Advice for Shiretoko and Kawayu trip June

Hello everyone,

I am planning to visit Hokkaido, specifically Shiretoko and Kawayu around 18th - 21st June.

However i have some problems in managing my itinerary, and have some questions that needed answers.

Below are my proposed itineraries :

Abashiri 3 Nights

18th : Arrive at Memanbetsu airport 1830, arrive at Abashiri around 1930. Check in at hotel and Dinner

19th : Leave hotel around 0620, take the 0640 train to Kawayu Onsen, arrive at 0819. Go to the tourist center, and look for bus to Mashu lake 1st Observation as per this info : http://northern-road.jp/navi/eng/Lake_Mashu_Traffic_Restrictions.pdf.

Spend 40 mins at the observation before returning to Kawayu Onsen with bus. Afterwards continue and explore Iozan which is close by Kawayu Onsen. Then rent a bicycle and explore Kussharo Lake. Return by 1547 to Abashiri.

20th : Leave Hotel around 0620, take the 0640 train to Shiretoko Shari, expect to arrive around 0722. Take the Shari Bus direct Shiretoko Go-Ko by 0810, arrive at Shiretoko 5 lakes at 0935/1040. From there you can have 6 hours until 1640. Take this time to take trekking course of 3 hours for 5000 yen,
and visit the boardwalk for 1.5 hours. Free time until 1640. then return by last bus, arrive at Shari Bus Terminal 1750, then train to Abashiri 1852, back by 19.38 and rest early.

Bus Timetable source : http://www.sharibus.co.jp/pdf/2017-04-P1.pdf

21st : Use your free time to go to the prison museum before going to Asahikawa, 4 hrs ++

Recommended by someone on facebook.

Abashiri 1 Night, Utoro 2 Night

18th : Arrive at Memanbetsu airport 1830, arrive at Abashiri around 1930. Check in at hotel and Dinner

19th :Check out from hotel around 0620, take the 0640 train to Kawayu Onsen, arrive at 0819. Go to the tourist center (no locker available?), leave your luggage with them first and then look for bus to Mashu lake 1st Observation as per this info : http://northern-road.jp/navi/eng/Lake_Mashu_Traffic_Restrictions.pdf.
Spend 40 mins at the observation before returning to Kawayu Onsen with bus.

Afterwards continue and explore Iozan which is close by Kawayu Onsen. Then rent a bicycle and explore Kussharo Lake. You have time until your train from Kawayu -Onsen at 1547, then you reach Shari at 1635. Afterwards take the bus to Utoro at 1810, arrive 1900. Check in at your accommodation in Utoro, dinner and early rest.

Bus Timetable source : http://www.sharibus.co.jp/pdf/2017-04-P1.pdf

20th : Leave your accoms at 0830, take the 0910 bus to Shiretoko, reach the lakes around 0930. Then you will have time until 1640, total of 7 hrs. Return with the 1640 busand reach Utoro 1700. Rest early and maybe do some astrophotography.

21st : Finish whatever you wanna do, make sure you leave Utoro before 0930. Take the 0930 bus and reach Shari Bus Terminal 1020, then take train to Asahikawa via Abashiri and reach 1619. Any later means you will reach late at 2114!!

Problem with the recommendation :

No lockers around Kawayu Onsen to store your luggage. Where to find?
Nothing to do in Utoro? What does the extra 7 hours do really give me in Shiretoko?
Booking the tour : If i am supposed to drop by Shiretoko Go-Ko Field House, how do i meet the guide and book my 3 hour walking tour?
Are the bus schedules that i found for Shari and Kawayu Onsen Valid for my date of travel 18 - 21st June 2018?
Which of these itinerary is better? Personally i like the first one since it does not involve moving around so much.

Please share with me your thoughts and answers.

19th : Leave hotel around 0620, take the 0640 train to Kawayu Onsen, arrive at 0819. Go to the tourist center, and look for bus to Mashu lake 1st Observation as per this info : http://northern-road.jp/navi/eng/Lake_Mashu_Traffic_Restrictions.pdf.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems this bus runs limited time, from 11th Jun to 17th June so you can't use this bus. Alternatively you can ride regular bus from JR Mashu starting at 8:55 and coming back to JR Mashu at 10:05. Take care of the weather since June in this area is in general sunny and you might encounter fog in the mountain area. There seems to be 10:11 train which will take you to Kawayu Onsen.

http://www.eco-passport.net/map/pdf/time.pdf

thanks for your advice, yeah it's the only vague bus schedule i had met.

correct me if i am wrong, but the schedules you provided isn't it only on operation until march?

the bus schedule that i had found are different, here's the schedules in japanese.

http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/biruwa.htm

http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/mashu.htm


I have crafted my itinerary that it'd be as per following :

18th : Osaka - Nagoya - Memanbetsu

Leave Kansai Airport by 0845

Arrive 1135 at NGO (Central Japan Airport)

flight : ANA SGD 136

Fly to Memanbetsu by 1400, arr 1555

take the 1852 train from Abashiri to Shiretoko Shari

stay at Route Inn Grantia for 1 night SGD 98

19th - 21st

Move up to Bon's home.


Recommended Itinerary :

18th : Osaka - Nagoya - Memanbetsu

Leave Kansai Airport by 0845

Arrive 1135 at NGO (Central Japan Airport)

flight : ANA SGD 136

Fly to Memanbetsu by 1400, arr 1555

take the 1852 train from Abashiri to Shiretoko Shari

stay at Route Inn Grantia for 1 night SGD 98

19th : Shari - Lake Mashu / Kawayu - Utoro

Check out from hotel and leave baggage there for a while, or at the JR locker

You can leave 0726 train from Shiretoko Shari to Mashu

Arrive 0835 to Mashu Station, wait for the 1030 Bus

Arrive at the 1st Observatory around 1055

spend 30 minutes at the observatory

leave with the 1125 bus back to Mashu station, arrive 1150 am

Spend another 1 hour until 1303, then take bus from Mashu station to Kawayu Onsen, arrive 1340

You have time until 1547, that's and estimated 90 minutes free time to explore Iozan and Kawayu Onsen. Get a bike

take the train from Kawayu Onsen at 1547 and arrive at 1632.

Grab your bag and either you take the 1720 bus to Utoro Onsen Bus terminal, arrive at 1810

Check in at Bon's Home. It is important you stay there since it's only 400 m.

Dinner and rest early.


20th : Utoro - Shiretoko Go Ko

Take 910 Bus to Shiretoko Go-Ko, expect to arrive at Shiretoko Go Ko 935

Take your booked tour at 1000, finish at 1. You then have free time to explore the area

until 1640. Cease all activities by 1600.

Take 1640 Bus back to Utoro, arrive 1700

You can explore whatever you want until the sun sets

Dinner and free activity, rest early.

Maybe Astrophotography?

21st : Utoro - Asahikawa

You have free time until 0930, on which you must be ready at Utoro Bus terminal

take the bus back to Shiretoko Shari, and reach there by 1020.

take the 1112 train back to Abashiri, on which later you take connecting train at 1235 to Asahikawa (224 mins)

arrive at Asahikawa 1619.

If you're continuing to Furano, take another connecting train at 1632

Arrive at Furano 1741.

Please tell me your thoughts about it

[correct me if i am wrong, but the schedules you provided isn't it only on operation until march?

the bus schedule that i had found are different, here's the schedules in japanese.

http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/biruwa.htm

http://www.akanbus.co.jp/localbu/mashu.htm

I am sorry, yes you are right. The PDF I posted is for the winter. As you wrote you must wait until 10:30 at JR Mashu. There seems to be a "foot bath" close to Mashu station (open 24 hrs). JR Senmou line is one of the best scenic train route in Japan. If you are lucky you can see beautiful Mt Shari from train.

Please tell me your thoughts about it

You will travel with public transportation so you must wait long time and must do long rides. Please open your mind and communicate with local people. Basic Japanese language will help you starting it. Enjoy your trip in Hokkaido!