Kushiro is renowned as a "fishing port town," home to Kushiro Port, which boasts the largest fish catch in Japan. In recent years, the city has seen a growing number of tourists drawn by the sunset from Nusamai Bridge, one of the world's top three sunsets, and the refreshingly cool summers. This time, we'll introduce two accommodations in the heart of Kushiro: "Cise.Kawakami" and "Kiri no Oto."

Today, we're introducing "Cise.Kawakami" and the private rental villa "Kiri no Oto," both located in Kushiro. These two properties are operated by Gomei Co., Ltd. (hereafter Gomei), a well-established company that has been in business in Kushiro for over 100 years, primarily in wholesale liquor, retail fresh fish, and real estate leasing.

You might wonder why a company specializing in liquor and fresh fish decided to open accommodations. A major reason was their desire for large groups of tourists to be able to relax together in the same room. Business hotel rooms typically accommodate only one or two people, often forcing larger groups to split up. To address this, they decided to create lodging options that were scarce in the city center.

Another reason was their belief in Kushiro's potential as a tourist destination, beyond its reputation as a port town. With this in mind, both facilities are packed with names and concepts connected to their local Kushiro roots. Now, let's take a closer look at these two properties!

The living room of "Cise.Kawakami 1"

First up is "Cise.Kawakami," located in Kawakami-cho, close to the entertainment district of Suehiro. This location reflects Gomei's hope that guests will use Cise.Kawakami as a base to explore the town and enjoy its restaurants. The name "Cise" means "house" in the Ainu language, and the facility was created with the aim of being "not just a travel inn or a tourist spot, but another home where you can relax with friends and connect with the city."

"Cise.Kawakami" occupies the 3rd and 4th floors of a building, with "Cise.Kawakami 1" on the 3rd floor and "Cise.Kawakami 2" on the 4th. Each is a full-floor rental that can accommodate up to five guests. Both units feature a sunny living room with large south-facing windows, a Japanese-style room, and a Western-style room with two beds, creating a spacious and open atmosphere.

The living room of "Cise.Kawakami 1"

While the room layouts are basically the same, the Japanese-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 1" is connected to the living room, creating a more open space. In contrast, the Japanese-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 2" is separate from the living room, allowing for more privacy between rooms. You can choose based on the members of your group.

The Japanese-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 1" is connected to the living room, creating an open feel.

The Japanese-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 2" is separate from the living room, offering a chic atmosphere.

The Western-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 1"

There are also slight differences in the Western-style rooms. "Cise.Kawakami 1" has two semi-double beds, while "Cise.Kawakami 2" features two double beds from the Simmons company. If you have a preference for bed size or brand, "Cise.Kawakami 2" might be the better choice.

The Western-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 1"

The Western-style room in "Cise.Kawakami 2"

Of course, all the necessary amenities for daily life are provided, including a washstand, bathroom, and toilet. Amenities are also available at the washstand, so you can travel with minimal luggage, just like at a regular hotel.

The washstand in "Cise.Kawakami 1"

The bathroom in "Cise.Kawakami 1"

Next is the private rental villa "Kiri no Oto." It's located about a 5-minute drive from Kushiro Station and a 15-minute walk from the Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO, a commercial facility overlooking Nusamai Bridge. The most striking feature of "Kiri no Oto" is its unique building. It was designed by the world-renowned architect Kiko Mozuna, a Kushiro native, and is said to be his final work in the city.

Artworks with a Kushiro theme displayed in the guest rooms.

Originally built as a hospital, it was a familiar place even to those who didn't use it as a clinic, as it was opened to the public as a cultural facility for music and theater on closing days. Tatsuya Gomei, the CEO of Gomei, also felt a close connection to Kiko Mozuna's architecture and decided to transform it into an accommodation with the desire to "make good use of the town's culture."

An artwork made from the soil of the Kushiro Wetlands, displayed in a guest room.

The most impressive part of this building is the hall right inside the entrance. With its 9-meter-high atrium ceiling and two staircases, it showcases a strong design commitment. During the renovation, they made a conscious effort to preserve the original design of this space as much as possible. This 87-square-meter open area can be used for various purposes, from large-group meals and parties to events, concerts, dance, theater, seminars, and corporate training.

Four giant prints by Kiko Mozuna are displayed in the main hall.

The guest rooms at "Kiri no Oto," a former internal medicine clinic, were renovated from what used to be examination rooms, treatment rooms, and the director's office. Each room is named in the Ainu language, expressing a theme related to Kushiro.

For example, one of them is "URARA" on the first floor, themed on a foggy forest. They have paid great attention to the spatial design, such as using original lighting fixtures made with a 3D printer to represent fog.

"URARA," with its foggy forest concept.

"URARA" features two semi-double beds from Simmons. Using the storage bed inside, it can accommodate up to four people.

In addition, there are a total of four distinctive rooms: "CUH" on the first floor, themed "a town illuminated by the setting sun"; "UPAS" on the second floor, themed on a snow-covered wetland; and "ATUY," themed on a morning voyage. They are all so appealing that you might have a hard time deciding where to sleep.

"CUH," based on orange tones, inspired by Kushiro's world-famous sunset.

"UPAS," based on white tones, inspired by the snowy landscape of the Kushiro Wetlands.

Recommended as a relaxation space for smaller groups.

"ATUY," themed on a morning voyage.

The bathroom is also a specially designed space, with the floor, walls, and ceiling all finished with Mortex, a waterproof plaster material, creating a cave-like atmosphere. There is also a separate shower room, which can be used concurrently by large groups.

A unique bathroom with a cave-like ambiance.

Other facilities include a gallery with an 80-inch large-screen monitor for watching YouTube and other video sites, and a terrace where you can enjoy the Kushiro breeze with a drink in hand. It seems suitable for a wide range of uses, from tourism and employee training to art events.

The large-screen monitor with casters in the gallery can be moved to the hall for presentations.

A washer-dryer is also installed.

One thing not to be forgotten when introducing "Kiri no Oto" is the kitchen with all-you-can-drink alcohol and beverages. Leveraging Gomei's strength as a liquor store operator in Kushiro's largest entertainment district, over 60 types of drinks are available for free.

In addition to bottled beers like Sapporo Classic, Asahi Beer, Corona, and Heartland, as well as carbonated drinks, juices, and teas in the refrigerator, there is also a server offering four types of Japanese sake, including Kushiro's Fukutsukasa and Nemuro's Kita no Kachi. Furthermore, a dedicated shelf is lined with 36 types of spirits, including Hokkaido-produced whiskey, shochu, liqueurs, gin, vodka, tequila, and rum.

The kitchen also features plaster walls made from the soil of the Kushiro Wetlands and a counter made from a single slab of natural Hokkaido wood. It promises a special experience you can't find elsewhere.

"Cise.Kawakami" and "Kiri no Oto" are located in the center of Kushiro. When we asked Mr. Gomei for his recommended way to spend time, he said that he hopes guests will take advantage of the excellent access to "go out into the town and enjoy the restaurants."

Kazuma Saki, who is in charge of facility management, is currently planning a guided tour to introduce the charms of Kushiro's city center to guests. It's still in the preparation stage, but by the time you seriously start planning your trip to Kushiro, a new service might be available.

Of course, you can also buy fresh ingredients at the market and cook in the kitchen of each facility. Both properties are equipped with basic kitchen utensils such as rice cookers and kettles.

The kitchen at "Cise.Kawakami 1"

The kitchen at "Kiri no Oto"

At "Kiri no Oto," you can also order a special course (for an additional fee) from a partner izakaya. This is a great service for those who want to both relax at their accommodation and enjoy delicious food prepared by a professional.

A special course meal created for "Kiri no Oto" by the partner restaurant "Robata Izakaya Hatagoya."

Whether you want to go out and enjoy the town or stay in and live like a local, why not consider staying at "Cise.Kawakami" or "Kiri no Oto" on your trip to Kushiro? They cater to the desires and purposes of various travelers.