Kawayu Visitor Center
– A full of knowledge and an experience of Akan Mashu National Park –
Akan Mashu National Park is one of the oldest National Parks in Japan. The unique feature of this National Park is the Landscape created by geological activities in a long history of the Earth. We are in one of the biggest calderas in Japan, surrounded by the volcanos, the Lakes and the forests. Kawayu Visitor Center is a facility introducing the real nature of Akan Mashu National Park to you. We can help you what to do and where to go while staying here. We will wait for you in a deep and quiet spruce forest of Kawayu Onsen.
Information Desk
All information in “Kawayu Area” of Akan Mashu National Park is here. Maps, trail guides, bear information, weather information, brochures of guided tour, Kawayu Onsen, shops, restaurants, timetable of JR and local bus etc. Please ask us any questions you have in Akan Mashu National Park.
Displays
Taxidermy & Bird Carving
Animal taxidermy and Bird Carving are welcoming you. Wild animals that you can hardly encounter are displayed. Closely look details of wildlife. You may find new features in them. We also display an updated bear sighted map. You should check it up with new information before walking on the trails.
Diorama & Display Booth
A main characteristic of Akan Mashu National Park is a landscape created by volcanic activities. You can visually understand the mountain ranges of the caldera from the diorama.
The Nature and the history of Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mt. Io and Kawayu Onsen are explained in the Display Booth. If you have any questions while traveling around “Mashu Area”, you may find answers from the displays.
Lounge
Feel free to take a break and relax in the lounge. Fire is lit in Winter in the fireplace.
Cafe Softwood
Cafe is on the 2nd floor in Kawayu Visitor Center. A cup of coffee, watching a deep spruce forest through window, listening to a sound of the wind and a bird’s voice, gives you a fulfilling time.
OPEN
9:30~16:00 (April-Oct)
11:00~15:00 (Nov-Mar)
Check Café Softwood Instagram for more info and close days.
Select Shop
We are selecting the merchandize for visitors of Akan Mashu National Park. Essential oil of Sakhalin Spruce from this area, books written by the local writer and the photographer, and the trail maps are on sale.
Rental Gears
Bear Spray
It is safer to have a Bear Spray when you go for a walk on the nature trails. The bears inhabit in Akan Mashu National Park, same as any other area of Hokkaido.
・Bear Spray “COUNTER ASSAULT”
・Distance of Spray： About ９m
・Duration of Spray： About ５~７ Seconds
・Fee：¥1,500/24hrs
・Conditions： Over 18 years old. Cash Only.
・Rental available with a holster.
Snowshoes
There are several areas you can enjoy walking with snowshoes in ”Mashu Area”. Why not go for a walk with rental snowshoes.
Snowshoe Rental (long boots and stocks are included) ¥500/day
Please apply at the counter on the day.
Access
Access（by Airport, JR, Bus）
From Kushiro, Kushiro Airport
Kushiro Airport ⇒ Kushiro Airport Bus （About 45 mins） ⇒ JR Kushiro Station ⇒ JR Senmou Line （About 1.5 hrs） ⇒ JR Kawayu Onsen Station ⇒ Akan Bus （About 10 mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
Abashiri, Memanbetsu Airport
Memanbetsu Airport ⇒ Memanbetsu Airport Bus （About 30 mins） ⇒ JR Abashiri Station ⇒ JR Senmou Line （About 45 mins） ⇒ JR Shiretoko Shari Station ⇒ JR Senmou Line （About 45 mins） ⇒ JR Kawayu Onsen Station ⇒ Akan Bus（About 10 mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
From Nakashibetsu Airport
Nakashibetsu Airport ⇒ Nakashibetsu Airport Bus （About 30 mins） ⇒ Nakashibetsu Bus Terminal ⇒ Akan Bus（App. 1.5 hrs） ⇒ JR Shibecha Station ⇒ JR Senmou Line（app. 30mins） ⇒ JR Kawayu Onsen Station ⇒ Akan Bus （app. 10mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
Access (by car)
Mapcode
731 802 075*35
From Kushiro, Kushiro Airport
Kushiro City ⇒ 391 Line（app.2 hrs） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
Kushiro Airport ⇒ 53 Line（app.1hr 40mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
From Abashiri, Memanbetsu Airport
Abashiri City ⇒ 244Line・391Line（app. 1.5 hrs） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
Memanbetsu Airport ⇒ 243Line・52Line（1hr 10mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
From Nakashibetsu Airport
Nakashibetsu Airport ⇒ 13Line・243Line・391Line（app.1hr20mins） ⇒ Kawayu Visitor Center
Details
2-2-6 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3331
TEL 015-483-4100
OPEN
8:00 – 17:00 (April – October) 9:00 – 16:00 (November – March)
CLOSE
Wednesdays (The following day if a public holiday falls on Wednesday)
12/29 – 1/3
*Open everyday from the third week of July to August 31st