Hokkaido · City
Kushiro
釧路市くしろしKushiro-shiFog, cranes and fish: the Pacific gateway to eastern Hokkaido
Kushiro is the main city and port of eastern Hokkaido, on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Kushiro River. It is the gateway to Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetland, and since 2005 its boundaries include Lake Akan and the winter grounds of the red-crowned crane.
Overview
Kushiro stands at the mouth of the Kushiro River on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido, with the vast Kushiro Wetland spreading north of the city. The cold Oyashio current offshore shapes both its climate and its economy: summers are cool and often foggy, winters bright, dry and cold with little snow, and the surrounding waters are among the richest fishing grounds in Japan. For decades Kushiro ranked among Japan's leading fishing ports by volume, landing sardine, Pacific saury, walleye pollock and salmon.
The city grew as the port for the coal, timber and paper industries of eastern Hokkaido. The Taiheiyō Coal Mine under the city and the seabed was for many years one of Japan's largest underground mines, and paper mills still use timber from the interior. With the merger of 2005 the city expanded inland to include Akan, with Lake Akan and its hot-spring village, and the enclave of Onbetsu on the coast to the west.
Kushiro is the natural base for Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and Akan-Mashū National Park, and for seeing the red-crowned crane (tanchō), which was saved from near extinction by winter feeding begun in the Akan area in the 1950s.
Landmarks
Nusamai Bridge
幣舞橋Nusamai-bashiBridge over the Kushiro River at the heart of the city, decorated with four bronze statues representing the seasons; a classic sunset viewpoint.
Washō Market
和商市場Washō IchibaCovered fish market near Kushiro Station, founded in 1954, known for katte-don seafood bowls.
Kushiro City Museum
釧路市立博物館Kushiro Shiritsu HakubutsukanMuseum by Lake Harutori covering the wetland's natural history, Ainu culture and the city's coal and fishing past, in a building by the Kushiro-born architect Mozuna Kikō.
Kushiro Marsh Observatory
釧路市湿原展望台Kushiro-shi Shitsugen TenbōdaiObservatory and boardwalk on the south-western edge of the wetland, with views over the reed beds and meanders.
Akan International Crane Center
阿寒国際ツルセンターAkan Kokusai Tsuru SentāResearch and visitor centre in the Akan district beside a winter feeding ground of the red-crowned crane.
Ainu Kotan at Lake Akan
阿寒湖アイヌコタンAkanko Ainu KotanThe largest Ainu community in Hokkaido, on the shore of Lake Akan, with woodcarving workshops and a theatre for traditional dance.
Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO
Waterfront complex beside Nusamai Bridge with a seasonal outdoor robatayaki grill.
Districts
Suehirochō
末広町SuehirochōThe traditional nightlife district south of the river, with izakaya and robatayaki restaurants.
Kushiro Station and Kita-Ōdōri
The main street running from the station to Nusamai Bridge, with Washō Market nearby.
Akankohan
阿寒湖畔AkankohanHot-spring village on the south shore of Lake Akan, about an hour and a half inland.
Onbetsu
音別OnbetsuRural coastal district to the west, separated from the rest of the city by the town of Shiranuka.
History
The name comes from Ainu; one common explanation is kusur, 'passage' or 'crossing'. Under the Matsumae domain a trading post operated at the river mouth, dealing with the Ainu of the region. In the Meiji period Kushiro became the administrative and shipping centre of the east, opened for special export trade in 1899, and developed coal mining, paper making and fisheries.
The city suffered air raids in July 1945. Post-war it expanded rapidly with fisheries and coal, then contracted as distant-water fishing was restricted and the coal industry shrank; the Taiheiyō mine closed in 2002, after which mining continued on a smaller scale under a successor company.
1869
Kushiro Province (Kushiro-no-kuni) is created as one of Hokkaido's eleven provinces.
1899
Kushiro port is opened as a special export port for trade.
1908
The poet Ishikawa Takuboku works for about ten weeks at a Kushiro newspaper.
1920
Taiheiyō Coal Mining is founded.
1922
Kushiro is incorporated as a city.
1945
Air raids on 14 and 15 July devastate much of the city centre.
1980
The Kushiro Wetland becomes Japan's first Ramsar site.
1987
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is designated.
2002
The Taiheiyō Coal Mine closes.
2005
Kushiro merges with the towns of Akan and Onbetsu.
Culture
Kushiro's identity is tied to the sea and the marsh. Local tradition, going back to sailors' accounts, ranks the sunset over the harbour seen from Nusamai Bridge among the world's three great sunsets, and the city's fishing and coal eras are recorded in local museums. At Lake Akan, the Ainu community keeps up woodcarving, embroidery and dance; Ainu ancient dance (Ainu koshiki buyō) is inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Ishikawa Takuboku's short stay in 1908 is remembered with poem monuments across the city.
Festivals
Kushiro Minato Festival
くしろ港まつりKushiro Minato MatsuriThe port festival in early August, with a dance parade through the city centre.
Marimo Festival
まりも祭りMarimo MatsuriAinu festival at Lake Akan in early October, in which marimo algae balls are received from the lake, honoured and returned to the water.
Food
Robatayaki
炉端焼きrobatayakiFish, shellfish and vegetables grilled over charcoal around an open hearth; Kushiro is one of its best-known homes in Hokkaido.
Katte-don
勝手丼katte-donSelf-assembled seafood rice bowl with toppings bought from the stalls at Washō Market.
Zangi
ザンギzangiHokkaido-style deep-fried chicken marinated in soy and garlic; Kushiro claims to be its birthplace.
Spakatsu
スパカツsupakatsuSpaghetti topped with a pork cutlet and meat sauce, served on a sizzling iron plate.
Kushiro ramen
釧路ラーメンKushiro rāmenThin, straight noodles in a light soy broth based on bonito and other fish stock.
Getting around
- Tancho Kushiro Airport lies about 45 minutes north-west of the centre by bus, with flights to Tokyo and Sapporo.
- Limited express trains on the Nemuro Main Line connect Kushiro with Obihiro and Sapporo in about four hours; the line continues east to Nemuro.
- The Senmō Line runs north through the Kushiro Wetland to Mashū and Abashiri, with seasonal sightseeing trains through the marsh.
- Buses link the city with Lake Akan and the crane observation sites; a car is useful for the wider region.
Day trips
Kushiro Shitsugen National Park
Japan's largest wetland, with observation decks, canoe routes on the Kushiro River and the Senmō Line along its edge.
Caldera lake within the city, home of the spherical marimo algae and an Ainu community.
Volcanoes, caldera lakes and hot springs north of the city.
Deep caldera lake known for its clarity and frequent fog.
Large caldera lake with hot sand beaches and wintering whooper swans.
Other cities in the prefecture
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see red-crowned cranes near Kushiro?
In winter the cranes gather at feeding grounds in the Akan area of Kushiro city and in neighbouring Tsurui village; the Akan International Crane Center has a year-round observation facility.
Why is Kushiro so often foggy?
In summer, warm moist air moves over the cold Oyashio current off the coast and condenses into sea fog, which keeps Kushiro cool and grey on many days from June to August.
Is Lake Akan part of Kushiro?
Yes. The former town of Akan merged into Kushiro in 2005, so Lake Akan, its marimo algae balls and the Ainu Kotan settlement at Akankohan lie within the city.
How do I get to Kushiro?
By air to Tancho Kushiro Airport, or by limited express from Sapporo along the Nemuro Main Line in about four hours.
What is katte-don?
A 'do-it-yourself' seafood bowl at Washō Market: diners buy a bowl of rice and choose toppings from the fish stalls.
Related
Sources
- 1.令和2年国勢調査 (opens in a new tab) — Statistics Bureau of Japan
- 2.釧路市ホームページ (opens in a new tab) — 釧路市
- 3.釧路湿原国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省
- 4.阿寒摩周国立公園 (opens in a new tab) — 環境省