KUSHIRO

Kushiro is a town on the eastern side of Hokkaido with a population of 175,000 people, and it is one of Japan’s most northern cruise ship ports of call. It is often found on itineraries at the beginning or end of the crossings between Asia and Alaska, making it a special travel opportunity if you are one of said cruises.

The town of Kushiro is developed along both sides of the Kushiro River. On the northern side, you’ll find the Washo Fish Market, the Kushiro train station, and the Kushiro Fisherman’s MOO building, which is a waterfront marketplace that provides visitor services and attractions when a cruise ship comes to town.  On the southern side, you’ll find a handful of shrines as well as the Kushiro City Museum and the Kushiro City Museum of Art. Whether you go north or south, be sure to get a bowl of soba noodles, a specialty of the region!

If you fancy seeing more of what the greater region has to offer, head 25 mi/ 55 km north to Lake Akan where you will find the Lake Akan Ainu Village. The indigenous Ainu controlled Hokkaido up until 400 years ago, and now only a few hundred remain. At the village, you can see traditional housing and musical instruments to get a deeper look into the region's past.

Another memorable travel day involves going 10 mi/ 16 km north to the Shitsugen National Park. This is Japan’s largest marshland region and home to the Tancho, the famous Japanese Crane that was thought to be extinct in the 19th century prior to being found in Shitsugen. The Tancho Crane Reserve was established in 1958 for species preservation, and if you’re lucky, you might get to see one!

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There are two docking locations in the Kushiro area to accommodate different sized ships. Smaller ships can dock right downtown near the Kushiro River entrance, while larger ships dock 3 mi/ 5 km outside the downtown area on the northern side of the city, and shuttles will be provided for your convenience. Be sure to check with your cruise line for where you will be located so you can properly plan your day, whether it may involve exploring the city or searching for cranes.