Things to Do in Kushiro (釧路市), Hokkaido: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kushiro (釧路市) in Hokkaido Prefecture (Hokkaido, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Itsukushima Jinja, Kushiro Wetland Park, Kushiro City Museum and served by Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) via the regional hub at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS). Set at 6 m elevation (42.9850°N, 144.3817°E), Kushiro offers travelers a base for sampling regional Sapporo miso ramen, Jingisukan (grilled lamb), Hokkaido soup curry cuisine and exploring neighboring Kushiro Town (釧路町) (7 km), Tsurui (鶴居村) (30.3 km), Shibecha (標茶町) (37.3 km), Shiranuka (白糠町) (37.3 km).

Located along the coast of the North Pacific Ocean, it serves as the subprefecture's capital and it is the most populated city in the eastern part of the island. Kushiro is located in southeastern Hokkaido. The Kushiro River and Akan River flow through the city, as well as Lake Akan is within the city borders. The origins of Kushiro Port are said to date back to the mid-17th century, when Matsumae Domain sent trading ships to trade with the Ainu people who lived near the mouth of the Kushiro River. During the Edo period, Kushiro Port was called Kusuri-tomari. Within Hokkaido Prefecture, Kushiro (釧路市) serves as a city in Hokkaido Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-10-11) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

What to See & Do in Kushiro (釧路市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kushiro (釧路市) from Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) at 6 m elevation (42.9850°N, 144.3817°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kushiro):

• Itsukushima Jinja — local sightseeing landmark near Kushiro (釧路市).
• Kushiro Wetland Park — local sightseeing landmark near Kushiro (釧路市).
• Kushiro City Museum — local sightseeing landmark near Kushiro (釧路市).
• Lake Akan — local sightseeing landmark near Kushiro (釧路市).
• Manabot Nusamai — local sightseeing landmark near Kushiro (釧路市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kushiro: Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) (connecting to Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kushiro

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kushiro (釧路市) and Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido:

• Kushiro Town (釧路町) — 7 km from Kushiro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Tsurui (鶴居村) — 30.3 km from Kushiro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Shibecha (標茶町) — 37.3 km from Kushiro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Shiranuka (白糠町) — 37.3 km from Kushiro (Hokkaido Prefecture)
• Akkeshi (厚岸町) — 38.1 km from Kushiro (Hokkaido Prefecture)

Getting to Kushiro & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kushiro (釧路市) via Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km): 1h 30m flight from Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose (CTS), or 4h on the Tohoku–Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto plus limited express train. From Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) to reach central Kushiro (42.9850°N, 144.3817°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Sapporo with Kushiro (釧路市) and neighboring Kushiro Town, Tsurui, Shibecha. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kushiro, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kushiro and continuing toward Kushiro Town can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kushiro: While Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) anchors public transit for Kushiro, picking up a rental car at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) makes it easy to link Itsukushima Jinja and Kushiro Wetland Park with nearby Kushiro Town (釧路町) (7 km), Tsurui (鶴居村) (30.3 km), Shibecha (標茶町) (37.3 km), Shiranuka (白糠町) (37.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kushiro (釧路市) & Hokkaido

Dining near Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) and across Kushiro (釧路市) highlights the regional food culture of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokkaido. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kushiro:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kushiro (釧路市): sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming alongside coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets.
• Sapporo miso ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Kushiro (釧路市) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Jingisukan (grilled lamb) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kushiro (釧路市) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Hokkaido soup curry — regional specialty enjoyed across Kushiro (釧路市) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Kaisendon (sea urchin, crab & salmon roe bowls) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kushiro (釧路市) and Hokkaido Prefecture.
• Soft-serve dairy & melon — regional specialty enjoyed across Kushiro (釧路市) and Hokkaido Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kushiro (釧路市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km).

Where to Stay in Kushiro (釧路市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kushiro (釧路市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Sapporo (Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS)) or neighboring Kushiro Town, Tsurui, Shibecha for quick train access into Kushiro. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kushiro & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kushiro (釧路市, 6 m elevation at 42.9850°N, 144.3817°E): June–August for lavender fields and cool hiking (22–26°C); December–February for world-famous powder skiing and snow festivals; late September–October for early autumn foliage.

Wider sightseeing across Hokkaido Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Itsukushima Jinja in Kushiro (釧路市) includes: Vast national parks (Daisetsuzan, Shiretoko, Akan-Mashu), powder ski resorts (Niseko, Furano), volcanic calderas, port towns (Hakodate, Otaru), and Japan's richest seafood and dairy.

Practical Travel Tips for Kushiro (釧路市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kushiro: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Sapporo Station & New Chitose Airport (CTS) or Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) for local bus schedules to Itsukushima Jinja and walking maps of Kushiro (釧路市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kushiro: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Itsukushima Jinja often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kushiro accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kushiro: Around Kushiro Station (釧路駅) (0.6 km) and neighboring Kushiro Town, Tsurui, Shibecha, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.