At the mouth of Japan’s forth-longest river Teshio-gawa (天塩川), this town was one of Northern Hokkaido’s major trading posts until the early 20th-century. Today the town is known for its tasty shijimi (しじみ: basket clams) from the river.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 113km northeast of Rumoi, 70km south of Wakkanai on the Ororon Line
Population 2900
Highlights Teshio-gawa Historical Museum, Teshio-gawa Riverside Park
Tourist Information Michi-no-eki Teshio (道の駅てしお): see below
01 LOCAL HISTORY
Teshio-gawa Historical Museum
天塩川歴史資料館 / Teshio-gawa Rekishi Shiryokan / 6 Shin’ei-dori / 10am-5pm May-Oct / Closed Mon / ¥200
Houses in the 1951 former red brick town hall next to Teshio bus stop, this museum tells the history of Teshio-gawa and gives insight into water transport. It is closed from November to April.
02 SCENIC PARK
Teshio-gawa Riverside Park
天塩川河川公園 / Kasen Koen / 7-70 Kaigan-dori / 24hrs
If the weather is good, the tranquil riverside park along Teshio-gawa occupies a pleasant position looking out over Rishiri-to, especially from late afternoon. Pick up a bento (boxed lunch) from a convenience store.
03 ONSEN & SLEEPING
Teshio Onsen Yubae
てしお温泉夕映 / 5807-5 Sarakishi / Day bathing 11am-10pm, from 10am Sat & Sun (¥500) / teshiospayubae.com
Located beside Kagami-numa Kaihin Park, this onsen is a good place to watch the sunset into the ocean (open-air bath is open in the warmer months). The Yubae operates a casual restaurant (11.30am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm) with local specialities from ramen to pasta using shijimi (basket clams). All local Engan buses (between Rumoi and Toyotomi) stop here.
04 PARK & CAMPING
Kagami-numa Kaihin Park
鏡沼海浜公園 / May-mid Oct / Check-in 1-9pm
Sitting right on the estuary and surrounded by the wildflower garden, Kagami-numa has a dozen of bungalows (¥3300), campsites (¥500) and simple rider houses (shared lodge for motorcyclists: ¥200) around the peaceful marsh overlooking the ocean. You can rent a tent, sleeping bag and laundry facilities. It is beside the Teshio Onsen Yubae.
05 REGIONAL CUISINE
Michi-no-eki Teshio
道の駅てしお / 4-7227-2 Shinkai-cho / 11am-6pm, to 5pm Nov-Dec & Apr, to 3pm Jan-Mar / Closed Sun Nov-Mar
This roadside station along Route 232 offers unique local cuisines at the on-site restaurant. It serves the shijimi (basket clams) ramen; hokki (edible saltwater clam) curry; and tako-kimuchi-don (kimch taste octopus cutlet on rice). There is also a small souvenir shop.
TESHIO MAP
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Strolling Around the Mouth of Teshio-gawa
DISTANCE 2km | DURATION 2 HOURS | TIMING MAY – OCT
START: Teshio bus stop
↓ 1min walk
01 Teshio-gawa Historical Museum
↓ 4min walk
05 Michi-no-eki Teshio
↓ 8min walk
02 Teshio-gawa Riverside Park
↓ 15min walk
04 Kagami-numa Kaihin Park
↓ 3min walk
FINISH: 03 Teshio Onsen Yubae
GETTING THERE
Engan Bus runs to Teshio (天塩) from Sapporo (4 daily / 4.5hrs), Rumoi (3hrs / 8 daily) via Haboro Honsha Terminal (1.5hrs), Asahikawa (1 daily / 4hrs 20min) and Toyotomi Station (6 daily / 1hr) via Horonobe Station (28min) on the Ororon Line.
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