Experience the Great Outdoors in Kushiro Shitsugen!
Discover How to Enjoy Canoeing, Viewing Platforms, and More!
Discover How to Enjoy Canoeing, Viewing Platforms, and More!
Publication Date：2024.09.01
Contents
01
Basic Information about Kushiro Shitsugen
Located about 40 minutes by car from the city center of Kushiro, a
prominent port town in eastern Hokkaido, Kushiro Wetland is known
for its abundant nature. Covering a total area of 28,788 hectares,
it is renowned as Japan’s largest wetland. Formed around 3,000
years ago, this wetland has been preserved as a natural
conservation area since before WWII, retaining untouched nature.
Due to the presence of numerous endangered species of flora and
fauna, including the nationally-designated special natural
monument, the Japanese crane, parts of the wetland are registered
under the Ramsar Convention, marking it as a precious site in
Japan.
02
Discover Seasonal Highlights
Rich in nature, Kushiro Wetland offers diverse attractions across
the seasons. In spring, increased water levels from melting snow
make it perfect for canoeing on the Kushiro River, bird watching,
and wildlife observation. With summer having an average
temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius, it’s pleasantly cool,
making activities like E-biking and enjoying the greenery along
promenades ideal. In autumn, you can enjoy the vibrant fall colors
from the window of the leisurely "Kushiro Wetland Norokko-go"
train. In winter, you can board the "SL Fuyu no Wetland-go" to
observe Japanese cranes, visible only during this season.
03
Ways to Enjoy Kushiro Wetland
1.Enjoy the Scenery from Observation Platforms
There are multiple observation platforms within the wetland
where you can fully enjoy the magnificent nature.
Kushiro City Wetland Observatory
Located on a hill overseeing Kushiro Wetland, it is the
closest observation deck to the Kushiro city area, allowing
you to take in the vast panorama. The observation deck,
available for 480 yen, is also a great photo spot.
Barrier-free boardwalks are also available.
Kushiro City Wetland Observatory is accessible by public transportation. There are also convenient combo tickets that include bus fare and observatory entrance.
Kushiro City Wetland Observatory is accessible by public transportation. There are also convenient combo tickets that include bus fare and observatory entrance.
Hosooka Observatory
Popular for its views of Kushiro Wetland with Mt. Meakan and
Mt. Akan in the backdrop. The sunset over the vast nature is
breathtaking. You can also enjoy the view of the meandering
Kushiro River.
Sarubo Observatory
This lookout provides sweeping views of Kushiro Wetland's
largest lake, Lake Touro, and smaller marsh areas. It's also a
popular spot for photographing the "Kushiro Wetland
Norokko-go" trolley train on the Senmo Main Line.
2.Walk the Promenades
Promenades allow you to feel closer to Kushiro Wetland. Be sure
to prepare comfortable shoes and clothing. In some areas, bear
bells can be borrowed.
Promenade from the Wetland Observatory Trail
This walkway, featuring several rest spots, lets visitors
closely observe the nature of Kushiro Wetland while walking. A
full loop is about 2.5 km and takes roughly an hour, making it
suitable for families.
Onnenai Boardwalk
Starting from the Onnenai Visitor Center, it's a gentle
promenade where you can feel the flowers and wildlife of each
season up close. The full loop is about 2 km, and it takes
about an hour to walk at a leisurely pace.
3.Go Canoeing
In fact, there are only a few places in Japan where you can
canoe in a national park, and one of them is Kushiro Shitsugen.
Here, you can observe wildlife such as Japanese cranes,
white-tailed eagles, and Ezo deer up close. Given the nature of
the wetland, early morning visits may offer the chance to
encounter "morning mist." Kushiro Shitsugen hosts year-round
canoe tours, allowing you to safely enjoy the great outdoors
with guided commentary.
1.Kushiro Marsh & River (Early Spring Kushiro Shitsugen
Nature Canoeing 2025)
Reservation Operating Period: April to May This is a
limited-time plan from April 1 to May 6.
Experience canoeing for about 60 minutes on the Alekinai River, a tributary of Kushiro Shitsugen. Feel the early spring of Kushiro Shitsugen and turn back at the confluence with the Ashirabetsu River (old river). Although the tour does not reach the mainstem of the Kushiro River, you can still experience the essence of Kushiro Shitsugen in a short time.
Experience canoeing for about 60 minutes on the Alekinai River, a tributary of Kushiro Shitsugen. Feel the early spring of Kushiro Shitsugen and turn back at the confluence with the Ashirabetsu River (old river). Although the tour does not reach the mainstem of the Kushiro River, you can still experience the essence of Kushiro Shitsugen in a short time.
2.Grace Field (Canoe Touring + Game Meat Barbecue Plan)
After the canoe tour, you can enjoy a barbecue of game meats
like Ezo deer and lamb jingisukan at Takkobu Auto Campground,
offering a panoramic view of the beautiful Lake Takkobu within
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. You get to experience a
guided canoe tour in Kushiro Shitsugen and a barbecue prepared
with ingredients by a local chef who loves game meats, all in
one. Reservations are possible for groups of 4 or more.
3.Eastpower（Kushiro marsh course）
This tour allows one or two guests to book a private canoe,
covering approximately 17 km down the Kushiro River in an
authentic Canadian canoe. Even beginners can feel at ease as a
guide accompanies them. The guide is certified with the
Hokkaido Outdoor Guide qualification and provides insightful
explanations of the natural environment in Kushiro Shitsugen.
4.Canoe Pro (Kushiro River Round Trip Short Tour)
This company is known as the "original" for Kushiro River
descent tours, offering a popular short tour that can be
enjoyed casually in about an hour. The unique tour includes a
thrilling course passing through the "tunnel of jungle."
Medium-sized boats can accommodate up to six people, making it
an excellent option for families.
Reservations for all tours can be made online. Please follow the
guide's instructions, as tours may be canceled suddenly in case
of bad weather.
4.Ride an E-bike
With an E-bike, you can cycle from the city center to Kushiro
Shitsugen. The cycling road known as "Kushiro Akan Bicycle Path"
(commonly referred to as the Dream Road of the Wetlands) spans
25.5 km, connecting Kushiro City Showa to Kushiro City Akan
Town.
This path attracts cycling enthusiasts nationwide. Riding along this straight path while feeling close to nature offers an unparalleled sense of exhilaration. Surrounding the cycling road, there are numerous attractions including Kushiro City Shitsugen Observatory, Hokuto Ruins, Kushiro Zoo, and the roadside station Akan Tancho no Sato. Due to the relatively long length of the cycling road, it’s recommended for those with good fitness. In Kushiro, there are rental cycle spots where renting and dropping off bicycles is possible.
This path attracts cycling enthusiasts nationwide. Riding along this straight path while feeling close to nature offers an unparalleled sense of exhilaration. Surrounding the cycling road, there are numerous attractions including Kushiro City Shitsugen Observatory, Hokuto Ruins, Kushiro Zoo, and the roadside station Akan Tancho no Sato. Due to the relatively long length of the cycling road, it’s recommended for those with good fitness. In Kushiro, there are rental cycle spots where renting and dropping off bicycles is possible.
1.Cycle Garage Paz (Rental Cycle: E-Bike [Mini Velo Type])
Bicycles can be rented in the city center, a 10-minute walk
from Kushiro Station. There is also a drop-off plan available,
so you can cycle from the city center and return leisurely by
bus. If you're concerned about the long course to Kushiro
Shitsugen, renting for just half a day and cycling leisurely
around the city center is also recommended.
2.Muradzukuri Tsurui (Easy E-bike Travel in the Great Nature
of Tsurui Village, Hokkaido)
How about extending your cycling journey to Tsurui Village, a
town adjacent to Kushiro Shitsugen? Muradzukuri Tsurui's
rental cycle facilities are equipped with dressing rooms, coin
lockers, and shower rooms, ensuring peace of mind. Tsurui
Village boasts three hot spring facilities (Tsurui Northern
Village Hotel TAITO, Tsurui Murashitsugen Onsen Hotel, Green
Park Tsurui), where you can relax at a hot spring or enjoy a
café tour.
3.Kushiro Lococycle (Mountain Bike [E-bike])
You can choose from five rental locations and six return
locations, with the option to drop off the bike. All locations
are along the popular cycling road “Kushiro Akan Bicycle Path”
(commonly known as the Dream Road of the Wetlands), allowing
public transport options like buses for both the start and end
of your ride. You can enjoy your favorite segment of the Dream
Road of the Wetlands. Recommended model courses are introduced
on the Kushiro Local Rental Cycle website.
5.Horse Trekking
At “Tsurui Dosanko Ranch” in Tsurui Village, adjacent to Kushiro
Wetland, you can ride native Hokkaido horses known as “Dosanko”
to explore Kushiro Wetland. There are various courses, including
ones that take a day to reach breathtaking viewpoints and
lighter courses for enjoying the natural grassland scenes. This
activity can be enjoyed with friends or family. You can also
rest at the snack café corner in the central house or stay
overnight in reserved rooms if arranged in advance.
Pre-reservations can be made online, but note that trekking
reservations are made by phone.
6.Ride Trains
The leisurely “Kushiro Wetland Norokko-go” train, which operates
from late April to early October, is very popular for offering
views of the majestic Kushiro Wetland from its windows.
Departing from Kushiro Station, it crosses Kushiro River, stops
at Kushiro Wetland Station, and continues slowly along the
meandering river to Hosooka Station and ends at Touro Station.
The train slows down at scenic spots and provides onboard
announcements with guides, allowing you to enjoy Kushiro Wetland
up close at a relaxed pace. From January to March, the “SL Fuyu
no Wetland-go” runs on a limited basis, offering a nostalgic
train ride with white smoke billowing as you enjoy the winter
views of Kushiro Wetland from the windows and spot Japanese
cranes and Ezo deer in the snowy fields.
7.Enter a Sauna
Experience unique sauna facilities in the area surrounding
Kushiro Wetland, where you can enjoy the scenery and "refresh."
1.THE GEEK (THE GEEK SAUNA 【Sauna Experience with a View of
the Wetlands】)
Reservation Opened in 2020, the craft hostel "THE GEEK" allows
you to enjoy a sauna with a panoramic view of Kushiro Wetland,
while witnessing the special scenery of trains like Kushiro
Wetland Norokko-go and SL Fuyu no Wetland-go passing by. The
Kushiro Wetland area experiences a climate similar to Finland,
the mecca for saunas, with a few days exceeding 30 degrees
Celsius in summer and dipping below minus 20 in winter,
attracting sauna enthusiasts from across the country. Unique
features include a cold water bath using the spring water of
Lake Mashu and a stove modeled after a locomotive, offering a
one-of-a-kind "refresh" experience. It’s also conveniently
located only a minute's walk from Touro Station.
2.Manami Cabin (Manami Cabin + Private Barrel Sauna Use)
Reservation Manami Cabin is an accommodation facility located
in Tsurui Village, Hokkaido. It can be rented for a day-use
northern European-style cabin and barrel sauna for private
use. Why not experience special moments in a completely
private space surrounded by trees? The cabin can accommodate
up to 8 people and the sauna up to 6. The cabin includes a
kitchen, allowing you and your group to enjoy cooking with
brought ingredients. It’s fully equipped with showers,
bathrooms, towels, shampoo, and soap.
04
Access
Here are some example ways to access Kushiro Wetland.
*Please note that these are just examples.
*Please note that these are just examples.
From Kushiro City:
1.Bus
Take the Akan Bus "Tsurui Line" from Kushiro Station and
disembark at the Wetland Observatory.
(Approximately 40 minutes / 690 yen one-way)
(Approximately 40 minutes / 690 yen one-way)
2.JR Train
Take the Senmo Main Line from Kushiro Station and get off at
Kushiro Wetland Station.
(Approximately 20 minutes / 440 yen one-way)
(Approximately 20 minutes / 440 yen one-way)
3.Rental Car
Depart from Kushiro city center and stop at the Kushiro
Wetland Observatory.
(Approximately 20 minutes / depending on the car rental company)
(Approximately 20 minutes / depending on the car rental company)
From Tancho Kushiro Airport:
1.Bus
Take the Akan Bus "Akan Line" or the Kushiro Station Airport
Shuttle Bus.
Get off at "Tottori Bunkyo," cross the road to the opposite sidewalk, and transfer to the Akan Bus "Tsurui Line."
(Approximately 1 hour / 1,070 yen one-way)
Get off at "Tottori Bunkyo," cross the road to the opposite sidewalk, and transfer to the Akan Bus "Tsurui Line."
(Approximately 1 hour / 1,070 yen one-way)
2.JR Train
Since there is no direct JR access, buses are recommended.
If taking a taxi, travel to the Kushiro City Wetland Observatory.
(Approximately 20 minutes / About 6,000 yen one-way)
*Please note that fares may vary, so it is advisable to check in advance.
If taking a taxi, travel to the Kushiro City Wetland Observatory.
(Approximately 20 minutes / About 6,000 yen one-way)
*Please note that fares may vary, so it is advisable to check in advance.
05
Summary
In the vast expanse of nature that is Kushiro Wetland, you can
enjoy landscapes found nowhere else. The scenery and wildlife you
encounter change with each season, ensuring that every visit
leaves you awestruck. It's recommended to try different activities
with family or friends to experience all that the wetland offers.
Kushiro Wetland, showing different facets every season, is the
kind of place you'll want to visit again after your first trip.
Why not experience this unique natural environment yourself?
Why not experience this unique natural environment yourself?
Writer Information
Naeka Okumura
Naeka Okumura, born in 1994, hails from Kitami City, Hokkaido. Worked for six years at a financial institution within Hokkaido. Later joined a video production company, Hokuei Northern Films, in Kitami City as a chief manager and writer. Resigned in 2023 and became independent as a copywriter and journalist writer under the name Produce One.
Naeka Okumura, born in 1994, hails from Kitami City, Hokkaido. Worked for six years at a financial institution within Hokkaido. Later joined a video production company, Hokuei Northern Films, in Kitami City as a chief manager and writer. Resigned in 2023 and became independent as a copywriter and journalist writer under the name Produce One.