[Hosooka Observation Deck in Kushiro] Beautiful Sunset and One of Best Views in Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland

Hosooka Observation Deck

Hosooka Observation Deck (細岡展望台) is the most famous tourist attraction in Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland at the east side of the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland. It is a popular reason that visitors can enjoy a famous scenery with using ridgeline of Mt. Oakandake (雄阿寒岳) and Mt. Meakandake (雌阿寒岳) as the backdrop, and Kushiro River (釧路川) meandering through the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland. It is rumored that the setting sun is beautiful, and it is said that everyone would like to go to at least once. There are Hosooka 1st Observation Deck (第一展望台), Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck (第二展望台), Hosooka Visitor Lounge (細岡ビジターラウンジ) and a public restroom, and it takes about 10 minutes from Kushiro-Shitsugen Station (釧路湿原駅) to the Hosooka Visitor Lounge on foot. Steps from the station to the Hosooka Observation Deck are steep, so you will get tired a little. Except above, the Kushiro-Shitsugen Station and Inn Nomu, there is nothing. A road to the Hosooka Observation Deck is a narrow unpaved road, so drive carefully. A restroom, a cafe and a souvenir shop are at the Hosooka Visitor Lounge, so tourists can take a break. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

The distance is about 20 km away from the center of Kushiro city, a convenience store is not built around here. Lake Takkobunuma (達古武沼) and Hosooka Canoe Port (細岡カヌーポート) are relatively near here. By the way, Star Light Bus Kushiro-go (スターライト釧路号) and Kushiro Express Bus New Star-go (釧路特急ニュースター号) run between Sapporo and the Kushiro, and an airplane flies between Kushiro Airport and Okadama Air Port, and an airplane flies between the Kushiro Airport and New Chitose Airport. As for transport facilities for the Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland sightseeing, Kushiro-shitsugen train Norokko-go (くしろ湿原ノロッコ号) and Kushiro-shitsugen bus Isshu-go (釧路湿原一周号) run.

Lake Takkobunuma

Lake Takkobunuma (達古武沼) is a freshwater lake at the east side of Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland (釧路湿原). The Takkobu means "A rising-shaped hill" in Ainu language. The perimeter of the lake is about 5 km. The maximum water depth is about 3 m. Lake Balls (マリモ) grow on the bottom of the lake as well as Lake Akan (阿寒湖). The lake is well-known for seeing the beautiful sunset. Tatsukobu Auto Campsite (達古武オートキャンプ場) is at the north shore of the lake, and that is only facility around the lake. The campsite has Center House (センターハウス), and everybody can savor meals, and can take a rest there. Tatsukobu Yumegaoka Walk (達古武夢ヶ丘歩道) of 2.3 km length is built along shore of the lake, and Yumegaoka Observatory (夢ヶ丘展望台) is at the end of the walk, and visitors can see a scenery with a railroad track across the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland. Therefore the visitors can find variety states of the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland that artifacts blended into nature. Article is here

Hosooka Canoe Port

Hosooka Canoe Port (細岡カヌーポート) near Hosooka Station at the western part of Lake Takkobunuma is a landing place for canoes along Kushiro River. There are only the canoe port and a parking lot. Tourists can enjoy the canoe that is most popular extreme activity in Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland, and ordinary people can view the river. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland National Park

Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland National Park (釧路湿原国立公園) among Kushiro city, Kushiro town, Shibecha town and Tsurui village is a famous tourist attraction in the Eastern Hokkaido, and about 500,000 people visit every year, and is the largest wetland with 18,290 ha in Japan. It has been designed as Ramsar Convention since 1980, and developments had been limited strictly. More than 700 plants grow, and about 200 birds and about 1,100 insects inhabit. A lot of rare animals inhabit and plants including Japanese cranes, Blakiston's fish-owls that are only 100 in Hokkaido, Iijima Ruriboshiyanma (イイジマルリボシヤンマ) that is a remaining specy in the glacial epoch, Itou fish (イトウ) that is said to be a very rare fish, Kushiro jacob's ladder (クシロハナシノブ) that is a remaining specy in the glacial epoch, Bogberry and Yachibouzu (ヤチボウズ) are in the wetland. Article is here

Hosooka 1st Observation Deck and Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck

Walks is built as a starting point from the Hosooka Visitor Lounge to the Hosooka Observation Deck. The Hosooka 1st Observation Deck called "Tenbo-Hiroba (展望広場)" is built at about 57 m above sea level, and the Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck called "Daikanbo (大観望)" is built at about 52 m above sea level. It takes within 30 minutes to go round trip along the walks on foot.

Speaking of the Hosooka Observation Deck, it refers to the famous Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck that about 100 people can enter. Because branches of trees do not obstruct people's views, Cape Miyajima (宮島岬) and Cape Kirakotan (キラコタン岬) jutting out into the wetland with using the ridgeline of the Mt. Oakandake (雄阿寒岳) and the Mt. Meakandake (雌阿寒岳) as the backdrop can be enjoyed. The Kushiro River runs meandering through the wetland consist of dark green and light green, and a spacious view is very comfortable. A bench to take a rest is set, too.

The Hosooka 1st Observation Deck on a hillside is smaller than the Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck. A few people come, so it may be said that it is a little-known good spot. But branches of trees obstruct people's views, so a feeling of satisfaction is worse than the Hosooka 2nd Observation Deck. A gazebo and a bench are built, too.

I visited here to look at the famous setting sun in early October. The sunset was around 17:00 that day. People that happened to be there said "Best time to see the sunset is around 16:45". The sun sinking in the depths of the Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland was a magnificent view. I saw that it was said "The setting sun must be seen at least once". Finally, about 40 visitors came and cheered.

Atmosphere of Hosooka Observation Deck Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Hosooka Observation Deck

List of Accommodations

Refer to following websites for the accommodations in or around the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland. You can get information regarding online reviews and photos.

Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland

Takkobunuma Auto Campsite(達古武沼オートキャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lake Shirarutoro Campsite(シラルトロ湖キャンプ場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiro Marshland National Park "Ikoi-no-Ie Kayanuma"(くしろ湿原パーク 憩の家 かや沼)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Yamahana Onsen Rifre(山花温泉リフレ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Circle House Red Beret(サークルハウス赤いベレー)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiroshitsugen Toro Inn(釧路湿原 とうろの宿)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lodge Shirarutoro(シラルトロ温泉 ロッジ シラルトロ)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Tsurui Dosanko Ranch(鶴居どさんこ牧場)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiro Shitsugen Tohro Youth Hostel(釧路湿原とうろユースホステル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten

Kushiro Downtown

Palude Kushiro(駅前ホテル パルーデ釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Super Hotel Kushiro-ekimae(スーパーホテル 釧路駅前)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Super Hotel Kushiro(スーパーホテル釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Route-Inn Kushiro Ekimae(ホテルルートイン釧路駅前)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel AreaOne Kushiro(ホテルエリアワン釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiro Century Castle Hotel(釧路センチュリーキャッスルホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
La Vista Kushirogawa(ラビスタ釧路川)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Rasso Kushiro(ホテルラッソ釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Comfort Hotel Kushiro(コンフォートホテル釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Crown Hills Kushiro(ホテルクラウンヒルズ釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Axia Inn Kushiro(ホテルアクシアイン釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiro Royal Inn(釧路ロイヤルイン)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Paco Kushiro(天然温泉ホテルパコ釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Kushiro Prince Hotel(釧路プリンスホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro(ANAクラウンプラザホテル釧路)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Toyoko Inn Kushiro Jujigai(東横イン釧路十字街)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Athele Inn(アスリートイン)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Lasting Hotel(ラスティングホテル)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Kano(民宿かのう)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Frontier(ビジネスホテル フロンティア)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Marshland(ホテル マーシュランド)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Mercci(バリアフリーホテル メルシー)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Ryokan Tokiwaso(ビジネス旅館 富喜和荘)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Hotel Marshland Annex(ホテル マーシュランド別館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Guest House Yasumizaka(民宿 休坂)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Minshuku Green Park(民宿グリーンパーク)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Sumire Ryokan(すみれ旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Business Hotel Nakazono Daiichi(ビジネス ホテル 中園第一)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Wakatake Ryokan(若竹旅館)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten
Heart'n Tree(ハートン ツリー)	HP	Booking	Jalan	Rakuten