Japan’s most eastern mainland city, Nemuro (根室) is in the closest position to the 1150km-long Chishima Islands that stretches from Hokkaido to Kamchatka. Nature-rich, the 60km-long Nemuro Peninsula (根室半島) is a perfect place for birdwatching, wildlife cruising, footpath hiking and…
Shiretoko Utoro Onsen
Utoro Onsen (ウトロ温泉) is a small but lively port town about an hour by bus from Shari and an excellent base for exploring the peninsula for all travelers. In winter, you might be able to see ryuhyo (drift ice). Shiretoko…
Hokkaido Kawayu Onsen
Located between Kussharo-ko and Mashu-ko, the small onsen town of Kawayu (川湯温泉: meaning hot springs river) boasts highly acidic water supplied to the all hotels. There is a 24-hour free ashi-yu (あし湯: footbath) beside the small river. Kawayu Bathhouse (川湯公衆浴場)…
Teshikaga Mashu Onsen
Eastern Hokkaido’s first onsen town founded in 1883, Teshikaga (弟子屈) is a convenient location for exploring both Mashu-ko and Kussharo-ko by public transport or taxi. Mashu Station (摩周駅) on the Senmo Line is a gateway of the town center. Some…
Notsuke Peninsula: Japan’s Longest Sand Spit
Notsuke Hanto (野付半島) is a 28km-long, shrimp-shaped sandbank arcing out into the Nemuro Strait. Reaching just a few meters above sea level, much of the landscape is covered with decayed Japanese oaks and Sakhalin firs by the erosion of sea…
Oshamanbe: Welcoming Bayside Railway Town
Halfway between Sapporo and Hakodate, Oshamanbe (長万部) is a major rail junction on the JR Hakodate Line (Hakodate – Oshamanbe – Niseko – Otaru – Sapporo – Asahikawa) and JR Muroran Line (Oshamanbe – Noboribetsu – Iwamizawa). For most travelers,…
Shinshinotsu Onsen and Ice Fishing
Ishikari Region’s smallest agricultural village of Shinshinotsu (新篠津村) is ideal for rural driving and family vacation. You can enjoy camping and getting into hot water around the pretty lake. Shinotsu-ko (しのつ湖) The crescent-shaped lake Shinotsu-ko is the village’s big attraction.…