[Tour]　3-Night, 4-Day Journey to Explore the Origins of the Kelp Road in Eastern Hokkaido

This is the view from the Musium observation deck.

The permanent exhibition introduces the cultures of northern peoples and the prehistoric cultures that shaped them through concrete materials. It spans from the Inuit of Greenland in the east to the Sámi of Scandinavia in the west, organized by themes such as clothing, food, housing, livelihoods, spiritual culture, and cultural transmission.

Additionally, the exhibition highlights prehistoric cultures, focusing on the Okhotsk culture that once flourished along Hokkaido’s Sea of Okhotsk coastline.

It is a “museum that tells the story of the local area” that exhibits items excavated from the Moyoro shell midden, which has a unique cultural form, local materials from the time the fishing grounds were established in the Edo period and the Bunka era, and other aspects of the nature and industry of the Abashiri region. This museum displays a variety of materials related to the Kitamaebune, including panels of votive tablets, ship utensils such as a chest of drawers, and management documents.
The tour includes visits to the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Folklore, the Moyoro Shell Midden Museum, and the Kussharo Kotan Ainu Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of the area.

At the Moyoro Shell Mound Museum, the lives of ancient people revealed through excavation are presented under themes such as “dwellings,” “graves,” and “shell mounds.” The adjacent “Grave Display Room” offers a close-up view of excavated burial sites.

A cape jutting into the Sea of Okhotsk, its tip features only a lighthouse and an office. To the west, you can view Lake Notoro and the coast of Tokoro; to the north, the expansive Sea of Okhotsk; and to the east, the distant Shiretoko Mountain Range. In winter, it offers the earliest views of drifting ice in Abashiri City, with breathtaking scenery. 

To preserve the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk and protect the irreplaceable environment of our planet, efforts are being made to combat global warming by creating and delivering “Drift Ice Glass.” Through this initiative, you can learn about these activities.
We hope that holding this glass product in your hands will serve as an opportunity to think about recycling and environmental issues.

Kawayu Onsen Station Orchard Glass is a café located inside the station.
At Kawayu Onsen Station, you can also enjoy a relaxing footbath.

Mount Io (Atosanupuri), now famous as the source of Kawayu Onsen, was utilized as a sulfur mine from the early Meiji era to the 1950s. At the time, sulfur was a highly sought-after mineral used as a raw material for matches and gunpowder. Sulfur mining also took place nearby at Mount Meakan and Shiretoko Sulfur Mountain. 

Dig into the sandy shore, and in no time, you’ll have your own open-air hot spring bath—this is the charm of Sunayu. It’s a lively spot that attracts visitors year-round.
Thanks to the warmth from the geothermal heat, this area never freezes, even during the harshest winters. In winter, the sight of large flocks of swans migrating from Siberia and resting here has become a signature scene of Sunayu.

This facility preserves and shares the history and culture of the Ainu people. The exhibits are organized into five themes: “The Forest of Yukar,” “The Land of Kotan,” “Transitions of Kotan,” “Roaming the Fields and Mountains,” and “The People Who Support Kotan.” These themes bring to life the essence of Ainu living and culture, allowing visitors to hear the echoes of their traditions. 

As you approach Lake Mashu from the Teshikaga Town side, the first stop is the Lake Mashu First Observation Deck. This is the most popular viewpoint for enjoying the stunning scenery of Lake Mashu. It also serves as the trailhead for climbing Mount Mashu. A rest house is available on-site, where visitors can view seasonal slideshows of Lake Mashu, adding to the experience.

At the Watanabe Experience Ranch, visitors can learn about cows and dairy farming through detailed explanations. You can also sample freshly milked cow’s milk from the ranch and take a tractor ride through a vast grassland area equivalent to 16 Tokyo Domes. Additional optional activities are available, so please check the itinerary for Day 3 for further details.

As the name “Konbumori” originates from the Ainu words “Konp-Moi” (meaning “kelp” and “bay”), kelp fishing has been an important industry in this region. Due to the presence of fishing villages along the coastline, the area was designated as a landslide prevention forest and a fishery protection forest in 1922. In 1967, a fog protection forest was additionally designated. These forests have been preserved for many years to protect the livelihoods of the local residents and the fishing industry. 

Shiribetsu Cape, located in Kushiro Town in Kushiro District, protrudes into the mouth of Akkeshi Bay. The name “Shirepa” in Ainu language means “cape with the head of the land sticking out,” and from this point, you can look out over the bay that was once frequented by the Kitamae ships.
During the tour, you will visit various notable locations, including Lake Abashiri, Cape Notoro Lighthouse, Mount Io, Sunayu (sand bath) on Lake Kussharo, and the First Observation Deck of Lake Mashu, where you can enjoy the majestic landscapes unique to Eastern Hokkaido.

From the cape, you can get a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Akkeshi Bay, and with some luck, you might spot the distinctive deformed trees and, near the wave-splashed “Sailing Rock,” you may even see a harbor seal.