Tancho Kushiro Airport is the perfect base for exploring Eastern Hokkaido. As soon as you step outside the terminal, you will find a variety of places where you can experience the region’s vast natural landscapes that are unique to Hokkaido.

Thorough support for tourists
The tourist information center inside the airport offers details on sightseeing and events in Kushiro and throughout Eastern Hokkaido. Recently, more efforts have been made to serve the increasing number of international visitors, including multilingual brochures and information boards about the Kushiro area in five languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean. The center also actively promotes local culture with displays of Ainu embroidery and other features.

Access to two major sightseeing spots in Eastern Hokkaido from the airport
You can easily access major nature spots and tourist attractions from Tancho Kushiro Airport.

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, known as Japan’s largest wetland, is only a 25-minute drive from the airport. A natural treasure trove, it is home to the red-crowned crane and other wildlife.
In summer, use the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train, which runs through the marsh, to enjoy nature in various ways.

Alongside the Kushiro Wetlands, one of the signature destinations in Eastern Hokkaido is the Lake Akan Onsen and Akan-Mashu National Park area. This region is known for its beautiful lakes, relaxing hot springs, and the marimo algae balls designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. At the lakeside, you can also visit the Ainu Kotan village, where you can experience Ainu culture. The area is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the airport by car.

Eastern Hokkaido offers not only magnificent nature but also unique regional events.

Summer events (July and August)
・Kushiro Kiri Festival: Held in late July, this festival celebrates Kushiro's natural symbol, sea mist, and is especially famous for its magical laser show at night, where mist, laser beams, and sound effects interweave.
・Kushiro Minato Festival: Held in early August, this historic festival is one of Kushiro's largest summer events and began in 1899 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kushiro Port's opening.

Autumn events (September and October)
・Nemuro Sanma Festival: Held from September to early October, this festival is renowned for offering fresh, richly flavored Pacific saury from Nemuro, one of Japan's top saury fishing ports.
・Marimo Festival: Held from October 8 to 10 every year to protect the marimo algae of Lake Akan, designated as a National Special Natural Monument, and to express gratitude for nature, it is known as the largest Ainu festival.

Winter events
・Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora: Starting at Abashiri Port, experience the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk up close from late January to late March each year.

In addition to seasonal events, the area can become crowded during periods that overlap with Japan’s long holidays. The Obon season in mid-August, Golden Week in late April and early May, the blooming of moss phlox in mid-May, and the early summer flower season from June to early July all attract many visitors. During these busy times, roads can be congested and accommodations may be difficult to book, so it is best to plan your trip early.

Airport shuttle buses and rental cars serve as the main means of transportation in Eastern Hokkaido. The eastern part of the region is especially vast, with some areas having infrequent bus service, so it is essential to plan arrangements in advance.

Primary transportation options from the airport
As no trains are connected to the airport, here are the main means of transportation:
Kushiro Station area: Shuttle buses operate according to flight schedules. Stop at Kushiro Station to enjoy sightseeing in the city center.
Akanko Onsen area: Direct buses stop at various hotels in Akanko Onsen.
Rental cars: Despite being the most convenient way to get around a wide area, traffic jams are expected on expressways (such as the Doto Expressway) during peak seasons, such as Obon and Golden Week. Additionally, rental cars tend to book up quickly, so making reservations before your trip is recommended.

Support local means of transportation with Japan’s version of ride-sharing
In Eastern Hokkaido, Japan’s version of ride-sharing is being introduced to address the growing shortage of drivers and the challenge of maintaining local public transportation. In areas such as the Lake Akan Onsen district in Kushiro, the service is currently being tested. Although drivers use their personal vehicles, all operations and training are managed by a taxi company, Akan Hire, which ensures safety and proper supervision.
The service operates from 8 AM to 6 PM and is available for trips that start or end in the Lake Akan Onsen area. It is mainly used for transportation within the district, as well as for travel between Lake Akan Onsen, Kushiro Airport, and Kushiro Station. While the system is still in its trial phase, it helps supplement taxi availability during busy periods and improves convenience for the many visitors who come to the Lake Akan Onsen area.

Additionally, in Saroma Town, home to Lake Saroma, which is famous for its scallop and oyster farming along the Sea of Okhotsk, a pilot project for the public ride-sharing service Momo-chan Taxi is underway. This reservation-based transportation service using private vehicles driven by general drivers is being tested within Saroma. It is typically available from 8 AM to 9 PM but operates until 11:20 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and other days preceding holidays. You can make reservations using the smartphone app “mobi”.

Experiencing Eastern Hokkaido comfortably begins with good preparation and planning. Starting from Tancho Kushiro Airport, you can explore remarkable natural sights such as the Kushiro Wetlands and Lake Akan, known for its marimo algae. Since there is no railway connection at the airport, airport buses and rental cars are the main transportation options, and it is especially important to reserve these in advance.
New mobility services are also being tested in Eastern Hokkaido to address the region’s shortage of drivers. These include Japan’s version of ride-sharing in the Lake Akan Onsen area and the public ride-sharing service “Momo-chan Taxi” in Saroma Town. Both services help supplement taxi availability during busy periods and improve convenience for visitors.
To enjoy a smooth and memorable trip, be sure to check seasonal event schedules such as the Kushiro Mist Festival and the drift ice sightseeing ship “Aurora,” and make use of the latest transportation options while planning your travel during peak periods.
Checking information on seasonal events, such as the Kushiro Mist Festival and the Abashiri Drift Ice Sightseeing & Icebreaker Ship Aurora, adjusting your schedule during busy periods in advance, and making use of the latest transportation options will surely allow you to fully enjoy a memorable trip to Eastern Hokkaido.