Kushiro Station is the main railway hub in eastern Hokkaido and serves as a key base for sightseeing in Kushiro. Trains from across Hokkaido arrive and depart here, and a bus terminal is located right in front of the station. With markets and hotels nearby, it is a convenient first stop for travelers.
How to Get to Kushiro Station
Here are the main access options from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo Station.
From New Chitose Airport to Kushiro Station
By Air
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New Chitose Airport ⇒ Kushiro Airport: approx. 50 minutes
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Kushiro Airport ⇒ Kushiro Station: direct bus, approx. 45–50 minutes (950 yen)
By Train
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New Chitose Airport Station ⇒ Minami-Chitose Station: approx. 3 minutes
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Minami-Chitose Station ⇒ Kushiro Station (JR Limited Express Ōzora): approx. 3 hours 50 minutes (9,790 yen, including reserved seat ticket)
The Limited Express Ōzora requires reserved seating, and tickets must be purchased in advance. As trains are not very frequent, it is best to buy your ticket at New Chitose Airport Station before boarding.
From Sapporo Station to Kushiro Station
By Train
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Sapporo Station ⇒ Kushiro Station (JR Limited Express Ōzora direct): approx. 4 hours 30 minutes (10,320 yen, including reserved seat ticket)
The Limited Express Ōzora is fully reserved seating, so be sure to purchase your ticket at Sapporo Station before boarding.
By Highway Bus
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Sapporo Station ⇒ Kushiro Station: approx. 5 hours (6,000 yen)
All seats require advance reservation. The official site is available only in Japanese, but boarding locations and schedules are listed here:
https://www.akanbus.co.jp/express/starlight.html
Streets Around Kushiro Station
Kushiro Station is not a “big-city terminal,” but rather a relatively large station for a regional city in Hokkaido. Inside the station there are several shops where you can pick up light snacks or souvenirs after arrival. The bus terminal in front of the station makes it a practical base for sightseeing and transportation.
While the station front does not have everything, you can find attractions and dining areas within about a 15-minute walk—making it enjoyable to explore the area on foot.
Highlights Around Kushiro Station
Washo Market and Tancho Market Gourmet Hall
These two markets are located across the street from each other, both within walking distance of the station. Each offers fresh seafood, but Washo Market is larger and also sells souvenirs, while Tancho Market Gourmet Hall has a newer, more compact atmosphere.
Washo Market
Address: 13-25 Kurogane-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido — [View on Google Maps]
Access: 3–5 minutes on foot from Kushiro Station
Washo Market is famous for its “Katte-don” (literally “do-as-you-like bowl”). “Katte” means “freely” in Japanese, and here you can build your own seafood rice bowl by choosing your favorite toppings. Unlike standard seafood bowls, rice and toppings are purchased separately.
How to make your Katte-don:
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Buy a bowl of rice at one of the rice vendors.
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Point to the seafood you want and have it placed on top of your rice.
Note: Many vendors accept cash only.
Tancho Market Gourmet Hall
Address: 13-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido — [View on Google Maps]
Access: 3–5 minutes on foot from Kushiro Station
Renovated in April 2024, the facility is new and clean. Compared to Washo Market, it is smaller but offers a calmer dining experience.
You can also enjoy Katte-don here. At Hashimoto Shokudo, for example, you can order set meals or select your own seafood for a personalized bowl. They also serve grilled fish and meat dishes, making for a varied menu.
Tancho Market is a great alternative if Washo Market feels too crowded, as it is relatively relaxed. Many shops also accept credit cards, which is convenient for travelers.
Nightlife Area (Suehiro-cho)
Address: Around 4-1 Sakae-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido — [View on Google Maps]
Access: approx. 15 minutes on foot from Kushiro Station
Suehiro-cho is Kushiro’s main entertainment district, with countless eateries lining the streets. It has more of a retro Showa-era atmosphere than a polished modern style, and walking through its narrow alleys is an experience in itself. Many restaurants here serve Kushiro’s famous robatayaki (charcoal-grilled seafood and vegetables), offering a taste of local nightlife.
The district also features Aka-chōchin Yokocho (Red Lantern Alley) [View on Google Maps], a cluster of tiny bars and eateries with just 6–10 seats each—perfect for an intimate, very “Japanese” atmosphere.
MOO
Address: 2-4 Nishiki-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido — [View on Google Maps]
Access: approx. 15 minutes on foot from Kushiro Station
MOO is a multi-purpose commercial complex focused on dining and local products. It is a five-story building, though the main floors are 1–3.
1st Floor
Souvenir shops and small eateries line the floor. It’s a good place to shop for local specialties. Kushiro’s famous Sanmanma (grilled Pacific saury wrapped with rice) is especially popular.
Sanmanma Official Site
2nd Floor
A lively food stall area with about 10 small shops. Open from 5:00 pm, the atmosphere is bustling and energetic.
3rd Floor
A beer restaurant offering a more relaxed dining experience compared to the 2nd floor.
Outdoor Robatayaki (1st Floor, outside)
From late May to the end of October, an outdoor robatayaki area appears in front of the building. Seating is limited, so it can get crowded, but the seaside setting makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
