Travel around Kushiro, Hokkaido without a car! A two-day, one-night trip aboard a retro train and enjoy nature

*All prices include tax.

Travel on the Senmo Main Line from Kushiro Station to Kawayu Onsen Station on the Norokko and local trains!

Full of nature! The charm of the Kushiro area

To get to Kushiro, you can of course use Tancho Kushiro Airport. It is easily accessible, with a shuttle bus to the city center in about 50 minutes. The appeal of the Kushiro area, located in the center of Eastern Hokkaido, is its untouched natural beauty. The Kushiro area, which includes Kushiro Marsh National Park and Akan Mashu National Park, is full of natural spots such as volcanoes, lakes, forests, and Japan's largest marshland.

Of course, you can get around these places by car, but the great thing about this area is that you can also enjoy sightseeing by using public transportation. So, we'll introduce you to a train trip on the "Kushiro-Nemuro Main Line" that runs from Kushiro Station to Kawayu Onsen Station. Whether you're traveling alone or with friends, this plan will have you enjoying the great outdoors of the Kushiro area!

<First day>

From Kushiro Airport to Kushiro Station. To Kushiro, a city that coexists with nature!

We arrived at Tancho Kushiro Airport at around 9:30. As you can see from the sky above Kushiro city, the Kushiro area is a place where nature and urban life coexist. When you land at the airport, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath. You can enjoy the scent of trees and greenery as you ride the marsh breeze flowing from the sea. The air is clear and refreshing.

From the airport, take the shuttle bus to Kushiro Station. Along the way, you'll be treated to sweeping views of the marshlands, and you might even spot Ezo deer or Ezo red foxes!

Approximately 50 minutes to Kushiro Station by shuttle bus

We arrived at Kushiro Station around 10:30. Before boarding the Norokko, why not pick up a local ekiben? The photo shows the "Mackerel and Sardine Hokkaburi Bento" (1,350 yen). This is sushi made with fresh mackerel and sardines caught off the coast of Kushiro, marinated in vinegar. This local ekiben got its name from the thin layer of daikon radish on top, which looks like a hokkaburi (a type of sushi topped with a sushi rice cake).

There are also bento boxes using crab, oysters, and scallops, a lineup that can only be found in a port town! Purchase your lunch at Kushiro Station and enjoy local cuisine on the way.

Seafood Shop Skip (Kushiro City Fisheries Processing Industry Cooperative Association, Association Direct Sales Store)

Let's get on board! A trip on the "Kushiro Marsh Norokko Train"

At around 11:00, we boarded the "Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko" tourist train that runs through the Kushiro Wetlands and departed from Kushiro Station. We headed for Touro Station in Shibecha Town, where we got off along the way.

The Norokko train was named after the way it moves slowly. The biggest attraction of this retro trolley train is that you can enjoy nature up close. Aim for a seat on the left side of the train! You can enjoy Kushiro-shitsugen National Park as it runs along the Kushiro River.

As it is a tourist train, it gets very crowded during the summer season, so make sure to make your reservation early! We recommend a reserved seat on the Norokko train, where you can feel the breeze of the marshland.

Kushiro Marsh Norokko Train

Approximately 60 minutes by Norokko to Toro Station

Get off at Shibecha Town along the way. A popular spot where you can enjoy the lake and sauna.

We arrived at Toro Station around 12:00. Just a minute's walk from the station, we found Craft Hostel THE GEEK, where you can enjoy an authentic Finnish-style sauna while looking out over the Kushiro Marshlands.

Before your next transfer train arrives, be sure to enjoy a relaxing time in this wonderful location! We also recommend taking a walk around Lake Toro, where you can experience the grandeur of the lake and marshland.

Craft Hostel THE GEEK

Heading for Kawayu Onsen Station. A trip on the local train on the Senmo Main Line

We depart from Toro Station at around 14:45. From here, we board the Senmo Line Local Train instead of the Norokko. The retro look of this local one-car train and the view of wilderness from the train window are a sight to behold. On the way, you might even be able to see the red-crowned cranes, a special natural monument, around Kayanuma Station!

Approximately 60 minutes to Kawayu Onsen Station on the Senmo Line local train

We arrived at Kawayu Onsen Station around 15:45. The station building has a nostalgic feel to it. There is a free foot bath that is unique to hot spring towns, so why not stretch your legs here?

A retro shop in the forest on the edge of a volcano

In front of Kawayu Onsen Station, you can enjoy a cafe and a meal at Mori no Hall. For a snack, be sure to try their homemade cakes. Their roll cakes and tarts, made with fresh seasonal fruits and fresh cream, are a destination you'll want to make the effort to visit.

The interior of the store has an atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in a warm old house, and you'll find yourself staying for a while.

Forest Hall

About 10 minutes by bus to Kawayu Onsen town

A trip to soak in the bliss of a hot spring inn. If you want to relax, this is the place to stay.

Kawayu Onsen town is surrounded by nature, with volcanoes, forests, and lakes. Kawayu Onsen is famous for its alum and green springs that contain highly acidic hydrogen sulfide and have their source underground in Mt. Io. Many people are fans of the highly acidic spring quality that is unique to volcanic sources, and you can soothe your travel fatigue in 100% natural spring water.

"Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura" features a stylish cafe lounge and modern Japanese-Western style guest rooms, making it the perfect place to spend a luxurious time with your loved ones.

The buffet at "Haspo Restaurant" uses plenty of local ingredients. In the "Iwoyama Steamed" dish, inspired by Mt. Iwo, you can enjoy seasonal ingredients such as snow crab and locally grown vegetables.

Kinkiyu Annex, Suikazura

If you want to know more about this town, visit a local guesthouse

If you want to dig deeper into the local charm, why not try "NOMY", run by a female owner who moved to the area as a local revitalization volunteer and set up a guesthouse after her term ended. She'll tell you about the charms of Kawayu Onsen and recommended spots, and you'll be able to get information that only a local can provide! This is also a recommended inn for those who want to interact with local people.

Another great thing about this place is that you can also purchase tickets for the hot spring inn "Kinkiyu" at a reasonable price. Please enjoy the free-flowing hot springs of Kawayu to your heart's content.

Kawayu Onsen Guesthouse NOMY

Eat local ingredients in the local area. Cheers at a traditional Japanese bar in a hot spring town!

Take a stroll around the hot spring town in the evening. We recommend Suzume Shokudo & Bar, which is popular for its meals that use fresh vegetables from the area, grown in Teshikaga. The white cucumbers and coriander used in the Khao Man Gai are from Teshikaga. They also have custom-made craft beer, so beer lovers should check it out! Immerse yourself in the afterglow of delicious food and alcohol in this cozy restaurant, renovated from an old house.

On the second day, you will be participating in activities starting early in the morning, so make sure to return to your accommodation early to prepare for the next day.

Suzume Restaurant & Bar

Domestic Discount Fares Skymate

Limited to ages 12 and over and under 25!
Extremely affordable discount fares available for booking from the day of departure (4 hours before departure)

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