥10,000-¥15,000. On the other hand a train ride will take 4.5 hours (roughly ¥9,500), and a bus will get you there in 5 hours (¥5,500).
If you are planning to explore around Kushiro, it’ll be more convenient and faster to rent a car instead of using public transportation, which has fewer services.
By Air
Within Japan, there are air routes to and from Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Kansai), and Sapporo (Shinchitose and Okadama). There are 5-6 flights a day from Tokyo (Haneda) and Sapporo (Shinchitose and Okadama), but only one flight a day from Osaka (Kansai).
Kushiro Airport
Serves Tokyo (Haneda/Narita), Sapporo (Shin-Chitose/Kyusyu), and Osaka (Kansai) *Osaka (Itami) and Nagoya are also served in summer.
[ See details ]
| Address | 2 Tsuru, Kushiro, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0154-57-8304 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Access from the airport
By Bus
Buses to Kushiro City are available for all arriving flights.
It takes about 50 minutes to reach Kushiro Station.
By Train
JR: Nemuro Main Line, Kushiro Main Line
By Bus
There are express bus routes to and from Sapporo, Asahikawa, Kitami, Obihiro and other cities in Hokkaido.
You can book tickets in many languages at the following website.
Sightseeing
Kushiro Shitsugen (Marsh)
Kushiro Marsh is the largest marshland in Japan and a large part of it is designated as a national park.
The majestic nature you experience in this small island nation is something you wouldn’t expect to find in Japan.
With a total area of 268,600,000 m² (25 km from east to west and 25 km from north to south), the vast marshland remains untouched and is home to about 700 species of plants and 1,300 animal species.
It is also the first wetland in Japan to be registered as such under the Ramsar Convention, where only wetlands that are important habitats for waterfowl are registered.
※ When you hear the words “registered as a wetland under the Ramsar Convention,” it sounds special, but I’m not sure how great it is.
This vast area of land used to be an ocean 10 – 6 thousand years ago, but sea water receded 6 – 4 thousand years ago, and sediment and peat began to accumulate until it took its present form about 3,000 years ago.
In Kushiro Marsh, you can enjoy the view of the precious nature from the boardwalk, observatory, or sightseeing train.
The best time to visit is from spring to autumn (late April to early November), with June and July being the best months to enjoy the lush green scenery.
Outside of those periods it’s extremely cold and snowed in, so it is not recommended.
The following are the sightseeing spots in Kushiro Marsh.
Hoso-oka Observatory
Hoso-oka Observatory is located on a hill on the east side of Kushiro Marsh. There are several observatories overlooking the marsh, but this one is the only one that captures its entirety. It’s a must visit! From here, you can see a wonderful panorama of greenery, the Kushiro River meandering through the marsh, the majestic […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 22-9 Takkobu, Kushiro-cho, Kushiro-gun, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By train: Take the JR Kushiro[…] |
| Tel | 0154-40-4455 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kushiro City Marshland Observatory
The Kushiro City Marshland Observatory is the best-maintained observatory near the city and the airport, and is located at the western edge of Kushiro Marsh. From the observation deck on the third floor and the rooftop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the marshland, Kushiro city, and the Pacific Ocean. The first floor has […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 6-11 Hokuto, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By Bus:Take the Akan Bus on t[…] |
| Tel | 0154-56-2424 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Salvo Observatory
This observatory stands on a small hill at an altitude of about 70 meters. From here, you can see five large and small lakes and marshes centered on Lake Tangoro, as well as Kushiro Marsh. If you visit in summer, you can see the beautiful contrast between the lush greenery and the blue created by […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Tangro, Shibecha-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By Train:Take the JR Kushiro […] |
| Tel | 015-485-2111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kottaro Marsh Observatory
This observatory is located at the northeastern edge of Kushiro Marsh on a small hill. Compared to other observatories in Kushiro Marsh, the view from this observatory is “inferior”. However, if you are lucky, you can see beautiful Japanese cranes. The nearby road is a narrow gravel road, so be careful when driving.
[ See details ]
| Address | Kotaro, Shibecha-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 60 min. by car from Kushiro A[…] |
| Tel | 015-485-2111 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sightseeing train
Kushiro Marshland Norokko Train
This special sightseeing trolley train departs from and arrives at JR Kushiro Station once or twice a day from late April to early May and from late May to mid-October. From the leisurely train ride from Kushiro Station to Toro Station, roughly 50 min., one can enjoy the breathtaking views of Kushiro Marsh from the […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 14-5 Kitaodori, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | From/to Kushiro Station on th[…] |
| Tel | 0154-24-3176 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Sunsets
Kushiro’s deep red sunsets are like looking at a painting.
It is so wonderful that it is considered one of the 3 best sunsets in the world, along with the sunsets in Bali, Indonesia and Manila, Philippines.
You may be thinking to yourself, “I’ve never heard of such a thing, who decided that?!” Apparently, it was decided in the 1960s by sailors who had not only been all over the world but familiar with them too.
You can see a beautiful sunset roughly 30 minutes before to an hour after sunset.
・Approximate sunset times in Kushiro (1st of every month)
Jan: 15:58, Feb: 16:35, Mar: 17:11, Apr: 17:48, May: 18:23, Jun: 18:55, Jul: 19:05, Aug: 18:44, Sep: 17:58, Oct: 17:05, Nov: 16:15, Dec: 15:49
※Sunsets in autumn and winter are more beautiful because the incidence angle is deeper and the air is clearer.
The best places to catch the sunset are either along the ocean or from one of the observatories in the marsh.
The following are the best places to watch the sunset.
Hoso-oka Observatory
Hoso-oka Observatory is located on a hill on the east side of Kushiro Marsh. There are several observatories overlooking the marsh, but this one is the only one that captures its entirety. It’s a must visit! From here, you can see a wonderful panorama of greenery, the Kushiro River meandering through the marsh, the majestic […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 22-9 Takkobu, Kushiro-cho, Kushiro-gun, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By train: Take the JR Kushiro[…] |
| Tel | 0154-40-4455 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kushiro City Marshland Observatory
The Kushiro City Marshland Observatory is the best-maintained observatory near the city and the airport, and is located at the western edge of Kushiro Marsh. From the observation deck on the third floor and the rooftop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the marshland, Kushiro city, and the Pacific Ocean. The first floor has […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 6-11 Hokuto, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By Bus:Take the Akan Bus on t[…] |
| Tel | 0154-56-2424 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Nusamai Bridge
Nusamai Bridge is a large and magnificent 124-meter-long bridge that spans the mouth of the Kushiro River. Its location in the city center makes access to it easy. From the bridge, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the setting sun melting into the sea and the Kushiro River and Kushiro Port turning a beautiful […]
[ See details ]
| Address | Kitaodori 1-chome, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 15-minute walk from JR Kushir[…] |
| Tel | 0154-31-4549 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Japanese Crane
The Sarurunkamui (meaning “god of the marsh”), as the Ainu people call it, is a bird that lives in Kushiro Marsh. They are very beautiful and graceful, but unless you are very lucky, you will not be able to see them in their natural habitat.
If you go to the following places, you will be able to observe them up close and personal.
※ All are located in the western part of Kushiro Marsh (close to Kushiro Airport), and can be reached by bus from JR Kushiro Station.
※ The entrance fee is about ¥500.
Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park
[ See details ]
| Address | 112 Tsuruoka, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0154-56-2219 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Akan International Crane Center
[ See details ]
| Address | 23 Sen-40 Kamiakan, Akan-cho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0154-66-4011 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Kushiro Zoo
[ See details ]
| Address | 11 Akancho Shimo Nishibetsu, Kushiro, Hokkaid |
|---|---|
| Access | |
| Tel | 0154-56-2121 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Activities
Canoeing
A canoe trip down the Kushiro River is a leisurely experience.
You will be able to enjoy nature to the fullest as you gaze at the brilliant scenery of Kushiro Marsh and encounter wildlife in the slow flow of the river.
Prices start from ¥7,000 for a course where you share a large canoe with other groups, to ¥15,000 for a private course for just your group.
The course takes about 2-3 hours.
The following sites are multilingual and can be booked through them.
Food
Robata-yaki (fireside cooking)
Robata-yaki is a food specialty of Kushiro and roughly 40 restaurants of this style.
Food is prepared by staff grilling seasonal seafood and vegetables over charcoal on a fireside in the center of the country house izakaya restaurant.
Since it is an izakaya, not only charcoal grill but also fresh sashimi is on the menu.
The concept of grilling fresh seafood over a charcoal grill originated from Kushiro.
And it’s a must try; you can enjoy fresh seafood from Kushiro Port, one of Japan’s leading fishing ports, at a very reasonable price.
Incidentally, in May 2019, Japanese Prime Minister Abe and U.S. President Trump met at Inakaya, an upscale robata-yaki restaurant in Roppongi, Tokyo.
The following are some of the most popular restaurants.
Robata Renga
[ See details ]
| Address | 3-5-3 Nishiki-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 12 min walk from JR Kushiro S[…] |
| Tel | 0154-32-3233 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Ramen
Sapporo ramen, Hakodate ramen, and Asahikawa ramen are considered to be the “best three” ramen in Hokkaido, but Kushiro ramen is right behind them.
More than 100 ramen stores in Kushiro can be found.
Kushiro ramen is based on a light soy sauce-flavored soup made from dried bonito stock and thin-wavy noodles.
This style has been served at food stands since around 1930, and the number of shops increased after World War II.
The thin noodles are said to be the result of the efforts of the people involved in shortening the boiling time in order to serve hot ramen as quickly as possible to fishermen returning from the cold sea.
The following are some of the most popular stores.
Ramen Kobo Uoichi
[ See details ]
| Address | Kushiro Tancho Ichiba, 13-1 Saiwaicho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 4-minute walk from JR Kushiro[…] |
| Tel | 0154-23-4541 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
Maruhira Ramen
[ See details ]
| Address | 8-1-13 Urami, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | 30 min. walk from JR Kushiro […] |
| Tel | 0154-41-7233 |
| URL |
Market
Washo Ichiba
One of the three major markets in Hokkaido. A public market with about 60 stores selling seafood, vegetables and fruits, is famous for its wide variety of seafood and low prices. It is located near JR Kushiro Station. When you visit, you have to try the “katte-don”. A katte-don is a bowl of rice topped […]
[ See details ]
| Address | 13-25 Kurogane-cho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido |
|---|---|
| Access | By train:3-min. walk from JR […] |
| Tel | 0154-22-3226 |
| URL | [ Click ] |
