Heading northwards through the scenic coastal road Ororon Line from Rumoi, this long and slim region shows off pleasant sandy beaches, fishing towns, ocean-view campsites and onsen – along with touching sunset over the sea.
THE ROUTE
DISTANCE: 205km
BUSES
Engan Bus (沿岸バス: www.engan-bus.co.jp) drives on the Ororon Line (former JNR Haboro Line, between Rumoi and Horonobe, discontinued in 1987) and can drop you at the main attractions.
INTERCITY BUSES
▶︎ TOKKYU HABORO-GO Sapporo – Honsha Terminal (3hrs 12min) ● Toyotomi (5hrs)
OPERATOR Engan Bus // DURATION Sapporo – Haboro 3hrs 12min ● Toyotomi 5hrs // TICKET Compulsory reservation // STOPS Sapporo Station ● Obira-chuo ● Hanada Ban-ya-mae ● Onishika-Minato-machi 3ku ● Rikibiru ● Uehira ● Tomamae Ue-machi ● Haboro Terminal ● (Haboro) Honsha Terminal ● Ariake ● Shosanbetsu Yakuba-mae ● Toyosaki ● Enbetsu Eigyosho ● Teshio ● Horonobe Jujigai ● Horonobe Underground Research Center ● Toyotomi Onsen ● Toyotomi Eigyosho // NOTE Getting on and off is not possible between Rumoi (Owada) and Toyotomi.
RAPID BUSES
▶︎ (Asahikawa) – Rumoi Jujigai – Horonobe (3hrs)
MAJOR STOPS Rumoi Jujigai ● Funaba Koen-mae ● Usuya (1-ku, 4-ku) ● Onishika-Minato-machi 3-ku ● Rikibiru ● Uehira ● Tomamae Ue-machi ● Haboro Terminal ● (Haboro) Honsha Terminal ● Ariake ● Shosanbetsu Yakuba-mae ● Toyosaki ● Enbetsu Eigyosho ● Teshio ● Horonobe Station ● Horonobe Underground Research Center // NOTE Rapid bus doesn’t stop at Rumoi Station.
LOCAL BUSES
▶︎ Rumoi – Honsha Terminal (1hr 26min) ● Toyotomi Station (3hrs 55min)
ORIENTATION
The good value Moekko Free Kippu (萌えっ子フリーきっぷ) allows unlimited travel on the local Engan Bus routes on the Ororon Line, between Ofuyu (in Mashike) and Toyotomi Station. Pass holders receive discounted fares for the Haboro Enkai Ferry to Teuri-to and Yagishiri-to. The pass dones’t cover intercity buses.
TICKET OFFICES & DEALERS
▶︎ Engan Bus ticket offices (Rumoi, Haboro, Enbetsu and Toyotomi)
▶︎ JHB ticket office at Sapporo Station bus terminal (basement of Apia shopping mall)
▶︎ Dohoku Bus ticket office in front of JR Asahikawa Station
▶︎ Soya Bus Wakkanai Station Terminal
▶︎ Okatte-ya Moe (near JR Rumoi Station)
▶︎ JR Toyotomi Station’s tourist information center
BUS STOPS
LEGEND ⬇︎︎ Route Info // ☆ Attractions // ♨︎ Onsen // ☞ Transfer
RUMOI TO HABORO
⬇︎︎ 0min
Rumoi Station 留萌駅前
Halfway between Sapporo and Wakkanai along the Sea of Japan, Rumoi Region’s small capital was once herring fishing and colliery town. It serves as a transport hub for Mashike and Haboro. Local Engan Bus departs from Rumoi Station bus stop, 100m south of JR Rumoi Station near Chuo Bus Rumoi terminal.
☞ Fukagawa (60min) ● Mashike (30min) ● Asahikawa (1.5hrs)
◎ POP Rumoi-shi 20,000
⬇︎︎ 02min Nishiki-machi 錦町
⬇︎︎ 04min
Rumoi Jujigai 留萌十字街
This bus stop is located in front of the North Pacific Bank and the closest position to the cape Ogon-misaki.
☆ Ogon-misaki (1.5km) Rumoi Region’s most popular cape to watch the sunset.
☆ Golden Beach Rumoi (1.7km) Northern Hokkaido’s largest beach.
⬇︎︎ 06min
Funaba-koen-mae 船場公園前
☆ Funaba Park & Michi-no-eki Rumoi (0.1km) Directly connected to JR Rumoi Station.
⬇︎︎ 11min Sandomari 三泊
⬇︎︎ 16min
Usuya 4-ku 臼谷4区
☆ Usuya Beach (0.1km) Simple but very accessible sandy beach.
⬇︎︎ 21min
Obira-chuo 小平中央
About 10km north of Rumoi, Obira was also once a herring fishing village. There were underground coal mines in Tappu (about 20km east of Obira) until 1967. From early July to mid August, the town’s two sandy beaches are the sparkling playgrounds.
◎ POP Obira-cho 2900
⬇︎︎ 24min
Yuttarikan-iriguchi ゆったりかん入口
♨︎ Yuttarikan (0.2km)
⬇︎︎ 25min Hanaoka 花岡
⬇︎︎ 29min Otodo 大椴
⬇︎︎ 33min Tomioka 富岡
⬇︎︎ 36min
Hanada Ban-ya-mae 花田番屋前
In front of the bus stop, the Hanada-ke Ban-ya (built in 1905) was once the temporary living quarters of the fisherman’s chief and some 200 seasonal workers. The hut contains large-scale fireplaces, beds and the owner’s gorgeous living room.
☆ Old Hanada Family Fishing Hut (0.1km) Hokkaido’s largest wooden fishing hut.
☆ Michi-no-eki Obira Nishin Ban-ya (0.1km) Next to the Hanada Family Fishing Hut.
⬇︎︎ 40min
Onishika-Minato-machi 3-ku
鬼鹿港町3区
Onishika has a child-friendly ocean pool and a natural sandy beach. Camping is also available. There are reputable seafood restaurants and stores around the beach.
☆ Onishika Twin Beach (0.3km)
⬇︎︎ 44min Senmatsu 千松
⬇︎︎ 51min Rikibiru 力昼
⬇︎︎ 58min
Uehira 上平
☞ Kotanbetsu (10min)
⬇︎︎ 1hr 03min
Tomamae Yakuba-mae 苫前役場前
The windy town of Tomamae is known for the worst bear attack in Japanese history. In 1915, seven setters were eaten by brown bear at the deep forest of Sankebetsu. But today higuma (brown bear) is a symbol of the town. At the bus stop in front of the town hall, the standing statue of higuma (brown bear) is Tomamae’s iconic landmark.
☆ Tomamae Town Museum (0.6km) Has a presented the local history (closed in winter).
◎ POP Tomamae-cho 2900
⬇︎︎ 1hr 05min
Tomamae Ue-machi 苫前上町
Tomamae’s main bus stop is located near Tomamae Onsen Fuwatto.
♨︎ Tomamae Onsen Fuwatto (0.3km) Has an ocean-view onsen and a hotel.
⬇︎︎ 1hr 05min
Sakaehama 栄浜
☆ Yuhigaoka White Beach (0.3km)
⬇︎︎ 1hr 10min Okitsunai-ue 興津内上
⬇︎︎ 1hr 21min
Haboro Terminal 羽幌ターミナル
At the site of old Haboro train station, this terminal is 700m southeast of the Honsha Terminal. All buses stop here, but it is not a convenience location if you catch a ferry.
◎ POP Haboro-cho 6600
⬇︎︎ 1hr 26min
Honsha Terminal 本社ターミナル
Central Haboro’s Honsha Terminal is a hub for bus travel on the coastal Ororon Line from Sapporo (3hrs 10min), Rumoi (1.5hrs), Asahikawa (3hrs), Horonobe (2hrs) and Toyotomi (2.5hrs). There is a left-luggage service at the ticket window.
From the Honsha Terminal, it is a 20-minute stroll down to the port for boats to both Teuri and Yagishiri islands. The minibus Kannonzaki Liner (¥200), timed to meet intercity buses from and to Sapporo, makes the 10-minutes run between the Honsha Terminal and Haboro ferry terminal. Taxis are also available.
For most travelers, the main reason to visit Haboro is to catch the ferry to Teuri and Yagishiri islands. Central Haboro occupies a grid of streets with a few modesty sights.
☞ Haboro Ferry Terminal (1km) ● Yagishiri-to (min) ● Teuri-to (min)
♨︎ Haboro Sunset Plaza (0.4km) Haboro’s only onsen hotel with a michi-no-eki.
☆ Hokkaido Seabird Center (0.7km) Introduces the seabirds ecosystem of Teuri-to.
☆ Sunset Beach Haboro (0.9km)
HABORO TO HORONOBE
⬇︎︎ 1hr 27min
Haboro Minami-Odori 1-chome
羽幌南大通1丁目
Only local buses stop here. This is the nearest bus stop to Haboro Sunset Plaza and Haboro Ferry Terminal.
☞ Haboro Ferry Terminal (0.7km)
♨︎ Haboro Sunset Plaza (0.1km)
⬇︎︎ 1hr 36min Chikubetsu 築別
⬇︎︎ 1hr 40min Ariake 有明
⬇︎︎ 1hr 44min Sakae Dai-2 栄第2
⬇︎︎ 1hr 52min
Shosanbetsu 初山別
Only local buses stop at this bus terminal. All intercity buses (from and to Sapporo) and rapid buses (Rumoi–Horonobe) stop at Shosanbetsu Yakuba-mae (初山別役場前) in front of the village hall.
◎ POP Shosanbetsu-mura 1100
⬇︎︎ 1hr 56min
♨︎ Shosanbetsu Onsen
しょさんべつ温泉
A highlight of a road trip to the quiet village of Shosanbetsu is the coastal Misakidai Park overlooking the ocean. You will be able to look up at the starry sky on a clear night. It is a perfect place to break up a journey on the Ororon Line. All local buses stop here.
☆ Misakidai Camp-jo (0.1km) This superbly campsite offers splendid views of the ocean.
☆ Shosanbetsu Astronomical Observatory (0.2km) Japan’s northernmost astronomical observatory.
☆ Konpira Jinja (0.3km) There is a red torii (shrine gate) in the shallow water.
⬇︎︎ 1hr 59min
Toyosaki 豊岬
About 1.3km northeast of Shosanbetsu Onsen on Route 232, intercity and rapid buses (plus local buses) stop here.
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 03min Osawa 大沢
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 06min Kyosei 共成
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 12min Utakoshi 歌越
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 14min
Asahi-onsen-iriguchi 旭温泉入口
♨︎ Enbetsu Asahi Onsen (6km)
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 18min Kanaura Dai-1 金浦第1
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 21min
Fujimi Dai-1 富士見第1
This bus stop is located in front of the michi-no-eki Enbetsu Fujimi.
☆ Michi-no-eki Enbetsu Fujimi (0.1km)
☆ Minakuru Beach (0.8km)
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 24min
Enbetsu Eigyosho 遠別営業所
Enbetsu’s main bus stop. All buses stop here.
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 29min
Enbetsu 遠別
At the site of old Enbetsu train station.
◎ POP Enbetsu-cho 2500
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 33min Keimei Dai-2 啓明第2
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 35min Marumatsu 丸松
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 41min Otowaen 乙和園
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 44min Sarakishi 更岸
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 46min Kantaku 干拓
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 51min
♨︎ Teshio Onsen Yubae
てしお温泉夕映
Located beside Kagami-numa Kaihin Park, this onsen is a good place to watch the sunset into the ocean.
☆ Kagami-numa Kaihin Park (0.1km) Has a dozen of bungalows and campsites around the marsh.
⬇︎︎ 2hrs 53min
Teshio 天塩
At the mouth of Japan’s forth-longest rivera, Teshio was one of Northern Hokkaido’s major trading posts until the early 20th-century. Teshio bus stop is located behind the red brick Teshio-gawa Historical Museum.
☆ Teshio-gawa Historical Museum (0.1km) Houses in the 1951 former red brick town hall.
☆ Teshio-gawa Riverside Park (0.3km) Occupies a pleasant position looking out over Rishiri-to.
◎ POP Teshio-cho 2900
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 01min Naka-Kawaguchi 中川口
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 06min Kita-Kawaguchi 北川口
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 12min Furaoi Shakai-kyoiku-kaikan-mae 振老社会教育会館前
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 15min Teshio-ohashi 天塩大橋
⬇︎︎ The bus crosses the 506m-long bridge over Teshio-gawa, Japan’s fourth longest river (256km).
⬇︎︎ The line passes through the 45th parallel north.
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 20min Horonobe Jujigai 幌延十字街
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 24min
Horonobe Station 幌延駅
Horonobe Station was once a branch point of the JNR Haboro Line. You can switch to train at Horonobe for a short cut to the JR Soya Line for Wakkanai or Asahikawa.
☞ JR Soya Line (for Wakkanai, Asahikawa)
◎ POP Horonobe-cho 2200
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 31min Tonakai Kankobokujo-mae
トナカイ観光牧場前
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 31min
Horonobe Underground Research Center
幌延深地層研究センター前
If you take a Rumoi-Toyotomi local bus, settle the fare (or show your Moekko pass) here to the driver.
HORONOBE TO TOYOTOMI
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 40min
♨︎ Fureai Center ふれあいセンター
Local buses pauses at here at the Toyotomi Onsen Fureai Center public bathhouse, just 130m east of Toyotomi Onsen bus stop.
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 41min
♨︎ Toyotomi Onsen 豊富温泉
Japan’s northernmost tiny onsen ‘village’, Toyotomi Onsen is believed to be helpful in treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Both intercity and local buses stop here. The bus stop has a newly tourist information center and bike rentals are available.
♨︎ Toyotomi Onsen Fureai Center (0.1km)
☆ O-kibo Sochi Public Farm (6km) About 1500 cows are grazing from May to October.
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 51min
Toyotomi Eigyosho 豊富営業所
Located near Toyotomi town hall (about 600m east of JR Toyotomi Station), this is the last stop of the intercity buses from Sapporo. Local buses also stop here.
⬇︎︎ 3hrs 55min
Toyotomi Station 豊富駅
Northern Hokkaido’s top dairy farming town, Toyotomi is a main gateway for Sarobetsu Shitsugen wetland. A vast stretch of Sarobetsu dotted with wetlands, quiet marshes, sandy beaches and peaceful dairy farms. Colorful and lovely wildflowers bloom from late June to mid July.
Toyotomi Station is the last stop of the local buses from Rumoi direction. Next door to the train station, the friendly tourist information center offers bike rentals. There are no buses from Toyotomi to Wakkanai, so take the train (45min) on the JR Soya Line.
☞ JR Soya Line (for Wakkanai, Asahikawa)
☆ Sarobetsu Wetland Center (6.5km)
Home › Transport › Hokkaido Bus Trips › Rumoi to Wakkanai on the Ororon Line
