Rausu Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com

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Exploring Hokkaido: A Guide to Its Best Cities and Attractions — traveler post in Rausu

Exploring Hokkaido: A Guide to Its Best Cities and Attractions

Hokkaido is so much more than just Sapporo! ❄️🏔️ Japan's northernmost island is home to charming towns, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant flower fields, serene lakes, relaxing onsens, and unique scenery in every direction. 💙 🚆 This post breaks down the map of Hokkaido and provides a simple guide to navigating the island using JR trains. 📍 Sapporo — The capital of Hokkaido, perfect for shopping, cafe hopping, and incredible food. 📍 Otaru — A romantic port town famous for its scenic canal, historic buildings, and delightful sweets. 📍 Asahikawa — A central hub and home to the island's renowned zoo. 📍 Biei & Furano — Known for rolling hills, lavender fields, and the mesmerizing Blue Pond. 📍 Noboribetsu — A premier hot spring destination featuring the dramatic Jigokudani (Hell Valley). 📍 Lake Toya — A peaceful volcanic lake offering a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation. 📍 Hakodate — A classic port city boasting one of the most romantic night views in the world. 📍 Kushiro, Abashiri & Shiretoko — Discover the wild beauty of Eastern Hokkaido, from wetlands and drift ice to World Heritage sites. 🚉 You don't need a rental car to see it all! Many cities are accessible by JR trains, though you might need a local bus for specific attractions. ✨ Planning your first trip to Hokkaido? Save this post to help pick the destinations that fit your vibe and map out your perfect itinerary! 💬 If you had to pick just one city in Hokkaido, which one would it be?

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Sapporo Food Guide | The Ultimate Hokkaido Seafood Experience 🦀 — traveler post in Rausu

Sapporo Food Guide | The Ultimate Hokkaido Seafood Experience 🦀

Save this post if you're looking for the freshest seafood and authentic local dishes in Sapporo! 🐟 Kitanoaji Oosuke (北の味 大助) is a seafood izakaya specializing in charcoal-grilled dishes and fresh catches sourced directly from fishing ports across Hokkaido. From Rausu and Shiretoko to Shibetsu and Hidaka, they source premium ingredients from all over the island, offering everything from sashimi to grilled delicacies and crab. 🦀 Recommended Menu Items 🐟 8-Piece Sashimi Platter (刺身8点盛り合わせ) A signature platter featuring a variety of Hokkaido’s freshest seafood. It's a great way to taste different fish and shellfish, making it perfect for groups. 🦪 Akkeshi Oysters (厚岸産牡蠣) Famed oysters from the Akkeshi region in Eastern Hokkaido. You can order them raw or steamed—a must-try for oyster lovers. 🔥 Charcoal-Grilled Rausu Atka Mackerel (羅臼産真ほっけ開き) A hearty, savory fish from Rausu, perfectly grilled over charcoal for a rich, smoky, and delicious finish. 🦀 Okhotsk Horsehair Crab (オホーツク産毛ガニ) An iconic Hokkaido delicacy. While it's packed with sweet meat, prices and sizes vary daily, so be sure to check before ordering. 🧈 Scallops with Burnt Butter Soy Sauce (ホタテの焦가시バター醤油) Fresh scallops elevated by the savory-salty aroma of butter and soy sauce. It pairs perfectly with their charcoal-grilled selection. 🌽 Corn Butter (とうもろこしバター) A simple yet delicious Hokkaido classic featuring sweet local corn and rich butter. A perfect local snack! 🍶 Pair with Hokkaido Sake! They offer a wide selection of sake from breweries all over Hokkaido. Pairing regional sake with fresh sashimi or grilled fish makes for an unforgettable dinner. 📍 Restaurant Information · Name: Sumiyaki Kitanoaji Oosuke (炭焼き 北의味 大助) · Address: 1F Cyber City Bldg, Minami 5-jo Nishi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo · Hours: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Last order for food: midnight) · Phone: 011-521-8989 · Access: ~1-min walk from Hosui-Susukino Station (Toho Line), ~3-min walk from Susukino Station (Namboku Line) · Budget: ~5,000–7,000 JPY per person · Seating: Semi-private rooms available ※ Operating hours and menu prices are subject to change. Some items like crab can be pricey, so please check before ordering. 💡 Pro Tips Located in the heart of Susukino, it's a perfect spot for dinner in Sapporo. To get the full experience, try ordering both the sashimi platter and the charcoal-grilled fish. If you're in a group, sharing several dishes is highly recommended! If you want to experience the bounty of Hokkaido's seas beyond just Genghis Khan and Ramen, head to Kitanoaji Oosuke to feel the true charm of a seafood izakaya. 🦀🔥

World Natural Heritage! A Trip to Fully Enjoy Shiretoko's Spectacular Views & Gourmet Food. — traveler post in Rausu

World Natural Heritage! A Trip to Fully Enjoy Shiretoko's Spectacular Views & Gourmet Food.

I visited Shiretoko and Rausu in Hokkaido! The majesty of the great outdoors, fresh seafood, and encounters with wildlife. Every moment was absolutely breathtaking...! [Pic 1] Shiretoko Goko Lakes The view of the snow-capped Shiretoko mountain range reflected in the lake is simply breathtaking. [Pic 2] Unbelievably fresh seafood Plump shrimp, scallops, salmon...! You can't miss out on the seafood when visiting Shiretoko😋 [Pic 3] Oshinkoshin Falls A massive and powerful drop! Feeling so refreshed soaking up the mist and negative ions. [Pic 4] The Road to the Sky This straight road stretches on forever, truly making you feel the sheer vastness of Hokkaido...! [Pic 5] "milcream" soft serve ice cream Rich soft serve made from grass-fed cow's milk. Eating it under a clear blue sky is the absolute best🍦 [Pic 6] The Ezo deer we spotted Casually strolling through the streets or popping up on the roads at night. It made me realize just how close humans and wildlife are here. [Pic 7] Orca Cruise You can see so many orcas and whales. Definitely check out their tours! An incredibly satisfying trip to Shiretoko, both for the views and the food. Be sure to [Save] this post to look back on when planning your next Hokkaido getaway🔖 --- 📍Shiretoko, Hokkaido Five Lakes Sightseeing

Japan Shiretoko: Iwaobetsu Onsen to Rausu Daiichi Waterfall Through Boreal Forest — traveler post in Rausu

Japan Shiretoko: Iwaobetsu Onsen to Rausu Daiichi Waterfall Through Boreal Forest

#arrivalguide I based myself in Rausu and drove the winding Route 334 to Iwaobetsu Onsen (岩尾別温泉) at 6:20 am in early July. From the small unstaffed parking area, the trail to Rausu Daiichi Waterfall (羅臼第一滝) starts as a gravel forest road through boreal spruce-birch woodland, then becomes a rooted singletrack along the Iwaobetsu River. Total one-way is about 3.2 km, 70–90 minutes, 180 m gentle gain. This is inside active brown-bear habitat: from May 10 to July 31 the Shiretoko Nature Foundation requires either a certified guide or a bear bell + whistle + group of 3+, and you must register at the Utoro or Rausu visitor center before entering (paper form, no fee, but they log your plate and ETA). I wore a rented bear bell (¥300/day in Rausu), carried 2 L water, and still jumped when a woodpecker knocked a branch. The waterfall itself is a 40 m single drop into a mossy amphitheater—volume was strong after June rains, mist soaked my lens. No toilet at trailhead, no vending machine until you return to Iwaobetsu Onsen’s open-air pool (¥500 bath, cash only). Mistake I made: I wore trail runners after a rainy night and the clay sections sucked my grip—gaiters and stiff soles next time. If you have no car, the Rausu–Utoro shuttle does not stop here; you need a taxi from Rausu (¥4,000 one way, negotiate return pickup). Question for others: in peak bear season, is a guided group the only mentally relaxing way to enjoy this forest, or does solo-with-bell still count as “wild enough”?

[Hokkaido, Rausu] An amazing seafood lunch in Rausu! 🐟 — traveler post in Rausu

[Hokkaido, Rausu] An amazing seafood lunch in Rausu! 🐟

If you're crossing the Shiretoko Pass to Rausu, this is a restaurant you absolutely must visit! It's "Hamada Shoten" ✨ As it's directly managed by a seafood processing company, you can enjoy fresh seafood caught in Rausu. They also have seasonal menus, making it a great place to discover seasonal delicacies. We arrived around 2:30 PM, so we were able to enjoy our meal without any waiting time. We ordered: ・Sashimi Set Meal ・Atka Mackerel Set Meal The sashimi set meal that day included Sakhalin trout (pink salmon), which I'd never tried before! ✨ Sakhalin trout are caught in Hokkaido, around the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Nemuro Strait, but in recent years, catches have been unstable, making it a rare fish that can only be enjoyed depending on the day's catch. The fat wasn't heavy, but rather refined, with a pleasant sweetness and umami, making it very easy to eat. All the sashimi was fresh, but the whelk and yellowtail were especially delicious! I still can't forget the crunchy texture of the whelk and the melt-in-your-mouth yellowtail. The mackerel set meal, a popular menu item at the restaurant, had thick, fatty mackerel that was so delicious I couldn't stop eating it with rice! ✨ After enjoying our meal, we returned home via Shiretoko Pass again. The view of Mt. Rausu from Shiretoko Pass in the evening was truly spectacular! ✨ 📍 Hamada Shoten 🕒 Business Hours: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Last Order 3:00 PM) *Open from February to early October. Closed irregularly during this period. #HokkaidoTravel #Shiretoko #Rausu #ShiretokoGourmet #HamadaShoten #SeafoodLunch #SashimiSetMeal #MackerelSetMeal #ShiretokoPass #JapanTravel #HokkaidoFood

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[Hokkaido, Shiretoko] Mount Rausu: The Highest Peak Overlooking a World Natural Heritage Site — traveler post in Rausu

[Hokkaido, Shiretoko] Mount Rausu: The Highest Peak Overlooking a World Natural Heritage Site

Mount Rausu, the highest peak on Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, boasts an elevation of 1,661 meters and is recognized as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. Known as the iconic mountain of the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage site, it is surrounded by abundant nature, including primeval forests, alpine plants, brown bears, and Ezo sika deer. From the summit, you can enjoy magnificent views of the Sea of Okhotsk and Kunashiri Island, and on a clear day, take in the breathtaking panorama of the Shiretoko mountain range. While not recommended for beginners, it is a highly popular hiking spot where you can fully immerse yourself in some of Hokkaido's most pristine wilderness.

Secluded Wild Hot Springs Surrounded by Primeval Forests — traveler post in Rausu

Secluded Wild Hot Springs Surrounded by Primeval Forests

Yanao Betsu Onsen springs near the Utoro trailhead of Mount Rausu. Near the only inn, there are two wild hot springs surrounded by primeval forests. One of them is called "Sandan no Yu," which, as the name suggests, consists of three tiered pools. Hot water flows from the upper pool, gradually cooling as it moves down to the lower pools. Finding your preferred temperature while soaking is one of the joys of these baths. Each pool is directly exposed on the rocks, exuding a wild and natural atmosphere. About 50 meters further ahead is the "Waterfall View Bath." In this small pool, you can enjoy soaking while admiring a waterfall with a drop of about 5 meters. If the water feels too hot, you can adjust the temperature with stream water, adding to the rustic charm. During winter, the road to the hot springs is closed, so the baths are only open roughly from late April to late October each year.

A Car-Free Summer Escape to Eastern Hokkaido: Healing in the Forests and Lakes — traveler post in Rausu

A Car-Free Summer Escape to Eastern Hokkaido: Healing in the Forests and Lakes

Taipei’s summer heat is simply stifling, so I decided to take a break and head to Eastern Hokkaido to cool off. The 25°C temperature was perfect—every breeze felt refreshing. Since I don't drive, I was initially worried about getting around, but public transportation turned out to be surprisingly smooth. I took the JR to Shiretoko-Shari and then caught a bus to Utoro. During my days in Shiretoko, I felt like I had stepped into a primeval forest; the air was filled with the scent of lush greenery. The highlight of this trip was Akan-Mashu National Park. I took a summer-only sightseeing bus and saw the deep blue waters of Lake Mashu, which felt incredibly quiet and mysterious. At Lake Akan, I finally saw the unique Marimo (moss balls)—they are round, super cute, and look just like forest spirits from an anime. I couldn't help but sketch a few in my notebook. The final stop was the Kushiro Marsh. I made a point to ride the summer-only slow train; its leisurely pace was perfect for gazing out at the marshland scenery. On the return trip, I happened to catch the sunset over the wetlands. The orange-red glow in that moment was as beautiful as an animated scene, and it left me feeling so peaceful. Even though keeping an eye on the bus and train schedules was a bit stressful, it felt wonderful to slow down and take in the views at my own pace without driving. Now that I'm back in Taipei, I still find myself missing that cool Hokkaido breeze.

rausu cruise ship — traveler post in Rausu

rausu cruise ship

Exploring Rausu’s epic drift ice scenes and wildlife up close is a game-changer for adventure lovers ❄️🦅 If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising through icy seas and spotting majestic eagles, this spot on Japan’s remote Shiretoko Peninsula is for you! Must-Do: Rausu Drift Ice Cruise Hop aboard a Rausu cruise ship (departs from Rausu Fishing Port, 361-1 Honcho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido) for an early morning ride—this is peak eagle-spotting time (Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles stealing the show). The highlight? Witnessing a massive eagle perched on glittering ice, clutching its fresh catch! Bring your zoom lens or binoculars for insane close-ups—the guides even slow down if they spot the birds feasting. Hot Tips: · Dress WARM. It gets crazy cold and windy on deck. Layer up, gloves and hat are a must. · Morning cruises (around 6–7am) = best light for photos + more active wildlife. Book ahead in drift ice season (Feb–March). · Seas can get rough, so prep if you’re prone to motion sickness. Getting There & Getting Around: Rausu is remote! Best bet is renting a car from Kushiro, or else take the bus from Shari. In town, everything is walkable. Foodie Note: After the cruise, refuel at a local seafood spot (like Washo Market in Kushiro if heading back), and try super-fresh king crab or uni donburi. Final Thoughts: Pack cash—many local places are cash only. Also, check your visa requirements if you’re coming from overseas, and expect freezing temps. #RausuCruise #DriftIceJapan #WildlifeWatching #HokkaidoWinter #SeaEagleSighting

Cherry blossoms at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido Island. — traveler post in Rausu

Cherry blossoms at the southernmost tip of Hokkaido Island.

Eastern Hokkaido remains a natural wonder worth exploring. Rausu, the largest town on the easternmost coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, is located at the southeastern corner of the peninsula, facing the Nemuro Strait. The town stretches along a narrow strip of land for 64 km (40 miles) from southwest to northeast. This town is highly popular among tourists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts visiting Shiretoko National Park. It offers various facilities, including hotels with accommodations and restaurants, shopping stores, and a tourist information center. There is also an exhibition center showcasing the town's history and attractions for those interested. We visited here in mid-May and discovered Joutaiji Temple, the town's Buddhist temple, where various species of sakura were in bloom (though not yet at 100%). For those who missed the sakura season in April and early May, Hokkaido is the place to be! The eastern side of the island is a hidden gem with sakura still in bloom. Traveling here is most convenient by car. We had a local Thai guide who drove us around, making the trip even more comfortable. Location: Joutaiji Temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FGqRuFXwX2seQ34Z9

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Shiretoko Peninsula

Lake Rausu is a freshwater lake located at the foot of Mount Chisei Betsudake on the Shiretoko Peninsula. With an altitude of 740 meters, a circumference of about 4 kilometers, and a maximum water depth of about 2 meters, it is the largest lake in Shiretoko National Park. The area was obscured by trees and contained bear dens, so it was once known as an imaginary lake that no one could approach. However, the mountain climbing road has been repaired and is open from June to October, so the general public can use it. In addition to Lake Rausu, there are five marshes (Ichinonuma ~ Gononuma) and the Meiri Lookout, where you can enjoy various beautiful scenery, such as snow in spring, fresh green in summer and red leaves in autumn. *Unfortunately, there is no road leading to Ichinuma, so you can see Ninomuma to Gononuma along the hiking trail. Free admission.

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Shiretokogo Lake

This is a world natural heritage. The Shiretoko Five Lakes are the core of the Shiretoko Peninsula. Because it is in the north. So you can see the beautiful scenery of the snow-capped mountains and the magnificent lake. Well worth a visit.

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Shiretoko National Park

In addition to Lake Rausu, the park also has five swamps (Ichinonuma ~ Gononuma) and Meiri Lookout. Here you can enjoy various beautiful scenery, such as snow in spring, new greenery in summer and red leaves in autumn. Unfortunately, there is no road leading to Ichinuma, so you can see Ninomuma to Gononuma along the hiking trail. Free admission.

翱翔的大鲨鱼翱翔的大鲨鱼

Rausu FAQ

What currency is used in Rausu?

The standard currency in Rausu is JPY

Destinations near Rausu

Biei travel destination

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Asahikawa travel destination

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Recommended trip: 1–2 day(s)