Times and services listed are the timetables at the time of the visit.
Day 1
Tokyo Haneda 1215 (Japan Airlines JAL543) >> Kushiro 1355
Dinner: Shubo Chiba
Overnight stay: Kushiro Prince Hotel
Tips for Day 1
– The sunset in Kushiro was beautiful. I saw that there was a sunset cruise at Kushiro Port. I wished I had noticed it earlier.
Day 2
Kushiro Station 0855 (local bus) >> Onnenai Visitor Center 0940
– Kushiro Marsh (Onnenai Visitor Center)
Onnenai Visitor Center 1218 (local bus) >> Kushiro Station 1310
Kushiro 1414 (JR Senmo Line) >> Kawayu Onsen 1546
Kawayu Onsen Station 1600 (local bus) >> Kawayu Onsen Town 1610
Overnight stay: Suikazura
Tips for Day 2
– I took a local bus from Kushiro Station to Kushiro Marsh. I thought visiting Kushiro Marsh in winter was difficult but found it was relatively easy using public transportation. There are seating spaces, vending machines and restrooms at the Onnenai Visitor Center. You can adjust time for return local bus in the Center, so there should be no problem as long as weather is cooperative.
Day 3
Kawayu Onsen 1045 (East Hokkaido Express Bus) >> Abashiri Port 1200 – 1345 >> Monbetsu Garinko Station 1555
– Abashiri icebreaker boat (Aurora)
– Monbetsu icebreaker boat (Garinko) – Sunset Cruise
Monbetsu Garinko Station 1800 (East Hokkaido Express Bus) >> Monbetsu Bus Terminal 1815
Overnight stay: Monbetsu Okhotsk Palace
Dinner: Sushi Gen
Tips for Day 3 Tips
– The bus from Kawayu Onsen to Monbetsu stops at Abashiri Port for 1 hour 45 minutes. You can take Abashiri icebreaker boat during this time.
Day 4
Monbetsu Bus Terminal 0515 (bus) >> Monbetsu Garinko Station 0530
– Monbetsu icebreaker boat (Garinko) – Sunrise Cruise
Monbetsu Garinko Station 0745 (bus) >> Monbetsu Bus Terminal 0800
Monbetsu Okhotsk Palace 1000 (East Hokkaido Bus) >> Abashiri 1245
Memanbetsu 1725 (Japan Airlines JAL 3164) >> Tokyo Haneda 1925
Day 4 Tips
– There is an old man named “Monta” who is a character of Monbetsu. I finally got him at souvenir store in Monbetsu Bus Terminal.