Do you enjoy traveling off the beaten path? If yes, yey! We are likeminded friends. So I made a perfect 6-day Hokkaido road-trip itinerary for you.
This itinerary includes Kushiro, Akan and Lake Kussharo, as well as a hidden gem of the eastern part of Hokkaido that you probably haven’t heard of — Notsuke Peninsula.
Even for me, a local from Eastern Hokkaido, Notsuke Peninsula is not something too familiar (I know, shame on me).
So I got advice from an expert in this area. A friend of mine, Akinori is running a cozy guesthouse there. I collaborated with him on this itinerary, and made sure lots of local tips are included.
Let’s dive in!
This post contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission to enjoy a cup of coffee on my trip☕
Overview: 6-day Eastern Hokkaido Road Trip
This itinerary explores the southern part of Eastern Hokkaido, starting and ending at Kushiro Airport. Make sure to book a rental car at the airport.
This is a great trip for nature lovers and anyone who enjoys scenic spots. The best time for this itinerary is summer, but it’s also great for autumn and spring.
Day 1: Kushiro
Day 2: Coastal road trip
Day 3: Notsukse Peninsula & Lake Kussharo
Day 4: Wakoto Peninsula & Lake Mashu
Day 5: Akan
Day 6: Crane watching & back to Kushiro
Note: renting a car is a must for this itinerary, as it includes some destinations that can not be reached by public transportation.
Day 1: Kushiro
Fly into Kushiro Airport, or arrive at JR Kushiro Station if you take a train or a bus from Sapporo. You can pick up a rental car at either place.
To kick start your trip, let’s visit a national park located near Kushiro city center, just 20-30 minutes drive from the airport and the station.
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
Kushiro has Japan's largest wetland. It’s so big that the entire Tokyo city center could fit in!
Kushiro Shitsugen (marshland) National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including about 40 mammal species and 200 bird species. You might find iconic animals like Ezo deer, red-crowned cranes, and Hokkaido foxes.
There are five marsh observatories around the park where you can look out at the vast marshland and walk on designated paths to enjoy nature. I recommend visiting one of the three easily accessible spots below.
Just so you know, this marshland is a protected area. Therefore, visitors are not allowed to go off the walking paths.
This observatory has a rooftop terrace and exhibitions about the history of the national park. You can take a walk on the wooden path starting here, 2.5 km round trip. There is a satellite observatory (free of charge) halfway on the path, which offers a nice panorama view.
The visitor center provides information about wildlife and seasonal highlights in the park (closed on Tuesdays). Wooden walking paths are available for three different trails, ranging from 500 m to 3 km to enjoy the views around.
The best location to overlook the marshland together with Kushiro River and mountains. This is also a popular spot to photograph a sunset sinking into the marshland.
Sunset at Nusamai Bridge
What’s better than ending the first day of your trip with one of the most beautiful sunset in the world?
Kishiro is known for its stunning sunset views. What makes the sunset here special is Kushiro’s unique geography. The city is located between the vast marshlands and the ocean. Therefore, the high humidity in the city creates dramatic, hazy sunsets that melts into the Pacific Ocean.
The best viewing spot is Nusamai Bridge at the city center. The sunset in Kushiro is best in autumn and winter when it’s more likely to have a sunny weather.
Stay in Kushiro
Where to stay in Kushiro
- ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro
⭐3 stars, 🏢Excellent Location, ✨Modern Design
Conveniently located near JR Kushiro Station, offering great guest services and a breakfast buffet using fresh local ingredients. - Comfort Hotel Kushiro
⭐3 stars, 🍴Free Breakfast, 🏢Excellent Location
A modern city hotel just a 2-min walk away from JR Kushiro Station.
Day 2: Coastal Road Trip to Notsuke Peninsula
Day 2 is a road trip for about 160 km, along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. You will stop by a few beautiful viewpoints before reaching Notsuke Peninsula that we will explore on the next day.
Breakfast at Washo Seafood Market
Let’s start your day with a local breakfast. Kushiro's Washo Market is just a five-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station. Since established in 1954, it's one of Hokkaido's top three markets, along with Sapporo's Nijo Market and Hakodate's Morning Market.
A must-try here is "Katte Don," a customizable seafood bowl. Here's how to make your own bowl with your favorite seafood:
Buy a rice bowl: Get a bowl of plain or vinegared rice at one of the food stalls. It costs about 120 to 300 JPY, depending on the size.
Pick Your Toppings: Walk through the market and choose what you want on toe rice bowl, like salmon, scallops, sea urchin, and crab. Vendors sell fresh seafood toppings by piece, so you can mix and match!
Enjoy!: Have fun with talking to people in the stalls. When your Don is ready, you can eat at a eat-in space in the market. The total price of a Katte Don depends on your toppings, but typically it’s about 1,000 JPY to 1,500 JPY.
💡Pro Tip: Arrive early if you want to enjoy the best selection and less crowded shops. The market gets busier later in the day.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM (until 5 PM, Monday from January to March). Closed on Sundays.
Akkeshi
A famous red bridge in Akkeshi
One hour drive away from Kushiro, Akkeshi is another port town on the Pacific coast. The town’s signature food is delicious oysters!
Akkeshi is a rare place where you can find fresh oysters all year round. The key is a cold current in the ocean around Akkeshi, which allows oysters to mature slowly and get a rich, briny flavor.
In Akkeshi, you must visit Gourmet Park Conchiglie. Here, you can enjoy fresh oysters in different styles, from raw to grilled, and even with ice cream! Would you dare to try it?
There are an ocean-view restaurant, a charcoal grill restaurant, an oyster bar, a seafood market as well as a tourist information center.
💡Pro Tip: Akkeshi hosts Oyster Festivals twice a year in mid-April and mid-November. The one in April is during the cherry blossom season, so you’ll enjoy both the oysters and sakura!
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: April–September: 9 AM–8 PM | October–December: 10 AM–7 PM | January–March: 10 AM–6 PM. Closed Mondays (open daily in July & August).
Cape Aikappu
Just 15 minutes by car from the city center, Cape Aikappu is one of Akkeshi’s must-see spots.
You’ll have an amazing ocean view while standing on an 80-meter cliff. You can also look out at Daikoku Island, a small uninhabited island that’s home to a variety of seabirds.
There is the “Bell of Love Arch” at the tip of the cape. They say your wish might come true with a ring of the bell, so it’s a popular spot for couples.
The cape is just a 7-minute walk from the parking lot. You can also find a small tourist center with a souvenir shop in the parking.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Ayamegahara Wildflower Field
With a 20-minute drive from Cape Aikappu, our next stop is Ayamegahara Wildflower Field. This nature reserve is known for a sea of purple irises that come into bloom from mid-June to early July.
Beyond the irises, you can also enjoy over 100 varieties of flora, including the Siberian lily and cranesbill geranium from May through October.
The field offers not only beautiful wildflowers, but also coastal panorama views.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours from May to October
Admission free
Parking, restrooms and a tourist information center are available.
Cape Namida
Just a 10-minute drive from Ayamegahara, you will reach Cape Namida, a beautiful, untouched cape. The viewpoint near the tip of the cape is just a 10-minute walk away from the parking lot.
A little side story — the cape gets its name, “Cape of Tears,” from a local legend about a girl mourning a young man lost at sea. Nearby Tateiwa Rock is said to resemble the young man standing toward her. Isn’t this romantic?
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Cape Kiritappu
With a 30-minute drive from Cape Namida, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean’s rugged coastline at Cape Kiritappu.
The cape often gets foggy, so you might want to skip it if the weather isn’t great. Locals say clear views only happen once every three days!
But if you’re lucky enough to travel here on a sunny day, it’s worth the trip. From the observatory, you might be able to spot sea otters, seals and rare sea birds, tufted puffins.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Public bathroom available
Head to Odaito Nest
Let’s finish our road trip of the day at Odaito, about one hour away from Cape Kiritappu. Odaito is a bay area near Notsuke Peninsula, with a fishery port and a small onsen town.
If you’re looking for a cozy stay that feels like home, check out Guesthouse Odaito Nest run by a friend of mine, Akinori.
He fell in love with the nature in this area and started a guesthouse in the summer of 2024 to welcome enthusiastic travelers visiting the Notsuke Peninsula area. He is well-travelled around Eastern Hokkaido, so he’d be happy to recommend you his favorite spots in the region!
Odaito Nest has two guestrooms with a shared kitchen. It’s located just 10 minutes away from Notsuke Peninsula, which makes a great location for our destination for the next day.
Want to stay at Akinori’s place? Check room availabilities here.
Stay in Odaito
Day 3: Notsukse Peninsula & Lake Kussharo
Notsuke Peninsula is the biggest sandspit in Japan, about 26 km long. This location offers unique landscapes that you won’t find elsewhere—the highlight being “Todowara”.
Todowara’s view
We will explore the peninsula the first in the morning, expected to take about 2 hours. Then we’ll continue our road trip to Lake Kussharo with a couple of stops along the way.
Lake Kussharo is the biggest caldera crater lake in Japan and has a few nature spots on its lakeside — an active volcano Mount Io, a hot spring beach Sunayu, local onsens and more.
Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center
Let’s check out the tourist information center here before getting into the Notsuke Peninsula. Here you can learn about the peninsula’s nature and history.
The exhibits here are mostly written in Japanese, but you should be able to get a general idea from the visual materials.
You’ll find information about plants, animals as well as wildbirds. Birdwatchers call Notsuke Peninsula a “paradise of wild birds”, as rare birds like sea eagles and red-crowned cranes can be seen in this region.
There are also a shop and a restaurant serving some local dishes. Their signature menus are a scallop burger with breaded-fried scallops and rice bowls with fresh seafood caught in the region. Get some snack before you go!
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 9 AM – 5 PM from April to October, 9 AM – 54PM from November to March
The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
Todowara: Decaying natural wonder
“Todowara” is the remains of Sakhalin fir trees standing in a vast, desolate landscape, which used to be a thriving forest about 100 years ago.
This apocalyptic scenery is often referred as the “end of the world”. This was created by the power of nature and time — land subsidence, seawater erosion and harsh winds.
They are still eroding away, which means this unique scenery may eventually disappear altogether.
To get to Todowara, park your car at the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center. From there, a 1.3-km walkway takes you to Todowara, which is about a 30-minutes walk through a nature reserve with some colorful wild flowers.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
💡Suggestion
If you have time, you can include a couple of days in Shiretoko here. It’s another nature-rich peninsula just 1.5 hours away from the Notsuke Peninsula.
After Shiretoko, head to Lake Kussharo to continue on this itinerary.
Kaiyodai Observatory
Driving for 50 mins from the Notsuke Peninsula, Kaiyodai Observatory is an iconic landmark of this region that shows Hokkaido’s expansive landscape. The nearly 360 degrees panorama view from there will make your feel like you are at the center of the world.
During summer months, about 1,000 cows from neighboring farms graze in the fields around the observatory.
Before you hit the road again, get some light snacks at a cafe inside the observatory, like ice cream and hot dogs.
INFORMATION
Cafe’s opening hours: 10AM-5PM from late April to October, closed on Mondays (the rooftop is open all year round)
Admission free
Kaminokoike Pond
Blue Pond in Biei is way too famous and crowded. But Kaminokoike Pond is a hidden gem in Eastern Hokkaido, which Ainu the indigenous people of Hokkaido call “God’s Lake”.
45 minutes drive away from Kaiyodai Observatory, this is a small, but mystical blue pond. The blue color is a gift from the sky — the water constantly flows in from nearby Lake Mashu and is so clear that it reflects the color of the sky.
You can even see some fish and fallen trees in the clear pond. These trees never get rotted because the water temperature is kept quite cold thorough a year. This is truly the art of the magical nature.
One thing to note about this spot is that the last stretch of the road to the pond (about 2 km) is in a forested area and gets narrow and rough. It could be a bit nerve wracking if you’re not used to driving on mountain roads, so just a heads up.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Mount Io
Sitting a 40-min drive from Kominokoike Pond, Mount Io is an active volcano where you can observe its geothermal activities up close. You will see steam coming out from many volcanic vents, which is pretty cool.
As much as I enjoy walking around this volcano, I love steamed eggs there. Yes, you heard me right. Eggs!
They are locally grown eggs, steamed with a hot spring water from Kawayu Onsen near Mount Io. The spring water adds a slight saltiness and a scent of sulfur to eggs, which makes the unique flavor that locals love.
This has been my favorite snack on a road trip since I was a child! You can try them at the rest house MOKMOK Base. The rest house has a cafe and a small museum about Mount Io.
💡Pro tip: Keep the parking ticket until you go to the Lake Mashu Observatory. You can park there for free with this ticket.
INFORMATION
Mount io: 24 hours, MOKMOK Base: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Parking: 500 yen from May to October (free from November to April)
Admission free
Sunayu
Do you want to try making onsen by yourself? Then drive just 10 minutes from Mount Io and stop by Sunayu, a lake-side beach on Lake Kussharo. Here, if you dig a small hole in the beach, hot spring water flows up from the sand! The name Sunayu literally means “sand hot spring”.
You can also enjoy a public foot bath for free. I love this spot as it’s quiet and peaceful, yet still fun to visit with families and friends to stroll around.
Since the lake water here is warm due to the geothermal effects around this area, Sunayu is the best spot for wild swan watching in winter.
From late November to April, they migrate to Lake Kussharo from Russia to spend a less harsh winter. They especially like hanging around in the warm water in Sunayu. I mean, who doesn’t like onsen, right?
IINFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Stay near Lake Kussharo or Lake Mashu
Where to stay near Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu
- Kussharo Prince Hotel
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
A long-established hotel with lake-viewing onsen. - Kawayu Kanko Hotel
⭐3 stars, ♨️Hot Spring
A local hotel known for its high-quality natural hot spring, serving local cuisine dining. - Pension Polaris
⭐2 stars, 🍴Local Ingredients, 🧡Amazing Hospitality
A cozy lodge-style accommodation near Lake Mashu, offering a beautiful stargazing location.
Day 4: Wakoto Peninsula & Lake Mashu
We’ll take it easy on Day 4, as the previous two days were long road trips. You can slowly get started in the late morning so that you’ll reach Akan around the hotel check-in time, usually at 3 pm.
Wakoto Peninsula
If you stay on the south shore of Lake Kussharo, start your day by exploring Wakoto Peninsula on the lake. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, as there’s a walking path that goes around the peninsula in about one hour for 2.5 km.
Surrounded by forests, you will find an open-air natural onsen, a shrine, giant Japanese Judas trees, and a lakeside viewpoint.
Don’t forget to stop by Wakoto Field House before the walk. They provide the latest information on plants, flowers and birds you might find along the way.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours (Field House: 8 AM - 5 PM)
Parking free
Lake Mashu
A 30-minute drive away from Wakoto Peninsula, Lake Mashu is known as the clearest lake in Japan. While it’s not possible to go to its lakeside as the lake is surrounded by tall cliffs, you can enjoy the view of this magical blue lake from the observatory.
But this beauty is a little bit shy. The lake has a nickname “Foggy Mahsu”, since it often gets foggy due to its geographical conditions. Locals joke that you won’t be able to get married if you see clear Lake Mashu (meaning, so don’t be disappointed even if you don’t see it clearly!).
Make sure to check the weather before going there. If it’s sunny, you’ll be amazed by the view.
A tourist facility at the observatory, Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace has a cafe, a lounge and an information center (open from 8.30 AM to 5 PM).
INFOINFORMATION
Observatory’s opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Head to Akan
Now let’s head to Lake Akan onsen town, which is about one hour away from Lake Mashu.
If you want to have lunch on the way, stop by Teshikaga town and check out Teshikaga Ramen or Poppotei for ramen, or Kumaushi for grilled pork rice bowl and soba noodles.
In Akan, check in at your hotel and just relax in the lake-view onsen!
Stay in Akan
Where to stay in Akan
- Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza
⭐4 stars, 🛁Private Hot Spring, 🍷Fine Dining
All 25 rooms come with a private hot spring with a beautiful lake view. - Akan Yuku no Sato
⭐4 stars, ♨️Hot Spring, 👀 Beautiful View
A long-established hotel run by a local company, having been listed in Michelin Guide Hokkaido. - Akan No Mori Tsuruga Resort Hana Yuuka
⭐4 stars, 🍴Great Buffet, ♨️Hot Spring
A cozy lake-side onsen hotel offering delicious buffet meals with various options.
Day 5: Explore Akan
Here are a few things to do in and around Lake Akan. You can pick some of them that are interesting to you and plan a day!
Ainu Kotan Village
Akan is home to the largest community of Ainu, Hokkaido’s indigenous people. Ainu Kotan is a small area in the Lake Akan onsen town where you can find Ainu handicraft shops, restaurants, and a museum.
Take a stroll there to learn and experience Ainu culture. You can also watch Ainu people’s traditional performance at the theater Ikor.
Lake Alan Cruise
Hop on 85-minutes cruising and enjoy the views around the lake. The tour includes a 15-minutes stop at the Churui Island in the middle of the lake. There you’ll see exhibits of a famous local symbol “Marimo”.
Marimo is ball-shaped green algae that lives in Lake Akan. Some of them grow up to 20-30 cm, which is bigger than the ones you can find anywhere else in the world. These unique plants are a popular tourist attraction in Akan - you will find a lot of souvenirs featuring Marimo, ranging from snacks to stationaries.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: multiple schedules from 8 AM to 4 PM. Check the official website.
Fare: 2,400 JPY
Hiking in Akan Mashu National Park
Views on Mount Hakuto Nature Trail
Lake Akan sits in the Akan Mashu National Park. If you are a hiking lover, there are a few hiking trails for you to try around Akan. You can check recommended routes of the season with the tourist information center.
My favorite hike is Mount HakutoI Nature Trail, which took us about 2 hours for a round trip of 4 km. I did this hike with my husband in summer, and we loved that the trail went through a tranquil forest and rewarded us with a lookout for the beautiful Lake at the end.
There are interesting spots during the trail, called “Bokke”. It is a mud volcano steaming from underground due to geothermal activities in the area. The name Bokke comes from the Ainu language, meaning “boiling place”.
Bokke Walk
A 2-hours hiking sound too much but interested in Bokke? No worries, there’s a much easier option. From the cruising ferry dock on the lakeside, you can take a 1.5 km loop path leading to a Bokke spot near the town. You’ll reach Bokke in about 15 min.
After that, you can take the same path back to the lakeside or another path to Akan Eco Museum Center. Find a map here. The whole walk would take about 45 min.
Lake Onneto
Lake Onneto is a hidden gem in the Akan area, about 20-minutes drive from Lake Akan. It’s a tranquil, beautiful lake surrounded by forests with a backdrop of mountains.
It’s also called “Five-Colored Lake”, as the color of the lake changes depending on the weather conditions.
There are four different hiking trails around the lake; two of them along the lake (2.3 km and 1,9 km one way), one goes to a waterfall from the lake (1.4 km) and another one from Nonaka Onsen to Lake Onneto walking through a forest.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 24 hours
Admission free
Stay in Akan
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
Day 6: Crane Watching & Back to Kushiro
Now we’ll go back to Kushiro Airport. It’ll take about one hour from Akan to the airport.
Crane Watching in Tsurui Village
If you have time until your flight, make a quick stop at Tancho no Sato in Tsurui Village on the way to the airport, about 40 minutes in. Here, you can meet a rare kind of crane called “Tancho” (Japanese red-crowned cranes).
The Kushiro-Akan area is one of the few places where you can see these wild cranes in their natural habitat. Many of them live in the Kushiro Marshland in summer and come near Akan and Tsurui for feeding in winter.
At Akan International Crane Canter in Tancho no Sato, you can observe some Tancho cranes all year round. There are a restaurant and onsen nearby.
INFORMATION
Opening hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
Admission fee: 480 JPY
THAT’S ALL!
I hope this itinerary will take you to Eastern Hokkaido's great destinations. If you like this article, join my Hokkaido Travel Newsletter to receive more tips & local news exclusive to my subscribers!
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