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Kussharo & Mashu correct bus schedules? 2018/12/25 15:39
I plan to take Kussharo Line bus from JR Kawayu-Onsen to Mashu-ko observatory deck no. 1 then walk to no. 3. Then back to observatory deck no.1, take the bus to Sunayu Beach.
I see these 2 schedules but I got confused which one should I choose. The Kussharo Bus Line shown in the maps are different. The 2nd one does not go to Sunayu Beach and the 1st one not shown for which year.
https://uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/teshikaga.shtml#map
http://www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/english/access.html

Which is the correct bus schedule for February 2019 according to my itinerary? How much is the
fare and is it covered by JR Pass? The Eco-Passport is for 2 days and I only spend 1 day there.
Also where could I hire a snow-shoe? I plan to walk for Mashu-ko deck no. 1 to 3. Is it properly signed and how long would the walk take?

Please kindly advice.

Best Regards,
Lorensa
by SakuraBunny888  

Re: Kussharo & Mashu correct bus schedules? 2018/12/25 21:21
Up-to-date general information:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6805.html

The correct time tables for winter 2019:
http://www.eco-passport.net/map/pdf/time.pdf

How much is the fare and is it covered by JR Pass?

They are not JR buses and are not covered by JR passes. The fare is 1500 yen for 2 days.

I plan to walk for Mashu-ko deck no. 1 to 3. Is it properly signed and how long would the walk take?

There is no walking trail between the two decks. A regular road connects the two. I would assume that the road gets freed of snow and is not suitable for snowshoeing. But it seems that several tour companies offer snowshoeing activities.
by Uji rate this post as useful

Re: Kussharo & Mashu correct bus schedules? 2018/12/26 00:20
Hi Uji,

Thank so much for response. I have further queries:
1. On winter mid February, is it better to visit Mashu-Ko observation deck in the morning or later on in the afternoon since it's often to be foggy?
2. Is there any public transport on the regular road from deck no. 1 to 3? I find a 2014 article that Hokkaido Road no. 52 would close during winter (Nov - April). I check on gmaps , the road is pretty narrow and the walking time is pretty long 46minutes.
Article: https://good-hokkaido.info/en/lake-mashu/#Mashu_3rd_Observation_Deck
3. I understand now that this is not the timetable for the 2019 winter but I see there's a route of Kussharo Line from JR Kawayu Onsen to Mashu-ko deck no. 1 which goes back to JR Kawayu Onsen then goes around Kussharo-ko. I wonder if this route is only for summer?
https://uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/teshikaga.shtml#kubus
4. Is there any single trip bus fare or we'd need at least the 2 days Eco Passport? since I'd only spend 1 daytrip in the area.
5. Please correct me if I were wrong. Based on the morning Kussharo bus timetable, it'd make a stop at Mount Io for 25minutes (arrv. 8.35, dptr. 9am), Sunayu Beach 15mnts (arrv. 9.15am, dptr 9.30am) & JR Mashu 1.5hours (arrv. 10am, dptr 12.30pm) so passengers could get out and have a look while the bus waits?
6. I check on gmaps , there're 2 eateries in Sunayu Beach. Are they going to open during winter? Since I find an article that says the resthouse in Mashu-ko deck no. 1 will be closed during winter. I hope the restroom is opened though. Article is a bit outdated at 2014 :
https://good-hokkaido.info/en/lake-mashu/#Mashu_1st_Observation_Deck

Thank You very much
Jen
by SakuraBunny888 rate this post as useful

Re: Kussharo & Mashu correct bus schedules? 2018/12/31 09:27
1. On winter mid February, is it better to visit Mashu-Ko observation deck in the morning or later on in the afternoon since it's often to be foggy?

Sorry, I don't know.

2. Is there any public transport on the regular road from deck no. 1 to 3?

No.

3. I understand now that this is not the timetable for the 2019 winter but I see there's a route of Kussharo Line from JR Kawayu Onsen to Mashu-ko deck no. 1 which goes back to JR Kawayu Onsen then goes around Kussharo-ko. I wonder if this route is only for summer?

Yes, summer only. The bus system is also explained here with a map:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6805.html

Here are the timetables for winter 2019:
http://www.eco-passport.net/map/pdf/time.pdf

4. Is there any single trip bus fare or we'd need at least the 2 days Eco Passport? since I'd only spend 1 daytrip in the area.

I am not sure.

5. Please correct me if I were wrong. Based on the morning Kussharo bus timetable, it'd make a stop at Mount Io for 25minutes (arrv. 8.35, dptr. 9am), Sunayu Beach 15mnts (arrv. 9.15am, dptr 9.30am) & JR Mashu 1.5hours (arrv. 10am, dptr 12.30pm) so passengers could get out and have a look while the bus waits?

Yes, that is the timetable.

6. I check on gmaps , there're 2 eateries in Sunayu Beach. Are they going to open during winter?

The Sunayu Resthouse has a very beautiful website, but unfortunately it lacks the most essential information which is business days and hours. It sounds like they are open around the year.
by Uji rate this post as useful

Re: Kussharo & Mashu correct bus schedules? 2019/1/21 13:31
Hi Uji,

it's said the bus from JR Kawayu Onsen to the town is timed with arrivals and departures. in the timetables you provided, there's only the train arrivals and departures at JR Kawayu Onsen but no bus schedule from the station to town (Kawayu Line bus)

I just receive another winter 2019 schedule but unfortunately in pdf format , so i could not post any link here. But it shows Kawayu Line bus only operates up to 17.45. I'd arrive with the last train at 20.36 so would there be no bus to town? Could you please help to verify this? otherwise i'd need to prepare another form of transport

Thanks
by SakuraBunny888 rate this post as useful

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