Akan Mashu National Park: Getting there and around
Getting to Akan Mashu National Park
By air
5 h
¥20,000 - 57,000
JAL, ANA and Air Do operate flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and both Memanbetsu Airport and Kushiro Airport. Flight duration is 1.5 hours. The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is around 55,000 yen, however, discount tickets are typically available for between 30,000 and 35,000 yen. Air Do's rate are typically 20-30 percent lower. See the section below for details on how to get from the airports into Akan Mashu National Park.
Airfares from Tokyo to Kushiro over the next 30 daysDecember 22, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Because public transportation is infrequent and inconvenient, a rental car is recommended for accessing and exploring Akan Mashu National Park. By car, the park can be reached within 1-2 hours from Kushiro, Abashiri or Bihoro. Car rental outlets are available at the airports, in Kushiro and in Abashiri.
Akan Bus runs a few buses per day between Kushiro and Lake Akan in the park's western portion year round, as well as a few infrequent bus lines around Kawayu, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Regular bus service between the park's western and eastern portions is not offered. Akan Bus also operates sightseeing bus tours.
Bus service improves slightly during some weeks in winter (January 27 to March 3, 2024) and summer (July 27 to September 1, 2024) when additional, infrequent bus services for tourists are operated around Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. During these periods, a 2-day passport is available for the buses for 2000 yen, and a 3-day pass for 3000 yen.
The JR Senmo Line, which connects Kushiro and Abashiri, traverses the eastern portion of Akan Mashu National Park, stopping at Kawayu Onsen Station along the way. It takes around two hours to reach Kawayu from either Kushiro or Abashiri by local train, and there are about five trains per day.
Two airports serve the region: Kushiro Airport is convenient for accessing Lake Akan, while Memanbetsu Airport can be an alternative option for accessing the park's eastern part.
From Kushiro Airport, there are direct buses to Lake Akan (one hour, 2190 yen one way, 4-5 buses per day). In order to reach Akan's eastern portion, take the airport bus to Kushiro Station (50 minutes, 950 yen) and catch the JR Senmo Line to Kawayu Onsen (100 minutes, 2100 yen, 5 trains per day).
From Memanbetsu Airport, take a bus into Abashiri (25 minutes, 1050 yen), from where you can take the JR Senmo Line to Kawayu Onsen (2 hours, 1890 yen, 5 trains per day). There are also a few sightseeing bus lines from Abashiri and Bihoro into Akan Mashu National Park.
