My Holiday at East Hokkaido
Day 1 (Sat) - Flight to Hokkaido and train to Kushiro City
Flew on Scoot Airline TR 892 (Terminal 2) to New Chitose Airport (Transit via Taipei)
Left at 6.10am and finally landed at New Chitose Airport at 4.55pm
New Chitose Airport after exiting Baggage Claims
After collecting our baggage, exit the Green Channel and into the International Airport Terminal.
To get to the train station, we have to walk along a long walkway to Domestic Airport Terminal.
New Chitose Airport towards Domestic Airport Terminal
To get to Kushiro City, we took the last train to Kushiro, leaving at 8.11pm and arriving into Kushiro at 11.55pm.
This will allow us to have a good dinner at New Chitose Airport.
No meals are available on the train.
NCA Third Floor - Dinner
We went to the 3rd floor for our Dinner
To board the train to Kushiro, we took a train from New Chitose Airport to Minami Chitose Station.
Train Fare to Kushiro is about 17,000 Yen (S$204) for two person.
We took the Reserved Seat as it is a long four hours journey.
As it was cold outside the station, we went to Minami Chitose Station (waiting room)
Minami Chistose Station Platform No. 1 for train going to Kushiro
Train to Kushiro was on-time but due to un-foreseen rail track issues, the train took an extra hour to travel to Kushiro. We arrived into Kushiro city around 1.30am on Sunday morning.
Kushiro Station
What a disaster !
We had informed our hotel “SUPER HOTEL KUSHIRO EKIMAE” that we would check-in around mid-night.
But we were un-aware that the Hotel Reception closed at Mid-night !
We walked from Kushiro Station to Super Hotel (5-mins walk) and
to our dismay, the Hotel Lobby door was locked and reception was closed.
We were stranded out in the cold and windy with our luggages.
As I examined the Hotel Lobby Door, I saw a sign board saying hotel guests can enter using their keypad password.
We have not check-in and have no password !
Then, came a drunken man, walking towards the Hotel Lobby door.
But he could not get in as he was drunk and was holding a piece of paper.
I went to him and look at his paper.
It has the Hotel Keypad password 
I used the password and managed to open the main door.
The drunken man mummured “Thank You” and went to his room.
We called every phone number we can find at the reception and the fact is:
Reception is closed and nobody will be coming till 6.30am.
We have been awake and traveling for the last 20 hours.
We decided to sleep at the empty hotel lobby and wait.
Super Hotel Cafeteria
We cancelled the hotel Booking and left around 6.30am.
Day 2 (Sun) - Washo Market, Crane Santuary, Lake Akan
We stored our luggage at Kushiro Station’s rented locker (S$6).
Went to a nearby Japanese Hotel for a fantastic Japanese Buffet Breakfast.
After breakfast, we walk to nearby famous Kushiro Washo Market (open at 8am).
Kushiro Washo Market Breakfast Stall
Kushiro Washo Market Crabs
Time for us to rent our car at Kushiro Nippon Rent-A-Car outlet (Right in front of Kushiro Train Station).
Kushiro Nippon Rent A Car
We drove north towards Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary (Red Head Cranes) for two hours.
Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary Ticketing Office
When we reach Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary Ticketing Office,
we found out that it is not Crane season (Nov - Feb.) and was closed.
Managed to take a photo of the poster
Next, we drove towards Lake Akan for Lunch (another two hours drive).
Lake Akan Lunch
and went for street shopping.
Lake Akan Shopping Street
Lake Akan Marimo
We found out that Lake Akan is the only place with green ball-shaped seaweed !
Lake Akan Woodcraft
Many shops selling mainly beautiful hand-make woodcraft.
Hokkaido Onsen Japan Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga
We checked into one of the best Onsen Hotel with eleven hot spring baths - Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga
Hotel Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga - Room
Hotel Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga - Bathroom
Hotel Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga has one of the largest range of onsens in Lake Akan
Main hall view of the Onsens
Main Onsen near the entrance
It has natural minerals in the water that gives the greenish color. Must try 5-stars !
Two Onsens with water jets
next to the outdoor onsen at 3rd level
Outdoor Onsen facing Lake Akan
You can feel the cold wind as you enter the outdoor onsen.
Do go straight and walk into the hot spring quickly to avoid getting the shivers.
After 15 mins in the hot spring, coming out of it feels refreshing in the cold air.
Another water jet onsen (in the backgroud) at third level
Splashing hot spring from ceiling
On the right wall of the main Onsen Hall, there are three cubicles with hot spring water splashing from the ceiling down to the seats, and one of them has a marble bed for prone position
After check-in and an hour of relaxing onsen time, we took a walk outside to nearby Japan’s Native People Village
Lake Akan Ainu Village
Lake Akan activity Map
and followed by a huge buffet dinner.
Hotel Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga - Buffet Dinner
We finally had our first long night sleep, since the start our our trip.
Day 3 (Mon) - Kawayu Onsen, Okhotsk Chipmunk Park, Lake Abashiri
6am, we were up and went for an hour of onsen time, followed by early breakfast.
Hotel Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga - Buffet Breakfast
After checking out from Hotel @ 9am, we drove eastward for Kawayu Train Station
(about an hour drive)
As we arrived at Kawayu Train Station, it was deserted and no one insight.
Thought we have gone to the wrong place
As we look around, we spotted a small wooden building on the right side of the train station.
We found the famous “Kawayu Onsen Station Foot Bath”.
Kawayu Onsen Station Foot Bath
As we went in, we found two groups of people with their legs in the foot bath.
One group from the Philippines back packing (two middle-age ladies) and a couple of local residents.
Kawayu Onsen Foot Bath (Inside view)
Kawayu Train Station (with the Foot Bath on the right)
As the Kawayu Onsen Town is close by, we went to have a look at the old town.
Right in the center of Kawayu Onsen Town, we found a free Yunikawa River Foot SPA and tried it.
Yunokawa River Foot SPA
To reach Abashiri, we drove towards Lake Kussharo.
When we reached Lake Kussharo, we found a unique lake stop - Sunayo Foot Onsen.
Sunayo Foot Onsen at Lake Kussharo
Sunayo Foot Onsen is unique as the water in the lake is cool to touch, but if you dig a hole in the sand (next to the water edge), there is an underground hot spring water to soak your leg and body.
The deeper the hole, the hotter it becomes.
Sunayo Onsen - soaking in a sand hole with natural hot spring water
There is a Boat pier where you can rent a self propelled cycling boat out to the lake.
Sunayo Onsen Lake Pier
If you are hungry, you can have a quick bite at the local cafeteria next to it.
Sunayo Onsen Pier and main Cafteria
As we drove around Lake Kussharo and headed north, we went upwards towards a mountain range and reached the peak in an hour - Lake Kussharo Pass.
Lake Kussharo Pass Cafeteria
As it is pass 1pm, we had a quick Japanese lunch at Lake Kussharo Pass Cafeteria first before enjoying the scenery outside.
Lake Kussharo Pass Cafeteria Menu
Lake Kussharo Pass - Fried Fish with Vegetables
Lake Kussharo Pass View from the peak
After Lunch, we went out and walk up a path for 100m to reach the peak.
Amazing 180% view of the lake.
As we drove on from Lake Kussharo Pass to Abashiri, we entered Deer territory where they roam freely. We came across a family of three deers nibbling at the grass on the left side of the road.
Road to Abashiri - Snow
With a mountain range between Lake Kussharo and Abashiri, we drove higher up and started to get colder.
Video - Driving to Abashiri
As we still have daylight time when we reached Abashiri, we decided to visit a nearby Chipmunk Park.
Okhotsk Chipmunk Park Office
Okhotsk Chipmunk Park - Feeding cute chipmunks running around
Entrance fee of 600 Yen which include a packet of seeds and free use of hand gloves.
Video - Fun with the chipmunks !
Overview of Hotel Abashirikoso - Main entrance
We arrived at Hotel Abashirikoso 5pm.
Hotel Abashirikoso - Onsen indoor
As Dinner is served at 6pm, we went for an hour of Onsen.
It has a large community hot bath outdoor onsen
Hotel Abashirikoso - Dinner Restaurant
Dinner was served Japanese style with our private cubicle space.
Luckily, our private cubicle space has a leg well at the table that we could sit down comfortably, instead of sitting on our knees.
Hotel Abashirikoso - Dinner
In true Japanese style, we were served with many small colorful dishes of vegetables, pickles, shashimi, pork in a pot, Shrimps, crab legs and desserts.
Hotel Abashirikoso - Main Lobby
Day 4 (Tue) - Abashiri, Oshinkoshin Falls, Shiretoko
Hotel Abashirikoso - Breakfast
Drive to Shiretoko - Shopping
Drive to Shiretoko Town, passing Monkey Rock
Drive towards Oshinkoshin Falls
Oshinkoshin Falls - Entrance
Oshinkoshin Falls
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Arriving
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Dinner
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Room
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Sunset
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Indoor Onsen
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Outdoor Onsen facing the street
Day 5 (Wed) - Shiretoko Cruise, Kumanoyu Onsen, Rausu
Shiretoko Noble Hotel - Breakfast
Shiretoko Cruise - Ticketing Office
Shiretoko Cruise - Towards Pier
Shiretoko Cruise - Aurora
Shiretoko Cruise - Cave
Shiretoko Cruise - Mountain View
Shiretoko Cruise - Top Deck
Shiretoko Cruise - Waterfalls
Video - Enjoy the Shiretoko Cruise !
Shiretoko Museum - Exhibits
Shiretoko Nature Center - Bear
Shiretoko Nature Center - Main Lobby
Shiretoko Nature Center
Shiretoko Goko Lakes
Shiretoko Goko Lakes Broadwalk
Shiretoko Pass - Facilities
Shiretoko Pass - Mountain
Shiretoko Pass - Snow
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - After crossing the bridge
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - Bridge
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - Front
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - Ladies Area
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - Men Area on the right
Kumanoyu Hot Spring - Path to Hot Spring
Day 6 (Thu) - Rausu Cruise, Shopping, Sibetsu Salmon Museum, Nemuro
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Breakfast
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Foot SPA
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Front
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Lobby
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Men
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Onsen
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Room
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Shopping
Rausu Daiichi Hotel - Women
Rausu Fishing Port
Rausu Nature Museum
Rausu Observatory
Rausu Town Dinner - Fish
Rausu Town Dinner Restaurant
Rausu Town Dinner
Rausu Town Shopping - Clams
Rausu Town Shopping - Crab Legs Tasting
Rausu Town Shopping - Crabs
Rausu Town Shopping - Front
Rausu Town Shopping - Juicy Crab Legs
Rausu Town Shopping - Legs
Rausu Town Shopping - Octopus
Rausu Town Shopping - Sea Urchin
Rausu Town Shopping
Sibetsu Salmon Park - Aquarium
Sibetsu Salmon Park - Front
Sibetsu Salmon Park - Toothless
Sibetsu Town - Lunch
Sibetsu Town - Lunch
Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei - Breakfast buffet
Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei - Decoration
Hotel Nemuro Kaiyoutei
Nemuro Town - AEON Supermarket
Nemuro Town - Shopping
Nemuro Town
Nemuro Town Dinner - Chicken
Nemuro Town Dinner - Front
Nemuro Town Dinner Dessert
Day 7 (Fri) - Visit to Kintappu Cape, Akkeshi (Oyster town) and to Kushiro City
Kinrappu Cape
Kintappu Cape Museum
Akkeshi Gourmet Park - Shopping
Akkeshi Gourmet Park - Western Menu
Kushiro BBQ Dinner - Fish set
Kushiro BBQ Dinner - Front
Kushiro BBQ Dinner - Pork
La Vista Kushirogawa Hotel - Room
La Vista Kushirogawa Hotel - View of MOO
Day 8 (Sat) - Kushiro Shopping, Train to Airport, Airport Food Court
New Chitose Airport - Food Court
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