[Kottaro Marsh in Shibecha] Little-Known Good Spot! in Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland National Park

Nihonmatsu Lookout

Nihonmatsu Lookout (二本松展望地) near Nihonmatsu Bridge cross Kushiro River (釧路川) in Shibcha is a lookout at about 40 m above sea lavel in the northern part of the Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland National Park. It is not a tourist attraction officially, so there is not a facility at all. A signboard is not provided, too, and a lot of tourists are hard to find it. It is known as a secret tourist spot. In my case, I was somehow able to find trails (foot stamps) on a hillslope. Article is here

Sarubo Observatory and Sarurun Observatory

Sarubo Observatory (サルボ展望台) and Sarurun Observatory (サルルン展望台) are observation decks at the northeast part of Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland (釧路湿原), and is located at the northwest side of Lake Toro (塘路湖) and at the south side of Lake Shirarutoro. There are a lot lakes and marshes around here in the Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland, so wetlands, lakes, a road and a railroad make a good combination. 2 trailheads to the Sarubo Observatory and the Sarurun Observatory are provided, and there is the nearest trailhead on a parking lot. After visitors go up along the precipitous trails, the trails ahead split in two way around the top of a hill. The trails are rough, so you should wear comfortable shoes. By the way, please be careful for thefting from your vehicle on a parking lot. You had better bring an insect repellent because a lot of gnats try to bite your skin in a summer. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Kayanuma Onsen

Kayanuma Onsen is a hot spring place in Shibecha town located in the northern part of Kushiro city, and is located at the northern tip of Kushiro-Shitstugen Wetland National Park (釧路湿原国立公園). Visitors turn along Mashu National Route (National Route 391), and go straight for around 2.5 km along Hokkaido Road 959, and the end of the road is the Kayanuma Onsen. Only Kushiro Marshland National Park "Ikoi-no-Ie Kayanuma" (くしろ湿原パーク 憩の家 かや沼) that is one of compound facilities called Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland Park (くしろ湿原パーク) built on a hill facing Lake Shirarutoro (シラルトロ湖). Except a hot spring facility, there are a park golf course, Shirarutoroko Campsite, Shirarutoro Walking Path (シラルトロ歩道) and Cho-no-Mori Observation Deck (蝶の森展望台). Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built around there. Kayanuma Station that is famous for feeding Japanese cranes is at the middle of the Hokkaido Road 959, and a lot of photographers come to take a picture of Japanese cranes with SL Winter Wetlands (SL冬の湿原号). Article is here

Shimo-osobetsu Onsen

Shimo-osobetsu Onsen is a hot spring place in Shibecha town located in the northern part of Kushiro city. Only Ajikoen (味幸園) is built in Osobetsu plain (オソツベツ原野) beside the northern tip of Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland (釧路湿原), and is about 1 km away from Mashu National Route (National Route 391). Unfortunately, restraunts, cafes, souvenir shops and convenience stores are not built around the building. 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

1st Kottaro Viewpoint

1st Kottaro Viewpoint at the west side of the marsh is built halfway up a hill at about 80 m above sea level, and a wooden observation deck is provided. A public restroom is beside a parking lot at the foot of the hill. By the way, please be careful for theft from your vehicle on the parking lot. You had better bring an insect repellent because a lot of gnats try to bite your skin in a summer. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

The wooden observation deck is the size that about 4 people can enter, and a paid binocular telescope is built, too. It takes about 15 minutes from a parking lot to the observation deck on foot. You may be tired because of steep steps, so you had better wear comfortable shoes. I often felt out of breath when I went up along the steps. But a scenery was splendid! Kottaro River and Kushiro River run meandering through the wetland, and some small ponds are dotted with the wetland. Wide views are comfortable. The views are less magnificent than the Kushiro-Shitsugen Wetland, but a shape of the Kottaro River located like a miniature garden is popular with tourist experts.

Atmosphere of 1st Kottaro Viewpoint Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Kottaro 1st Kottaro Viewpoint

2nd Kottaro Viewpoint

2nd Kottaro Viewpoint is along the Hokkaido Road Route 1,060 "Kucchoro-genya Toro Line" at the west side of the marsh. But a view is not good because trees disturbing people's views, so tourists may not enjoy it. The tourists can park their cars on the shoulder to see the Kottaro Marsh. Admission free.

Atmosphere of Kottaro 2nd Kottaro Viewpoint Can Be Watched on Youtube

Movie of Kottaro 2nd Kottaro Viewpoint

Kushiro-shitsugen Wetland

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