Of Japan's four main islands, Hokkaido lies farthest north. Its eastern reaches, known for tourism purposes as "Higashi Hokkaido" (Eastern Hokkaido), include Kushiro, Nemuro, Akan, Mashu, and Shiretoko. The port town of Kushiro is a place you can enjoy in many ways depending on the season and the purpose of your trip: the wild nature of the Kushiro Wetland, known as Japan's largest wetland; the sunset viewed from Nusamai Bridge, counted among the world's three great sunsets; the seafood of Washo Market; and winter red-crowned crane watching.

Photo: The maiden statue on Nusamai Bridge at the mouth of the Kushiro River, with the sunset dyeing the port crimson. A spectacular Kushiro view counted among the world's three great sunsets.

In Kushiro, where the attractions are split between the city center and the outskirts, where you stay makes a real difference to how easily you can get around. If you want to comfortably enjoy strolling the city, driving out toward the wetland, and dining in the evening, it pays to book a place that's a convenient base for getting around.

With that in mind, this article introduces tips for enjoying Kushiro sightseeing using the Kushiro Prince Hotel as your base. The hotel is located about a 10-minute walk from Kushiro Station on JR (Japan Railways, Japan's main railway group) and stands close to Nusamai Bridge, which spans the Kushiro River. As the tallest hotel in Kushiro, it offers sunset views you won't find elsewhere, Eastern Hokkaido cuisine served at its top-floor restaurant, and car sharing you can pick up and drop off right at the hotel. These thoughtful touches throughout make the stay itself part of the trip. (0:03)

Photo: The exterior of the Kushiro Prince Hotel, the tallest hotel in Kushiro, standing near Nusamai Bridge about a 10-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station.

For this article, we spoke with the Kushiro Prince Hotel staff who welcome guests there every day, weaving in ways to enjoy the area that only people working on the ground would know. Whether it's your first visit to Kushiro or you've already been several times, you're sure to find travel ideas built around the Kushiro Prince Hotel.

What Makes Kushiro Special: Port-Town Sunsets and Vast Nature in a Single Trip

The appeal of Kushiro sightseeing is that very different kinds of attractions are gathered within about a 30-minute to one-hour drive of one another. There's the port-town city center facing the Pacific, Japan's largest wetland, the spectacular sunset ranked among the world's three great sunsets, and Washo Market, counted as one of Hokkaido's three great markets. Even if you come with just one of these in mind, you'll naturally end up encountering the others during your stay; that's what defines Kushiro. And precisely because of this, the location of your base, your starting point for getting around, greatly shapes the quality of your trip.

How Kushiro Lets You Enjoy Port-Town Sunsets and the Wild Nature of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park at Once

Kushiro is a port town facing the Pacific and, at the same time, the gateway to the inland Kushiro Shitsugen National Park that spreads out around it. A national park is a natural area that the Japanese government designates for the protection of nature. Drive north from the city center and you'll reach the Kushiro Wetland, known as Japan's largest wetland. The Kushiro Wetland is a vast expanse of sweeping reed beds, meandering rivers, and rich birdlife.

Photo: The Kushiro Wetland enjoyed on foot along a boardwalk surrounded by greenery. Beyond the views, you can feel nature up close on a walk.

This wetland was also the first in Japan to be registered under the Ramsar Convention, back in the 1980s. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement aimed at protecting wetlands of global importance. In other words, the Kushiro Wetland is both a tourist destination and an environment recognized internationally for its conservation value. Because the wetland's main observatories and walking spots are also scattered within about an hour's reach, you can easily plan an itinerary that goes from a walk around town out into the wilderness, then back into town to enjoy the port-town evening.

Why the Kushiro Prince Hotel Is a Convenient Base for Both City Strolls and Out-of-Town Sightseeing

The Kushiro Prince Hotel stands in the heart of the city center, about a 10-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station and close to Nusamai Bridge, which spans the Kushiro River. If you have a lot of luggage, it's just a few minutes by taxi from the station. Port-town spots such as Washo Market and Fisherman's Wharf MOO are within walking distance, and because it's easy to get out onto the main roads, the location offers relatively easy access for a drive out toward the Kushiro Wetland as well.

It's an easy base to get around from whether you arrive by rail, by airport shuttle bus, or by car, so even on a first visit to Kushiro you can tour the sights efficiently.

As for the gateway by air, Tancho Kushiro Airport is about 1 hour 40 minutes by plane from Tokyo (Haneda). Visitors coming from overseas commonly connect to a domestic flight at Tokyo or Sapporo (New Chitose Airport). From the airport to central Kushiro, you can travel by airport shuttle bus or taxi. If you're heading to the hotel, it helps to check the bus stop and travel time in advance.

Watching Kushiro's Sunset from Your Room: Why Stay at the Kushiro Prince Hotel

On a trip to Kushiro, the scene many people name as "unforgettable" is the sky at dusk. Ranked alongside Bali (Indonesia) and Manila (the Philippines) among the world's three great sunsets, Kushiro's evening view is a sight unique to the town, where the Pacific, the Kushiro River, and the lights of the port town merge into a single panorama. Since you've come all this way, you'll want to do more than just glance at it: You’ll want to make it a highlight of your stay.

What Sunset Views Can You Enjoy from the High-Floor Twin and Double Rooms?

For those who want to make the most of the sunset, the high floors on levels 15–16 are recommended.
From a high-floor twin room, on clear days you can enjoy Kushiro's sunset, said to be one of the world's three great sunsets, right from your room. (0:17)

Photo: A high-floor twin room. The sunset spreads out beyond the window, and on clear days you can enjoy one of the "world's three great sunsets" from your room.

Likewise, the high-floor double bedroom is fitted with a king-size bed, so you can lie back near a window overlooking the Pacific and savor the sky as it shifts from orange to crimson and then to a purplish indigo as the sun sinks.

Photo: A high-floor double bedroom with sweeping views of the Pacific. Savor the changing sky from the window beside the king-size bed.

Being able to spend time in "a room made for taking in the view" is something only the tallest hotel in Kushiro can offer. Sitting by the window with a cup of coffee and gazing at the sky makes for a quintessentially Kushiro way to pass the time.

Kushiro's Sunset from Nusamai Bridge: A Scenic Spot Within Walking Distance of the Hotel

Nusamai Bridge, which crosses the mouth of the Kushiro River, is a symbol of Kushiro and an especially popular spot for photographing the sunset. Ranked alongside Sapporo's Toyohira Bridge and Asahikawa's Asahibashi Bridge as one of "Hokkaido's three great bridges," it's a historic bridge representative of Hokkaido, and the bronze statues of women at its four corners symbolizing spring, summer, autumn, and winter were each created by a different sculptor. At dusk, the silhouettes of these statues at the bridge's four corners rise against a sky tinged red, and the bridge is beloved as one of Kushiro's signature photo spots. (0:49)

Photo: The retro bridge lamp of Nusamai Bridge rises as a silhouette against the sun setting on the horizon.

Since it's within walking distance of the Kushiro Prince Hotel, a classic way to enjoy it is to stroll to the bridge with your camera once evening comes and watch the sunset up close. After the sun sets, you can head back to the hotel and spend time watching the town fade into darkness from your guest-room window, or savor the view from the top-floor restaurant on the 17th floor. Being able to enjoy the same sunset from two perspectives, outdoors and indoors, is a benefit unique to staying in the heart of the city center.

When Is Kushiro's Sunset at Its Best? The Autumn Equinox (Around September 23) and Fall Highlights

Kushiro's sunset can be enjoyed year-round, but it's especially striking in the period from around the autumnal equinox in late September into the fall. During this time the sun tends to set in line with the Kushiro River, so when you look out from around Nusamai Bridge, it becomes easier to photograph the sun appearing to drop toward the center of the river.

In autumn in particular, the air is clear and you can see far into the distance, so the outline of the setting sun stands out sharply. In the 30 minutes or so after sunset, the sky shifts one after another to red, orange, purple, and indigo. If you're aiming for the kind of striking Kushiro sunset you see on social media, a clear day in September or October is when it photographs in the most vivid colors.

Autumn in Kushiro runs from around September to October, with temperatures of roughly 6°C to 18°C. Since mornings and evenings get chilly, you'll be comfortable with layers you can add to, plus a light outer layer.

Photo: Kushiro's townscape and port seen from high up. As the sun sets, the sky turns red and orange.

City Spots to Enjoy Around the Kushiro Prince Hotel: A Guide to Strolling the Port Town

The area around the Kushiro Prince Hotel is one where the representative spots of the port town of Kushiro are gathered within walking distance. Just by walking with a map in hand, you can efficiently visit quintessential Kushiro places: the sea, the market, the bridge, and the shopping street. Even on a day with limited time, such as your arrival or departure day, it's a convenient location for taking in the atmosphere of the town.

What Can You Enjoy at Fisherman's Wharf MOO? The Charms of a Waterfront Stroll

About an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Right by Nusamai Bridge, on the bank at the mouth of the Kushiro River, stands Fisherman's Wharf MOO, a complex commercial facility representing Kushiro's waterfront. Here you can enjoy Kushiro's cuisine and the atmosphere of the port town all in one place: shops selling local sake and seafood souvenirs, the "Minato no Yatai" food stalls where you can dine, and the outdoor "Ganpeki Robata," open typically from the third Friday of May to the end of October, where you can grill seafood and other ingredients yourself on the quayside.

Photo: Fisherman's Wharf MOO on the bank at the mouth of the Kushiro River. A complex commercial facility representing the port town's waterfront.

If you walk along the riverside deck after shopping, fishing boats and the bridge come into view, and you can enjoy the scenery along the river. Since it's an easy distance to drop by between sightseeing stops, it's a place that fits naturally into a first-day stroll around town as well as last-day souvenir shopping.

What Is Washo Market's Katte-don? A Kushiro Classic Worth a Stop During Your Stay

A few minutes' walk from JR Kushiro Station and reachable on foot from the Kushiro Prince Hotel as well, Kushiro's Washo Market is a long-established market counted alongside Hakodate Morning Market and Sapporo Nijo Market as one of "Hokkaido's three great markets." (0:30)

Photo: Kushiro's Washo Market, one of Hokkaido's three great markets. Enjoy strolling the market while peering into the fresh-fish cases.

Here, the one experience you'll want to try is Kushiro's specialty, the "Katte-don." First you buy a bowl of plain white rice, then go around the shops in the market buying small portions of your favorite seafood toppings and placing them on your own bowl. You pay separately for the rice and for each topping. Since some shops mainly take cash, it's reassuring to have a little cash on hand. The process of choosing and piling on your favorite ingredients from among sea urchin, salmon roe, salmon, scallops and crab to build your own seafood rice bowl becomes a memory of the trip. If you're not fond of raw fish, you can also choose grilled fish, crab, egg, and the like.

Photo: Katte-don toppings lined up at Washo Market. Choose your favorite ingredients, such as sea urchin and octopus, to build your own seafood rice bowl.

The experience of getting in touch with local flavors amid the market's bustle is highly popular with international travelers, too, and it's beloved as a go-to spot where visitors from overseas can feel Japan's market culture firsthand.

Robatayaki, Zangi and Spakatsu: How to Enjoy Kushiro-Born Dishes on an Evening Stroll

Kushiro has a strong image of fresh seafood, but the evening pleasures don't stop there. "Robatayaki," now spread nationwide, is a food culture of grilling seafood and vegetables near a charcoal fire and savoring them. Kushiro is said to be its birthplace, with a history dating back to the 1950s. Sitting around the charcoal fire and enjoying atka mackerel (hokke), Pacific saury, scallops, and "tsubu-yaki", whelks grilled boldly in their shells, is an evening pleasure unique to a port town. (0:24)

Photo: Robatayaki, said to have originated in Kushiro. A port-town evening savoring grilled fish and local sake around a charcoal fire.

"Zangi" is fried chicken (Japanese fried chicken) that originated in Hokkaido, distinguished by a soy-sauce-based marinade thoroughly soaked in before frying. Compared with ordinary fried chicken, the flavor is richer and the coating thicker, for a quintessential Hokkaido style. Crisp and fragrant on the outside, juicy inside, with a robust soy-sauce flavor. Kushiro is said to be its birthplace, and it pairs well with both rice and drinks.

What's more, "Spakatsu", spaghetti topped with a pork cutlet and smothered in piping-hot meat sauce, is a soul food of Kushiro locals that originated at the long-established Western-style restaurant "Izumiya." Served on a sizzling iron plate and generously portioned, it's a local Kushiro take on Western food. The dish’s combination of noodles, meat and sauce has been loved by locals across generations.

In the lively district around the Kushiro Prince Hotel, there are restaurants serving these local Kushiro dishes within walking distance. Try them as part of your evening stroll.

How to Enjoy the Wild Nature of Kushiro Wetland: Expanding Your Sightseeing from the Kushiro Prince Hotel

After enjoying a stroll around the port town, use the Kushiro Prince Hotel as your base and head out to the kind of vast nature that only Kushiro can offer. In Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, known as Japan's largest wetland, the main spots are scattered around 30 minutes by car from the hotel. Even as a day trip from the hotel, leaving the hotel in the morning and returning by evening to enjoy the sunset, there's plenty to savor.

What Does Car Sharing from the Hotel Change? A Handy Way to Explore the Kushiro Area Freely

One reason the Kushiro Prince Hotel is so convenient as a base for wetland sightseeing is the "TOYOTA SHARE" car-sharing service available right at the hotel. If you complete the app registration in advance, you can set off directly from the hotel without having to travel to a rental-car outlet by the station. If you live overseas and want to use it, please check the conditions for app registration, accepted credit cards, and an international driving permit in advance.

Car Share is a short-term rental service that lets you borrow a registered car only for the time you need. Because you can rent in 15-minute units, you can use it in a flexible way that suits your preferences, such as only using a car only on the day you go to the wetland, and going car-free on the days you walk around town. Since you can naturally combine strolling the city center on foot with sightseeing in the outskirts by car, it broadens the range of model courses for Kushiro sightseeing.

If you're visiting from overseas and plan to drive in Japan, the required documents differ depending on your nationality and the country that issued your license. Before departure, be sure to check the documents needed to drive in Japan, such as an International Driving Permit (IDP). Japan, like the UK and Australia, drives on the left, so visitors from countries that drive on the right should take care. In rural areas there are roads with few streetlights and roads where wild animals may dart out, so caution is needed when driving at night. In the winter period from around November to March, snow and icy road surfaces can make for snowy roads. Even on days with little snow, the road surface may be frozen, so caution is especially needed in the early morning and evening. To be safe, choose a vehicle fitted with winter studless tires (tires made for snowy and icy roads) or check with each rental-car company in advance.

What Can You See from the Kushiro City Wetland Observatory? A Place to Sense the Scale of Japan's Largest Wetland

If you're encountering the wetland for the first time, the first place to visit is the Kushiro City Wetland Observatory. If you go by public transport, services are limited, so check the timetable in advance or consider using a taxi or rental car. From the rooftop viewing area of the building, you can take in the wetland stretching all the way to the horizon. Kushiro Shitsugen National Park covers about 28,000 hectares, roughly 280 square kilometers. That's close to half the area of Tokyo's 23 wards, and only when you stand and look out over it do you truly grasp its size.

Photo: The viewing deck of the Kushiro City Wetland Observatory. Take in Japan's largest wetland stretching to the horizon in a single sweep.

Inside the facility there are also exhibits that make it easy to learn about the wetland's ecosystem, which changes how you'll view the wetland you're about to walk. For anyone who thinks, "First I want to get a sense of the whole picture," it's an ideal point of entry.

What Can You Do at Hosooka Observatory and the Onnenai Boardwalk? Enjoying the Wetland by View and on Foot

Once you've grasped the overall picture at the wetland observatory, head next to the sightseeing points scattered around the wetland. Highlights include Hosooka Observatory, where you can take in the meandering Kushiro River and the vast wetland in one sweep; Kottaro Wetland Observatory, a peaceful viewpoint that sees relatively few visitors; and the Onnenai Boardwalk, where wooden walkways let you observe wetland plants and birds up close. If you want to enjoy the view in a short time, Hosooka Observatory is recommended; if you want to walk and observe nature, the Onnenai Boardwalk is the choice. Visit in comfortable walking shoes, and to be safe bring insect repellent in summer and warm clothing in spring and autumn.

Whether you prefer panoramic views or walking through the wetland itself, Kushiro Wetland lets you choose the experience that best matches your mood and energy level. Combine viewpoints and walking, and even within the same wetland the scenery you see and the sounds you hear will change. The appeal is that with Car Share, you can tour multiple spots efficiently in a single day.

What Kind of Journey Are the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train and Canoeing? Deeper Ways to Enjoy the Wetland

The "Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train," which you can board at JR Kushiro Station about a 10-minute walk from the Kushiro Prince Hotel, is recommended for those who want to experience the wetland in greater depth. It's a sightseeing train with a trolley-car feel, a seasonal service connecting Kushiro Station and Toro Station from spring to autumn. Since operating days are limited, check the running days and the availability of reserved seats on the official JR Hokkaido website. As the train slowly moves through the landscape you can enjoy the wetland scenery up close.

Photo: The trolley-style sightseeing train "Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train" running through the green wetland (the second-generation train is scheduled to retire in 2026).

Note that the current second-generation Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train is scheduled to retire after the 2026 season due to the age of its carriages, so 2026 is the last year you can experience the second-generation train in operation. If you're planning to ride, we recommend booking early during the operating period from late April to early October.
* In 2026 it is scheduled to run on set days from April 25 to October 4, and as all seats are reserved, it's reassuring to confirm the running days and seat availability before boarding. Operating information may change, so please check JR Hokkaido's latest official announcements.

Canoeing down the Kushiro River is also popular. There are guided tours for beginners, and it's reassuring to confirm whether English support is available when you book. From a low vantage point right at the water's surface, you can enjoy up close, by canoe, the sights and sounds you can't encounter on foot or by car: the sky you look up at, the red-crowned cranes and Ezo sika deer on the riverbanks, and the sound of the wind crossing the reed beds. Drifting quietly with the current is one of the experiences unique to Kushiro Wetland.

What Is a Stay at the Kushiro Prince Hotel Like? Special Time in the Rooms, Dining and Facilities

The appeal of the Kushiro Prince Hotel doesn't stop at its convenience as a sightseeing base. Even the time after you return from sightseeing is full of thoughtful touches that let you feel Kushiro's character.

What Guest Rooms Does the Kushiro Prince Hotel Have? The Difference Between the Standard Floors and the High Floors

The Kushiro Prince Hotel's guest rooms are divided into two groups: the "Standard Floors" on levels 6–14, and the "High Floors" on levels 15–16. What's distinctive about this hotel is that how you choose changes depending on the purpose of your trip and who you're traveling with.

The Standard Floors have three types: Single, Twin, and a Family room, which accommodates up to four guests. The Single room is a calm space for business trips and solo travel, the Twin is a versatile, standard room, and the Family room can accommodate up to four guests, making it well suited to family and group travel. They're often chosen by those who want to enjoy their stay at a more modest price while taking in Kushiro's townscape and the views of the port.

Photo: A Standard Floor guest room on levels 6–14. Stay at a reasonable price while taking in Kushiro's townscape and port.

The High Floors on levels 15–16 are the rooms chosen by those seeking the view. The high-floor twin room is a popular type from which you can gaze at Kushiro's sunset, called one of the "world's three great sunsets", from your room on clear days. The single room faces the Kushiro city center, where you can take in the morning sun and the night view. The double bedroom is fitted with a king-size bed, a spacious room with sweeping views of the Pacific. For those wishing for something still more luxurious, there is the 48.43 m² Suite room, which offers an especially open view.

For those who want to savor the sunset from their room, the high-floor Twin or Double bedroom; for families who want to spread out, the Family room on the Standard Floors, or the suite overlooking the Pacific for special occasions. When booking, it's reassuring to check conditions such as "high floor" or "view specified." The flexibility to choose to match the purpose of your trip is one reason there are so many repeat guests.

What Kind of Restaurant Is Top of Kushiro? Dining with Views of the City and the Pacific

The observation restaurant "Top of Kushiro" on the 17th floor is an observation restaurant where you can dine while taking in the scenery from the highest point in Kushiro. From its fully glass-walled space, you can see far into the distance: the Kushiro River, the port-town streets, and further out to the Pacific, and the view you enjoy changes depending on where you sit.

Photo: The 17th-floor observation restaurant "Top of Kushiro." Take in Kushiro's townscape bathed in sunset through the fully glass-walled windows.

Lunchtime offers bright hours against the backdrop of the port view, while dinnertime is a meal with the town lights after sunset. The dynamic atmosphere changes greatly with the hour you visit, which is another of its hallmarks. As a place to spend an anniversary dinner or the meal that rounds off a trip, it's chosen by many travelers, couples, and families.

Photo: A Western-style course savored at "Top of Kushiro." Enjoy colorful appetizers and main dishes along with a magnificent view.

There is also a private room called "SKYROOM" within the restaurant, which can be reserved exclusively for family celebrations and small gatherings. Advance reservation may be required to use it. In a space where you can have the 17th-floor view all to yourself, it's also recommended for those who want to make a special day memorable.

Can Breakfast Change the Mood of Your Day? Why Mornings at the Kushiro Prince Hotel Enrich Your Trip

Breakfast on a trip is an important time that sets the rhythm of the day ahead. Breakfast at the Kushiro Prince Hotel is normally served as a buffet on the top floor at "Top of Kushiro." A menu unique to a port town is laid out, generously incorporating ingredients from Hokkaido and Kushiro. (0:40)

Photo: A morning moment at "Top of Kushiro" overlooking the Pacific. Start your day with a view of the sea.

One especially popular item is the "Umi no Sachi Don," a seafood rice bowl where you pile as much of the sea's bounty as you like onto your rice. It's a welcome dish that lets you savor the Katte-don style familiar from Washo Market right at the hotel, first thing in the morning. There's also a rich lineup of distinctive dishes that make the most of Eastern Hokkaido ingredients: the "Nemuro Strait Kelp Soy Sauce Ramen," made with broth from Nemuro Strait kelp; penne with a meat sauce made from Ezo deer, a Japanese game meat; and seafood soup curry. And the classic breakfast dishes are all there too, with grilled fish such as sockeye salmon and atka mackerel (hokke), scrambled eggs finished with Hokkaido eggs and milk, rice made with Hokkaido-grown "Nanatsuboshi" (one of Hokkaido's flagship brand-rice varieties), and miso soup made with Hokkaido miso, a lineup that caters to fans of both Japanese and Western breakfasts. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please check with the hotel in advance.

Photo: A breakfast buffet making the most of Hokkaido and Kushiro ingredients. A wide variety of dishes, starting with the Umi no Sachi Don seafood bowl.

To finish, what you'll want to enjoy is a lineup of dairy products befitting Hokkaido, acclaimed as Japan’s most renowned center of dairy production. You can savor local ingredients to the full from morning. You can enjoy a tasting comparison of "Toyotomi Milk" and "Tokachi Karoyaka Shibori," Hokkaido milk pudding, yogurt, and more. After your meal, coffee in hand, it's also nice to use the time to plan your day, deciding whether to head out to the wetland or go for a walk through the market.

* Breakfast is basically a buffet, but depending on reservation conditions it may be served as a set meal. The menu may change depending on procurement.

How to Make the Most of Hotel Life with the Fitness Room, Rental Bikes and On-Site Facilities

The Kushiro Prince Hotel has on-site facilities that make it easy to spend even the hours when you're not out sightseeing.

Worth noting is the fitness room that opened in May 2026. Equipped with cardio machines, strength-training equipment, and free weights, it's well suited for keeping up your exercise routine during a business trip or refreshing yourself while traveling. Newly built under the concept of "a space where the stay itself contributes to your health," it's a welcome point for those on long stays, too.

Photo: The fitness room that opened in May 2026. Cardio machines and strength-training equipment are set up by the windows.

For those who want to enjoy strolling the town more actively, rental bikes (eBike mini-velo type) are also available. In Japan, bicycles also keep to the left as a rule. Turn on your lights at night and ride with care for pedestrians. As compact electric-assist bicycles, they make even uphill stretches easier to climb, letting you tour Kushiro's townscape and seaside over a wider range than on foot.
Rental bikes are available only during the period from April to November.

Photo: A rental bike (eBike mini-velo type) riding along the seaside. With electric assist, you can tour a wide area of Kushiro's town.

In addition, the convenience shop on the 1st floor comes in handy when you need a drink, a snack, or something you forgot; and because there's a coin laundry, you can travel with minimal luggage even on a stay spanning several days. A business corner is also provided, making it an environment well suited to a workation or business trip.

A strength of the Kushiro Prince Hotel is that it has a full set of facilities to handle not only use as a sightseeing base but also long stays. Even when you're taking a break from sightseeing, the hotel provides a comfortable place to relax.

From Sunset to the Morning Sea: Can You Enjoy Scenery That Changes by the Hour? The Value of a Stay at the Kushiro Prince Hotel

The Kushiro Prince Hotel is plenty enjoyable even for a single night, but it's also a hotel whose appeal grows all the more with two or more consecutive nights. The reason is that Kushiro's scenery changes its expression depending on the time of day and the weather.

Even the view from the same high-floor window brings one scene after another that you can't take in over a single night's stay: the calm sea in the morning, the deep-blue Pacific at midday, the sunset known as one of the world's three great sunsets in the evening, the town lights at night, and the misty port the next morning. In winter especially, the town and the sea turn into a snowy landscape, so you can enjoy an expression completely different from summer or autumn.

Since you're staying at the Kushiro Prince Hotel, do take your time over Kushiro's scenery with a stay of two or more nights.

Does the Way You Enjoy the Kushiro Prince Hotel Change by Season? Sightseeing and Hotel Appeal Through the Year

Each of Kushiro's four seasons has a different pleasure. Spring brings refreshing air free from the woes of pollen; summer brings the crisp, cool climate of a true summer escape; autumn brings sunsets that stand out under clear skies; and winter brings an encounter with red-crowned cranes, seen in only a limited number of places even in Japan. No matter how many times you visit, there's different scenery and a different experience. That's the fun of a stay in Kushiro.

Photo: Two red-crowned cranes standing by the water. An encounter unique to Kushiro, which changes its expression with the seasons.

Is Spring in Kushiro Low in Cedar and Cypress Pollen? Why It's Chosen as a Getaway During Pollen Season

Spring in Japan is a season when many people suffer from hay fever, but Kushiro is known as an area with extremely little airborne cedar (Japanese cedar) and cypress (Japanese cypress) pollen. This is because there is hardly any of the planted cedar and cypress that drive pollen dispersal in Honshu, so the situation differs from Honshu, Japan's main island. Even across Hokkaido as a whole, the planted area of cedar is on a vastly smaller scale than in Honshu's major prefectures, and Kushiro is one of the areas there that is especially little affected by pollen dispersal.

This characteristic has been taken up repeatedly in various media in recent years, and "spring Kushiro is comfortable for people with hay fever" has rapidly drawn attention as a theme. The number of people who choose Kushiro as a destination for "hifun", or pollen escape, spending the few weeks of pollen season in Hokkaido, has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Freed from sneezing and itchy eyes, you can enjoy strolling the town and wetland sightseeing under clear air. A spring trip where you can take off your mask and breathe in deeply can be a welcome relief for those who suffer from pollen. The Kushiro Prince Hotel, which combines the convenience of the city center with rooms where you can relax, can flexibly accommodate everything from a short trip of a few days to a slightly longer, workation-style stay.

Spring in Kushiro runs from around April to May, with temperatures of roughly 5°C to 13°C. Since mornings and evenings get chilly, you'll be comfortable pairing layers you can add to with a light outer layer.

Why Is Summer Kushiro Popular as a Cool-Weather Retreat? Why the Hotel's Appeal Comes Alive on Longer Stays

Summer in Kushiro often sees average midsummer temperatures of around 20°C even when Honshu is gripped by intense heat, making it an especially comfortable area within Hokkaido. From June to August, it's a climate cooler than Honshu, where you'll be glad to have long sleeves or a light layer during the day. Seeking out such an environment, in recent years not only short sightseeing trips but also a travel style of staying for one to two weeks while leisurely enjoying the town and nature has been increasing. The hotel has a coin laundry and a business corner, too, making it an environment well suited to longer stays.

At the Kushiro Prince Hotel, long-stay plans are sometimes offered for summer cool-weather stays, such as a consecutive-night ECO plan limited to two or three nights, and a three-consecutive-night plan with "Minato-machi Coupons" usable at affiliated shops in the city. Greet a cool morning in a high-floor room overlooking the Pacific, tour the wetland and outskirts by Car Share during the day, and stroll the town on foot in the evening. In Kushiro, you can comfortably plan an itinerary built around the refreshingly cool climate.

How to See Red-Crowned Cranes in Winter Kushiro: Enjoying a Trip Centered on Crane Watching and Photography

Not to be missed in winter Kushiro is watching red-crowned cranes dance over the snowy fields. When observing, don't make loud noises, don't feed them, and watch over them while keeping your distance from designated spots. Observation points known to photography enthusiasts at home and abroad, such as Tsurumidai in Tsurui Village, the Akan International Crane Center, and the Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary, are scattered within day-trip range of the city center.

Photo: Red-crowned cranes dancing with wings spread over a snowy field. A signature scene of winter in Eastern Hokkaido, popular with photography enthusiasts too.

The red-crowned crane was at one point so reduced in number that it was thought to be extinct, but in 1924 it was rediscovered in the Kushiro Wetland. Thanks to subsequent local conservation efforts, the population has now recovered. In the early morning, the sight of red-crowned cranes, with their pure white bodies marked with black and red, descending onto a snowy field where steam rises is a signature highlight of winter in Eastern Hokkaido, drawing many who come not just to observe but to take serious photographs.

On a winter early morning, crane watching centers on outdoor photography where it can drop below freezing, so having a comfortable place nearby to warm up can make all the difference. Winter in Kushiro runs from around November to March, when temperatures drop below freezing to roughly minus 8°C to minus 2°C. Head out with solid winter gear, such as warm clothing, gloves, and non-slip winter boots. For early-morning photography in particular, you may wait outdoors for long stretches, so it's reassuring to also have hand warmers and thermal innerwear. At the Kushiro Prince Hotel, after returning from photography you can rest in a high-floor room or enjoy the magnificent view at the top-floor restaurant, so even on a cold-season trip you can spend your time at ease. Depending on the period, winter-only plans and special services may also be arranged, so checking the latest accommodation plans before you visit will help you plan a more satisfying winter trip.

Adding One More Day to Your Kushiro Trip? Side Trips That Expand Your Eastern Hokkaido Journey

After enjoying sightseeing within Kushiro and your stay at the Kushiro Prince Hotel, if you have one more day to spare in your itinerary, there's also the option of venturing a little farther afield from the hotel. Because the Kushiro Prince Hotel lets you use Car Share with pickup and drop-off at the hotel, it's an easy base for a day-trip drive: leave in the morning, return by evening, and have dinner at the top-floor restaurant.

Akkeshi Oysters and Winter Jewelry Ice: Scenery and Flavors Within a Day Trip from Kushiro

About an hour's drive east of Kushiro, Akkeshi Town, facing the Pacific, is known as a renowned production area where you can enjoy oysters year-round. You can compare brands with distinct characters, such as "Kaki-emon" and "Maru-emon." Beyond raw oysters, you can enjoy them grilled or steamed, and at the roadside station "Akkeshi Gourmet Terminal Conchiglie" the appeal is being able to savor them charcoal-grilled. A roadside station (Michi-no-Eki / roadside station) is a rest facility you can casually drop by on a journey, where you can also enjoy local ingredients, souvenirs, and light meals.

Photo: Akkeshi Town's brand oysters "Kaki-emon" and "Maru-emon." Large oysters in the shell that can be enjoyed year-round.

Worth visiting only in the winter season is the "Jewelry Ice (Jewelry Ice)" that washes up on Otsu Beach in Toyokoro Town. It's a phenomenon in which blocks of ice that flow out from the Tokachi River are polished by the waves of the Pacific and wash up on the shore, transparent like jewels; the hours when the morning or evening sun shines through the ice are especially popular subjects for photography. As it's a natural phenomenon, the amount and condition you can see vary by the day you visit. It's a little distant, about two hours by car from Kushiro, but it's known as a spectacular sight unique to winter in Eastern Hokkaido.

Photo: The winter-only "Jewelry Ice" on Otsu Beach in Toyokoro Town. Blocks of ice that glow like jewels as the morning sun shines through them.

Both are within a round-trip day's reach using the Kushiro Prince Hotel as your base. By staying multiple nights and combining them with city sightseeing, you can enjoy your Kushiro trip even more deeply.

Conclusion: How to Make the Most of Kushiro Sightseeing and a Hotel Stay: Why Choose the Kushiro Prince Hotel as Your Base

A sunset that ranks among the world's three great sunsets, the vast Kushiro Wetland just a short drive away, Washo Market's Katte-don, and winter's red-crowned cranes. A great feature of a Kushiro trip is that you can savor each of these different charms in a single stay.

As a base that lets you spend less time worrying about transportation and more time enjoying Kushiro, the Kushiro Prince Hotel has solid strengths. A central city-center location with easy access to Tancho Kushiro Airport, JR Kushiro Station, Nusamai Bridge, and Washo Market. High-floor twin rooms where you can enjoy one of the world's three great sunsets on clear days, and the views of the high floors overlooking the Pacific.

Photo: The exterior of the Kushiro Prince Hotel standing out against the night town. A hotel where the stay itself becomes the purpose of the trip.

The "Umi no Sachi Don" and a breakfast buffet that makes the most of Eastern Hokkaido ingredients. A fitness room, rental bikes, and a top-floor restaurant for the days you don't head out sightseeing. And Car Share that lets you venture out to the outskirts with pickup and drop-off at the hotel.

Not a hotel for sightseeing, but a hotel where the stay itself can become the purpose of the trip. That is the Kushiro Prince Hotel.
Supporting this kind of Kushiro stay are the hotel's staff. The Kushiro Prince Hotel staff who face guests every day say this: "In Kushiro, a summer retreat that stays cool even in summer, please spend some time enjoying the gentle breeze. The beautiful sunset viewed from your room will make your journey even more memorable. In this place, where in spring you can also spend your time comfortably as a pollen-escape destination, please do come and experience a stay that lets your heart unwind."

On your next trip to Kushiro, why not see the unforgettable Kushiro sunset, viewed from your guest-room window, with your own eyes?

Kushiro Prince Hotel: Essential Information

※ This article was written based on information as of June 2026, under the supervision of the Kushiro Prince Hotel staff.

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