Summer in Eastern Hokkaido is very nice and refreshing. If you visit the area, we highly recommend taking the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train (釧路湿原ノロッコ号 Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Gо̄), a sightseeing train running through the Kushiro Wetland (釧路湿原 Kushiro Shitsugen).
About the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train
Did you know? The name “Norokko” comes from combining the words noronoro (ノロノロ slow and leisurely) and torokko (トロッコ open-car carriage), and embodies the hope that when you ride this train, you can have a relaxing trip with beautiful views of the Kushiro Wetland.
The Norokko Train runs slowly at the places of interest, where you can take in the scenery from large windows. From the train, you can see great landscapes that are not accessible by car, and you might even be able to see wild animals as well. Get off at one of the stations to enjoy more views of the Kushiro Wetland.
The Norokko Train operates between JR Kushiro Station (釧路駅) to JR Tо̄ro Station (塘路駅), and takes about 1-hour for the entire journey. Please check here for the schedule and operating dates in 2020.
Tips for riding the train
The popular Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train has four cars, with both non-reserved and reserved seats. Only one car is non-reserved seating, and it is a normal car. The other three cars are reserved seating, and they are observation cars with big windows.
If you take the Norokko Train, we definitely recommended getting a reserved seat so that you can enjoy the panoramic views from the train windows.
The afternoon trains (No. 3 and No. 4) have less passengers compared to the morning trains during the two round-trip operation period. There are also three-passenger benches with tables, and two-passenger benches. For the two-passenger benches, you can even change the direction of the seats.
Kushiro-Shitsugen Station (釧路湿原駅)
Kushiro-Shitsugen Station is a log cabin style station, and looks like a red-crowned crane (丹頂 tanchо̄) spreading its wings out. Around Kushiro-Shitsugen Station, a must-visit spot is the Hosooka Observatory (細岡展望台), which is a 15-minute walk away.
The Hosooka Observatory is one of the best in Kushiro Wetland. There are many slopes and stairs to the observatory, so please watch your step. After going through the forest, you can see magnificent scenery. Not only you can see the entire Kushiro Wetland, but also the meandering Kushiro River.
Hosooka Station (細岡駅)
Hosooka Station is another log cabin style station. Walk about 200m from the station and you will arrive at the Hosooka Canoe Port (細岡カヌーポート).
Canoeing is the one of the most popular activities in Kushiro Wetland. The canoe departs from Toro Station and ends the activity here at Hosooka Canoe Port.
Toro Station (塘路駅)
Toro Station is the last stop of the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train. Walking for 20 minutes from Toro Station, you can reach the entrance of Sarubo Observatory (サルボ展望台) and Sarurun Observatory (サルルン展望台), where you can get bird’s eye views of Lake Toro (塘路湖), the biggest lake in the Kushiro Wetland.
Walking on pathways through the woods for 20 more minutes, you will get to the Sarubo Observatory. And from there to Sarurun Observatory, you need to walk 15 more minutes. You can enjoy the two different views of Lake Toro from both observatories.
Recommended food: Ramen Koubou Uocchi
Kushiro Ramen is usually served with smooth soy-sauce based soup and thin noodles. However, the ramen at Ramen Koubou Uocchi (ラーメ工房魚一) is different. This restaurant has been listed on the “Michelin Guide Hokkaido” and is famous for ramen with fish sauce made from local saury.
The popular toppings are oysters and asari clams caught in Eastern Hokkaido. There are many people at lunch time, and all the ramen may be sold out even before closing time, so come early and don’t miss your chance to try these delicious noodles!
Recommended activity
If you would like to enjoy the Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, canoeing the Kushiro River is so much fun! The canoe moves slowly along the river and you can see the same view as wild animals from a place close to the surface of the water.
If you are lucky, you may get to see the red-crowned crane, which is designated as a National Special Natural Treasure.
Recommended souvenir
In the Akan (阿寒) area where Kushiro is located, there is a sweets shop called Matsuya (松屋). The shop was founded 50 years ago, and sells Japanese traditional sweets. One of the popular sweets is Yūhi (ゆうひsunset), which has the shape and colour like the beautiful setting sun in Kushiro. It is a steamed bun stuffed with not-too-sweet white bean paste and sweet-sour raspberry jam.
Hokkaido Rail Pass
If you are visiting Eastern Hokkaido by train, the Hokkaido Rail Pass is highly recommended. It offers unlimited rides on both reserved and non-reserved seats on all JR Hokkaido lines (except Hokkaido Shinkansen). The Hokkaido Rail Pass is available for 5 consecutive days (¥20,000), 7 consecutive days (¥26,000), or 10 consecutive days (¥32,000), and can be used for automatic ticket gates.
Seat reservations are free for Hokkaido Rail Pass holders, so it’s worth buying one. For more details on the Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can have a look at the link here. If you would like to know the train schedules and ticket prices for other routes, you can look up the timetable and ticket prices here.
Header image credit: Hokkaido Railway Company
