Kotan means vlillage in Ainu

It is not well known that from when Japanese indigenous Ainu People started to live here because they did not have a word characteristics. Kussharo Kotan was recorded in the book in 1859 at the first place. This is a book of Kusuri Diary rewritten by Takeshiro Matsuura who was ordered by Ezo Shougunate to research Hokkaido. According to the record, there were seven houses at the Kotan and writer raved the Kotan as “so beautiful village with the back of the Lake”. You can now see Alter called Nusasana and gauge which was used to have child bear inside.

Visit Ainu Folklore Museum

Earthenware, any other old equipment and Remains of 8000-6000 years old were found around Kotan. You can see these items in Kussharo Kotan Ainu Folklore Museum located in the Kotan. This museum opened in 1983 to introduce Life of Kussharo Ainu. You can see the valuable movies of hunting Ezo-deer at Kawayu Peninsula and “Iomante” which was one of the most important ceremony for Ainu People.

Open：29th April ～31st October
Time：9:00AM ～ ５:00PM
administration：Adult420yen, Child340yen
Group（more than 20people）Adult340yen  Child200yen
℡０１５－４８２－２３４０（Teshikaga -town）

kotan Onsen very attractive!

Openair bath “Kotan” is located along the lake. Dresing rooms are set and a big rock is between mens and womens. As manager of Onsen cleans bath regularly, you may take bath freely. This Onsen becomes famous spot because you can see sunset, starry sky or swans in winter. However, this onsen is just next to locals. Please protect manners when you take bath.

Photo Gallery

Access

Access（Airport, JR & Bus）

From Kawayu Eco-Museum Center
Kawayu Eco-Museum Center　⇒　Seasonal Ecopassport　⇒　Kotan

From Kushiro/Kushiro Airport
Kushiro Airport　⇒　Kushiro Airport Shuttle Bus（About 45min）　⇒　JR Kushiro Station　⇒　JR Senmou Line（Abuot 1hour40min）　⇒　JR Mashu OR Kawayu Onsen Station　⇒　Seasonal Ecopassport　⇒　Kotan

From Abashiri/Memanbetsu Airport
Memanbetsu Airport　⇒　Memanbetsu Airport Shuttle Bus（About 30min）　⇒　JR Abashiri Station　⇒　JR Senmou Line（About 45min）　⇒　JR Shiretoko Shari Station　⇒　JR Senmou Line（About 45min）　⇒　JR Mashu OR Kawayu Onsen Station　⇒　Seasonal Ecopassport　⇒　Kotan

From Nakashibetsu Airport
Nakashibetsu Airport　⇒　Nakashibetsu Airport Shuttle Bus（About 30min）　⇒　Nakashibetsu Bus Terminal　⇒　Akan Bus（About 1hour30min）　⇒　JR Shibecha Station　⇒　JR Senmou Line（About 30min）　⇒　JR Mashu OR Kawayu Onsen Station　⇒　Seasonal Ecopassport　⇒　Kotan

＊No public transportation to Bihoro Pass except season Ecopassport. Please use taxi from JR Mashu or Kawayu Onsen station.

Access (by car)

MAPCODE
638 225 400

From Kawayu Eco-Museum Center
Kawayu Eco-Museum Center　⇒　52 Line（about 20min）　⇒　Kotan

From Kushiro/Kushiro Airport
Kushiro City　⇒　391 Line（About 2hour30min）　⇒　Kotan
Kushiro Airport　⇒　53 Line（About 2hour）　⇒　Kotan

From Abashiri/Memanbetsu Airport
Abashiri City　⇒　244 Line・391 Line（About 1hour30min）　⇒　Kotan
Memanbetsu Airport　⇒　243Line・52 Line（About 1hour30min）　⇒　Kotan

From Nakashibetsu Airport
Nakashibetsu Airport　⇒　13Line・243Line・391Line（About 1hour30min）　⇒　Kotan