2025 Kawakami District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Last year, I stayed at Suikoden, which reopened as a villa of Oyado Kinkiyu, so I would like to introduce it to you. The concept of Kinkiyu is to operate it with the assumption that it will be used for hot spring therapy/business purposes targeting hot spring lovers, while Suikoden has created a luxurious space targeting leisure travelers. The highlights of Suikoden are the food and the comfortable lounge. As you can see in the photo, the dinner/breakfast buffet offers more food than you can eat, and there is also a service where you can have sushi made by a skilled craftsman. You can enjoy coffee and other drinks in the shared lounge, and you can spend a comfortable time. Of course, in the large public bath, you can enjoy the strong acidic hot springs that are characteristic of Kawayu Onsen, and there is also an open-air bath and sauna facilities. This hotel is recommended for those who want to enjoy the food and space at the hotel in comfort. #Hokkaido #KawayuOnsen #HotSpring

Why visit such a small waterfall, you ask? If you look closely, you can see fish jumping—yes, it's the salmon returning to spawn! But that's not all. The park also features Io-zan Hell Valley, Lake Akan, Lake Kussharo, and Lake Mashu, among many other attractions. As one of Hokkaido's premier national parks, Akan-Mashu National Park is a must-visit. Along with Asahidake and the Shiretoko Peninsula, these three destinations are absolutely worth your time—you won't regret it! How to get there: You’ll need to rent a car. Highlights: Sakura Falls, where you can witness the salmon migration; Lake Kussharo, known for its open-air hot springs; Lake Akan, home to a traditional folk village; Lake Mashu, Japan's largest caldera lake; and Io-zan Hell Valley. Every spot is worth visiting. Accommodation: The main challenge is finding a hotel. In our case, we started early from Asahikawa, explored everything, and stayed overnight in Abashiri. Abashiri has plenty of great dining options, which we highly recommend. Recommended food & restaurants: If you’re in Abashiri, check out the izakaya called あみさい (Amisai). It’s fantastic!

📍Mount Io (Atosanupuri) in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido Experience the pulse of the Earth up close at this awe-inspiring location! 🔥 White steam rises vigorously from various parts of the mountain's surface, and the air is filled with the scent of sulfur—truly a "living mountain"‼️ You can walk right up close, making it perfect for stunning photos and videos! Be captivated by the mystical scenery and the powerful sounds, while enjoying an extraordinary natural experience at this popular tourist destination. Don't miss the hot spring eggs, rolled around with duct tape... 🤭 They're a must-try! ✨️ The nearby hot springs are also highly recommended! ♨️

Located in eastern Hokkaido, Atosanupuri (Mt. Iwo), as its name means "naked mountain" in Ainu, is a spectacular spot where you can feel the earth is alive. ⸻ 🌋[This is amazing! Atosanupuri] - Steam gurgles out of the ground! It's very impressive! - The yellow, white and grey rock surface is just like a volcano. - It's rare for an active volcano area to be seen up close, and there are well-maintained walkways so you can easily visit. - The smell of sulfur and the heat of the geothermal energy will make you feel the heartbeat of the volcano! ⸻ 📍[Location] Kawayu, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido * About 5 minutes by car from the Kawayu Onsen area * The route touring Lake Kussharo and Lake Mashu is popular! 🕰【Opening hours】 24 hours, open all year round (however, it is recommended to visit during the day as it is dark after sunset) *It is also accessible in winter, but be careful of frozen roads! ⸻ 💡【Tips】 ・Volcanic gas is being emitted, so if you have concerns about your heart or respiratory system, please avoid staying for long periods of time ・There are currently no shops selling hot spring eggs etc. (You can eat them in the nearby Kawayu Onsen town) ・There are foot baths and nature trails nearby, so we also recommend taking a leisurely stroll♪ #EnjoyJapan #Hokkaido

#0yentravel This time, we will introduce the Senmo Main Line, a wonderful local line that makes you feel like you are sightseeing just by riding it. The Senmo Main Line is a 166 km local line that connects Abashiri and Kushiro on the eastern side of Hokkaido. Along the line, you can see the Kushiro Marsh, Mount Iou, the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, and other scenery that is rarely seen on Honshu. However, all of Hokkaido's railway lines are in trouble due to a decline in users, and this line is one of them. In some sections, there are only four round trips a day. We want as many people as possible to ride the line so that it can continue to exist for as long as possible.

Mount Iou (called "Atosanupuri" in Ainu language, meaning naked mountain) in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido, is an active volcano that emits a roaring sound and sends up plumes of smoke. The smell of sulfur wafts from the countless fumaroles on the mountainside, along with white smoke, and you can also see yellow sulfur crystals up close. The impact is truly a dynamic experience that makes you feel the heartbeat of the earth. You can freely stroll inside the safety rope and feel the breath of the volcano on your skin. It is also a historic place that once flourished as a sulfur mining site, and where a railway was laid and supported the development of Kawayu Onsen. At the foot of the mountain, a colony of Hokkaido's endemic species, Ezoisotsutsuji, spreads out, and you can enjoy the seasonal nature. There is also a souvenir shop called Iouzan MOKMOK in the parking lot, where you can eat things like sulfur steamed boiled eggs (150 yen each)! 📍Access ・About 5 minutes by car from JR Kawayu Onsen Station, paid parking available nearby (500 yen) ・About 140 minutes (about 120km) from Ashoro IC on the Doto Expressway ・We also recommend a 25-minute drive from Lake Mashu 💰Price per person: 0-1,000 yen Share the impressive smoke and unique sulfur scent of Mount Iou on social media and experience the great outdoors of Hokkaido! #Spring0YenTrip

About 20 minutes' walk from getting off at Kawayu Onsen Station on the Senmo Line, the surrounding vegetation suddenly disappeared, and I felt as if I had stepped into another world. Yes, it's an environment where vegetation cannot grow due to sulfur gas. The mountainside is dyed yellow, white smoke rises vigorously from all over, and the strong smell of sulfur fills the nose. The raw energy of nature is overwhelming just standing there. Even though it is a tourist spot, there is a wild and mysterious atmosphere, and it is a place where you can feel the heartbeat of the "living earth" that cannot be conveyed in a photograph. #Spring0yenTrip

The Sulfur Mountain in Hokkaido is famous for continuously spewing sulfur 24 hours a day! In the Ainu language, it is called 'Atosanupuri,' which means 'naked mountain.'⛰️ Amazingly, this is the closest spot in Japan where you can observe fumaroles up close! The sight of sulfur constantly erupting from the mountainside with a roaring sound is truly magnificent! Additionally, nearby is Lake Kussharo, where you can dig into the sand to find natural hot springs! If you visit Sulfur Mountain, be sure to check out this sand bath as well! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Facility Name: Sulfur Mountain Address: 〒088-3461 Kawakami-gun, Teshikaga-cho, Kawayu, Hokkaido Access: 5 minutes by bus from Kawayu Onsen Station Hours: Open 24 hours, but the parking lot closes at night - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mt. Io was very impressive and magnificent, and I felt the power of nature!! It smelled quite of sulfur, but it's probably not toxic gas or anything. However, the rocks were rough and the footing was poor, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes💦 There were souvenirs and snacks for sale nearby, and a rest area, so I was able to relax👍️ [Name] Mt. Io (Atosanupuri) [Location] Kawayu, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3461 #0yentravelautumn #Hokkaidotrip #Teshikaga-chotourism #domestictravel

Located in Teshikaga Town on the right side of Hokkaido's Doto region, Mount Iou is known in the Ainu language as Atosanupuri. This place suddenly appears on the way from Teshikaga Town to the Kawayu Onsen district, a hellish landscape overflowing with sulfuric steam. Mount Iou has ropes partway up, beyond which entry is prohibited. However, with a guide, it's possible to climb from the back of the mountain. The amount and intensity of smoke from Mount Iou vary from day to day. Visiting occasionally, you can see it breathing differently each time, making you feel that the Earth is alive. ▪️Access One hour by car from Kushiro Airport or Memanbetsu Airport Three hours by train and bus Fifty minutes by car from Nakashibetsu Airport ▪️Accommodation There is a hostel in Teshikaga Town. It's a beautiful place to stay with reasonable prices.

Staying at Yukawa Onsen tonight, I combined Google MAP and local information to choose this sushi restaurant with a high average price per person. Outside is the snowy hot spring street. The deserted street is only lit by flickering street lights. The menu board in front of the door is covered with snow. Behind the two doors is a cozy family restaurant. Compared with the Omakase in China, which costs hundreds of yuan per person, the ingredients here are not high-end but fresher. It's not that I can't afford Erbin, but Daodong is more cost-effective There are few people and a lot of snow, and the per capita snow content is super high! Today's menu: Shirako tempura Tachibana 1000 (winter menu) Hokkaido specialty overnight dried fish, not sure what kind of fish it is, 1800 (I didn’t get to eat it in Shiretoko last time) Sushi Ko-su 3000 (all ingredients are fresh) Swan-shaped soup & steamed egg custard 600 (with yuzu peel) 6000 after tax 6600

This autumn, I took the Senmo Main Line to Kawayu Onsen. Kawayu Onsen Station is famous for its large, beautiful wooden station building and for being a popular stop-off point. There are no station staff, but a cafe has been opened in the former station staff room, and the owner watches over the station like a station staff member. I usually don't have time to eat there, but this time I ate at the cafe. The omelet rice was delicious, of course, but the space had the warmth that only a wooden structure can give, and it was very comfortable. There is also a foot bath, so if you are using the Senmo Main Line, why not get off and have a meal along the way? #KawayuOnsen #SenmoMainLine #FootBath

MOKMOK Marche located inside Mt. Iou MOKMOK Base 🌿 The tent in the center is a symbolic space 🤍 It has a wide selection of local specialties from Mt. Iou and Hokkaido, making it the perfect place to find attractive souvenirs that are indispensable to your trip 😁 Not only were there standard Hokkaido souvenirs such as Jaga Pokkuru and Hanabata Farm, but there were also products I had never seen before, such as Akanko Onsen's Marimo Yokan ❕ The items were neatly displayed and easy to see, so time seemed to fly by ✨ 1-52-1 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3465 🌈 8:30-17:00 #HokkaidoTourism#HokkaidoTrip #Mt.Iou

Mount Iwo is an active volcano with an elevation of 512m, located in Kawayu Onsen in the eastern Hokkaido area. In Ainu language, it is called Atosanupuri, or naked mountain. As its name suggests, the smell of sulfur permeates the surrounding area, and the closer you get to the fumarole, the more the rocks turn a fluorescent green color. The highlight of Mount Iwo is that you can get very close to the fumarole. If you go on a sunny day, the glare is strong, so be careful. It is also recommended to view Mount Iwo from the MOKMOK Theater at the foot of the mountain. #HokkaidoTourism #HokkaidoTrip #HokkaidoDrive #HokkaidoTouristSightseeing #EasternHokkaido #EasternHokkaidoTourism #EasternHokkaidoTrip

Mt. Iou is a tourist spot in the Akan Mashu National Park area of ​​Hokkaido. The rest house at the foot of Mt. Iou was renovated on July 13, 2023 and opened as the Mt. Iou MOKMOK Base. Inside the building, there is the MOKMOK Marche, where local souvenirs are lined up. In addition to Hokkaido souvenirs, they also sell power stones, which is quite interesting. My recommendation is Hokkaido Corn Tea, which is only available in Hokkaido. They also sell many other sweets, and the selection may be better than at the airport. Opening days: Open all year round (irregular holidays) Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 The navigation system says to select Mt. Iou and head there. #HokkaidoTourism #HokkaidoTrip #HokkaidoDrive #HokkaidoTourism #EastHokkaido #EastHokkaidoTourism #EastHokkaidoTrip #EastHokkaidoTrip #Mt. Iou

Mt. Iwo is a tourist spot in the Akan Mashu National Park area of ​​Hokkaido. The rest house at the foot of Mt. Iwo was renovated on July 13, 2023 and opened as the Mt. Iwo MOKMOK Base. Inside the building, there is the MOKMOK Marche & Cafe, which offers local dishes and souvenirs, and the MOKMOK Terrace and MOKMOK Theater, where you can take a relaxing break while watching the smoke from Mt. Iwo, opened on September 12, 2023. At the MOKMOK Theater, you can view Mt. Iwo from a large glass window that resembles a 5-meter-wide theater screen, and the view while relaxing as if you were lying down on a comfortable sofa is amazing. If you are in the area, why not stop by? Opening days: Open all year round (irregular holidays) Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 The navigation system says to select Mt. Iwo and head there. #Hokkaido tourism #Hokkaido trip #Hokkaido #Hokkaido drive #Hokkaido tourist spots #Iouzan #Eastern Hokkaido tourism #Eastern Hokkaido trip #Eastern Hokkaido #Eastern Hokkaido trip

A cafe located inside the newly opened Mt. Iwo MOKMOK Base 🍦 You can purchase food and drinks to enjoy on the spot, such as soft serve ice cream and cider 😄 The most popular item is the steamed eggs made using the Kawayu Onsen hot spring water 🥚 It's also nice that you can buy them piping hot ☺️ After peeling the shell, sprinkle the salt that comes with it 😋 The eggs were steamed a little hard, giving them a strong flavor, and they were very delicious 🤍 Kawayu Onsen Steamed Eggs 1 egg 150 yen, set of 5 600 yen 1-52-1 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3465 🌈 8:30-17:00 #Hokkaido Tourism #Hokkaido Trip #Mt. Iwo

Mt. Iwo MOKMOK Base, which just reopened on September 12, 2023🌿 Mt. Iwo is a popular tourist power spot representing Akan Mashu National Park✨ At the newly reopened MOKMOK Base at the foot of the mountain, you can see the whole picture of Mt. Iwo through the 5m-wide glass window "MOKMOK Theater"😆 The sofas are extremely comfortable, and we recommend relaxing while feeling the breath of nature🕊️ You can also learn about the history and nature of Mt. Iwo at the "Mt. Iwo Museum"😄 It was such a well-equipped facility that it would be a shame to stop by just for a break🤍 1-52-1 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3465🌈 8:30-17:00 #Hokkaido Tourism#Hokkaido Trip #Mt. Iwo

Breakfast buffet at Kussharo Prince Hotel 🥣 We had a breakfast buffet in a restaurant with a high ceiling and a spacious feel 🫧 The buffet tables are grouped in the center, and a wide variety of menu items are lined up ✨ What's unusual is the milk tasting and the hot sandwiches you make yourself ❕ This looks like fun for families with children 🥰 The view from the window seat was very pleasant 🌿 Breakfast buffet Adults 2,600 yen Elementary school students 1,820 yen Infants 910 yen 7:00-9:30 Last order 9:00 〒088-3395 Kussharo Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 🌈 #Hokkaido tourism #Breakfast buffet #Hokkaido trip

Famous for its highly acidic hot springs, Mt. Iou was mined for sulfur from the Meiji to Showa eras. People gathered at Mt. Iou to mine the sulfur, and a railway line was laid for transportation, which led to the current Senmo Main Line and the town of Teshikaga. Although sulfur is no longer mined, the town of Kawayu Onsen has been transformed into a hot spring resort. This is a place where you can feel the beginnings of the town. The shop sells the famous Mt. Iou soft serve ice cream, which I tried hesitantly, but was very surprised to find that it tasted like custard pudding when mixed well. Please give it a try😊 It's a bit of a walk from Kawayu Onsen town, but on a sunny day it's just the right distance for a stroll. Of course, there is a parking lot. #KawayuOnsen #SoftServeIceCream

I would like to introduce you to Kinkiyu Inn in Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga Town, east of Hokkaido. Kinkiyu is my favorite, and I have been there three times since my first time in January 2022. The good things about Kinkiyu are its strong acidic hot springs, delicious breakfasts, and warm hospitality. The hot springs at Kawayu Onsen are acidic and so stimulating that even nails will melt away if you leave them in the water for a long time. Once you soak in this water, it is so addictive that you will not be satisfied with other hot springs. There are multiple hot spring hotels, but Kinkiyu's large bath has a semi-open-air bath and three baths: low temperature, medium temperature, and high temperature. I like the fact that alternating between baths of different temperatures refreshes both body and mind. For breakfast, a variety of menus using many local ingredients are offered. There are many repeat customers for the Mashu beef curry and clay pot pudding! The staff are very friendly and will talk to you at this hotel, so if you are in Eastern Hokkaido, please try staying here 😌 #KawayuOnsen #Kinkiyu #HotSpring #HotSpring

This time, I'd like to introduce "Mt. Iou" near Kawayu Onsen in Hokkaido. I saw a sign while driving so I decided to stop by on a whim, but the view at Mt. Iou was even better than I expected. The crater is dyed yellow due to the sulfur and is spewing smoke. *For safety reasons, a rope is stretched to prevent people from getting close to the crater itself. It's an easy stop from the parking lot to the crater, which is just a few minutes' walk away, so be sure to check it out when you visit Kawayu Onsen, Lake Mashu, or Lake Kussharo (^^) Mt. Iou: 1-52-1 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido 088-3465 (This is the address of Mt. Iou Rest House) #777 #Hokkaido Trip #Eastern Hokkaido Trip #Amazing View #Hokkaido Tourism

Hokkaido is a vast country, and there are roadside stations all over the place. Roadside station Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Pass is one of them. It's a roadside station with a rather unusual name, but as its name suggests, it offers a beautiful view. It's located near the top of the mountain pass, so there are no obstructions to the view. If you go to the nearby observation deck, you can see the vast Lake Kussharo below. The facilities are beautiful as a roadside station, and there are souvenir shops and restaurants open. The second floor is a free space, and you can enjoy the view from the large windows. #DomesticTravel #Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #RoadsideStation #BihoroPass

Roadside stations are dotted all over the vast expanse of Hokkaido. Mashu Onsen Roadside Station is one of them. This roadside station, which looks like a log cabin, features an outdoor foot bath. In winter, steam rises from the foot bath area. Inside, the station is roughly divided into a tourist information area and a souvenir area. In the tourist information area, you can find information on the surrounding road conditions and tourist spots. The beautiful stained glass caught my eye. In the souvenir area, local specialties are on sale. Be sure to visit. #DomesticTravel #Hokkaido #HokkaidoTrip #RoadsideStation