HOME > Top 10 Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido
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Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's main islands, is blessed with breathtaking natural scenery, from its soaring mountains to its pristine surrounding seas. Among Hokkaido's many areas of natural bounty, the east of Hokkaido is held in great esteem for its beautiful views and famous places, which include: the precious ecosystem of the Shiretoko Peninsula (a World Heritage Site); the three caldera lakes of Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo and their surrounding hot springs; as well as Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetlands. With some of Japan's leading fishing grounds around the coast, and the prosperous agriculture and dairy farming areas inland, a lot of delicious food is produced here, making this one of our highly recommended Japan travel destinations. Summer and winter, great food and the great outdoors: we here at JAPANiCAN.com are happy to bring you the Top 10 Highlights of Eastern Hokkaido! | |||||||||||
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At the Shiretoko Peninsula you can experience the wonders of nature firsthand. Many rare species of wild animals and plants inhabit the area's diverse natural environments, from its mountains to the sea below. The value of the delicately balanced ecosystems on the Shiretoko Peninsula is well recognized; for example, the ice floes from the Sea of Okhotsk that reach the northern shore of the peninsula carry with them plankton that feed the newborn fish, maintaining the food cycle that in turn feeds the salmon, the birds, and the brown bears of the area. In order to protect this natural environment, land routes onto the peninsula are limited, meaning that the best way to enjoy the peninsula is to take a pleasure boat from Utoro port (summer only). You might get lucky and see a brown bear or other wild animals! | ||
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| Here is an Ezo red fox and a Yezo sika deer that we encountered whilst driving. | |||
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As our small boat approached the shore, I spotted a brown bear and her cub! |
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I decided to take the 8:00 a.m. Iouzan course cruise on a small boat run by Gojira Iwa Kanko. Donning my life jacket, I found a place to sit myself down on a bench on the upper deck. I enjoyed the feeling of the sea breeze as the boat began to speed along. I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking views of the Shiretoko mountain range, and the waterfalls that crashed into the sea from the towering cliffs overhead. The gentle hues of the sky over the Sea of Okhotsk offered a calming backdrop. When, along the way, we spotted a brown bear and her cub, the passengers could hardly contain their excitement! The cruise from Utoro port to Kamuiwakka Falls and back takes about an hour and costs JPY 3,000 (Reservation required). Longer cruises on larger ships are available; ask your hotel for details and reservations. (By R.) | |||
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| Suggested Shiretoko/Utoro area hotels | |||
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This Japanese-style resort hotel faces the harbor at Shiretoko Utoro Onsen. Splendid views of the Sea of Okhotsk can be seen from the hotel's rooftop open-air bath. Various outdoor activities, ice floe walks in winter, and Ainu culture tours can all be booked here.
Shiretoko summer activities from Shinra [External link]
If you mention JAPANiCAN in the remarks column of the booking form, on arrival you will get a commemorative Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site Visitor Certificate absolutely free! |
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Lake Kussharo (Kussharoko) is Japan's largest caldera lake. The lake is famous as in winter, the ice on the lake's frozen surface swells up to create a phenomenon known locally as Omiwatari. Also, this area is visited by whooper swans. Along the east bank of Lake Kussharo stands Mt. Iou (Iouzan), which is constantly emitting volcanic gasses. The whole area is a hot spring area, meaning that the lake's shore is dotted with many open-air hot spring baths, which can be used for free. Is there any more liberating feeling than enjoying the view of the lake from a relaxing hot spring bath? Try it yourself! | |||
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| Photos from left to right: (1) The Kotan Onsen open-air baths are made from stone, with a huge rock separating the men's and women's baths. Women can change into bathing suits if they wish while using the baths. (2) Mr. Ogawa has been managing the area as a volunteer for many years. (3) The surrounding greenery lends a fairytale atmosphere to the large Ike no Yu bath, which has striking blue-colored water. (4) Wakoto Onsen's hot spring bath, located on the Wakoto Peninsula jutting out into Lake Kussharo. These open-air baths are located on a campsite, appearing suddenly along one of the paths. (5) Kussharo's sand baths (sunayu). Just dig into the sand on the lake shore, and hot spring waters will gush into the hole. Permanent foot baths are also available. | ||||
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| Digging a sand bath on Lake Kussharo's shores |
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A sign at Lake Kussharo reads: "If you dig into the sand on the banks of the lake, you can make your own hot-spring bath." Given that the whole lake area is one huge caldera, if you touch the sandy ground, you'll find it's hot! In order to try a "do-it-yourself onsen" we'd brought along a huge shovel and, with the eyes of all the other visitors on us, we set about digging a hole in the sand. Immediately, brown-colored water started leaking into the hole. After still more digging, the water in the hole wasn't turning any clearer, so we sat with our feet in one of the pre-made foot baths for a rest. The water temperature was pretty high; around 60 degrees Celcius/140 degrees Fahrenheit. There's a kiosk nearby selling towels for JPY 200 that can make good souvenirs. Oh, and the ice-creams on sale ("Japan's best", according to the sign) were actually really rich and tasty! （By R.） |
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| Suggested hotels in Lake Kussharo's Kawayu Onsen area | ||||
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This hotel features indoor and open-air hot spring baths fed by its very own source from Mt. Iou. The water's strong acidity and high sulfur content mean that guests can not only warm themselves but will also end up with silky smooth skin. The water can even be drunk for beneficial effects on the stomach. With so many beneficial effects, the locals have a saying: "The waters can heal anything apart from a broken heart."
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Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetlands, fills the huge Kushiro River basin and stretches 17 km (10.5 miles) east to west and 36 km (22 miles) north to south. With scenery that has been compared to that of the African savanna, the area is home to some 2,000 varieties of flora and fauna including the protected Japanese crane. The area is specially recognized under the Ramsar Convention, also known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat. | ||
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| Strolling along the Kushiro Shitsugen boardwalk |
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We took a guided walking tour into Kushiro Shitsugen along the Hokuto Mokudo boardwalk, which starts at the Kushiro City Wetlands Viewing Platform. Our guide gave explanations of the various plants we passed along the way, including the sukashiyuri lilies shown. After a relaxing 30-minute walk we arrived at the Satellite Viewing Platform, from which the beautiful wetlands stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction. The day we visited was rainy, and the gentle mist that covered the wetlands gave the area a special beauty.
Riding the Norokko-go tourist train
We also had a ride on the popular Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go tourist train, which runs through the wetlands on the JR Senmo Line. The wooden tables and chairs in the train give it a fun sightseeing atmosphere. The train moves slowly along, giving passengers time to enjoy the wetlands' highlights passing by the window. If leaving from Kushiro Station, I recommend sitting on the left side of the train for the best views.
The Norokko-go trains only run in spring and summer. In winter, the SL Fuyu no Shitsugen-go trains runs instead. （By R.）
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| Stay in Kushiro, a great base for a trip to Eastern Hokkaido | |||
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This hotel is a great base for sightseeing in Eastern Hokkaido, and is located on the waterfront in the city of Kushiro. The hotel boasts spacious rooms and an 18th-floor bar that commands great views of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean.
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