| Cost per night | ¥10,000 - ¥28,000 |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 12:00 |
| Contact | 0154-432-111 |
| Yuuyoo Terrace Kushiro Japanese, Mediterranean and Chinese | 07:00 - 10:00 Breakfast 11:30 - 14:30 Lunch * Chef's complimentary 'sika deer curry' available to order at front desk (limited servings) |
| Guest Lounge | 07:00 to 23:00 free drinks, PC & printer, newspapers, magazines & guidebooks |
| Wi-fi | Yes |
| Services | Air conditioning, parking, 24 hour front desk, coin laundry service, bath salt bar, pillow selection available, no smoking in rooms (smoking area available), wedding chapel, party and banquet room, Mediterranean and Chinese restaurant, ocean views, no pets allowed, |
| Parking | Free parking |
| Notes | 4 star hotel, 48 rooms |
| Location | The hotel is in central Kushiro. It is a 40 minute drive from Kushiro Airport, or a 5 minute drive from JR Kushiro Station (head / 5-minute walk from Kushiro's downtown area 13 Chome-1-14 Kitaodori, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0015 |
The Kushiro Century Castle Hotel was established in December 1987. It was designed by the late Kiko Mozuna, a Kushiro City local and a master of postmodernism architecture. The hotel is regarded as one of the first designer hotels in Japan. The hotel can be found along Kushiro River and has a unique appearance. It has views over the bay and has striking views of the famous Kushiro sunsets and Nusamai Bridge. If you are looking for a hotel with some style over the typical business hotels, then this is a great option. The price is very good for what i available. This hotel has a master suite which is beautifully designed.
The design of the interior has a comfortable British feel. The hotel concentrates on the small touches which makes it a pleasant experience. For example, the keys use brass key plates, the guest lobby is well presented, and the chapel is nice for a wedding. The restaurant, Yuuyō Terrace focuses its cuisine on fresh vegetables and brown rice. Along with Japanese dishes, they have Mediterranean and Chinese to choose from. Yuuyō Terrace also has a restaurant in Sapporo. For those looking for a comfortable stay with a little extra class, this is a great hotel close by to many of the attractions in Kushiro.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 07:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 17:00 coffee shop |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot, car needed or bus travel available, restrooms, souvenir store, cafe |
| Location / Getting There | The park is a 30 minute drive south from central Obihiro, take route 236. For those using public transport, from the bus terminal in front of JR Obihiro Station, take the Tokachi Bus bound for "Hiroo" and get off at the "Happiness" bus stop (about 45 minutes). It's 5 minute walk from here. From the Tokachi airport, it only a 5 minute drive or taxi ride. Obihiro, Hokkaido 089-1246 |
Kōfuku Station is a closed railway station from the now defunct Hiroo line. The station originally opened on 1st November 1956, but the line, which went from Obihiro to Hiroo, was discontinued in 1987 bringing an end to the station. Even though the station closed down, it still remains a popular sightseeing spot for tourists. Why? Well, it comes down to the name of the station. The name Kofuku (幸福）translates to “happiness” and the station became famous after it was featured on a Japanese NHK TV travel programme which aired in 1973. The station name is formed from the combination of the original name of the area, Kōshin. Plus many farmers settled here in 1902 coming from Fukui prefecture after flooding. Kō + Fuku = Kōfuku.
Kōfuku Station is part of Kōfuku Kōtsu Park. In this area, there is a nice little coffee shop, plus a small souvenir store (the Kōfuku train ticket is a very popular item), and photography area. There are two old trains here that have been turned into small museums. This area is especially popular for couples as the site was chosen as a ‘Sanctuary for Lovers’ in 2008. There is a special bell here that can be rung for good luck, plus the main attraction is the small hut here. You can write a message on a pink ticket and stick it to the wall. The hut is covered with thousands of these messages. Kōfuku Station is a popular spot to visit, if you can get out that way.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10: 00 - 17:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-5442-5584 |
| Notes | Museum, historical site |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is located by Kushiro River overlooking the harbor. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. By bus, take the 'Takuboku circulation line' and get off at the "Monument of the Little Boy" stop. 3 minutes on foot. From Kushiro Station Bus Terminal, take bus 2, 3, 27, 28, or 30 and get off at "Jujigai". 5 minutes on foot. From the airport, take the airport bus (Akan bus) and get off at "MOO". From here, it's 7 minutes on foot. 2 Chome-1-12 Omachi, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0847 |
In Kushiro, along the promenade that follows Kushiro River, you can find the Kobunkan. It is across the wide river from the Fisherman’s Wharf MOO. Kobunkan serves as a museum and as a historical spot. It is a restoration of the former Kushiro Shibun Newspaper Company. This office building was originally built in 1908. The small building is easily recognizable by its red brick facade, and gives the museum a certain rustic charm. Getting to the museum is relatively simple. From Kushiro train station, follow the main street down to Nusamai Bridge. Kobunkan is on the right after crossing the bridge.
The Kushiro Shinbun Newspaper was visited by the Japanese poet, Takuboku Ishikawa. He worked at the paper for 76 days, and it is here at the museum you can find many exhibits and rare documents relating to his work. The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the development of Kushiro. It holds maps of the planned port and a city map during the Meiji Era. Here there is also small cafe so you can enjoy a tea or coffee in nice surroundings. The second floor has the exhibits for the poet, Takuboku Ishikawa. There is also a statue of him outside by the museum.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10: 00 - 19:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0154-23-0600 |
| Notes | Seafood market, restaurant, souvenir shops, sightseeing spot |
| Location / Getting There | The fishermans market is by the waters edge on Kushiro River. It is next to Nusamai Bridge. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. 2 Chome-4 Nishikicho, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0016 |
Developed in 1989, this wharf area, which goes by the local name of “MOO”, has shops, restaurants, a fitness club, an indoor garden and a pool. There are also stops for buses which depart to Lake Akan, Abashiri, Nemuro, Obihiro and Sapporo. The area is generally lively with locals and tourists alike enjoying the center. Also of interest nearby is the “EGG” which is an all year greenhouse designed to give people a chance to rest and relax and enjoy the sun even during the bitter Kushiro winter. The greenhouse is designed to reflect the shape of a giant yacht in fitting with its location near the wharf.
The shopping centre is home to a dozen restaurants. These include ramen restaurants, a sweets store, a cafe, an ice-cream store, and a bakery to name a few. Here you can enjoy lunches and dinners throughout a busy day of shopping and sightseeing. While in Kushiro, this is a great place to drop into and do your shopping. You can fins some local delicacies and a tonne of seafood to purchase and take home. Great for a a gift or souvenir.
| Admission | - |
| Opening Hours | 10: 00-16: 00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-5586-2113 uchu@town.taiki.hokkaido.jp |
| Notes | Museum, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The museum is an 18 minute drive from central town of Taiki (south east coast of Hokkaido). Traveling along route 336, you will see a space shuttle sign. Take this road and follow it to the museum. Bisei, Taiki, Hiroo District, Hokkaido 089-2115 |
The town of Taiki is on the south east coast of Hokkaido. Since 1990, the town has been been promoting ‘space development’. The Sora Space Museum was opened in April 2018. The exhibition facility was opened so more people can learn about various experiments and efforts related to aerospace. In the museum you can find space suit exhibitions plus rockets that were used for experiments plus model rockets. Patrons can also experience the roaring sound of the H-IIB rocket launching on a large screen.
The museum is free to enter. For those in big groups, it is better to book ahead and get a personalized tour. They do provide meeting rooms that can be rented out for ¥2500. On the adjacent lot next to the museum, there is the Air Park. The first thing you will notice will be the giant hangar like building that dominates the area. It is here, and on the airstrip that various experiments are done. On occasion, drones can be spotted flying around. There is ample parking. This area can be closed on occasion so its best to call ahead as there is not much else in the area and it’s slightly out of the way from anything else.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours |
| Contact | 015-431-1993 |
| Notes | Sightseeing spot |
| Location / Getting There | The bridge is located in central Kushiro. It is along the main road, Kitadori 113. It is a 15 minute walk, south from Kushiro station. Kitaodori, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0015 |
Located not far from Fisherman’s Wharf (MOO), the Nusamai Bridge measures 124 m in length and was completed in 1976. The current bridge is the fifth after others were destroyed by floods or replaced due to age. The bridge has sculptures representing the four seasons adorning its handrails along the way and is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Hokkaido. It spans across the lower section of Kushiro River which flows into the North Pacific Ocean. It is one of the three major bridges in Hokkaido, along with Toyohira Bridge in Sapporo and Asahibashi in Asahikawa.
The sculptures were produced by well known Japanese artists Shin Hongo and Churyo Sato. It is also lit by old style lamps which gives the bridge a romantic European feel at night. The bridge is particularly popular at sunrise and sunset when the lighting and mist combine to create the most romantic feel. At this time, the bridge makes fro a perfect spot to get some great photos. The bridge being by the waterfront makes for a nice area to include as a jogging spot, for those keeping fit.
