| 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 | 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.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | 011-5472-2712 |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, parking available |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located on the south east coast of Hokkaido in the town of Shiranuka. The shrine is off route 38. It is a 15 minute walk from Shiranuka Station. 〒088-0304 Hokkaido, Shiranuka District, Shiranuka, Misaki, 1-1-5 |
This large shrine is located in the town of Shiranuka. It was originally built around 1804. Over the years it has been rebuilt and renovated. The last being on October 28, 1982. Shiranukaitsukushima Shrine can be seen from the coastal road on route 38. It is situated halfway up, on one of the large hills that line the coast in this area. It is recommended to park down the bottom and walk to the top. The entrance on the main road is marked by a torii gate. You can simply park here if traveling by car. Alternatively, the shrine is a 10 minute walk from the station.
From the bottom of the hill, it is small walk up to the shrine itself. It only takes a couple minutes. Interestingly, to get to the shrine, travelers and worshippers alike need to walk over the train tracks to get to the steps. So check for trains! Once at the shrine, it has nice views of the town of Shiranuka including the ocean if the weather is good. There is a small wood area plus small shrines and Komainu (the lion dog guardians) that are in various places on the grounds.
| Admission | Free |
| Opening Hours | - |
| Contact | - |
| Notes | Shinto shrine, parking, car needed |
| Location / Getting There | The shrine is located on the south east coast of Hokkaido in the small town of Toyoni, in the district of Hiroo. The shrine is on route 336. It is just on the outskirts of Hiroo on the way to Obihiro. 〒089-2455 Hokkaido, Hiroo District, Hiroo, Toyoni Hondori 47 |
The beginnings of Toyoni Shrine dates back to August 1891. It all started as a simple and small garden shrine that was created by a settler, Kanjiro Inoue, who had made his way to the district of Hiroo. As a guardian deity of the area, he held a ritual of protection during the seasons of spring and autumn. For entertainment, folk songs were sung and children’s sumo events were held. All of this stopped suddenly, and later in 1945 after much discussion and organization for funds, a full shrine was built and completed. Due to decay and deterioration the shrine was reconstructed in 1985, and has maintained its appearance as you see it today.
The shrine is just off route 336, and it can easily be seen from this road, especially if you are driving from Hiroo to Obihiro. Obihiro being an hour drive away from the coast. It is just before the small town of Toyoni. There isn’t any parking but there is a drive way and grassland where you can stop. The grounds are quite nice in the summer months, and there are gardens and wild flowers growing around the area. This is a small shrine with 125 households as parishioners. The shrine is 11.5 tsubo.
