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Famed for the Ainu culture, the coastal town of Shiraoi (白老) is home to Japan’s northernmost national museum, know as the Upopoy facing the pleasant lake Poroto-ko. In the late Edo period, Shiraoi was a defense base of Eastern Ezo and installed the manor house by the Sendai clan.
Sightseeing
Upopoy National Ainu Museum
ウポポイ・国立アイヌ民族博物館
10min walk from Shiraoi Station
Translating as ‘singing in a large group’ in Ainu, the Upopoy comprises the National Ainu Museum and the cultural Ainu Park on the shore of Poroto-ko. The National Ainu Museum has permanent and special exhibitions about Ainu culture, history, artifacts, language and lifestyle. The National Ainu Park contains the reproduced kotan (traditional Ainu village), workshop and craft studio. You can see the traditional Ainu performances (songs, dances and musicals) at the Cultural Exchange Hall.
Poroto-ko
ポロト湖
10min walk from Shiraoi Station
About 800m northeast of JR Shiraoi Station facing the Upopoy, the peaceful Poroto-ko (large lake in Ainu) is a base of outdoor activities in the town center. A 6km-long circumference cycle path of the lake can be rounded by bike or foot. Poroto-ko Information Center is a base of exploring the lake.
Former Sendai Clan Shiraoi Manor House
白老仙台藩陣屋跡
20min walk from Shiraoi Station
This historical site boasts the largest manor house ruin in Hokkaido. Surrounded by the mountains and rivers, you can understand why the Sendai clan would have built their defense base here in 1856. Stroll through the 6.6-hectare lush grounds, and see the restored moat and earthen wall. The Sendai Clan Shiraoi Manor House Museum (Jinya Shiryokan; Tue-Sun) displays historical artifacts, documents and armors.
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Hotels
Photo: じゃらんnet
Hoshino Resort KAI Poroto ♨︎
星野リゾート 界 ポロト
10min walk from Shiraoi Station
Located near the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park facing the lake, the KAI Poroto is designed to respect Ainu culture and touch its spirituality and tradition. All rooms have an excellent view of Poroto-ko. There is also an atmospheric onsen.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Pirika Rera Hotel ♨︎
ピリカレラホテル
15min walk from Shiraoi Station
This luxury onsen hotel offers meals using local beef and tarako (pollock roe). You can enjoy hot springs in the room. The price includes all-you-can-drink shochu and whisky. A free shuttle is available from Shiraoi Station (contact by the day before).
Photo: じゃらんnet
haku hostel
ハク ホステル
3min walk from Shiraoi Station
This renovated hostel offers dormitories and tatami-mat rooms, with shared facilities and a bar. There are also bike rentals and left-luggage service. It is a 3-minute walk from Shiraoi Station south gate.
Map
Getting There
JR TRAIN
Get off the train at Shiraoi Station. There are lockers inside the train station.
The limited express trains run to Shiraoi from Sapporo (1hr) and Hakodate (3hr). Local trains run from Tomakomai (20min), Noboribetsu (18min) and Muroran (1hr).
BUS
Donan Bus connects Shiraoi-Kotan-mae (白老コタン前) near the Upopoy with Tomakomai Station (40min) and Noboribetsu-onsen (45min).
There are also highway buses to the Upopoy from Sapporo (1hr 40min) and Noboribetsu-onsen (30min) except when the museum is closed. Compulsory reservation at least two hours before departure.
Getting Around
BUS
The Gurupon Bus (ぐるぽんバス) loops in the town center from JR Shiraoi Station north gate except Monday, stopping at the Upopoy and Jinya-shiryokan; a one-day pass costs ¥200.
BICYCLE
Bike rentals (Apr-Oct) are available at Poroto Mintar tourist information center (see below).
Information
Poroto Mintar
白老駅北観光インフォメーションセンター
Near the north gate of JR Shiraoi Station on the way to the Upopoy, this tourist information center has useful brochures and can help arrange tours around the town. There is an excellent souvenir shop and a cafe. Bike rentals and left-luggage are also available.
Shiraoi Station
白老 | 시라오이
Address：2 Suehiro-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Hokkaido
Distance：92km from Sapporo
Elevation：6m
北海道 白老 旅遊觀光 飯店住宿 | 홋카이도 시라오이 여행 호텔