AKAN BUS
Going to Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Kushiro Marshland
AKAN BUS Co.,Ltd.
AKAN BUS offers services to Hokkaido’s most popular nature spots including Akan-Mashu National Park, Kushiroshitsugen National Park and world heritage Shiretoko.
The famous tourist spots in the area are Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mount Io, Lake Onneto, Kawayu Onsen, Swan viewing, Red-crowned Crane viewing, Kushiro Marshland, Mount Shari, Odaitou, Shiretoko peninsula, Rausu and Utoro. There are many popular hot spring spots, too.
We offer long distance return bus services from Sapporo, Asahikawa and Kitami. Enjoy your Eastern Hokkaido trip with us, AKAN BUS.
Notice from AKAN BUS
The regular tourist bus “White Pirika” in winter will start from January 10, 2026.
An appointment is being accepted.
* Service details may change depending on the situation. Please confirm.
Access to Kushiro and Akan
Intercity Express Bus to
Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal
About 5 hours 15 minutes by “Starlight Kushiro Gou” from Sapporo Station
Sapporo first departure 7:40 a.m., last departure 5:50 p.m., 4 round trips per day
Fly to Kushiro Airport
1 hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo Haneda International Airport
(6 round trips per day)
45 minutes from Hokkaido New Chitose International Airport
(3 round trip per day)
45 minutes from Hokkaido Okadama Airport
(4 round trips per day)
* Subject to change. Contact airline for details.
Pirika and White Pirika (Regular Sightseeing Bus）
One-Day Tour of the Three Lakes of Eastern Hokkaido: Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Akan
White Pirika: Winter Day-Trip Sightseeing Bus (Reservation Required)
A day-trip sightseeing course touring the three lakes of eastern Hokkaido, departing from Kushiro City (Kushiro Station, Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, Kushiro Prince Hotel).
The White Pirika is an exquisite sightseeing course visiting five major attractions! Traveling from Kushiro City to Tsurumidai – Lake Kussharo – Mount Io – Lake Mashu – Lake Akan in one day is impossible by train or local bus.
(This tour has a daily capacity limit. We recommend booking early.)
- Observing the Red-crowned Cranes at Tsurumidai (Sightseeing)
- Visiting the Sunayu (Sand Bath) at Lake Kussharo (Sightseeing)
- Mount Io (Sightseeing)
- Michi-no-Eki Mashu Onsen (includes lunch)
- Lake Mashu Viewing from the 1st Observation Deck (Sightseeing)
- Akanko Onsen (60 minutes free time)
- Drop-off (Akanko Onsen, Kushiro Airport, 3 locations in Kushiro City)
Service Period
January 10 – March 29, 2026 (Runs every day)
Duration
9 hours and 30 minutes
Courses and Timetables
| Kushiro Station | Depart 08:30 |
| *Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal (Beside JR Kushiro Station) | |
| Fisherman’s Wharf Moo | Depart 08:35 |
| Kushiro Prince Hotel | Depart 08:38 |
| Tsurumidai | 20 minutes |
| Lake Kussharo Sunayu (Sand Bath) | 20 minutes |
| Mount Io | 30 minutes |
| Lunch: Michi-no-Eki “Mashu Onsen” | |
| *Lunch is included with the fee. | |
| Lake Mashu First Observatory | 30 minutes |
| Akanko Onsen | Arrive 13:15 60 minutes |
| *Disembarking is possible (between Akanko Onsen Town and the Akanko Bus Center ) ◎Experience winter activities and hot-spring bathing at “ICE LAND AKAN” (charges are paid by the individual). | |
| Kushiro Airport | Arrive 17:20 |
| *Disembarking is possible | |
| Kushiro Station | Arrive 18:00 |
| *Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal (Beside JR Kushiro Station) | |
| Fisherman’s Wharf Moo | Arrive 18:04 |
| Kushiro Prince Hotel | Arrive 18:05 |
Fees
| Adults | Children | |
| Kushiro City – | 8,000 yen | 5,200 yen |
| Kushiro City – Kushiro Airport | 7,500 yen | 5,000 yen |
| Kushiro City – Akanko Onsen | 7,000 yen | 4,800 yen |
Pirika: Summer Day-Trip Sightseeing Bus (Reservation Required)
A day-trip sightseeing course touring the three lakes of eastern Hokkaido, departing from Kushiro City (Kushiro Station, Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, Kushiro Prince Hotel).
The Pirika is an exquisite sightseeing course visiting four major attractions! Traveling from Kushiro City to Lake Mashu – Mount Io – Lake Kussharo – Lake Akan in one day is impossible by train or local bus.
(This tour has a daily capacity limit. We recommend booking early.)
Service Period
April 19 – November 30, 2025 (Runs every day)
Duration
8 hours and 55 minutes
Courses and Timetables
| Kushiro Station | Depart 08:00 |
| *Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal (Beside JR Kushiro Station) | |
| Fisherman’s Wharf Moo | Depart 08:05 |
| Kushiro Prince Hotel | Depart 08:08 |
| Kushiro Marsh Hokuto Observatory | Viewing from the vehicle window |
| Lake Mashu First Observatory | 30 minutes |
| Mount Io | 30 minutes |
| Lake Kussharo Sunayu (Sand Bath) | 20 minutes |
| Akanko Onsen | Arrive 13:05 120 minutes |
| *Disembarking is possible (between Akanko Onsen Town and the Akanko Bus Center ) *There is time allotted for lunch (lunches are paid by the individual) ◎You can explore the visitor center in Akanko Onsen (free admittance) ◎Day trip bathing available (separate fee applies) | |
| Kushiro Airport | Arrive 16:10 |
| *Disembarking is possible | |
| Kushiro Station | Arrive 16:50 |
| *Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal (Beside JR Kushiro Station) | |
| Fisherman’s Wharf Moo | Arrive 16:54 |
| Kushiro Prince Hotel | Arrive 16:55 |
Fees
| Adults | Children | |
| Kushiro City – Kushiro City | 6,000 yen | 3,000 yen |
| Kushiro City – Kushiro Airport | 5,700 yen | 2,850 yen |
| Kushiro City – Akanko Onsen | 5,000 yen | 2,500 yen |
Why are the Pirika and White Pirika so amazing?
Why the Red-crowned Crane of Kushiro?
The red-crowned crane is a Special Natural Monument found only in the eastern region of Hokkaido, Japan. It is a large bird, measuring about 140 cm in length, weighing around 10 kg, and with a wingspan of 240 cm. They mate for life in pairs.
The red-crowned crane faced extinction due to habitat loss and environmental pollution, but its population is gradually increasing thanks to the efforts of local residents.
Red-crowned cranes can be seen at Tsurumidai from November to March. At peak times, nearly 200 birds gather, performing their graceful dance.
Why Lake Kussharo?
Lake Kussharo is Japan’s largest caldera lake. It was formed by volcanic eruptions.
Lake Kussharo is the source of the Kushiro River, which flows through the Kushiro Marsh.
Digging into some of the sand at Lake Kussharo reveals hot water (sand baths).
From January to February, when the cold intensifies, the lake surface becomes completely covered in ice. It is Japan’s largest lake to freeze over entirely. On extremely cold days, the ice on the lake surface may bulge upward, creating the phenomenon known as “Omiwatari”.
Lake Kussharo is a lake in Hokkaido famous for its sea of clouds.
Why Mount Io?
This active volcano continues to spew sulfur gas daily. Here, the groundwater is heated, creating the water at Kawayu Onsen—Japan’s second strongest acidic hot spring with a pH of 1.7.
Why Lake Mashu?
Lake Mashu is famous for its fog. While it may seem like the lake surface is always hidden by mist, fog actually occurs mainly in summer, with less frequent occurrences in spring, autumn, and winter.
The lake water boasts a beautiful blue color, known as “Mashu Blue”.
Strangely, no rivers flow into or out of the lake, yet it boasts one of the world’s highest levels of transparency.
The lake surface is surrounded by steep cliffs, and there are no paths leading down to the water.
Why Lake Akan?
Who owns the land around Lake Akan? Most of it is owned and managed by the Maeda Ippoen Foundation. The foundation’s managed areas within Akan-Mashu National Park are largely off-limits to visitors, preserving their pristine state. This is invaluable.
Lake Akan is also home to the world’s largest spherical algae, the marimo.
Why Eastern Hokkaido?
The Pirika and White Pirika bus tours visit two locations: Akan-Mashu National Park and Kushiro Marsh National Park. Despite being close to homes, schools, hospitals, and tourist spots, you can experience Kushiro’s nature just a 30-minute drive away. Moreover, essential infrastructure like water, sewage, electricity, and telephone service is available. Eastern Hokkaido offers convenient access to beautiful, vibrant nature. Please come visit.
Kushiro - Sapporo : Intercity Express Bus
Starlight Kushiro (Reservation Required)
Kushiro - Sapporo
4 round trips per day- Variable fare system (varies depending on the day of the ride)
Required
Kushiro Airport Bus
Akan Airport Liner
Kushiro Airport - Akanko Onsen
1 round trip per day- Departure from Kushiro Airport: 10:00
Arrival at Akanko Bus Center: 11:15 - Departure from Akanko Bus Center: 11:50
Arrival at Akanko Bus Center: 13:10
AKAN BUS Co.,Ltd.
191-208 Aikoku, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido
TEL：+81-154-37-2221
| Kushiro Station Information Center | 1-2, Suehiro-cho 14-chome , Kushiro-shi (Kushiro Ekimae Bus Terminal) TEL：+81-154-37-2224 |
| Kushiro Airport Information Center | 2, Tsuruoka, Kushiro-shi (Inside Kushiro Airport Building) TEL：+81-154-57-5272 |
| Lake Akan Information Center | 4-5, Akanko Onsen 3-chome, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi TEL：+81-154-67-2205 |
