Car-Free Travel in Hokkaido: Exploring Nemuro and Kushiro by Bus

Nemuro, Attoko, Betsukai, and Nakashibetsu

Nemuro is located in the easternmost part of Hokkaido. The main sightseeing spot is Cape Nosappu, a stunning scenic spot where you can gaze out at the Northern Territories across the sea and witness the earliest sunrise in the country. The area is also celebrated as a sanctuary for wild birds. While central Nemuro is the most well-known, the surrounding areas offer their own unique charm.
The Attoko district within Nemuro, along with the neighboring town of Nakashibetsu, are renowned for their dairy farming culture, where you can enjoy magnificent landscapes. Betsukai is another hidden gem where you can truly immerse yourself in untouched nature. Visiting these areas alongside Nemuro will surely make for wonderful and diverse travel experiences.

How to Get to Nemuro, Attoko, Betsukai, and Nakashibetsu from Sapporo by Bus

Nemuro is located at the very edge of Hokkaido, making it quite a distance from Sapporo. If you are coming from the mainland, the fastest way is to fly into Nakashibetsu Airport. However, you will still need to travel further by bus or car to reach Nemuro.
For those traveling from Sapporo, we highly recommend our overnight bus, which you can book directly through our website. By leaving Sapporo at night, you can sleep comfortably on the bus and arrive at your destination by the next morning. The journey takes approximately 7 hours to Nakashibetsu, 7 hours and 45 minutes to Betsukai, 8 hours and 10 minutes to Attoko, and 8 hours and 45 minutes to Nemuro. Although it is a long journey, the overnight bus is a reasonable and smart choice as it allows you to save on a night's hotel stay while you travel via bus.
You can make your reservation via the link on our website below:

Bus booking

Sapporo to Nemuro, Attoko, Betsukai, and Nakashibetsu

Nemuro, Attoko, Betsukai, and Nakashibetsu to Saporo

Things to Do in Nemuro, Attoko, Betsukai, and Nakashibetsu

Cape Nosappu

Cape Nosappu is the easternmost point of mainland Japan and is famous for being the place where you can see the country's earliest sunrise. The lighthouse at the tip of the cape is well-known as the oldest in Hokkaido. From the cape, you can see the islands of the Northern Territories with the naked eye. The area is bustling with tourists year-round, enjoying the local souvenir shops and restaurants nearby. While it is beautiful throughout every season, winter offers a completely different landscape where you can see drift ice. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wildlife such as sea otters or whales.

Lake Furen

Lake Furen is a unique lake located at the base of the Nemuro Peninsula, directly facing Nemuro Bay. Surrounded by vast wetlands, it serves as a habitat for an incredible variety of bird species. During the migrations seasons, more than 5,000 swans gather at Lake Furen, and the area offers rare opportunities to walk through world-renowned primeval forests. While it is a peaceful, hidden gem away from the usual tourist crowds, it is highly recommended for those who wish to experience bird watching and untouched nature.

Shunkunitai

Shunkunitai is a sandbar island formed over a period of approximately 3,000 years. The island features a unique landscape where diverse natural environments, such as forests and wetlands, coexist in distinct parallel belts. It is a world-class habitat for about 280 species of wild birds, making it an absolute paradise for birdwatchers. Even if you aren't a fan of bird watching, it is a fascinating place to explore. The scenery shifts dramatically as you walk, offering a sensory experience you won't find anywhere else. We highly recommend wearing rubber boots to enjoy your hike comfortably as the walk includes wetlands and sandy beaches.

Kushiro

While Nemuro offers an amazing sunrise view at Cape Nosappu, Kushiro is famous as a gateway to one of the world's top three beautiful sunsets. Located on the Pacific coastline of Eastern Hokkaido, Kushiro is the largest city in the region. As a coastal town, it is renowned for its seafood, particularly a local specialty known as "Katte-don" (a customizable seafood rice bowl). At the same time, it is the perfect city to immerse yourself in untouched nature. The area boasts numerous spots to experience grand landscapes, including Kushiro Marsh, the largest wetland in Japan, and Lake Akan.

How to Get to Kushiro from Sapporo and Asahikawa

As the largest city in Eastern Hokkaido, Kushiro offers better access than Nemuro. While the JR Limited Express is the fastest way to travel from Sapporo, the highway bus is a more budget-friendly option that allows you to fully enjoy the journey. It is highly recommended for those who want to experience a Hokkaido road trip without the challenge of driving a rental car, or for travelers looking for an affordable alternative. Our website offers two bus routes to Kushiro: one from Sapporo, which takes about 5 hours and 10 minutes, and another from Asahikawa, taking approximately 7 hours.
You can make your reservation via the link on our website below:

Bus booking

Sapporo to Kushiro

Kushiro to Sapporo

Asahikawa to Kushiro

Kushiro to Asahikawa

Things to Do in Kushiro

Nusamaibashi

Known as one of Hokkaido's three most famous bridges, Nusamai Bridge is the ultimate spot to witness Kushiro's world-famous sunset. The contrast between the European-style bridge and the fiery red sunset is breathtakingly memorable. While the view from atop the bridge is stunning, looking at it from just off the bridge is equally popular and beautiful. Watching the bridge transform into a sharp black silhouette against the setting sun is an amazing experience for many travelers.
Just a short walk away is the Washo Market, where you can try Kushiro's famous Katte-don. Grab a delicious sushi bowl before catching the sunset.

Lake Akan

Lake Akan is located in the northern part of Kushiro City in Eastern Hokkaido. Nestled within Akan Mashu National Park, it stands as one of the region's premier sightseeing destinations, bringing countless visitors each year. The lake is home to rare green moss balls called Marimo, which are designated as a Special Natural Monument.

On Chuurui Island, which floats in the lake, you will find the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center. This facility allows you to view Marimo up close and learn about their ecology, offering a rare glimpse into how they actually live in Lake Akan. There are also sightseeing cruises available that let you experience the lake and its Marimo.

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is home to Japan's largest wetland. This park serves as a habitat for an incredible variety of wildlife, with around 2,000 precious species living here. Among them, the Tancho is widely known as a Special Natural Monument of Japan and is a truly rare bird. The park is a must-visit destination for bird watching, drawing bird lovers from all over the world.

While the park attracts numerous visitors year-round, the most popular season is from mid-July to September, when the wetland turns a vibrant green. For those seeking adventure, horse trekking and canoe touring are the most popular activities in the park. Even in the winter, you can enjoy observing rare birds and walking through the beautiful white snow. Immerse yourself in the vast nature!

Summary: Plan Your Trip to Nemuro and Kushiro

Planning a trip to Eastern Hokkaido might feel a bit intimidating due to its distance and accessibility. However, witnessing the untouched nature of this region is a truly unforgettable experience in Hokkaido.
To make your journey seamless and budget-friendly, our website provides direct bus routes connecting major cities in Hokkaido. Ready to explore Nemuro and Kushiro? Check our website for more bus routes and let the ultimate Hokkaido road trip begin!