ARTICLES
20 Best Drive Spots Near Kushiro & Nemuro (2025): A Road Trip Through Hokkaido's Grand Nature
The Kushiro and Nemuro area is a place of magnificent nature, typified by the Kushiro Wetlands, where you can witness incredible wildlife. Here are our recommended driving spots near Kushiro and Nemuro to help you fully enjoy these spectacular landscapes!
- Lake Akan (Kushiro City): Hokkaido's Iconic Lake, Famous for Marimo
- Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro City): A Globally Rare Sanctuary
- Lake Akan Ainu Kotan (Kushiro City): Experience the Daily Life and Rich Culture of the Ainu People
- Cape Kiritappu (Hamanaka Town): With Observation Decks and Campgrounds Nearby
- Cape Nosappu (Nemuro City): The First Place in Japan to Greet the Sunrise
- Kushiro City Children's Museum of Science and Art (Kushiro City): Fun for Both Adults and Children
- Biwase Boardwalk (Hamanaka Town): Where Various Flowers Bloom Through the Seasons
- Ayamegahara Primeval Flower Garden (Akkeshi Town): Admire Over 100 Species of Plants
- Michi-no-Eki Mashu Onsen (Teshikaga Town): Purchase Locally Harvested Vegetables
- Hokuto Historical Site (Kushiro City): The Largest Archaeological Site on the Western Edge of the Kushiro Wetlands
- Cape Shirepa (Kushiro Town): Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Akkeshi Bay
- Michi-no-Eki Akan Tancho no Sato (Crane's Terrace) (Kushiro City): A Perfect Rest Stop During Your Drive
- The Original Hand Bath of Lake Akan (Kushiro City): Enjoy a Casual Onsen Experience
- Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center (Kushiro City): Observe Lake Akan's Marimo
- Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conchiglie (Akkeshi Town): The Place for Akkeshi's Food, Fun, and Shopping
- Kushiro City Museum (Kushiro City): Immerse Yourself in Kushiro's History and Culture in a Fantastical Space
- Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Site Group (Nemuro City): One of Japan's Top 100 Castles
- Yonemachi Furusato-kan (Kushiro City): The Oldest Surviving Wooden Private House in Kushiro
- Narawara (Betsukai Town): A Landscape of Fantastical Scenery
- Matsuura Takeshiro Poem Monument (Kushiro City): Honoring the Man Who Named "Hokkaido"
1. Lake Akan (Kushiro City): Hokkaido's Iconic Lake, Famous for Marimo
Lake Akan, one of Hokkaido's premier tourist destinations, is a caldera lake located within Akan-Mashu National Park. It displays beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons. The lake is home to four islands and is famous as the habitat of the spherical "Lake Akan Marimo," a globally rare species designated as a Special Natural Monument. The southern shore features a hot spring town bustling with tourists and anglers.
■Location: Akankoonsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
Click here for details and map information for "Lake Akan"
2. Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro City): A Globally Rare Sanctuary
This globally unique natural park for red-crowned cranes succeeded in the world's first artificial incubation of a tancho crane in 1970. Its main attraction is the opportunity to observe these Special Natural Monuments, raised in a near-natural environment, at any time of the year. From April to June, you might even get a rare glimpse of the cranes raising their young.
■Hours: April 10 - October 14 (approx.): 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / October 15 - April 9 (approx.): 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
■Closed: December 31 - January 3
■Location: 112 Tsuruoka, Kushiro-shi
Click here for details and map information for "Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park"
3. Lake Akan Ainu Kotan (Kushiro City): Experience the Daily Life and Rich Culture of the Ainu People
Located in the Akankoonsen area, this is the largest Ainu kotan (settlement) in Hokkaido. It features a dedicated theater for watching the traditional ancient dances of the indigenous Ainu people, souvenir shops selling wood-carved crafts, and restaurants where you can taste Ainu cuisine. Here, you can experience the lifestyle and precious culture of the Ainu people.
■Hours: Varies by facility and store
■Closed: Varies by facility and store
■Admission: Free (Some facilities may charge a fee)
■Location: 4-7-19 Akankoonsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
Click here for details and map information for "Lake Akan Ainu Kotan"
4. Cape Kiritappu (Hamanaka Town): With Observation Decks and Campgrounds Nearby
Cape Kiritappu is officially known as "Cape Tofutsu." It is also called "Tokkari Misaki" because you can often see tokkari (seals in the Ainu language). Located on the eastern side of the Kiritappu Peninsula, it's a great recreational spot with observation decks and campgrounds nearby. In 2016, it was certified as a "Lighthouse for Lovers" by the Japan Romanticist Association.
■Location: 33 Tofutsu, Hamanaka-cho, Akkeshi-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Cape Kiritappu"
5. Cape Nosappu (Nemuro City): The First Place in Japan to Greet the Sunrise
Located at the easternmost point of Japan, Cape Nosappu is widely known as the place where you can see the sunrise first. The Cape Nosappu Lighthouse at the tip of the cape is Hokkaido's oldest lighthouse, first lit in 1872. If you're lucky, you might spot sea otters or whales. The surrounding area is bustling with tourists year-round, with facilities introducing the Northern Territories and Nemuro's tourism and products, as well as souvenir shops and restaurants.
■Location: Nosappu, Nemuro-shi
Click here for details and map information for "Cape Nosappu"
6. Kushiro City Children's Museum of Science and Art (Kushiro City): Fun for Both Adults and Children
Inside this futuristic, glass-walled building is a science museum where children can learn about space and science, a children's center where they can play to their heart's content, and a large indoor sandbox that can be enjoyed regardless of the weather. There are also plenty of seasonal events.
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
■Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), New Year holidays. *Open from April 29 to May 5 and during the spring, summer, and winter breaks of elementary and junior high schools in the city.
■Admission
・Exhibition Hall: University students and adults ¥600 / High school students ¥240 / Elementary and junior high school students ¥120
・Planetarium: University students and adults ¥480 / High school students ¥180 / Elementary and junior high school students ¥120
*Preschool children are free.
■Location: 10-2 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro-shi
Click here for details and map information for "Kushiro City Children's Museum of Science and Art"
7. Biwase Boardwalk (Hamanaka Town): Where Various Flowers Bloom Through the Seasons
The Biwase Boardwalk, which is about 500 meters one way, allows you to walk through a vast wetland and see its changing appearance with the seasons. The clusters of Ezo-kanzo (daylilies) that bloom in summer are exceptionally beautiful, and you can enjoy a wide variety of flowers depending on the season.
■Location: 122 Nakanohama, Hamanaka-cho, Akkeshi-gun
See details for "Biwase Boardwalk" on Domingo
8. Ayamegahara Primeval Flower Garden (Akkeshi Town): Admire Over 100 Species of Plants
Ayamegahara Primeval Flower Garden is a vast 100-hectare primeval garden located at an altitude of 100 meters. From the central walking path, you can admire over 100 species of plants, including about 300,000 Japanese irises (hiougi-ayame), as well as Ponerorchis chidori and buttercups. The sight of grazing horses against the endless horizon is a spectacular landscape.
■Open: May 1 - October 31 (approx.)
*Horse grazing will not take place in fiscal year 2025 due to construction within the park.
■Location: 321 Suehiro, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Ayamegahara Primeval Flower Garden"
9. Michi-no-Eki Mashu Onsen (Teshikaga Town): Purchase Locally Harvested Vegetables
This roadside station provides tourist information about Teshikaga Town's hot springs and restaurants, and also offers a wide range of local products, including vegetables, sweets, and Teshikaga's specialty goods. There is also a footbath outside, so you can relax and soothe your travel fatigue.
■Hours: May - October (approx.): 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM / November - April (approx.): 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Footbath available 24 hours
■Closed: December 30 - January 3 *Footbath is open year-round
■Location: 3-5-5 Yunoshima, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun
Click here for details and map information for "Michi-no-Eki Mashu Onsen"
10. Hokuto Historical Site (Kushiro City): The Largest Archaeological Site on the Western Edge of the Kushiro Wetlands
The Hokuto Historical Site is a multi-period site that has witnessed long stretches of history, from the Paleolithic era to the Jomon, Epi-Jomon, and Satsumon periods. Located at an elevation of 20 meters overlooking the Kushiro Wetlands, more than 300 pit dwellings remain. Traces of ancient fires, shell mounds, and seeds of cultivated plants have also been discovered, and reconstructed dwellings offer a glimpse into the life of that time.
■Open: April 16 - November 15 (approx.): 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
■Closed: Mondays (open if Monday is a public holiday), November 16 - April 15
■Admission: Free
■Location: 6-7 Hokuto, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Hokuto Historical Site" on Domingo
11. Cape Shirepa (Kushiro Town): Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Akkeshi Bay
Akkeshi Bay spreads out before the cape, and you can look down at Hokake-iwa (Sail Rock) below the cliff to the right. In summer, flowers bloom at your feet, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Akkeshi Bay. If you're lucky, you might spot harbor seals, which inhabit the eastern Hokkaido coast, near Hokake-iwa.
■Location: Kushiro-cho, Kushiro-gun
See details for "Cape Shirepa (Kushiro Town)" on Domingo
12. Michi-no-Eki Akan Tancho no Sato (Crane's Terrace) (Kushiro City): A Perfect Rest Stop During Your Drive
This roadside station, which includes a tourist information center, has a bright atmosphere with abundant use of locally sourced Kushiro larch wood in its construction. It sells local agricultural and livestock processed goods, sweets, and craft products, and also has a light meal and cafe corner, making it a recommended spot for a break during your drive.
■Hours: May - September (approx.): 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / October - April (approx.): 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Tourist Information Center: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
■Closed: Open year-round
■Location: 23-36-1 Kamiakan, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Michi-no-Eki Akan Tancho no Sato (Crane's Terrace)" on Domingo
13. The Original Hand Bath of Lake Akan (Kushiro City): Enjoy a Casual Onsen Experience
In the Akankoonsen town, there is a place said to be the birthplace of the hand bath (teyu), and several easily accessible hand bath facilities are scattered around. Among them, the hand bath next to the famous "Kato Satomi Folk Art Shop" is a rock-built basin. Nearby, in front of the folk art shop "Kankodo," is the "Fukuro no Teyu" (Owl's Hand Bath), where hot spring water is collected in the hollow of an elm tree. Soaking your hands in the hot spring water is a refreshing experience.
■Closed: Open year-round *The hand baths are available all year.
■Admission: Free
■Location: Akankoonsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
See details for "The Original Hand Bath of Lake Akan" on Domingo
14. Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center (Kushiro City): Observe Lake Akan's Marimo
The "Lake Akan Marimo" is designated as a Special Natural Monument. While it is now difficult to see them in their natural state, the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center allows you to view the marimo through an underwater camera installed in their colony. In a tank designed to resemble the lakebed, you can observe actual marimo and learn about their ecology in detail.
■Hours: Varies by season, please check the Akan Sightseeing Cruise Ship website for details.
■Closed: During the period when the sightseeing boat is not in operation.
■Fee: Adults ¥2,400 / Children ¥1,240 *This is the sightseeing boat fare, which includes admission to the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center.
■Location: Akankoonsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center" on Domingo
15. Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conchiglie (Akkeshi Town): The Place for Akkeshi's Food, Fun, and Shopping
The popular roadside station "Conchiglie" means shell-shaped food in Italian. It is based on six concepts: "Eat, Buy, Relax, Learn, Gather, Think," and its exterior is designed to resemble an oyster, a famous specialty of Akkeshi Town. You can enjoy oyster cuisine unique to Akkeshi, and it is a regular in rankings of roadside stations evaluated for their food.
■Hours: April (approx.): 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / May-September (approx.): 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM / October-March (approx.): 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
■Closed: Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday)
■Location: 2-2 Suminoe, Akkeshi-cho, Akkeshi-gun
See details for "Akkeshi Gourmet Park Conchiglie" on Domingo
16. Kushiro City Museum (Kushiro City): Immerse Yourself in Kushiro's History and Culture in a Fantastical Space
The distinctive exterior was designed by Kushiro-born architect Kiko Mozuna. Inside, the facility thoroughly introduces the nature and history of Kushiro. The full-skeleton replica of a mammoth and the extensive exhibits on Ainu culture are highly satisfying. You can enjoy Kushiro's history and culture in this highly artistic space.
■Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
■Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday, etc.), public holidays from November 4 to the end of March, New Year holidays
■Admission: Adults ¥480 / High school students ¥250 / Elementary and junior high school students ¥110 *Mammoth Hall is free.
■Location: 1-7 Shunkodai, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Kushiro City Museum" on Domingo
17. Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Site Group (Nemuro City): One of Japan's Top 100 Castles
"Chashi" means "fence enclosure" in the Ainu language, and it is said to have been used for various purposes such as forts, ritual sites, and lookouts. There are 32 chashi sites scattered throughout Nemuro City. Of these, 24 are designated as a National Historic Site under the name "Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Site Group" and have also been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles by the Japan Castle Foundation.
■Closed: *The chashi sites are not cleared of snow during the winter period.
■Location: Nemuro Peninsula, Nemuro-shi
See details for "Nemuro Peninsula Chashi Site Group" on Domingo
18. Yonemachi Furusato-kan (Kushiro City): The Oldest Surviving Wooden Private House in Kushiro
This is the oldest surviving wooden private house in Kushiro City, built in 1900 by a marine products merchant as a combined store and residence. Inside the mansion, which reflects the prosperity of the fishing industry at the time, materials related to the poet Takuboku Ishikawa, who had ties to Yonemachi, and photographs from the Meiji to Taisho periods are on display.
■Hours: May - September (approx.): 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
■Closed: Monday to Thursday *Except during Golden Week, Obon, and when cruise ships are in port.
■Admission: Free
■Location: 1-1-21 Yonemachi, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Yonemachi Furusato-kan" on Domingo
19. Narawara (Betsukai Town): A Landscape of Fantastical Scenery
Located in the middle of the Notsuke Peninsula, this is a forest of standing dead trees, such as Mizunara oak, that have been eroded by seawater and weathered. The area with a high concentration of withered trees facing the road is called "Narawara," in a similar vein to Todowara. Its fantastical, fairytale-like scenery is popular among photographers.
■Location: Notsuke, Betsukai-cho, Notsuke-gun
See details for "Narawara" on Domingo
20. Matsuura Takeshiro Poem Monument (Kushiro City): Honoring the Man Who Named "Hokkaido"
Takeshiro Matsuura, an explorer who laid the foundation for the development of Hokkaido during the Edo period, is known as the man who named "Hokkaido." His book "Kusuri Nisshi" (Kusuri Diary) describes his visit to the shores of Lake Akan and how he was deeply impressed by its rich nature.
■Admission: Free
■Location: Akan Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi
See details for "Matsuura Takeshiro Poem Monument" on Domingo
*All information is current as of May 2025.
*All listed information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.
