| Population | 157,288 |
| Size | 1,362.90 km2 |
| Contact | https://www.city.kushiro.lg.jp/ Kushiro City Hall - 0154-23-5151 |
| Location / Getting There | Kushiro is located in the south eastern part of Hokkaido. By car, from Sapporo the fastest route is a 4 hour 21 minute drive (tolls included). Head east via route 38. For a long drive you can take the scenic coastal drive down south to Erimo and then across east Kushiro. This coastal drive will take about 8 hours. There is an airport in Kushiro also. |
Kushiro is a small city in the eastern part of Hokkaido and is located on the coast and is the most populated city in eastern Hokkaido. Its history dates back to 1869. Being a port city, it has strong ties to the fishing industry. It is also most famous for the two national parks surrounding the city. These national parks are Kushiro Marsh and Akan Marsh. Kushiro has a main train station, airport and a main road that runs through the center of town, with many temples, museums and restaurants. Food wise, Kushiro is the birthplace of ‘Zangi’ (deep fried chicken) and also ‘SupaKatsu’ (a local dish of spaghetti and fried pork cutlet). So what to do in Kushiro? Read on!
Sightseeing
Friendship Square Kobunka Kushiro City Museum Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO Kushiro Marsh Observatory
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Nusamai Bridge Nusumai Park Onnenai Visitor Centre Sakaemachiheiwa Park
Food
Nightlife
Accommodation
Hotel Crown Hills Kushiro Kushiro Century Castle Hotel
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | Times vary |
| Contact | 011-3622-1099 |
| Notes | Catholic church, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The church is located in central Kutchan. It is a 13 minute walk from Kutchan station. Can be accessed from route 276 which runs through the center of town. 1 Chome Kita 5 Jonishi, Kutchan, Abuta District, Hokkaido 044-0055 |
Not only can you find Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout the cities and towns of Hokkaido, but there are also churches where people can practice their faith. Many smaller towns don’t have churches but Kutchan is a larger town and the Kutchan Catholic Church is the main church here. The church is on a large plot of land and is made up of a few buildings, one which also serves as a kindergarten. The church opening times in Sunday say from 9:00 in summer and 10:00 in winter, but it is best to call beforehand as the times may vary.
The church has a small parking area for those driving in. During the warm spring months, there are a couple of cherry blossom trees on the premises. The church has a nice view of Mt. Yotei. Also on the church grounds, you can find a nice statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue has been placed in a small hillock and is surrounded by vines which flower during the summer. The spot makes for a good photo. For those driving, the church is easily accessed from the main road that runs through the town of Kutchan. If you are taking public transport, it is not a far walk from the train station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi during the winter.
| Opening Hours | 9:00 - 12:00 13:00 - 16:00 |
| Closed | Weekends and public holidays |
| Contact | 011-261-7502 http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/sapporo/index.html |
| Notes | Free parking |
| Location / Getting There | Located in central Sapporo by Odori Park on west 11. It is an easy walk from Nishi juitchome Station subway station (Tozai Line). Take exit 1 and walk diagonally across the park, past the fountain. The immigration bureau is on the 7th floor. 12 Chome Odorinishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0042 |
For all foreigners living in Japan, you will inevitably come to the immigration bureau at some point. The main immigration bureau is in Sapporo but there are also immigration offices in Asahikawa, the New Chitose Airport, Tomakomai, and Kushiro. For visas it is juts a matter of checking off what’s needed and can take a few trips back and forth. It can either be an easy or difficult experience. In Sapporo, upon entering the building, you will need to sign in, get a badge and go through the security gate. Immigration is on the 7th floor. The staff here generally speak little English which can make things a little more difficult. There is a small help desk on the left hand side of the door and is manned by two old Japanese guys. They too, speak very little English but will help you with forms. All the visa forms here are here; student, work, spousal, permanent residence, and specialist visas.
The immigration bureau can get busy so be prepared to wait. They do close for lunch as well so early mornings are usually best to get there. Once you have all your forms ready take a ticket and wait (don’t forget to bring your passport and alien registration card). One convenient thing about the immigration building is that it is a short walk from the central city hall (if you live in the area) so any extra forms you may need, are a quick walk away. When picking up a new visa you need to pay for it. There is a convenience store on the B1 basement floor and it is here you will buy a stamp equivalent to your visa cost (usually from ¥3000 to ¥6000). Take the stamp back to the 7th floor and you are done. For more information on types of visas, click here.
| Opening Hours | 8:30 - 20:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 011-213-5088 |
| Notes | Tourist information centre, English speaking staff, ATM, money exchange, coffee shop, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | Located at Sapporo station, across from the east exit. It is next to the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. 〒060-0806 Hokkaido, Sapporo, Kita Ward, Kita 6 Jonishi, 4 Chome, JR Sapporo Station West Concourse |
For those newly arrived in Sapporo, or Hokkaido for that matter, this centre is an extremely useful resource to have access to. The information centre is convenient to find and easily accessible. The centre is located across from the east exit at Sapporo Station and is part of the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza. The large counter here is attended by helpful employees who can speak English. They are happy to assist you with any inquiries you may have whether it be for the JR train to bookings and hotels.. There are plenty of brochures with information not only of Sapporo, but of all the main sightseeing cities in Hokkaido.
The Sapporo Information Centre also has a money exchange machine which is very handy. This machine has ten different languages to choose from making it easy to use and about a dozen different currencies to exchange. For other quick money, there is an ATM on the premises. There are prepaid sim cards to use for your phone which are available here. Also for electrical appliances there are charging stations. So, for those just arriving and need some extra info, the Hokkaido Sapporo Information Centre is the perfect spot.
| Opening Hours | 5:00 - 23:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Contact | 0123-23-0111 http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/ja/ |
| Notes | International and domestic terminals, restaurants, 2 hotel, play area, museum, and souvenir stores, wheelchair access |
| Location / Getting There | New Chitose Airport is in the south west of Hokkaido. It is about a 45 minute train ride from Sapporo city. The cost is ¥1150 per person Bibi, Chitose, Hokkaido 066-0012 |
The New Chitose Airport opened in 1988 to replace the old airport. Since then the airport has been upgraded and has expanded its international terminal as well as its domestic terminal. The airport is the gateway to Hokkaido and sees over twenty million visitors each year pass through its gates. From the airport to the major city of Sapporo, it is a 45 minute train ride or an hour bus ride. The three story complex has an array of souvenir stores, restaurants, relaxation facilities, and entertainment facilities.
Points of interest at the New Chitose Airport include the Hokkaido Ramen Dojo. You can enjoy one more ramen bowl before heading home. There are ten famous Hokkaido ramen stores to choose from. At the airport you can also check out Roycs Chocolate World. They have a small factory to watch, a chocolate museum, and of course, a chocolate shop. There is also a small Doraemon Sky park for the kids. For those needing to relax there is the New Chitose Airport Onsen. Here they have reclining chairs to relax and wait for your flight. This airport closes at 11:00pm so there is nowhere to stay overnight. This onsen is available to stay at however!
The trains that run from New Chitose Airport leave around every fifteen minutes. The trains run from the basement floor. For buses see below.
| Sapporo (via Fukuzumi station) Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo | Bus stop 14, 22 |
| Oyachi Kita 24 (via Asabu) Miyanosawa Sapporo Beer Garden (via kanjo dori east) | Bus stop 13, 20 |
| Makomanai Maruyama Bus Terminal Soen,Nishi 14-chome Kita 9-jo | Bus stop 12, 21 |
| Jozankei Onsen Obihiro Tokachigawa Onsen Asahikawa 21 | Bus stop 21 |
| Downtown Chitose Atsuma Lake Shikotsu | Bus stop 1, 28 |
| Tomakomai Muroran Noboribetsu Onsen Urakawa Hobetsu Shiraoi | Bus stop 2, 29 |
| Ski bus Niseko Rustsu | Bus stop 12 |
| Opening Hours | JR call center 6:30 - 22:00 |
| Closed | - |
| Notes | Ticket counters, restaurants, tourist information center, lockers, wheelchair access, souvenir stores. JR Hakodate main line for Otaru, Niseko, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. Access to the subway Namboku, and Toho lines, Transport to Sapporo New Chitose Airport, Limited Express Lilac and Kamui for Sapporo & Asahikawa Limited Express Okhotsk for Sapporo, Asahikawa & Abashiri Limited Express Suzuran for Sapporo, Chitose, Noboribetsu, & Muroran. |
| Contact | 011-222-6131 011-222-7111 JR call center |
| Getting There | Located in the central Sapporo. A 40 minute express train ride from the New Chitose Airport. Or a 55 minute bus ride from New Chitose Airport 4 Chome Kita 6 Jonishi, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0806 |
Sapporo Station is the hub of the city of Sapporo. All travelers will pass through its gates before branching out to different parts of the city, or for most, different cities in Hokkaido. It originally opened in 1880 and was revamped in 2003. With its ten platforms, it is an easy station to use! From New Chitose Airport, it is a 40 minute express train ride or 55 minute bus ride. The JR train arrives on the elevated platform giving views over the south of Sapporo (which includes Odori park, and Susukino). Once arriving simply follow everyone down the stairs or escalators to the ground floor. From here, you can either head to the western exit or eastern ticket exit.
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The east exit leads to JR tower (the highest building in Sapporo), plus the Esta building and Bic Camera (a popular tourist spot for shopping) which is on the south east side of Sapporo station. On the west side of Sapporo station, the west exit leads to the Sapporo subway station. You can also find the Daimaru department store, plus the tourist information site, souvenir store, and JR ticket counter for Hokkaido travel, and Paseo West which has about twenty different restaurants! Also above the station there is the department store, Stellar Place. The west exit out of the gates is the main exit if you need to head into the heart of Sapporo. It is at Sapporo station, you can find JR Hakodate main line for Otaru, Niseko, Hakodate, and Asahikawa. There is access to the subway Namboku, and Toho lines, transport to Sapporo New Chitose Airport.
