July itinerary in Japan Day 3 (Hokkaido)

(Monday, July 4th)

Table of contents

1. Kushiro Shitsugen (Kushiro Marshland)

On the last day of my trip to Kushiro and Akkeshi, I went to Kushiro Marshland by “Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go“. The Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go I used is as follows.

Depart Kushiro Station at 11:06, arrive at Kushiro Shitsugen Station at 11:32, Fare Yen 440

The “Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go” has unreserved seats in Car No. 1 and reserved seats in Cars No. 2 to 4. Cars No. 2 to 4 are observation cars with large windows, so you can fully enjoy the view of Kushiro Marshland. The observation car (reserved seat) costs Yen 530 in addition to the fare, but it is worth it.

There are two types of seats in the observation car (reserved seats): box seats and bench seats for two. Bench seats are located on the right side of the train in the direction of travel, at right angles to the window, so they offer a better view of the scenery. However, it is the box seats that offer the best view of Kushiro Marshland. Box seats are for six passengers, so if the train is crowded, there will be sharing seats.

On the way to Kushiro Shitsugen Station, you will find “Iwaboki-suimon (Iwabokki Water Gate). This water gate was built to prevent flooding of the Kushiro River that flows through the Kushiro Marshland. The old water gate was completed in 1931 and the new one in 1990. The photo shows the new water gate.

Kushiro Shitsugen Station is a log house made of larch. There are only vending machines in the station building. From this Kushiro Shitsugen Station, walk to the Hosooka Observatory. It takes about 20 minutes on foot from the station to the observatory.

Hosooka Observatory was selected by TripAdvisor as the “Travelers’ Choice! Japanese people’s Favorite Observatories & Parks Ranking 2020” in observatory category No.1. You can enjoy a spectacular view of Kushiro Marshland.

After taking time to enjoy the view from the Hosooka Observatory, I returned to Kushiro Shitsugen Station. After that, I took the “Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go” again and returned to Kushiro Station.

Depart Kushiro Shitsugen Station at 12:38, arrive at Kushiro Station at 13:05, Fare Yen 440

The operating schedule of the “Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko-go” is optimal because you can stay at Kushiro Marshland Station for a little over one hour.

2. Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve

After having an excellent lunch in Kushiro city, I took a bus to Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve. The bus I used is as follows.

Depart Kushiro Station at 14:50, Akan Line (30) “bound for Akanko Bus Center, arrive at Tsuru Koen at 15:45, Fare Yen 920

Crane Park is located near Kushiro Airport, so it is recommended to visit there after arriving or before departing from Kushiro Airport by plane. The park was very enjoyable, as you can see many Japanese cranes up close. The Japanese cranes are a nationally protected species (a special national natural treasure).

I had no idea until I went to the crane park that Japanese cranes have a fixed egg-laying schedule: they lay eggs in April and May, and the parent cranes hold the eggs for 32 days before chicks are born. Therefore, many chicks are born in May and June. Chicks weigh only 140 grams at birth. Three months later, however, they weigh 6 kg, almost the same size as their parents.

In 2022, three mating pairs of Japanese crane chicks were born at Crane Park on May 7, May 18, and June 18. I was able to see three different sizes of Japanese crane chicks on July 4 when I went to the crane park, and late May to early July is the best time to see the chicks.

Watching the chicks and their parents walking together and eating food made me forget the passage of time. Crane Park is a must-visit place when you visit Kushiro. Again, late May to early July is the best time to see the chicks.

Admission: Adults (high school students and older) Yen 480, Elementary and junior high school students Yen 110

I asked the receptionist at Crane Park to reserve a cab for me and took a cab from Crane Park to Kushiro Airport around 5:30 p.m. The taxi fare was about Yen 1,000.

You can also take a bus from Crane Park to Kushiro Airport. However, the number of buses is limited. The bus to Kushiro Airport departs from Crane Park at 17:01 and arrives at Kushiro Airport at 17:10 (Yen 200).

After arriving at Kushiro Airport, I had dinner and returned to Haneda Airport.

Depart Kushiro Airport at 20:15, JAL544, arrive at Haneda Airport at 21:55

This trip to Kushiro and Akkeshi was blessed with fine weather and was a very fulfilling sightseeing experience. I was able to visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center and Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve, which I had never been to before, and it was a great memory for me.

In July, it is extremely hot in the Kanto and Kansai regions, but Kushiro and other areas in Eastern Hokkaido are about 10°C cooler than the Kanto region, making it an ideal summer route to avoid the summer heat.

Note: Transportation departure and arrival times, fares, entrance fees, and meal prices listed in the text are current at the time of BLOG writing. They are subject to change in the future, so please check them yourself when you travel.