Campsite

Ramsar site

Observatory

Crabs

Milk

Vehicle-restricted zone
North Pacific Ocean
Seaside LinePark

Prawns

Kelp

Parking spaces

Oysters

Sea urchin

Shirarutoro Nature Information Center

Kushiro River

Akkeshi-Kiritappu- Konbumori
Quasi-National Park

Lake Shirarutoro

Chanbetsu River

d

221

kash
ib
Seiwa

Yumegaoka Observatory

Arekinai

Obetsu14

Akkeshi Town

Akkeshi Gourmet Park Roadside Station

272

Kamioboro

Monshizu

Oboro River

Tomata Coast

Tomata1128

Cape Barasan

Kamibeppo Genya
Ten’neru

Obirashike Kushiro Beppo IC

uro M

Nem

)

i Line

asak

(Han

ine
ain L

221

Oboro

Cape Aikappu

Oboro Diversion

Rukushuporu

Beppo River

Akkeshi Bay

Beppo Park

Futakobe

142

Shiroyama
MataitokiOtakupaushi

Chorobetsu River
1128

Pirikauta
Coast

Akkeshi Konbumori Route

Fukayama
Kushiro Local Production for
Local Consumption Center (Lo Bazaar)
Chorobetsu

Konbumori
Poronai
Fushiko

Senposhi

142

Nemuro-Hamanaka-Kushiro Line
Kitoushi

Tomachise

Tateiwa

PontomariAtoekaBuima

Shukutokunai

Shiroiwa Todoiwa

SontekiSekineppu Lookout Open Space Furubanya
Konbumori Shirepa
Maruyama
National Recreation Pontaraushi
Wakacharase
ForestBesshakutomari

Nikomanai

Takoiwa

Cape Aikappu
Observatory
Bell Arch

Senpozenji Temple
Soryusugi

Atoeka Village

Rosokuiwa

Sekineppu

Oshamappu
Chipomanai

Tokitai River

Sarukiushi

Tokotan
MabiroMeotoiwa

Pirikauta Hiroba

Kojima Island

Maruyamachirippu
Mochirippu 123

Hichirippu
Watarichirippu

Hokakeiwa

Kiritappu Cape Campsite
123

BiwaseKojima Island

Gome Island

Kiritappu Onsen Yuyu

Cape Azechi

BiwaseObservatory
Madoiwa

Tobai

Ainu-iwa

Mochirippu Swamp

123

Kujirahama

Cape Namida
Ayamegahara Wild Iris Garden

Tachiiwa

Chinbe no Hana

NemuroHamanaka
Akkeshi

Pacific Ocean

Cape Shirepa

Tofutsu

Kiritappu Port

Kenbokki Island

TokitaiChikushikoi Campsite

955

Cape
Aininkappu

Bin’nai

1128

Kushiro Forest Park

Lake Akkeshi

Shogyo-ji Temple main hall
Kokutai-ji Temple historic site
Nenohi Park
Aikappu Museum of Natural History

Okimanbetsu

1039

Hichirippu Swamp

Benten Shrine, Kakijima Island

Midori no Furusato Park

142
44

Akkeshi Ohashi

Oboro Station

44

Beppo
Beppo Station

Ichibansawa

123

oad

Kiritappu Wetland Center

Kiritappu Marsh
Nibansawa

Horonitai

Wakatake

Akkeshi Boyodai

Kamioboro Station

Tokotan599

Cape Kiritappu(Cape Tofutsu)

Bokibetsu

MG R

Sanbansawa
Prefectural forest

425

Raibetsu

Obirashike River

Yobansawa

iver

Oboro Genya
1003

Shinkawa

Kamuiwa

Akkeshi Station
Akkeshi

Sakakimachi

se R

ShirahamaMonshizu Station

Mouraito

123

808

Kitanosawa

Toya

Senpoji

Kiritappu peat-forming plant communities
RokubansawauNemChiraikaribetsu

Itoizawa Station

Akadomari

Sakakimachi Ikoi no Hiroba

Biwa

Toya Station
Toya

Opporo River

na

(Ha

Opporo1128
221

Toritoshi

Line

Bekanbeushi River

Akkeshi Mikaku Terminal (Conchiglie)

Kushiro Town

ain
ro M

PorotoShirishizu

599

ine)

iL
sak

Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Center

14

Higashi-Arekinai

shi Line

Iwabokki

Ota

Toro Akke

Hosooka Observatory

Itoizawa
44

123

Hashirikotan

Bekanbeushi

Urayakotan
Ponporoto

Otsuyazawa

Bekanbeushi-bashi Canoe Station (midpoint)

Obetsubashi
Canoe Station(end point)

1128

Arekinai Genya

Hosooka Visitors’ Lounge

Chanai506

Bekanbeushi Marsh
Obetsu River

Katamusari

Takkobu

391

Hosooka813

Poroto Swamp
Motto Kazete

RakunoObservatory

Chanai Station

Arekinai River

Lake Takkobu

Hamanaka142

807

Bekanbeushi-gawa-bashi Canoe Station (starting point)

Kitakatamusari

Takkobu Auto Campsite
Hosooka Station

Poroto River

Hamanaka Station
449

Sattebetsu

Kush
iro N
a

JR S
e

nmo
Ma

etsu

in LineLake Toro

Sankakudai

Anebetsu Ryokuei

Katamusari River

Roa

Toro Motomura Campsite
Toro

449

449

Toro Genya

Bettoga River

Anebetsu Station
Anebetsu

123

Wakamatsu

Omoshirobetsu River

Shibecha Museum (Nitai-to)

Toro Station

Hosooka Port
Canoe Station

988

Anebetsu Minami

betsuSetaniushi

Toroko Eco Museum Center (Arukotto)
1060

Chanai Genya

Shibecha Town

Toroko Port Canoe Station
Sugawara(canoe port)

Bekanbeushi River

Koyo

988

Kumaushi

Hamanaka Town

Shimo-Chanbetsu

Sarurun Observatory
Sarubo Observatory

449
123

807

Naka-Chanbetsu

272

Attoko Station

44

14

Raibetsu

243

AttokoEnshubetsunishi

River

Kayanuma Station

Quasi-national park area

Anebetsu River
Anebetsu Kisen

Oraun

Kottaro Marsh
Observatory

Sakhalin surf clam

SalmonShibecha
Kushiro (town)

Daikoku Island
Seafowl breeding site

Kushiro (city)
Hiroo

Kitoushi Campsite
Konbumori Coast

Hokakeiwa

North Pacific Ocean Seaside Line−A mist-shrouded floral cape road−

QuasiNational
Park
Regulations

This coastal route runs 320 kilometers from Hiroo to Cape
No littering

No feeding of wildlife

No smoking outside
designated areas

No camping or fires
outside designated areas

Nosappu, passing through Kushiro, Akkeshi and Hamanaka in
the Quasi-National Park area. With stunning views of wetlands,
coastal reefs and rock formations, this mist-shrouded floral

No straying frompromenades/boardwalks

2

No disturbing of flora
or fauna (including eggs)

Be considerate of
No graffiti (or other criminal
surroundings, including local
property damage)residents and the environment.

Beware of brown bears.

Beware of herding
sika deer.

cape road is widely recognized as one of the best drives ineastern Hokkaido for its beautiful natural scenery.
Konbumori coastal area (Kushiro)

3

1

6

7

17

12

8

9

18

19

2

13

20

3

4

10

14

5

11

This area of eastern Hokkaido along the Pacific Ocean was designated as Japan’s 58th quasi-national park and Hokkaido’s 6th on March
30, 2021, more than 30 years after the previous designation of the region’s Shokanbetsu-Teuri-Yagishiri Quasi-National Park in 1990.
Its vast area covers 41,487 hectares (including 32,566 hectares of land) encompassing the regions of Kushiro, Akkeshi, Hamanaka and16

Contents

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park

2 Map of Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori
Quasi-National Park
4 Outline of Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori
Quasi-National Park
6 The earth’s story of wetlands and cliffs

21

22 Canoe tours

Photo captions

24 Campsites in the great outdoors

1. Ayamegahara Wild Iris
Garden, Akkeshi
2. Takoiwa and Todoiwa,
Kushiro3. Hokkaido sika deer in spring,Kushiro4. Akkeshi Shrine, Akkeshi
5. Cape Kiritappu (Cape
Tofutsu), Hamanaka
6. Bekanbeushi Marsh, Akkeshi
7. Bekanbeushi River, Akkeshi
8. Biwase Boardwalk,
Hamanaka
9. Kiritappu Marsh, Hamanaka
10. Hokakeiwa, Kushiro
11. Konbumori, Kushiro

25 Campsites outside the quasi-nationalpark

Shibecha, making it 1.4 times as large as Kushiro Marshland National Park (28,788 hectares). The park features the almost-pristine

10 Wetland/cliff flora

26 Popular routes in and around AkkeshiKiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-NationalPark

wetlands of Kiritappu Marsh (formed from coastal recession and sand deposition) and Bekanbeushi Marsh (formed from long-term

14 Wetland/cliff fauna

28 Priceless treasures of nature

riparian water presence). Its landscape is rich and varied, with wet areas left behind after marine recession (Lake Akkeshi and Hichirippu

18 Forests and rivers to the sea: Protecting
nature and nurturing life

29 Protecting, nurturing and co-existingwith nature’s treasures

20 A culture of symbiotic interaction withnature30 Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori QuasiNational Park by train

Marsh), cliffs stretching from Konbumori to Cape Shirepa and from Cape Aikappu to Biwase, and sea-surrounded land masses including
Daikoku Island and Kenbokki Island.
415

8 Wetland/cliff wonders of nature

12. Bekanbeushi Marsh, Akkeshi
13. Kiritappu Cape (Tofutsu Cape),
Hamanaka
14. Mt. Nishibetsu, Shibecha
15. Kiritappu Marsh, Hamanaka
16. Biwase River, Hamanaka
17. Winter whooper swan habitat,
Akkeshi
18. Ezo lesser pygmy shrew, Hamanaka
19. Hokkaido sika deer in winter,
Hamanaka
20. Cliff view from Cape Tofutsu
Lighthouse, Hamanaka
21. Hamanaka Kojima Island,
Hamanaka

5History of wetlands andcliffs carved into the earth
Wetlands formed from previous lakes and swamps, copious river flow
in wetland areas, and rich, deep forests reaching upstream
Sheer coastal cliffs and numerous Pacific islands
How did this natural landscape form?

1
A series of sea cliffs facing the Pacific Ocean (Hamanaka)

Geological overview ofthe Kushiro region

Nemuro Group (Cretaceous andPaleogene)

Urahoro Group: Shitakara Formation, Shakubetsu Formation, Tennei Formation, Yuubetsu Formation,
Beppo Formation, Harutori Formation (Paleogene)

Kushiro group: Toro Formation, Takkobu Formation,
Higashi Kushiro Formation (Quaternary)River terrace deposits, lower and upper riverterrace deposits (Quaternary)

Mt. Akan: pyroclastic flow deposits(Quaternary)
Mashu volcanic ash layer(Quaternary)Otanoshike Formation(Quaternary)
Lake Furen Formation(Quaternary)

Atsunai Formation,
Atsunai Group (Neogene)

Kussharo pumice flow deposits (Quaternary)
Paludal deposits in fens, intermediate moors
and bogs (Quaternary)

Alluviums

Tsurui Village
2

3

Shibecha Town

4

1. Bekanbeushi Marsh (Akkeshi) 2. Unusual rock formations seen from Kitoushi (Kushiro) 3. Hamanaka Kojima Island (Hamanaka) 4. Kiritappu Marsh and the
Biwase River (Hamanaka)

Strata from the last glacial period(beginning around 18,000 years ago)
– geologically known as alluviums –consist mainly of unconsolidated
mud, sand and stones on lowland
plains.

Konsen Field

Lake Shirarutoro

Natural monument

Kiritappu Peat-forming Plant Communities
Lake Toro

We drive out of Shibecha away from the Japanese Larch forest
in the Chanbetsu area (a designated quasi-national park). We
head south on Route 391 and follow Hokkaido Prefectural Road
142 toward Nemuro, then drive along the North Pacific Ocean
Seaside Line past Konbumori fishing port and on to an uphill
stretch. After driving through an area of short trees typical of
the Kushiro region, we come across a sign bearing a Kushiro
place name that few people can read – Fushiko – marking
the beginning of the quasi-national park’s coastal area. Dense
state-owned forests greet our entry along the road to Kitoushi
Campsite. We drive along an unpaved forest road for a while,and the view suddenly opens up to reveal the campground. The
outstanding view incorporates ocean waters as far as the eye cansee beyond the beachfront and rocks far below. Returning to theprefectural road, we take a short break overlooking the Pacific
Ocean at the Sekineppu Lookout Open Space before forging
on to Cape Shirepa. A walk of around 700 meters over a windswept meadow ends with a vertigo-inducing view from a coastal
cliff over a beach of wave-worn rocks 50 – 100 meters below.
We can see a rocky mass called Hokakeiwa with a torii gate on
top being washed by the waves. To the east, Daikoku Island andAkkeshi-Kojima Island dot the sea. The coastal stretch of hardrock formations is punctuated by bays, inlets and capes from
Kushiro to Hamanaka, along with oddly shaped isolated rocks
such as Shiroiwa, Tateiwa, Todoiwa, Takoiwa, Rosokuiwa and6

Hokakeiwa in Kushiro, Meotoiwa in Akkeshi, and Tachiiwa andMadoiwa in Hamanaka. Beautiful coastal scenery is a highlightof this quasi-national park. Heading into Senposhi in Kushiro,
we see Akkeshi Bay to the right, then get onto Route 44 at Oboro
toward downtown Akkeshi. As we cross the vermillion Akashi
Bridge, we see Kakijima Island’s Benten Shrine on Lake Akkeshi– a brackish water mass with a circumference of about 25 km fedby the Bekanbeushi River from the north. In the upper reachesof this natural river is Bekanbeushi Marsh – a primeval bog inthe middle of a fen. We go to Cape Aikappu and Ayamegahara
Wild Iris Garden, and then head to Hamanaka via Hokkaido
Prefectural Road 123. After seeing the legendary Cape Namida,
Mochirippu Swamp and Hichirippu Swamp, we get out of the car
at Biwase Observatory. Overlooking Kiritappu Marsh with ourbacks to the Pacific Ocean, we enjoy a unique landscape withnumerous freshwater lakes and swamps. As we head east andapproach Biwase Bridge, Kenbokki Island appears. We pass theformer Biwase Elementary School (now part of the Kiritappu
Wetland National Trust) and view the coastal landscape on theright overlooking Hamanaka Kojima Island, with Cape Azechi
and Kiritappu Marsh on the left. We drive through the Sakaki
area of Hamanaka and head straight onto Prefectural Road 142,
then go through a tunnel and over some hills. A sea mist covers
the whole area as we reach Poroto Swamp at the eastern end of
the park.

Konsen TablelandThis is the name given to the central part of Kiritappu
Marsh designated as a National Natural Monument in
1922.

Akkeshi Town
Lake Takkobu

Bekanbeushi Marsh

Kiritappu Marsh

Kushiro Town
KushiroCity

Cape Kiritappu

Hamanaka Town

Kushiro Wetland

Kenbokki Island

Hichirippu Swamp

Plesiocolopirus kushiroens fossils
This rare mammalian fossil from the
Paleogene strata was discovered by amiddle-schooler in a cliff on a beach in
Tomachise, Kushiro (Tennei Formation,
Urahoro Group) in 1968.

Mochirippu Swamp

Daikoku Island
Tomachise

Cape Shirepa

Akkeshi-KiritappuKonbumori
Quasi-National ParkThe park sits along a flat coastal
terrace area known as the Konsen
Tableland, consisting of the Nemuro
terrace (altitude: 70+ meters) andthe Kushiro terrace (40 – 60 meters).

* Details are shown at facilities exhibiting materials on history, folklore, industry and natural science in the Kushiro region, including Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Center, Aikappu Museum of Natural History, Kiritappu Wetland Center and Shibecha Museum (Nitai-to) as described on p. 17.
* Geological outline map produced by Suda Seihan based on a 1:200,000 geological map of Kushiro and Nemuro (Geological Survey of Japan https://www.gsj.jp/Map/JP/geology2-1html).

Bog formation
Peat moss
Reeds and water grass

Lake or swamp

Fen

Intermediate moor

Bog

Plants such as reeds andwater grass inhabit
low-water shores of lakes,
swamps and rivers.

Low temperatures and highhumidity retard plant
decay, resulting inpeat-layer accumulation.

A fen developing into a bog
with ongoing accumulationof plant matter

Plant-matter accumulation
above water level createsbogs composed mostly ofpeat moss.

7

Wonders of natureembracing wetlands
and cliffs
Marshlands and cliffs shrouded in sea fog are a common early-summer sightin eastern Hokkaido that is often cited as an earliest memory by Kushiro locals.
This mysterious natural phenomenon is still not fully understood.

Sea fog covers coastal areas of the quasi-national park for up

This is known as sea fog, as it forms over sea areas before being

to around 100 days a year, especially in spring and summer.

blown inland by southerly winds. The phenomenon seldom

Understanding of this Kushiro phenomenon requires

lasts throughout the day, instead moving repeatedly onshore

knowledge of ocean currents and air masses in the seasand offshore – a fact useful for budding sea fog specialists.

around Japan. The main currents are the warm Kuroshio andConversely, eastern Hokkaido’s clear winter air brings fine

Tsushima flowing northward from near the equator and theweather and more hours of daylight, along with lotus leaf-shaped

cold Oyashio and Liman flowing southward from the Arctic

sea ice formations on cold still mornings. This phenomenon is

Circle. The Kuroshio and Oyashio play significant roles in sea

observed when the sea temperature reaches -1.8°C and needle-

fog generation.

like ice crystals gather on the surface to form masses between

In summer, moist southerly winds blow in association with

30 – 300 cm in diameter and up to 10 cm in thickness.

the onset of Japan’s Pacific High, which creates clockwise

On cliffs exposed to strong Pacific winds and waves, ice pillars

circulation. These winds become heated over the Kuroshio

may form like frozen waterfalls. Temperatures below minus

current, producing moist, warm air that is subsequently cooled

20°C associated with radiative inland cooling can also cause

over the Oyashio north of 40 degrees latitude near northerncold air to flow along rivers into the sea, and a phenomenon

Iwate Prefecture. As warm air holds more water vapor than

known as kearashi (fog forming from sea water vapor) occurs if

cold air, this rapid cooling produces fog, just like a person’s

the temperature difference between river and sea water exceeds

breath steaming on a cold day.

12 – 15°C.

TriviaInteresting place names
Lv.2

Reading level: Good!

2

3

4

1. Sea fog 2. Sea-surface lotus-leaf ice 3. Frozen cliff 4. Kearashi fog

The story of Cape
Namida and Tachiiwa

This is a quiz on place names in the Kushiro, Akkeshi, Hamanaka and Shibecha areas of the quasi-national park. There arethree levels of difficulty – even some locals can’t read them. Can you?

Lv.1

1

Reading level: Fantastic!

Lv.3

Reading level: Genius!

1. 跡 永 賀（）

1. 浦 雲 泊（）

1. 重 蘭 窮（）

2. 茶 安 別（）

2. 五 十 石（）

2. 片 無 去（

）

3. 末

広（

）

3. 愛

冠（

）

3. 別寒辺牛（）

4. 奔 幌 戸（）

4. 火 散 布（）

4. 嶮 暮 帰（）

Once upon a time during the glory
days of the herring fisheries industry,a young Akkeshi fellow and thedaughter of a fishing business ownerin Kiritappu fell in love. One day,the young man’s ship ran aground
during a storm on the way from Akkeshi to Kiritappu, and he
was lost to the ocean. The girl was inconsolable and stood on
the cliff there, crying and shouting his name as loudly as she
could. Even today, her sad face can be made out in the surfaceof the cliff. The Tachiiwa formation also looks like the young
man trying to return to her. It’s said that the girl’s sobbing andthe young man’s expressions of love for her can be heard in thewind on stormy nights.

* For answers, see p. 31.
8

9

Flora in wetlands
and cliffs

Exploring woods
and trees

Kushiro has Japan’s coolest climate, with low temperatures all year round. Alpine
plants otherwise seen only in mountainous areas grow in coastal grasslands andwetlands there.

Konbumori Shirepa National Recreation Forest (Kushiro)

Soryusugi, Senpozenji Temple (Kushiro)

Pilot Forest (Shibecha and Akkeshi)

A rich natural environment with amixture of coniferous and broadleaved trees. The local forest landscapes provide little-known natural
spots for hiking, camping and relaxing.

The original Soryusugi (twin-dragon cedar) seedling brought from
Aomori Prefecture around 1908
was nurtured by the temple’s chief
priest and designated as a protected tree in April 1974.

This is a 10,778-hectare area systematically created in approximately
20,000 hectares of national forest in the middle reaches of Bekanbeushi
River. Development began in 1956, and a forest area of around 7,800
hectares (mainly composed of Japanese larch) was completed around a
decade later. Today the area plays an important role in the supply of woodand water in the Bekanbeushi Marsh region connected to Akkeshi Bay.

1

2

3

Trees that take root and grow over many years observe the passageof time. Here’s some information on these historical witnesses.

Yachibozu

Bekanbeushi Marsh is home to a number of rivers, including themoors full of colorful blooms from spring to autumn, bogs where

Oboro and the Bekanbeushi. Most of the area is fenland covered

alpine plants such as cranberry and Empetrum nigrum growwith reeds, sedges and alder trees, but in 1989 an almost-pristine

thickly on peat moss balls, daylily and watasuge (Eriophorum

bog area hosting Iso-tsutsuji (Ledum palustre) and rusty peatvaginatum), and salt marshes at the mouth of the river hostingmoss communities was discovered there. Precious plants suchsaline plants such as umimidori (Lysimachia maritima). A stroll

as Himemizutombo (Habenaria yezoensis) and Kushiro-

along the Yachibozu Boardwalk at the foot of Kiritappu Wetland

Hanashinobu (Polemonium caeruleum) can also be seen inCenter, the Biwase Boardwalk along Kiritappu Marsh, thethe fen area surrounding the bog. Lake Akkeshi, into which the

Nakanohama Boardwalk along the coastline or the Okubiwase

Bekanbeushi River flows, is also well known for its Akkeshi-

Boardwalk along the bank of the Biwase River provides views thatso (Common Glasswort) – a typical Hokkaido salt plant. The

must be seen to be believed. The coastal area hosts forests of short

Obetsu River basin on the northwestern side is the only placewindswept trees, along with todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis),in Japan known as a habitat for four-leaf mare's tail (Hippuris

Erman's birch, mizunara (Quercus crispula) and Ezo Miyako-

tetraphylla).

zasa (Sasa nipponica) growing over areas from the Konbumori

The coastal Kiritappu Marsh, with its numerous sand dunes, ispart of Kushiro to Cape Shirepa. The Ayamegahara Wild Iris

extensively registered as a Ramsar site along with Hichirippu

Garden in Akkeshi is a riot of color, with Arctic irises, himeichige

Swamp and Mochirippu Swamp to the west for a total of 2,504(Anemone debilis), daylilies and other flowers. Poroto Swamphectares. Its central part is also designated as a National Naturalin Hamanaka is characterized by reed-covered fens, while bog-

Monument for its peat-forming plant communities. The area’s

related vegetation (such as blunt-leaved bog-moss, cranberry andvarious characteristics include fens with lines of yachibozu

iso-tsutsuji (Ledum palustre)) is found on land farther from thegrowing among reeds, sedges and alder trees, intermediate floral

lake shore.

Tsurui
Village

National forests

Prefectural forests

Senpozenji Temple

Hokkaido Regional
Office of Forestry, Kushiro General
Forest Office
Subprefectural Bureau, Hokkaido Government

Shibecha
Town

NemuroCity

Akkeshi
Town
KushiroCity

The images in 1 and 3 below are national forests, 2 is private
land, and 4 to 7 are prefectural forests. Visitors must follow
the relevant guidelines. See online information for details.

HamanakaTown
For familiarity,
here is some
information ontrees found in thefour local towns.

KushiroTown

Anybody strolling over a moor or along a stream in the area may see 30 – 40 cm balls of grass

Yachibozu

in upside-down jars. These are stocks of sedge and related species lifted from the ground, andare grown over old stock in the same place year after year. The kanji characters for their name,yachibozu, represent a Buddhist priest on a moor, echoing their likeness to the shaven head ofa Buddhist priest.

Yachibozu production

10

Sedge plants growwhich rises as the groundNew stock grows on top in spring, with root development curbed by snowmelt. As thisthickly to form alifts in winter due to soil

process repeats annually, the yachibozu mass grows. Ants and spiders make habitats

dense stock,freezing.

of its solidified central mass, and even salamanders sometimes check in for winter.

4

5

6

7

Giant Japanese Lime Tree (Akkeshi)This 200-year-old tree stands
in the prefectural forest in the
Bekanbeushi area of Akkeshi,
a short walk from Fukan Forest
Road.

Akkeshi Jumokuen (Akkeshi)

Ippuku no Matsu (Hamanaka)

Shiro-ezomatsu protected forest (Hamanaka)

This natural forest area featuresa mixture of around 800 coniferous and broad-leaved trees (53Hokkaido species, 16 non-Hokkaido species and 13 foreign species).

This 400-year-old Japanese yew
tree along the prefectural Hichirippu
Chanai Stop route has long been
revered by visitors seeking a place
for respite.

Shiro-ezomatsu (Picea jezoensis
f. takadae) is a variant of the Yezo
spruce (1951, Tatewaki) and a rare
species found only in eight areas of
Hokkaido. The protected forest in
Hamanaka has a significant clusterof the variant.

11

Flower

Flowers and grass sprout amid the springtime snowmelt as the flowering season
greets the Kushiro region. The mist-shrouded cape road that connects quasinational park areas via Kushiro, Akkeshi and Hamanaka is a riot of pretty wild
flowers in season.

calendar
Plant* The flowering season varies with seasonal conditions. See p. 17 for contact details.

April

May

June

July

AugustSeptember

Forked-stem adonis
Asian skunk cabbage

8

Yellow star of Bethlehem
Ezo-nekonemeso (Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. sibiricum)
Ezo-engosaku (Corydalis ambigua)
North Japanese hill cherry
Ezo-oosakura-so (Primula jesoana var. pubescens)
Enkoso (Caltha palustris var. enkoso)
Yukiwari-kozakura (Primula cuneifolia var. fauriei)
Obana-no-enreiso (Trillium camschatcense Ker Gawl.)
1

Buckbean

9

10

11

12

13

14

False helleborine
Iso-tsutsuji (Ledum palustre)
Chocolate lily
Kushiro-hanashinobu (Polemonium caeruleum ssp. campanulatum)
Shikotan-kimpoge (Ranunculus grandis var. austrokurilensis)
Hakusan-chidori (Dactylorhiza aristata)
Salweenia Baker

2

3

Ramanas roseToge-buki (Ligularia hodgsonii)
Ezo-no-kawara-matsuba (Galium verum var. trachycarpum)
Watasuge (Eriophorum vaginatum)
Karamatsuso (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium var. intermedium)
Futamata-ichige (Anemone dichotoma)
Daylily
Yanagi-tora-no-o (Lysimachia thyrsiflora)

4

5

6

7

Umi-midori (Lysimachia maritima)
Arctic iris
Yamabuki-shoma (Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus)
Alpine leek
Ezo-no-shimotsukeso (Filipendula glaberrima yezoensis)
Ezo-kawara-nadeshiko (Dianthus superbus L. var. superbus)
Oohanaudo (Heracleum lanatum)
Iris ensata
Ezo-furo (Geranium yesoense)

1. Arctic iris 2. Least water-lily 3. Cranberry 4. Ezo-kawara-nadeshiko 5. Ezo-no-kawara-matsuba 6. Ezo-namiki 7. Toge-buki 8. Watasuge
9. Common glasswort 10. Umi-midori 11. Iso-tsutsuji 12. Ezo-furo 13. Hozaki-shimotsuke 14. Kushiro-hanashinobu

Ezo-sukashi-yuri (L. pensylvanicum)
Nagabono-waremoko (Sanguisorba tenuifolia)
Tsurigane-ninjin (Adenophora triphylla var. japonica)
Hozaki-shimotsuke (Spiraea salicifolia)
Sawa-gikyo (Lobelia sessilifolia)
Noriutsugi (Hydrangea paniculata)

Single-day
blooming, opening
in the morningand wilting in
the evening

Upward-blooming
The inside of
the petals havefreckle-likespots.

Tachi-giboshi (Hosta sieboldii var. rectifolia)

is a purple
Identification of similar flowers Theremesh pattern on a
The corolla lobes
are split into
five parts, andare unilateral.

Ezo-rindo (Gentiana triflora var. japonica)
Aki-karamatsu (Thalictrum minus var. hypoleucum)
Lythrum salicaria
Crimson foliage of common glasswort
12

There is a yellow
plaque in the centerof the base of theouter corolla lobes.

Six corolla
lobes witha purplestreak.

Karafutobushi (Aconitum sachalinense ssp. sachalinense)

Ezo-namiki (Scutellaria yezoensis)

yellow background at
the base of theouter corolla lobes.

Daylily

Ezo-sukashi-yuri(L. pensylvanicum)

Sawa-gikyo(Lobelia sessilifolia)

Tachi-giboshi(Hosta sieboldii var. rectifolia)

Arctic iris

Iris ensata

13

Fauna in wetlands
and cliffs
6

Seeing wild animals is generally uncommon in daily life, but not in Akkeshi-KiritappuKonbumori Quasi-National Park. Be sure to observe quietly with no audible reaction of
surprise or excitement.

Sea otters

Walkers along the track to Cape Aikappu in Akkeshi are likely

species, as well as being a habitat for Hokkaido sika deer andto encounter Hokkaido sika deer – males (known as gods of

Ezo red foxes. Other rare species found here include the Ezo

the forest) with their four-branched antlers and females andlesser pygmy shrew; this is one of the smallest mammals intheir offspring munching on grass – in the forest near Aikappu

existence, and Hokkaido is its only habitat in Japan. The area is

Museum of Natural History or on the grassland in front of thealso home to various birds (including land-based species such

Bell-of-Love Arch at the tip of the cape. These local deer appear

as black woodpeckers and Narcissus flycatchers, and a variety

rather oblivious to human presence, behaving quite naturallyof waterfowl), amphibians (such as Hokkaido salamanders),

while keeping their distance. In eastern Hokkaido, seeing Ezo

fish (such as Japanese huchen) and insects (such as Coenagrion

red foxes, Hokkaido sika deer and wild birds such as white-

hylas).

tailed eagles is a part of daily life.

The southwestern part of Daikoku Island was designated as a

The marshland area here is home to the red-crowned crane,national natural monument called the Daikoku Island Seafowl

designated as a national special natural monument. Lake

Breeding Site in 1951 for its harbor seal community and its

Akkeshi, Hichirippu Swamp and Mochirippu Swamp, which

status as a breeding ground for Leach's storm petrels. The entire

do not fully freeze over even in the deep of winter, are majorisland has also been designated as the Daikoku Island Bird

destinations for migratory birds such as greater white-fronted

and Animal Sanctuary by the national government. Thoughgeese and bean geese (also designated as natural monuments)

harbor seals are also found around Cape Shirepa and Capeand wintering grounds for geese, ducks and whooper swans.

Kiritappu, Daikoku Island provides an especially stable habitat

Lake Akkeshi and Kiritappu Marsh are also winter habitats

supporting the maintenance of a large population during bothfor large raptors such as Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed

the breeding and molting seasons. Sea otters – an endangered

eagles. The whole area incorporating Bekanbeushi Marsh has

species – also breed in the waters around Cape Kiritappu, andbeen designated as the Akkeshi, Bekanbeushi, and Kirutappu

their population in the area is expected to increase. Elsewhere,

Bird and Animal Sanctuary by the national government, andKojima Island in Hamanaka used to be a breeding ground for

was registered as a Ramsar site in 1993. It is an internationallytufted puffins – a nationally endangered species of wild fauna

important wetland home to a wide variety of waterfowl

and flora – and efforts for rebreeding there are underway.

1

1 spike2 spikes

3 spikes

4 spikes

This method of aging does
not apply to does.

Trivia2

3

4

5

In eastern Hokkaido, where wild ani-

of

lers,

which

are

shed in spring andthen grow back.

14

The Ezo lesser pygmy shrew – known inJapanese as the Tokyo togari nezumi – is a
subspecies of the northern Eurasian lesser
pygmy shrew. Although the Japanese nameincludes “Tokyo” and nezumi (mouse), they are infact found only in Hokkaido, not in Tokyo, andbelong to the mole family. They are very small (45– 49 mm) with a tail around 30 mm long, weighonly around 2 grams (equivalent to the weight ofa couple of small aluminum coins) and have along protruding nose. The Japanese name isthought to result from a misunderstanding after
their discovery as a new species in 1903, when
Yedo (Tokyo) instead of Yezo (Hokkaido) was
mistakenly written on a sample label. They werepreviously considered a little-known species witha habitat on Japan’s main island of Honshu until
being discovered in Hokkaido in 1957. They aredesignated as an endangered species byJapan’s Ministry of the Environment.

Facts
Ezo lesser pygmy shrews live in soil
habitats such as the humus layer incold regions, and do not hibernateeven during very cold spells. They live
on insects, centipedes, worms, spiders
and other small soil dwellers.

Ezo lesser pygmy shrews

Wild animal
parenting andoffspring separation

three years fromnumber10

Ezo lesser pygmy shrews

age of a stag up to

spikes on its ant-

9

TriviaYou can tell thethe8

One of the world's smallest mammals

1. Red-crowned crane 2. Black woodpecker 3. Ural owl 4. Steller's sea eagle
5. White-tailed eagle 6. Harbor seal 7. Tufted puffin 8. Whopper swan
9. Young Ural owl 10. Russian flying squirrel

Hokkaido
sika deer

7

1 yr.

1 or 2 yrs.

2 or 3 yrs.

3 yrs. or more.

Straight antlers withno additional spikes

Straight antlers withup to one extra
spike

Antlers with one or
two extra spikes

Magnificent antlers
with two or three
extra spikes

mals and people

Female Hokkaido sika
deer have no antlers
enabling age
determination.

coexist, it is important to understand the ecologyof wildlife.

Ezo red foxes

Hokkaido sika deer

Brown bears

Sea otters

Ezo red foxes give birth inground-based burrows between
March and April, and raise their
young until April to August. In
September or October, thecubs leave their parents andmove away from theirbirthplace.

Hokkaido sika deer givebirth between May and July. A
mother and her fawn may live
alone or in a community ofdozens. Older stags tend to
subsist alone, while young
ones sometimes form
groups.

Brown bears give birth between
late January and early February
during the period of hibernation. Cubs
are raised exclusively by females, andstart to become independent insummer at one or two years old.
Young males sometimes stray
into residential areas.

Sea otters give birth all year round,with a peak between May and June.
Pups are raised exclusively byfemales, who teach their offspring how
to dive, groom, eat and use tools
such as stones before leaving
them to become independentwhen the time is right.

15

Bird

calendarBird type

The Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park – home to two Ramsar wetlands – isrecognized as one of Japan’s best twitching sites for its status as a habitat to various rare species.
It is a natural gem where wild birds can be observed all year round.
* The ability to spot particular species is not guaranteed due to their wild nature. * For details, inquire at the facilities listed on p. 17.

Time ofyear

White-tailed eagle

sedentary

Red-crowned cranesedentary

Hazel grousesedentary

Marsh tit

sedentary

April

May

June

July

August September October November December January

February

March

Identification of similar wild birds

Visitors to Kushiro will see wild birds on beaches, wetlands, grasslands, forests and other places.
This guide presents just a few, but will hopefully enable identification.
Yellow beak and legs

Largerfemalesgle
st ea
Large an
p
a
J
in

aller
ly sm
Slightblack kitesnahtLarge,
dark-yellow beak

Straight tailwhen extended

Miyama-kakesu (Garrulus glandarius brandtii) sedentary
Grey-headed woodpecker

sedentary

Long-tailed tit

sedentary

Treecreeper

sedentary

Coal tit

sedentary

Eastern buzzard

sedentary

Japanese robinsummerJapanese bush warbler

summerGray's grasshopper warbler

summerLong-tailed rosefinch

summerSakhalin leaf warbler

summerEurasian wren

summerSiberian blue robinsummerSiberian stonechatsummerHimalayan cuckoo

summerLatham's snipe

summerMiddendorff's grasshopper warbler summer

16

Lanceolated warbler

summerSiberian rubythroat

summerRed-flanked bluetailsummerReed bunting

summerLeach's storm petrel

summerOriental greenfinch

summerEurasian skylark

summerGoldcrest

winterDusky thrush

winterEurasian wigeon

winterCommon goldeneye

winterCommon pochard

winterCommon shoveler

winterLong-tailed duck

winterRed-breasted merganser

winterCommon merganser

winterBlack coot

winterBlack scoterwinterAsian rosy finch

winterWhooper swan

winterSteller's sea eagle

winterSpectacled guillemot

sedentary/
winterTrivia forenjoying wildlife
observation
more

White tailWhite-tailed eagle

White aroundthe eyesBlack beakRound tailwhen extended

White wing-front,
tail and leg
feathers

Steller's sea eagle

Black kite

Eastern buzzard
White
protrusion
above
the beakDark-green
gloss
on topLong, narrow
beak witha crooked tip

Red legs

Full,
round
body

Orangebeak

Short,
thick beak

White belly
Flight just above
water surfaces

Spectacled guillemot

Black and red White tail withmarkings on the a black bandbeak tip

Dorsal black-graydarker than that of
the black-tailed gulland the herring gull

Dark-pinklegs

Japanese cormorant

Yellow beakwith ared-spotted
lower part

Slaty-backed gullRhinoceros auklet

Ancient murrelet

Cream eyebrows

Crown feathers
behind the head

sivelyExten wn
bro
White wing
underside

White belly
Yellow legs

Black-tailed gull

Beak with ayellow root
and a blacktipBlack/whitespeckled belly

Eurasian skylark

Dusky thrush

Akkeshi Waterfowl
Observation Center

Aikappu Museum of
Natural History (Akkeshi)

Kiritappu Wetland Center(Hamanaka)

Shibecha Museum(Nitai-to)This information center for Lake
Akkeshi and Bekanbeushi Marsh(which gained Ramsar site registration in 1993) features a ground-floor
exhibition area with wetland images
displayed on a large screen and asecond-floor observation area.
Tel. +81(0)153-52-5988

Run by Hokkaido University’s Akkeshi
Marine Station, this museum features
a permanent display of around 2,000
specimens of marine life, land mammals, birds, insects, flowering plants,
fungi, minerals, and fossils from eastern Hokkaido.
Tel. +81(0)153-52-2056

The center runs exhibitions featuring
Kiritappu Marsh and its natural environment, provides information on appreciation of wetlands, seasonal flowers and birds, and arranges ecotours.
Carvings of 45 typical Hamanaka bird
species are also displayed.
Tel. +81(0)153-65-2779

In the Ainu language, nitai means"forest" and to means "lake." The museum provides opportunities to learn
about Shibecha’s natural environmentand history as well as Ainu culture.
Insect specimens produced by Kazuo
Iijima, who helped to categorize theinsect fauna of Shibecha and otherparts of eastern Hokkaido, are a highlight of the exhibits.
Tel. +81(0)15-487-2332

17

From forests, rivers to the sea
Protecting nature and nurturing life

Environmental education
Students at Shibecha High School serve as guides to inform visitorsof the history of wetlands on board the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko
Train on the extended service to Kawayu Hot Springs. Elementary
schools in Akkeshi get children to consider environmental matters byhaving them give show-and-tells on the environmental conservation
efforts they make at home, things they have learned about theenvironment, and craftwork using natural materials. At Shibecha
Elementary School and Beppo Elementary School (Kushiro), fifthgraders also conduct wetland field studies. At Kiritappu Wetland
Center, the members-only Kiritappu Kodomo Shizen Club forelementary schoolers organizes canoeing outings for enjoyment of
the great outdoors and exploration of uninhabited-island areas.

The area’s rich, beautiful natural environment plays an important role in promoting the region as a tourist destination, as
well as improving the quality of water sources via flood mitigation and water purification. The benefits of local biodiversity
in the area support many people's livelihoods.
Efforts are made to protect this rich natural environment and the high-quality water resources created by circulation inforests, rivers and oceans.

Ecotourism

Forestation
Efforts to create mixed forestation of coniferous and broadleaf
trees, similar to the composition of a natural forest, are madein various areas with planting of Mizunara (Quercus crispula
Blume), Manchurian ash, Aodamo (Fraxinus lanuginosa f. serrata),
Yamahannoki (Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica), Japanese elm, Itayakaede (Acer mono), Ezo-yamazakura (Cerasus sargentii (Rehder) H.
Ohba), Todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis) and Akaezomatsu (Picea
glehnii). This work is based on industry-government-academia-private collaboration, with efforts such as tree planting promotions
and river environment conservation efforts by fishery-cooperative
women's clubs to increasing fish stocks.

In the Kushiro region, many businesses and organizations
leverage the area’s outstanding natural environment and its
Ramsar wetlands to promote ecotourism and hands-on activities.
This kind of ecotourism allows visitors to experience theattractions of the region, such as its nature, history and culture
based on guidance from experts, with focus on preserving andmaintaining tourism resources such as the natural environmentand historical culture. The four towns in the quasi-national park
offer canoe outings, nature tours, marshland trekking, bird
watching and uninhabited-island exploration activities involving
marshland rivers and lakes.

Purchase of privately owned land for theprotection of flora and fauna
The non-profit Kiritappu Wetland National Trust is seeking topurchase around 200 hectares of development-threatened
land along the local coastal road from around 1,200 privately
owned hectares in the Kiritappu Marsh, as well as privately
owned land hosting nesting sites for red-crowned cranes.
To protect these birds, the Wild Bird Society of Japan uses
donated funds to purchase non-designated wetland areas
upstream of Bekanbeushi Marsh.

Unity among forests,
rivers and oceans
Forestsareimportanthabitats

life-supporting trees and wildlife, alsoment and playing important roles relat-

Role 4ing to water, which is indispensable forWoodproduction

all life. Leaf-covered forest floors store

forests in the Kushiro

Support forenvironmental
harmonyforhelping to protect the natural environ-

National and prefectural

Role 1rain and snowmelt like a sponge, even-region are designated forRole 8fog-inflow prevention, as

Fog mitigation/
prevention

they create air turbulence to stop fog drift
and trap moisture particles. Forests are also
considered to mitigate
crop damage caused byoffshore sea fog.

Role 2tually releasing it to rivers, the ground

Water storageand oceans to provide essential nutrients.

Role 3
Prevention of
sediment loss

Role 2
Water storage

Clean-up promotions
In Bekanbeushi Marsh, Kiritappu Marsh and Lake Akkeshi,
along the JR Hanasaki train line and the Konbumori coast,
and around Lake Toro, the local government, fishery cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, companies, NPOs, local
elementary schoolers and volunteers from the area and elsewhere regularly conduct cleanup activities and use canoes tocollect fishing floats that wash ashore in the estuary.

18

Maintenance and management ofboardwalks and promenades
Conservation activities for Kiritappu Marsh are conducted
on an ongoing basis. As part of this work, the Yachibozu,
Nakanohama and Biwase boardwalks in conservation areas
owned by Kiritappu Wetland National Trust and others in
the Okubiwase Wild Bird Park are maintained as necessary,
underbrush and branches on promenades are cleared, andother volunteer activities are performed by individuals/groupmembers and local high schoolers.

Role 7
Windbreak/sandbreak function

Role 5
Role 8

Fog mitigation/
prevention

Role 9Provision of recreational
destinations (forest walking, etc.)

Role 6

Provision of
habitats for floraand fauna

Enrichment of the naturalenvironment for rivers and oceans

19A culture of symbiotic
interaction with nature
Natural tourism resources such as marshlands, forests, lakes, rivers, coasts and wild
fauna and flora are utilized locally.
People living with nature enjoy the blessings of the ocean and earth, preserve precious
resources and pass down inherited local culture and scenery to the next generation.

Oyster fishing at Lake Akkeshi (Akkeshi)

During the kelp harvest season, numerous fishing boats set

grasslands have been created in the area through pasturage ofout early in the morning and soon return full of kelp, which

native Hokkaido horses (Dosanko) in the Ayamegahara Wild

is loaded onto trucks to be taken to the kamba facility where

Iris Garden of Akkeshi and in the Biwase and Tofutsu areas of

the crop is dried. Here, candy-colored kelp pieces are carefully

Hamanaka. In 1956, work was begun on the planting of a pilot

arranged individually by hand, with their unique scent filling

forest incorporating the Shibecha and Akkeshi areas on land

the air. Oyster and clam culturing also flourishes in Lakeravaged by fires from burning for land reclamation. Today thisAkkeshi. Fishermen actively harvest local eelgrass beds forvast forest of larch trees plays a major role as a water source formarine resources, including icefish in spring, Hokkai shrimp,

Bekanbeushi Marsh.

1and in winter saffron cod and Japanese surfsmelt. Semi-natural

Blessings of the sea

Hamanaka
Town

Shibecha Town
Akkeshi Town

2

North Sea shrimp
Akkeshi: June to August● Hamanaka: August

Octopus
Kushiro: November to January● Akkeshi and Hamanaka: November to March

3

4

●

●

Japanese smelt
September to November
January to March (fishing tourism period)●●

KushiroTown

Blue king crab
Akkeshi: June to August● Hamanaka: March to April, June to August

Sea urchin
Kushiro: October to December● Akkeshi: October to January● Hamanaka: October to March

●

●

●

●

Kelp
June to November

IcefishAkkeshi: April●

Sailfin sandfish● Kushiro and Akkeshi: November

●

Clams
Akkeshi: Harvesting forbidden in August
Hamanaka: November to April

Oysters
Kushiro: May to February
Akkeshi: all year
● Hamanaka: July to December

Autumn salmon
Kushiro: August to November● Akkeshi: September to October● Hamanaka: October to November●●●

Shishamo smelt● Kushiro: November● Akkeshi: October to January

Whelks● Kushiro and Akkeshi: April to June, October to February● Hamanaka: May to August

Pacific saury● Kushiro: July to August● Akkeshi and Hamanaka: July to November

Salmon and trout
Kushiro: April to July
● Akkeshi: April to June
● Hamanaka: April to November●

Squid
Kushiro: August to September● Akkeshi: August to October

5●

Blessings of the earth6

1. Simultaneous start of kelp harvesting (Akkeshi) 2. Clam harvesting on Hichirippu Swamp (Hamanaka) 3. Fixed-net fishing for autumn salmon (Kushiro)
4. Kelp drying (Kushiro) 5. Dairy-cattle grazing (Hamanaka) 6. Grazing Hokkaido native horses in Ayamegahara Wild Iris Garden (Akkeshi)

Toward an Akkeshi all-star whisky

Heads of dairy cattle Heads of beef cattle

Milk production

Processed goods

Akkeshi Distillery began whisky production in 2016 amid the local environmentof sea fog, ocean breezes, clean air, abundant peat, a cool climate and theKushiro553

51

2,625 t−Akkeshi

13,473

169

69,941 t

Cheese, milk, butter, ice cream

Hamanaka

23,9202,434

100,269 t

Beef, milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt drinks

172,479 t

Milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, butter, boiled beef,
beef cooked in soy sauce with sugar and ginger

Shibecha

48,45017,371

Homakai River with its cold, clear peat-filtered water. These conditions echo
those of Islay – the sacred land of Scotch, where peat-filtered water is also
used for distillation and whisky is matured day after day. Islay is known for fineoysters in the same way as Akkeshi, where they are doused in local whisky andconsumed as a special delicacy. Akkeshi Distillery aspires to produce superior
whisky using only local raw materials and equipment, including water, barley
and the barrels used for aging.

As of the end of June 2021

20

21

Ac

tivityRules andmanners
for going
down theriver

Canoe tours
Canoe tours in the quasi-national park and elsewhere are provided forenjoyment of the Bekanbeushi, Kiritappu and Kushiro marsh areas. These

Navigate calmly in the presence

Beware of brown

Be careful not to

Do not approach, feed,

Stop only at designated

Avoid trampling on

The area is home toof red-crowned cranes, and dobears in forest

unsettle wildlife

shout to or wave at wild

canoe stops, ports andor collecting plants,

many wild animals andnot approach. Particular careareas.

with flash pho-animals. Observe quietly.

rest points.

insects, amphibians,

plants. Be sure to use

fish and other forms

the restroom before set-of wildlife.

ting out, and take yourshould be taken to allow cranes

local guided outings are ideal to gain an initial understanding of canoeing

tography.

with chicks to retreat.

regulations and etiquette.

JR Hanas

aki Line

White-tailed eagles
may appear here.

▲

Ramsar site

22▲

Downtown
Akkeshi

Lake Akkeshi
Bekanbeushi River uptake basin (Akkeshi)

Numaoro River

Kottaro River

Kuchoro River

e
Lin
ain
oM
nm
Se
JR

Rive
Dor
oga

Nakanohama
BoardwalkArekinai River

Lake Toro Station canoe port
Canoe boat
Approx. 17.7 km to Iwabokki-Suimon Station

Nihonmatsu BridgeP

Futamata canoe stop
JR Toro Station●Toro Motomura
CampsiteFishing port area
Access prohibited

Red-crowned cranes
may be seen fromboardwalks where
wildbird observation
huts are located.
Kiritappu Marsh123

A

Natural monument – Kiritappu peat-forming plant communities (Hamanaka)

Canoe boat
7.8 km to Iwabokki-Suimon Station

Takkobu
Auto Campsite●
Lake Takkobu
JR Hosooka Station

JR KushiroShitsugen Station●Hosooka
Observatory

Canoe boat
Iwabokki Water Gate Station
KushiroLake Toro

Refrain fromentering Special
Protection Areas,
which are home tovulnerable plants.

Hosooka Station canoe port

To protect
red-crowned cranes,
canoeing on Kiritappu
Marsh is not
permitted until June 1,
which is outside thebreeding season. For
details, contact
Kiritappu Wetland
Center as detailed on
p. 17.

Special consideration should
be given to red-crowned
cranes from May to August,which is an important period
for chick development.
Navigate calmly in thepresence of these birds, anddo not approach. Particularcare should be taken to allow
cranes with chicks to retreat.

Lake Shirarutoro

BiwaseBoardwalkOkubiwase
Boardwalki391

JR Kayanuma
Station

P

sh
kke

r

ve

Ri

sh

em
N

Japanese dacecan be seen
swimming
upstream from
May to June.

Canoe numbers on
Bekanbeushi Marshare limited at certain
times of year toprotect red-crowned
cranes. For details,
contact the Akkeshi
Waterfowl
Observation Center(p. 17).

war

Dead end – opportunity
for free activities

A completechange ofscenery withpanoramic views.
Still conditions
allow spectacular
views of the sky
and clouds
reflected in theriver.

Canoe boat
19.5 km to Iwabokki-Suimon Station

Canoe boat
15.2 km to Iwabokki-Suimon Station

Ichiban River

Camera lair●

Hamanaka,
Nemuro▲Akkeshi
Waterfowl
Observation
Center

44

River

Canoe
destination

3 km to destination

Sugawara canoe stop

Niban

iver

A chance for up-close
observation of reeds,
sedges, rushes and othervegetation, and peat
unique to fens.

▲

uR

mp

Canoe rest point

This is a rich habitat
for water birds. The
cry of red-crowned
cranes is often
heard.

iro

243

iver

Canoe mid-point

ets

1060

Kushiro Marshland National Park

Ku

hi R

Gojikkoku Bridge

Canoe boat
32.7 km to Iwabokki-Suimon Station

ur
o

eus

Common kingfishers
may provide
guidance to lucky
visitors.

Ob

MG road▲anb

Live camera
footage of river
descent can beviewed upon
arrival.

808

wn
to chawn ibeo
D Sh

Gojikkoku canoe stop▲

Bek

KushiroRiver
canoe tour

2.5 km to rest point

Landing is
prohibited in
RamsarConvention
Registered
Wetland areas,
including naturalmonument areas.

Bekanbeushi Marsh

KiritappuMarshcanoe tour

Canoe departure point

Swa

The first stage takes
visitors through virginforest. Deer/brownbear footprints may bevisible.

A winding route
requiring attention
to fallen trees.

Kotoiso Bridge●
Kiritappu
P
WetlandCenterKushiro Shibecha

kiri

9 km to destination
Bekanbeushi River Bridge

Hamanaka

Hyo

Departure point▲

Biwase River

Bekanbeushi
Marshcanoe tour

ai
kk
Be

813

Natural monument –Kiritappu peat-forming
plant communities▲

Akkeshi

Osobetsu Rivergarbage home.

221

The Kushiro Marsh Nature
Restoration Council specifies
canoeing guidelines for conservation
and use of the Kushiro River, andpromotes related awareness among
canoeists for environmental
conservation on the Kushiro Riverand Kushiro Marsh.
For related information,
see the website.

Consideration area for red-crowned cranes (Kushiro, Shibecha)

23

Ou

tdoorsCampsites in the great outdoorsOutdoorsCampsites outside the quasi-national park

One of the best parts of a local visit is the chance to camp at leisure in the green surroundings of the quasi-national park.

A number of campsites outside the quasi-national park in Shibecha, Kushiro and Hamanaka

The promenades and forest paths near the three campsites there are ideal for plant spotting and forest walks.

provide enjoyment of the natural environment and pleasant outdoor experiences.

Relax in the wilderness and forget the stress of everyday life.

Shibecha
For a peaceful experience with moonlight

Nijibetsu Auto Campsitereflecting on the water.
Kushiro Kitoushi
Campsite

The campsite prides itself on the size of its free sites, cottages and tent
spaces. With bungalows and individual spaces separated by trees, the site
provides a safe and pleasant environment for families with young children anda variety of outdoor experiences.

Sunny days offer fine views of the Pacific Ocean below. The
campsite has an atmosphere of wilderness in virgin-forest
surroundings, offering a truly tranquil and leisurely experienceagainst an endless blue sea, silence surrounded by sea fog,deep-red sunsets and water surfaces glinting in the moonlight. It
should be noted that the 700-meter-long forest route between themain road and the campsite is unpaved and narrow, making it apathway for wild animals.

Open: May 1 – October 31
Facilities: Choice of camping location (fee-based), Center House (washingmachines, dryers, shower), cottage, 25 individual sites, 2 bungalows, party
site, 5 power sites
Tel. +81(0)15-485-2111 (Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Shibecha Hall)

Tawadaira Campsite

Open: June 1 – October 31
Facilities: Choice of camping location (free), restrooms, cooking
stations, water supply
Tel. +81(0)154-62-2193 (Industrial and Economic Affairs Division,
Kushiro Hall)

Located below Tawadaira Observatory, this site offers extensive open spaces,
beautiful green grass and outstanding views from tent areas. The Green Hill
Tawa reception area features a restaurant serving dishes made with Shibecha
fare, and also sells local products.
Open: May 1 – October 31
Facilities: Choice of camping location (fee-based), cooking stations,
restrooms
Tel. +81(0)15-485-2111 (Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Shibecha Hall)

Akkeshi Chikushikoi Campsite

A relaxing earthy spot surrounded by greenery

The resort offers tent sites and bungalows in lush natural settings
to meet all needs, along with laundry and hot-shower facilities forguests staying for longer periods. Located near Cape Aikappu(a major tourist destination in Akkeshi), the site is close to thedowntown area facing Chikushikoi Street, making it ideal as a
tourist base.
Open: Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays between July 1
and September 30 and during the Oyster Festival
Facilities: Tent sites (fee-based/free), 12 bungalows (fee-based/
free LED lanterns), cooking stations, restrooms (simple flushingtype), communal facilities (washing machine, dryer, shower,
meeting room) and management building
Tel. +81(0)153-52-6627

Hamanaka Kiritappu Cape Campsite
Exhilarating ocean views

The site is a five-minute walk from Cape Kiritappu on a gentle hill,with 18 bungalows (fee-based), tent sites (free) and a free dog
park. The rest house facilities (fee-based) offer opportunities forgroup barbecues as well as car/motorcycle-based camping. The
hillside location affords fine views of the Pacific.
Open: Early June – early October
Facilities: 18 bungalows (power, lighting, bedding, etc. notprovided), communal simple flush toilets, communal cooking
station, garbage station
Tel. +81(0)153-62-2111 (Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Division, Hamanaka Hall)

24

Center House, Nijibetsu Auto Campsite* Contact facilities directly for details of reservations, opening periods and fees.

* Take all precautions with regard to naked flames.

* Show consideration for other facility users when enjoying the natural environment.

* Camping is restricted to designated areas.

* Refrain from removing, damaging or disturbing flora and fauna.

* Be respectful with regard to noise, and take garbage home.

Toro Motomura Campsite
This site provides a sense of unity with nature along the shores of Lake Toro. The
nearby Motomura House Paru leisure facility provides canoeing experiences alongwith a park golf course, the Arukotto Lake Toro Eco Museum Center, and Shibecha
Museum (Nitai-to), making this an ideal base for sightseeing.
Open: May 1 – October 31
Facilities: Choice of camping location (fee-based), cooking stations,
restrooms
Tel. +81(0)15-485-2111 (Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division, Shibecha Hall)

KushiroHamanaka

Takkobu Auto Campsite

Motto Kazete

This site is located on the shores of Lake Takkobu – a relatively small
body of water with a circumference of 5 km. Visitors can observe local
animals, plants and wild birds there, as well as fireflies in summer.
Open: May 1 – October 31
Facilities: Center House (including paid showers and laundry
facilities), cooking building, camping sites and auto sites (feebased), lodge/bungalow facilities and restrooms
Tel. +81(0)154-40-4448 (Center House)

Fees are reasonable and facilities such as cooking stations, flush
toilets, and showers are available. There is also a multipurpose
square and a playground.
Open: Early May – late October
Facilities: Choice of camping location (fee-based), administrationbuilding, cooking stations, communal simple flush toilets, various
experiences (pre-booking required), otherTel. +81(0)153-64-3000 (Motto Kazete)

25StartDestination

Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport●route 01

Start

Akan-Mashu
National Park

Start

Nakashibetsu Town

13

244

Teshikaga Town

Start

Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport

Overnight in Akkeshi

Lunch in Nakashibetsu

4 Canoeing on the Bekanbeushi River

1

Tawadaira Observatory

5 Ayamegahara Wild Iris Garden

2

Hosooka Observatory

3

Kushiro Local Production for
Local Consumption Center

8

1

391

1

Bekkai Town

1040

Lo Bazaar

Popular routes in and aroundroute 02

272

Start

243

In addition to the standard eastern Hokkaido

1449

driving routes from the transportation hubs

wide-area routes between Akan-Mashu
National Park and Nemuro also enhance

Destination

14

enjoyment of the region.

2

3
4

7

1128

1

5

9

7
599

6

Kushiro City

Kushiro Town

8

Kiritappu Marsh

3

4

Iwabokki Water Gate

5

Cape Shirepa

6Oyster bar

9Overnight in Akkeshi

10 Cape Azechi

Cape Aikappu

11 Cape Kiritappu

7

3 days8

Ayamegahara
Wild Iris Garden

12 Kiritappu Onsen Yuyu
Dinner in Hamanaka

Lunch in Hamanaka

Overnight at Kiritappu
Cape Campsite

Monkey Punch
Collection

13 Kenbokki Island
Destination

Toward Nemuro

14

Start

8

5

4 Canoeing on the Kushiro River

1 Hosooka Observatory
2 Sarubo Observatory

11and Sarurun Observatory

8

Eco Museum Center

Overnight in Hamanaka

10 Kenbokki Island

5 Cycling in Akkeshi

Lunch in Hamanaka

6 Akkeshi Mikaku

Terminal Conchiglie

11 Biwase Observatory

7 Akkeshi Waterfowl

Observation Center3 Arukotto Lake Toro

13

9 Cape Kiritappu

Overnight at
Takkobu Auto Campsite

10

142

5

Tancho Kushiro
Airport/Kushiro Station

13 10
6

4 daysFrom Tancho Kushiro Airport/Kushiro Station

Lunch in Kushiro

123

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori
Quasi-National Park

9

9

Start

15

10 Trekking on

7 Kiritappu Wetland Center

12

7

44

11

808

6

1003

Destination

Tawadaira Observatoryroute 03

10

4

12

Start

38

Akan-Mashu
National Park Area

Lunch in Kushiro

Akkeshi Town

4

Destination

Overnight in Hamanaka

2
221

●

Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport

9 Cape Kiritappu

6 Biwase Observatory

3 Canoeing on the Kushiro River

Hamanaka
Town

2

Destination

8 Cape Azechi

and Sarurun Observatory

Shibecha Town

Kushiro Airport and Kushiro Station,

TanchoKushiro Airport

Lunch in Hamanaka

From Akan-Mashu National Park

2 Sarubo Observatoryof Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport, Tancho

3Lunch in Hamanaka

243

Akkeshi-KiritappuKonbumori
Quasi-National Park

Kushiro Marshland
National Park

3 daysFrom Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport

12 A-Uroko Akkeshi Fishery

8 Yachibozu Boardwalk

Cooperative Association
Direct Sales Store

13 Cape Shirepa
Overnight at
Kitoushi Campsite
Local Production for
14 Kushiro
Local Consumption Center

Lo Bazaar

15 Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf
MOO

Destination

Tancho Kushiro
Airport/Kushiro Station

The variety of recommended routes continues.
route 04

From Akan-Mashu National Park

Akan-Mashu National Park area

Biwase Observatory

Tawadaira Observatory

Overnight in Hamanaka

Hosooka Observatory

Canoeing on Kiritappu Marsh

Kushiro Local Production
for Local Consumption Center Lo Bazaar

Cape Kiritappu

Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Center
Ayamegahara Wild Iris Garden
26

Toward Nemuro

2 daysroute 05

From Tancho Kushiro Airport/Kushiro Station

Tancho Kushiro
Airport/Kushiro Station
Lunch in Kushiro
Hosooka Observatory

Akkeshi Boyodai

Biwase Boardwalk

Overnight in Akkeshi

Lunch in Hamanaka

Canoeing on
Bekanbeushi River

Cape Azechi

Sarubo Observatory andSarurun Observatory

Ayamegahara Wild Iris
GardenShibecha Museum—Nitai-to—

Biwase Observatory

Cape Kiritappu
Overnight in Hamanaka
Kiritappu Wetland Center
Kokutaiji Temple historicsite

3 daysKushiro Local
Production for
Local
Consumption
CenterLo Bazaar
Tancho Kushiro
Airport/Kushiro
Stationroute 06

From Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport

Nemuro Nakashibetsu
AirportSekineppu Lookout
Open Space

Mt. Nishibetsu climb

Cape Shirepa

Cape Namida,
Tachiiwa

Overnight in Shibecha

Canoeing on
Bekanbeushi River

Biwase Observatory

Sarubo Observatory
and Sarurun
Observatory
Kushiro Local Production
for Local Consumption
Center Lo Bazaar

Oyster bar
Overnight in Akkeshi
Cycling at Cape
Aikappu

Lunch in Akkeshi

Biwase Boardwalk
Cape Azechi
Kiritappu Onsen Yuyu
Dinner in Hamanaka

4 daysOvernight at Kiritappu
Cape Campsite
Cape Kiritappu
Urayakotan Parking
Area
Horseback riding
Lunch in Hamanaka
Nemuro Nakashibetsu
Airport● The information here is valid as of the end of

August 2021. Facility availability depends on
winter breaks, regular days off, temporary
closures and other factors. Visitors shouldinquire and book in advance. The Hokkaido
Kushiro General Promotion Bureau is unable tocompensate for any damages caused by actions
based on the content provided herein.
● Theavailability of direct flights from Tokyo(Haneda), Nagoya (Chubu) and Osaka (Kansai)
to Tancho Kushiro Airport (a hub for access to
Kushiro, Akan and Mashu) depends on demand.
Check the websites of the relevant airlines for thelatest information on departure/arrival times andflight availability.

27

Priceless treasuresof nature

Hamanaka

Hamanaka Kojima Island,
Gome Island, Kenbokki Island

The uninhabited islands of Hamanaka Kojima andGome used to be home to a large population of typical
Hamanaka tufted puffins. The flat uninhabited Kenbokki Island(circumference: approx. 4.5 km; area: 0.07 km2), formed by sea-floor
uplift and wave erosion around 3,000 years ago, is also a natural
habitat for colonies of May lilies, daylilies, Ezo-rindou (Gentiana
triflora var. japonica) and other plants as well as Ezo lesser pygmy
shrews, which are among the smallest known mammals and are notfound in areas of Japan other than Hokkaido. The island’s grassland
plateau provides an ideal habitat for seabird breeding, and represents
a valuable nesting ground for the Leach's storm petrel, the Japanese
cormorant, the black-tailed gull and other species.

KushiroA magnificent natural meeting ofland and sea

This area represents a magnificent natural meeting ofland and sea, featuring the Kushiro River and Kushiro
Marshlands National Park to the north along with the Pacific Ocean
and the Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park to thesouth along with a majestic 40-km curving coastline running from
Mataitoki to Senposhi. The characteristic local summer sea fog creeps
over the area’s wildflower-rich grasslands and dense forests of oddly
shaped windswept trees. The fantastic sights here make it feel likea magical foreign land, with views of vast landscapes over Kushiro
Marshland from Hosooka Observatory providing a boost for mental
wellbeing all year round.

28

AkkeshiAkkeshi Kojima and Daikoku
Islands

The southwestern part of the uninhabited Daikoku
Island (circumference: approx. 6.0 km; area: 1.08 km2)
incorporating Akkeshi Lighthouse was designated as a national naturalmonument for its status as a breeding ground for seabirds in 1951
(approx. 11% of the island’s area) and as a prefectural nature park in
1964. In 1966 the entire island was designated as a special bird andanimal sanctuary. The location is a paradise for seabirds such as the
Leach's storm petrel, the slaty-backed gull, the Japanese cormorantand the spectacled guillemot, and is one of few breeding grounds forharbor seals. Akkeshi Kojima is a small island (circumference: 0.8 km;
area: 0.05 km2) that has been uninhabited on a year-round basis since
its elementary school was closed in 1975, and has around 10 residents
during the kelp fishing period from July to September.

Shibecha

Two national parks and a quasinational park

Shibecha measures 58.9 km from east to west and 60.5
km from north to south, creating a total area around half
the size of Tokyo. The southern part of the region is an oasis of precious
flora and fauna covering the widely distributed wetlands of Kushiro
Marshland National Park, including Kottaro Marsh, Lake Toro and Lake
Shirarutoro. The north is home to a vast core industry of dairy farmingon the majestic Konsen Plateau, with the northernmost part being
home to some of Akan-Mashu National Park and Mt. Nishibetsu. Thismagnificent natural environment, encompassing two national parks
and Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park, is a pricelesstreasure of Shibecha. Visitors can enjoy the wonderful sunrise andsunset of Tawadaira on clear days, along with panoramic views of theKonsen Plateau and a spectacular jet-black starry sky at night.

Towns protecting andnurturing treasures andco-existing with nature
鶴居村

根室市

Tsurui Village

釧路市
Kushiro City

Nemuro Town

Shibecha Town

Hamanaka Town
Akkeshi Town

KushiroTown▎Kushiro▎Akkeshi▎Hamanaka▎Shibecha

Kushiro is 252.66 square kilometersin size and has a population of approximately 19,000, with main industries including fishing, agriculture andcommerce. In 1920 it was separated
from the previous Kushiro entity (nowofficially known as Kushiro City) andlater merged with Konbumori Village
in 1955 to form ShinKushiro Village,
which became the area today known
as Kushiro as a result of townshipdesignation in 1980. It incorporates
the areas of Beppo, Toya, Sechiributo,
Toyo/Chuo and Konbumori.

Akkeshi is 739.27 square kilometers in size and has a population of
approximately 9,000, with main industries including fishing and dairy
farming. The name Akkeshi first
appeared in literature in the Kanei period (1624 – 1644), when the
Matsumae clan (formed in 1604)
set up a shipping store there. The
name comes from the Ainu language.

Hamanaka is 423.63 square kilometers in size and has a population of approximately 5,600, withmain industries including fisheries
and dairy farming. People frommainland Japan are thought tohave settled in the area during theKan-ei period from 1627 onward.
The Akkeshi site was divided in
1701, and the Kiritappu site of the
Matsumae clan was formed. The
area is strongly characterized byits openness to the sea.

Shibecha is 1,099.37 square kilometers in size and has a population of approximately 7,300,
with main industries including
dairy and livestock farming.
The name comes from the Ainu
Shipeccha, meaning "bank of a
big river." Three great rivers – theKushiro, the Bekanbeushi and
the Nishibetsu – flow through thearea, underpinning the region’s
history of water and forests in industry and pioneering.

Ramsar sites
Ramsar wetlands are listed in the Register of Wetlands of International Importance under the provisions of
the Ramsar Convention. In this context, the habitats of migrating waterfowl and the roles ofvarious wetland ecosystems are today widely recognized as important.

Bekanbeushi Marsh (Akkeshi, registered 1993; area 5,277 ha)

Kiritappu Marsh (Hamanaka, registered 1993; area 2,504 ha)

Lake Akkeshi (a brackish lake bordering the Pacific) and
Bekanbeushi Marsh are respectively designated as national bird
and animal sanctuaries, and the special protection area incorporating the whole Akkeshi Bay area is registered under the Ramsar
Convention. Bekanbeushi Marsh takes a thin branch-like form
along the Bekanbeushi River, with tributaries flowing into Lake
Akkeshi. It covers an area of around 8,300 hectares, most of which
are wetlands covered with reeds and sedges, and retains a wholly
unspoiled appearance. Its varied environments, including brackish
waters and forest land, provide habitats for an estimated 240 bird
species. The area serves as a stopover and a wintering groundfor migratory waterfowl, such as whooper swans, goosanders andother ducks, and as a breeding site for endangered species suchas white-tailed eagles and red-crowned cranes.

The central part of the marshland is designated as a national
natural monument for its Kiritappu peat-forming plant communities. Two brackish lakes in the main and western parts of themarsh (Hichirippu Swamp and Mochirippu Swamp) are registeredunder the Ramsar Convention, with land designated as special
protection areas for national birds and as animal sanctuaries.
Covering an area of 3,168 hectares, the marsh stretches along
the Pacific coastline of Biwase Bay and Hamanaka Bay in eastern
Hokkaido. The Ramsar site designation covers 2,504 ha, with thecentral part (803 ha) holding the peat-forming plant community designation. The marshland includes fens, bogs and various
other forms of terrain, and is home to a variety of birds and large
mammals such as Hokkaido sika deer.

29

Shibetsu Town

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori
Quasi-National Park Guidebook

JR Kawayu Onsen Station

Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport▎Contact
Industry and Economy Division, Kushiro Hall
Beppo 1-1, Kushiro+81(0)154-62-2193
sangyo_syokokanko@town.kushiro.lg.jp

JR Biruwa Station

Nakashibetsu Town
Akan-Mashu
National Park

JR Mashu Station

Teshikaga Town

AkankoOnsen

Train running on Bekanbeushi Marsh (JR Hanasaki Line)

JR Senmo Main Line

Bekkai Town

The 166.2-km JR line connecting Kushiro and Abashiri is known for the magnificent scenery typical of eastern Hokkaido, with views including Kushiro Marsh, Kottaro Marsh, Lake Toro, Lake
Shirarutoro, Lake Mashu
and Lake Kussharo.

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division,
Hamanaka Hall
Tofutsu 445, Hamanaka+81(0)153-62-2111
shokokanko@town.hamanaka.lg.jp

JR Isobun’nai Station

JR Hanasaki Line
ShibechaTown

JR Nemuro Station

The 135.4 km JR Hanasaki Line (part of
the JR Nemuro Main Line) connecting
Kushiro and Nemuro provides close-up
views of the Ramsar-registered Bekanbeushi Marsh, Lake Akkeshi and wild
animals such as Hokkaido sika deer
depending on the season and time ofday.

JR Shibecha Station

JR Kayanuma Station

JR Higashi-Nemuro Station

Nemuro City

Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division,
Shibecha Hall
Kawakami 4-2, Shibecha+81(0)15-485-2111
info@office.town.shibecha.hokkaido.jp

JR Nishiwada Station

JR Bettoga Station
JR Attoko Station

JR Konbumori Station
JR Ochiishi Station

Environment and Lifestyle Division,
Department of Health and Environment
Kushiro General Subprefectural Bureau,
Hokkaido Government
Urami 2-2-54, Kushiro+81(0)154-43-9154
kushiro.kankyo1@pref.hokkaido.lg.jp

JR Anebetsu Station

Kushiro Marshland
National ParkJR Hamanaka Station

JR Toro Station

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori
Quasi-National Park by train

JR Chanai Station

JR Hosooka Station

Akkeshi Town

JR Kushiroshitsugen Station

JR Itoizawa Station
JR Toya Station

Kushiro City
Tancho Kushiro
Airport
JR Kushiro Station

Hamanaka Town

JR Akkeshi Station

The JR Nemuro Main Line from Takikawa to Nemuro

JR Monshizu Station

Kushiro Town
JR Kamioboro Station(Hokkaido’s longest railway) has a section called the JR
Hanasaki line connecting two cities and three towns

JR Oboro Station

between Kushiro and Nemuro. This stretch is well known to
JR Higashi-Kushiro Station

JR Beppo Station

locals and railroad enthusiasts, with single-car trains provid-

JR Musa Station

ing unique views of sea and land, including atmospheric

Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park

cliffs and marshes as well as rare local plants and animals.

Approx. 50 minutes

35.4㎞

.1
㎞

39

.5
㎞

39.2㎞

Nemuro Nakashibetsu
AirportTancho Kushiro
AirportApprox. 1 hour 40 minutes
Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Approx. 1 hour 35 minutes
51.2㎞

Kushiro Station to Nemuro Station via Akkeshi Station. Flights operate from Haneda Airport, Kansai International Airport and New Chitose
Airport to Tancho Kushiro Airport and Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport, which are the nearest hubs to the quasi-national park area.

Information courtesy of:Konsen Seibu District Forest Office, Hokkaido Regional Forest
Office, Forestry Agency
Kushiro Wetland Nature Conservation Officer’s Office, Ministryof the Environment
Office of Forestry, Kushiro General Subprefectural Bureau,
Hokkaido Government
Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Center
Shibecha Museum (Nitai-to)
Aikappu Museum of Natural History
Kiritappu Wetland National Trust
Ashiyan Canoe
Lakeside Toro
Photographs courtesy of:
Office of Forestry, Kushiro General Subprefectural Bureau,
Hokkaido Government
Kushiro
Akkeshi
Hamanaka
Shibecha
Akkeshi Tourism Association
Shibecha Sightseeing Association
Kiritappu Wetland National Trust[P. 10] Yachibozu[P. 13] 3. Cranberry, 9. Common Glasswort, 10. Umimidori,
11. Iso-tsutsuji, 14. Kushiro-hanashinobu[P. 15] 7. Tufted puffin[P. 18] Purchase of private land for animal/plant protection, maintenance andmanagement of boardwalks and promenades

Kazuo Takita (Kushiro Photography Enthusiast Group member)[Pp. 4 – 5] 2. Takoiwa, Todoiwa, 3. Hokkaido sika deer in spring,
10. Hokakeiwa, 12. Bekanbeushi Marsh[P. 15] 2. Black woodpecker, 3. Ezofukuro (Strix uralensis japonica),
9. Young Ezofukuro, 10. Russian flying squirrel

Kaori Miyazawa[P. 28] Tawadaira Observatory[P. 29] Kottaro Marsh

Produced and printed by Suda Seihan Co., Ltd.

JR Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line)To access Akkeshi-Kiritappu-Konbumori Quasi-National Park, take the JR Nemuro Main Line (Hanasaki Line) and intercity bus routes from30

Approx.
40 minutes

NemuroTokachi
ObihiroAirport

9.5㎞

Kushiro4

New Chitose Airport

71.6㎞

Hamanaka

0.9
㎞

81.3㎞

69

Akkeshi㎞
4.3

Shibecha

.3
㎞
21

12

KushiroObihiroMinami Chitose

Tomakomai-Nishi Port

191.3㎞.5 ㎞

New
Chitose
Airport176.2㎞

27.4㎞

52.6㎞

TanchoKushiroAirport

Doto Expressway 263.3㎞
37㎞

NemuroNakashibetsu
Airport87.5㎞

29

SapporoACCESS

Tourism, Commerce and Industry Division,
Akkeshi Hall
Shinei 3-1, Akkeshi+81(0)153-52-3131
kankousyoukou@akkeshi-town.jp

Page 8 answers［Lv.1］1. Atoeka 2. Chanbetsu 3. Mabiro 4. Ponporoto

Haneda Airport
Kansai International Airport* Transportation times are for guidance only.
Be sure to check official information fromtravel providers.

［Lv.2］1. Pontomari 2. Gojikkoku 3. Aikappu 4. Hichirippu［Lv.3］1. Chipurankeushi 2. Katamusari 3. Bekanbeushi 4. Kenbokki

Issued in September 2021 by Kushiro General
Subprefectural Bureau, Hokkaido Government.

No unauthorized reproduction of photographs or other items in this guidebook ispermitted. The information provided is current as of the time of research.

31