Pirika Liner

Reservation needed

Guided

Operation
period

April 20, 2024 (Sat) to October 27, 2024 (Sun) <Operated every day>

Course

Kushiro → Lake Mashu → Mt. Io → Lake Kussharo → Lake Akan → Kushiro Airport → Kushiro

Time
required

Approx. 9 hours

The bus departs from Kushiro, passes through the Kushiro Wetlands, Japan’s largest wetlands, and takes you to Lake Mashu where you can enjoy the magnificent view. The bus visits Mt. Io, Lake Kussharo, Japan’s largest caldera lake, and Lake Akan where marimo, a nationally protected species, can be found; the bus then takes you back to Kushiro. This one-day bus tour takes you to many tourist attractions.

• 

  Lake Mashu

  Lake Mashu is a mysterious lake called the “Lake of the Gods” in the Ainu language. It is the second clearest lake in the world and famous for its unique deep blue color called Mashu blue. Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace, a new popular tourist attraction that opened in 2022, is also a hot place to visit.

• 

  Mt. Io

  Located near the famous hot spring town Kawayu Onsen, Mt. Io is a volcano that has been active since ancient times with white smoke rising from the ground. This scenic spot has a distinct smell of sulfur where you can feel the earth breathing.

• 

  Lake Akan

  Lake Akan, one of the largest lakes in east Hokkaido, is approx. 280 times the size of the Tokyo Dome. The lakefront is lined with hot spring hotels and inns, and you can experience the Ainu culture at Akanko Ainu Kotan.

• 

  Sunset in Kushiro

  Sunset in Kushiro is praised as one of the three most beautiful sunsets in the world. It is especially beautiful from autumn to winter, and the beautiful orange sunset can be seen in that season. Nusamai Bridge is especially popular as a spot to enjoy the sunset.

[The information below is current as of 2023.]

Kushiro Shiretoko Liner

Reservation needed

Guided

Operation
period

Mid-July 2024 to Late-September 2024 (planned)

Course

Kushiro → Lake Akan → Lake Mashu → Mt. Io → Kawayu Onsen → Lake Kussharo → Bihoro Pass → Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri → Utoro

Time
required

Approx. 10 h 50 m

The bus departs from Kushiro/Lake Akan, visits two of the most famous scenic spots in eastern Hokkaido, Lake Mashu and Bihoro Pass, passes through Abashiri, a port town in Okhotsk, and takes you to Shiretoko and Utoro Onsen. It is a tour bus on which you can travel from Kushiro to Shiretoko while enjoying sightseeing.

• 

  Sunayu (Lake Kussharo)

  Lake Kussharo is the largest caldera lake in Japan. Sunayu, a scenic spot on the lakeshore, is a magical place where natural hot spring water gushes if you dig a hole on the lake beach. Since there is also a public foot bath, you can relax while enjoying the view.

• 

  Bihoro Pass

  Bihoro Pass is a representative mountain pass in east Hokkaido. It has an observation deck at an altitude of 525 meters and commands a beautiful view of Lake Kussharo with Nakajima Island located in the middle. You can enjoy a view of Mt. Shari and Mt. Tokachi on a clear day.

• 

  Road to the Sky

  It is located on the hill in Shari at the base of the Shiretoko Peninsula. The straight road that extends 28 kilometers to the west looks like it leads to the sky. In addition, at sunset around late September, visitors might be able to see a beautiful view of sun setting at the end of the road.

• 

  Utoro Onsen

  Utoro is the major town on the Sea of Okhotsk side of Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site. You can enjoy hot springs at each hotel/inn. In particular, the sauna of Kitakobushi Shiretoko has recently been attracting attention from fans.

[The information below is current as of 2023.]

Shiretoko Kushiro Liner

Reservation needed

Guided

Operation
period

Mid-July 2024 to Late-September 2024 (planned)

Course

Utoro → Rausu → Notsuke Peninsula → Nakashibetsu → Lake Mashu → Lake Akan → Kushiro Airport → Kushiro

Time
required

Approx. 10 h 40 m

The bus departs from Shiretoko/Utoro Onsen and visits Shiretoko Pass, which commands a panoramic view of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Then it takes you to Notsuke Peninsula, which is called the farthest paradise of flowers, Lake Mashu, and Lake Akan and arrives in Kushiro. It is recommended that you get off the bus at Lake Akan and stay at a lakeside hot spring inn.

• 

  Shiretoko Pass

  Shiretoko Pass is located at the highest point of the Shiretoko Crossing Road that connects Utoro and Rausu Town on the Shiretoko Peninsula. You can see a beautiful view of Mt. Rausu right in front and, on a clear day, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Nemuro Strait and Kunashiri Island behind it.

• 

  Notsuke Peninsula

  Known as Japan’s largest sandspit (peninsula shaped like a bird’s beak), the Notsuke Peninsula is not only known for Todowara, the area filled with withered Sakhalin fir (todomatsu) trees, but also becomes a paradise of alpine plants in summer that fill the area with beautiful flowers.

• 

  Lake Akan (Kamuy Lumina)

  Kamuy Lumina has been established in the lakeside forest to enable visitors to enjoy an immersive night walk experience and attracts attention as a night attraction at Lake Akan Onsen. It is an experience you can enjoy only at Lake Akan from spring to autumn.

• 

  Robatayaki

  Robatayaki is a specialty of Kushiro, a port town with the second largest volume of landings in Japan. At Ganpeki Robata, a restaurant located at the wharf that is open for a limited time (until the end of October), you can enjoy freshly caught seafood to your heart’s content!

Shiretoko Airport Liner

Operation
period

June 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024

Course

Memanbetsu Airport ⇆ Abashiri ⇆ Koshimizu Wild Flower Park ⇆ Shari ⇆ Utoro

Time
required

Approx. 2 h 10 m

The shuttle bus operates for a limited time and connects Memanbetsu Airport, a gateway airport in Okhotsk, Abashiri, and Shiretoko Utoro Onsen with no transfers. You can enjoy beautiful views at popular scenic spots, including Marchen Hill and Koshimizu Wild Flower Park, along the way.

• 

  Marchen Hill

  You can find an impressive view on your left approx. 10 minutes after departing from Memanbetsu Airport. The view of the seven trees across the field on the hill is beautiful like a fairy tale and unique to Hokkaido.

• 

  Abashiri Prison Museum

  The Abashiri Prison Museum is the only prison museum in Japan built by relocating and restoring the old buildings of Abashiri Prison that was the most feared prison in Japan. It has recently been attracting attention as one of the places that appear in the manga Golden Kamuy and is one of the famous facilities in Abashiri.

• 

  Shiretoko Utoro cruise

  Various operators operate cruise ships from Utoro Port to Kamuy-Wakka Falls that is relatively near the port, Rusha Beach where brown bears can often be seen, and Cape Shiretoko. Please enjoy watching Shiretoko from the ocean.

• 

  Furepe Falls

  After walking for approx. 1 km in the forest from the Shiretoko National Park Nature Center toward the sea, you will find the waterfall that cascades partway down the 100-meter-high cliff into the sea. It is also known as the Maiden’s Tears. You may encounter Yezo deer and Hokkaido squirrels.