Explore the vast, untouched nature of the Doto (Eastern Hokkaido) region on our "Eastern Hokkaido: Kushiro & Nemuro Grand Tour"! This article introduces a 3-day, 2-night itinerary from Sapporo, using public transportation like buses and trains to enjoy stunning scenery and exquisite local cuisine. It's a perfect route for friends, couples, or families, so be sure to use it as a reference for your trip!

This journey starts at the Sapporo Ekimae Terminal, heading to Kushiro by bus. A great deal for bus travel is the "Rakutoku Smartphone Ticket," which offers a 30% discount on two intercity express bus tickets! You can purchase it online or at the terminal counter, so be sure to get it a few days before your trip.

The distance from Sapporo to Kushiro is about 300 km. Enjoy the bus ride, filled with excitement for the grand adventure ahead.

【Take the Starlight Kushiro bus from Chuo Bus "Sapporo Bus Terminal Platform ⑮" for about 5 hours and 30 minutes, and arrive at "Kushiro Ekimae Terminal."】

First things first after arriving in Kushiro: lunch! Head to Kushiro Washo Market, just a 4-minute walk from the Kushiro Ekimae Terminal.

The market is lined with 50 shops selling not only fresh fish but also meat and vegetables. The specialty here is the *Katte-don*, a build-your-own seafood bowl where you can top your rice with as much of your favorite fresh seafood as you like!

First, buy a bowl of rice, then head to the stalls with fresh toppings! You can add a generous amount of salmon roe or pile on so many toppings that they overflow from the bowl, creating your very own one-of-a-kind seafood masterpiece.

Kushiro Washo Market

■Address: 13-25 Kurogane-cho, Kushiro City
■Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday - Saturday)
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After savoring a fresh seafood bowl at Washo Market, take a walk to the hotel while enjoying the Kushiro cityscape.

Soak in the Kushiro atmosphere as you check into today's accommodation, the Kushiro Prince Hotel. This hotel boasts excellent views, with the ocean visible even from the guest rooms. It's time to give your body a rest after the long journey.

【10-minute walk from Kushiro Prince Hotel】

As dusk begins to settle, a 10-minute walk from the hotel brings you to Nusamai Bridge to watch Kushiro's famous sunset! The sunset in Kushiro is counted as one of the world's top three, and the view from and around Nusamai Bridge, a city landmark, is particularly breathtaking.

The time of sunset varies by season, but if you have some time before it gets dark, it's a good idea to look for photo spots in the area. As the sun dips lower, you can capture the picturesque scenery as the sky, the sunset, and Nusamai Bridge change beautifully, or simply enjoy the collaboration of the bridge and the setting sun.

Nusamai Bridge

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After watching the sunset at Nusamai Bridge, it's time for the much-awaited dinner. As the sun sets and darkness falls, Nusamai Bridge and its surroundings are beautifully illuminated. Amidst this scene, head to the "Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO" located right next to the bridge.

【4-minute walk from Nusamai Bridge】

Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO is a commercial complex that brings together the culinary charms of Kushiro, with souvenir shops and restaurants. Let's start by exploring!

Live crabs are moving energetically in the tank... The famous "Hairy Crab UFO Catcher" is also located in this facility.

Insert money, move the crane, catch a hairy crab, and drop it. It's quite difficult. Of course, if you successfully catch one, you can take it home. Why not give it a try as a memory of your trip?

After having some fun, head up to the "Kushiro Minato no Yatai" (Port Food Stalls) on the second floor. It's finally time for tonight's main course.

The "Kushiro Minato no Yatai" on the second floor has many stalls, but no matter where you sit, you can order from the menus of all the shops. You can fully enjoy the taste of Kushiro, crossing the boundaries of the stalls, with fresh seafood unique to the port town of Kushiro, Kushiro's specialty *zangi* (fried chicken), yakitori, Chinese food, set meals, and more.

Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO

■Address: 2-425 Nishiki-cho, Kushiro City
■Hours:
<1F Shopping Zone> Regular: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM / July & August: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM / Dec 31, Jan 2, 3: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
<2F Kushiro Port Food Stalls> Lunch Time: (Some stores) 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM / Dinner Time: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
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After indulging in the flavors of Kushiro, return to the Kushiro Prince Hotel. All twin rooms in the hotel are ocean view. Enjoy the night view of Kushiro from your room and rest up for tomorrow.

Enjoy breakfast at Top of Kushiro, on the top floor of the Kushiro Prince Hotel. The bright, glass-walled restaurant offers a panoramic view of the city of Kushiro.

On the second day, you'll head to Nemuro on the JR Hanasaki Line. The Hanasaki Line is the nickname for the 135.4 km section of railway connecting Kushiro and Nemuro, which is part of Hokkaido's longest railway line, the JR Nemuro Main Line (Takikawa - Nemuro).

From the windows of the Hanasaki Line train, you can see dynamic natural scenery unique to Eastern Hokkaido, such as pastures and wetlands. Captivated by the ever-changing magnificent views, you'll arrive at JR Nemuro Station before you know it.

【Take the Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line) bound for Nemuro from JR Kushiro Station for 2 hours and 31 minutes, and arrive at JR Nemuro Station.】

10:55 AM JR Nemuro Station

At Nemuro Station, transfer to a bus and head for Cape Nosappu.

【Take the Nosappu Line bus bound for Cape Nosappu from Nemuro Ekimae Terminal for 44 minutes and get off at the Cape Nosappu bus stop.】

Cape Nosappu is famous for being the place where the sun rises earliest in Japan, and many people visit at the beginning of the year to see the first sunrise. Japan's oldest lighthouse stands on the cape, and across the sea, you can see the Habomai Islands' Suisho Island and Kunashiri Island with the naked eye.

Cape Nosappu

■Address: Nosappu, Nemuro, Hokkaido
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Since it's just about lunchtime, let's eat here. There are several restaurants nearby, but this time we'll try the "Kani Fubuki Don" (Crab Blizzard Bowl) at "Kaisen Ryori Toko."

Open the lid, and you'll find a generous amount of white and pink crab meat. It also comes with Hanasaki crab *teppo-jiru* (miso soup), leaving you fully satisfied! After a delicious lunch, we'll explore more of Nemuro's famous spots.

【Take the Nosappu Line bus bound for Nemuro Ekimae Terminal from the Cape Nosappu bus stop for 44 minutes and arrive at Nemuro Ekimae Terminal.】

【Take a taxi from Nemuro Ekimae Terminal for about 11 minutes to Hanasaki Cape / Nemuro Kurumaishi.】

We've arrived at Hanasaki Cape. The name "Kurumaishi," which is also designated as a national natural monument, is a direct translation of "wheel stone," referring to the stones widely scattered here. The Kurumaishi located below the Hanasaki Lighthouse on the cape are rocks that look like wagon wheels, believed to have been formed when magma cooled in the sea long ago. Here you can see various sizes of these wheel stones, including some as large as six meters in diameter.

The area around Hanasaki Cape has well-maintained walking paths, allowing you to experience the dynamic beauty of nature up close.

Hanasaki Lighthouse Kurumaishi

■Address: Hanasako, Nemuro, Hokkaido
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After feeling the romance of the Earth, we head to the "Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature."

【Walk for about 20 minutes from Hanasaki Cape / Nemuro Kurumaishi to the Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature.】

The Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature, characterized by its solid brick construction, is a facility that collects, preserves, and exhibits historical and natural materials from Nemuro City and its surrounding areas.

Inside, you'll find taxidermy of animals that inhabit Nemuro and artifacts excavated from ruins. One item you should see is the "National Border Marker Stone," which can only be seen here. It is a rare and valuable artifact as it is the only such marker found in Japan, a country surrounded by sea.

Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature

■Address: 209 Hanasako, Nemuro, Hokkaido
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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After realizing just how much Nemuro is loved by nature, it's time to head to tonight's accommodation.

【Take a taxi for 8 minutes from the Nemuro City Museum of History and Nature to the East Harbor Hotel.】

The East Harbor Hotel is conveniently located along National Route 44, about a 7-minute walk from Nemuro Station. The space is designed with "comfort" as the top priority, providing a pleasant environment for your stay.

The view from the windows on the upper floors is excellent, offering a panoramic vista that includes not only the town of Nemuro but also the distant Shiretoko mountain range and Kunashiri Island. From the ocean-side rooms, you might even be able to see the sunset. With some time before dinner, let's take a short break.

【5-minute walk from East Harbor Hotel】

For dinner, we're heading to "Conveyor Belt Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru (Nemuro Main Branch)." Don't underestimate it because it's conveyor belt sushi; this place, buzzing with the energy of a fishing town, serves incredibly fresh sushi and toppings unique to Nemuro.

The list of recommendations is endless, including the "Nemuro Hand-Peeled Hanasaki Crab Gunkan," where the meat from the hard-shelled Hanasaki crab is carefully extracted by hand, and the "Two-Story Scallop," featuring two large scallops stacked on top of each other.

This is the "Hanasaki Crab Teppo-jiru" (miso soup). A huge Hanasaki crab sits majestically in the bowl! The rich essence of the crab seeps out from the meat and shell, creating a deeply savory flavor that warms your body. Enjoy the deepening night while savoring delicious sushi.

【5-minute walk from Conveyor Belt Sushi Nemuro Hanamaru to East Harbor Hotel】

It's the final day of our Eastern Hokkaido grand tour. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we'll take the Hanasaki Line from JR Nemuro Station and head to the town of Akkeshi.

【Take the JR Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line) from JR Nemuro Station for 1 hour and 37 minutes, and arrive at JR Akkeshi Station.】

10:00 AM JR Akkeshi Station

After about an hour and a half on the JR Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line), we've arrived in Akkeshi. Exit the station and walk up the stairs to a small hill, where you'll see the "Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conquilier," a place packed with the charms of Akkeshi.

【4-minute walk from JR Akkeshi Station to Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conquilier】

This facility, with its charming oyster-shaped exterior, is home to a wide array of gourmet dishes that can only be savored in Akkeshi, one of Hokkaido's leading oyster producers! You'll find numerous exquisite oyster dishes, such as "steamed oysters" featuring incredibly fresh oysters, and the hearty "Fried Oyster Burger" with plenty of fried oysters.

Furthermore, the facility has an observation room with a panoramic view of Lake Akkeshi and a small aquarium where you can learn about the marine life of Akkeshi, making it a fun place for children and families.

Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conquilier

■Address: 2-2 Suminoe, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun
■Hours: April-Sept 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM / Oct-Dec 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM / Jan-Mar 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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【15-minute walk from JR Akkeshi Station to Akkeshi Fishery Cooperative Direct Sales Shop A-uroko】

After tasting delicious oysters, how about some souvenirs? The "Akkeshi Fishery Cooperative Direct Sales Shop A-uroko," about a 15-minute walk from the station, is a direct sales shop of the Akkeshi Fishery Cooperative where even locals come to shop. Inside, you'll find not only oysters but also a variety of other seafood products for sale. How about sending some delicious seafood to someone special?

For lunch, it's also recommended to go back to Conquilier, buy fresh oysters or saury from the seafood market inside, and grill them yourself! The next train from JR Akkeshi Station departs at 3:04 PM, so feel free to spend your time in Akkeshi as you wish.

【15-minute walk from Akkeshi Fishery Cooperative Direct Sales Shop A-uroko to Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conquilier / JR Akkeshi Station】

3:00 PM JR Akkeshi Station

With a full stomach and plenty of souvenirs from Akkeshi, it's time to head back to Kushiro on the Hanasaki Line!

【Take the JR Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line) from JR Akkeshi Station for 50 minutes and arrive at JR Kushiro Station.】

The bus to Sapporo departs at 6:05 PM, so there's some time to explore places we couldn't on the first day. The area around Hokudai-dori Avenue, which connects JR Kushiro Station to the vicinity of Nusamai Bridge, is dotted with unique coffee shops! A group of local university students called "Kushi-Labo" has created a "Kushiro Hokudai-dori Map" featuring these coffee shops (download it here). Why not use it to find a shop you like?

Before the bus ride, you can lose track of time in a coffee shop, enjoy the local specialty "Supakatsu" (Spaghetti with Pork Cutlet) at a restaurant inside the station, or if you forgot to buy souvenirs, head back to Washo Market from Day 1 to pick some up! Relax your tired body from the long journey and enjoy your remaining time in Kushiro.

【Take the Starlight Kushiro bus from Kushiro Bus "Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal" for 5 hours and 10 minutes, and arrive at Sapporo Ekimae Terminal.】

11:15 PM Sapporo Ekimae Terminal