2026 Rausu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in April)

Real traveler experiences and travel guides for Rausu in April, 2026

In the past 7 days, 0 travel guides for Rausu have been added, helping 11 travelers with their trips

In the past 30 days, 3 travel guides for Rausu have been added, helping 56 travelers with their trips

Most popular attractions in Rausu in April, 2026

Shiretoko Peninsula

28 travel guides, 24 travelers have shared real experiences and guides here

4.6/5.0 | 90 reviews | Free entry | 29 travelers interested

Jun no Banya is a renowned seafood donburi restaurant in Luo. It's been the filming location for several classic Japanese dramas, most notably the classic "North Country Love: 2002 Last Words." The restaurant is reminiscent of the main character's home in the series. The nostalgic wooden decor creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, allowing fans to experience iconic scenes from the series. The food here is also excellent, especially the sea urchin donburi! The service is friendly and attentive, full of warmth and warmth! The restaurant is extremely busy during lunch, so arrive before noon to avoid the crowds. #junglia

In Hokkaido, you can observe Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, which are designated as national natural treasures, from the drift ice ship in Rausu. The ship's broadcast informs you of the direction in which the birds are flying when they are spotted, which is very helpful. I was thrilled to see a Steller's sea eagle flying overhead. Observing drift ice and wild birds is a special winter activity, so be sure to check it out. Highly recommended. ✱----------------------------------------------- 【Boarding Location】Rausu Port 【Ship Name】Evergreen 【Recommended Points】You can observe drift ice and wild birds -----------------------------------------------✱

This is Mt. Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula. Mt. Rausu is a stratovolcano in Shiretoko National Park, Shiretoko, which was registered as a World Heritage Site (World Natural Heritage Site) in 2005. It has an elevation of 1,661m. It has not erupted since 1996. When I visited, clouds were covering the summit at first and I couldn't see the whole picture, but the clouds gradually moved and it became like the photo. It was September at the time, and the green season was vivid✨ The second photo is Oshinkoshin Falls, and the third photo is Gensei-kaen Station on the JR Senmo Main Line♪ Access: The only public transportation to access Mt. Rausu is by taxi💦The closest station is Shiretoko-Shari Station on the JR Senmo Main Line, and the nearest airports are Memanbetsu Airport or Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport. I went around by car with three friends. Also, Oshinkoshin Falls is a 40-minute bus ride from Shiretoko-Shari Station #Shiretoko #Waterfall #World Heritage Site #World Natural Heritage Site #Tourism #Supporting Tourism #Supporting Tourism #Amazing Views

Shiretoko, located in northeastern Hokkaido, is renowned for its pristine wilderness and diverse wildlife. Spring begins in late April, when visitors can witness brown bears waking from hibernation, especially on the Utoro side. It is common to see mother bears foraging with their cubs along the rocky beaches. On the Rausu side, Hokkaido red fox kits start to appear, and Hokkaido sika deer become very active, feeding on fresh spring vegetation. Late May marks the start of the Nemuro Strait orca peak season. These impressive orcas are a major highlight, attracting wildlife enthusiasts eager to observe their social behaviors and hunting skills. Spring in Shiretoko offers a unique opportunity to experience the awakening of Japan’s last pristine wilderness. As new life grows and the landscape changes, the region’s animal residents become more visible. Visitors can enjoy the thrill of discovering rare wildlife and the raw beauty of nature. For those seeking adventure and a close encounter with Japan’s wild side, springtime in Shiretoko is an ideal destination.

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

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

This time, we introduce five popular tourist spots in the Shiretoko area of Hokkaido✨ Experience the grandeur of nature, the sea, and the "breath of the Earth" through these breathtaking views! Use this as a reference when planning your Shiretoko trip☺️ 🌅 The Great Nature of World Heritage Site Shiretoko 🌊 Spectacular views created by the sea, mountains, and waterfalls 📸 Full of spots perfect for photography ——————— 📍① Oshinkoshin Waterfall (Shari Town) ✅ A powerful "twin-stream waterfall"💦 Standing at about 80 meters tall, this famous waterfall in Shiretoko is selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls. You can feel the mist of the waterfall up close from the observation deck. 📍② Shiretoko Pass (Rausu Town to Shari Town) ✅ A mountain pass offering a panoramic view of the World Heritage Site🏔 From this 738-meter-high pass, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Shiretoko mountain range and Kunashiri Island! It's also a popular spot for a scenic drive. 📍③ Shiretoko National Park (Shari Town) ✅ Registered as a World Natural Heritage Site🌿 This park is filled with untouched natural beauty. The elevated boardwalk (about 40 minutes) is free to explore, allowing you to enjoy the stunning views of the Shiretoko Five Lakes and mountain range. The ground-level trail (about 2 hours) requires a fee, and if you're lucky, you might encounter some wildlife! 📍④ Puyuni Cape Observatory (Shari Town) ✅ Shiretoko's premier scenic observatory🌅 From here, you can overlook the town of Utoro and the Sea of Okhotsk. During sunset, the sea turns orange, creating a romantic scene. 📍⑤ Road to Heaven (Shari Town) ✅ A straight road stretching about 28 km🚗 This straight road that seems to lead to the sky is truly moving! During the evening, the sky and road merge, making it a popular spot for capturing magical photos. 📍"Waterfalls, Passes, Sea, and Sky"—everywhere you look is a stunning view. Feel the nature of Shiretoko and enjoy a soul-cleansing journey✨ ——————— Be sure to use this as a reference☺️

Rausu Mountain (羅臼岳, Rausu-dake) is a renowned peak located on the northeastern peninsula of Hokkaido, within Shiretoko National Park. After an overnight ferry ride from Tokyo to Hokkaido, this mountain was the first of four peaks I climbed during my summer road trip in Hokkaido. Rausu Mountain has two trailheads: one at Rausu Onsen (羅臼温泉) and another at Iwaobetsu (岩尾別). The latter is closer to the summit, which is where we started our hike. There are restroom facilities available at the trailhead. Along the trail, there are portable toilets that you can use if you bring your own disposable toilet bags.

This was my second time here, and I finally saw orcas! I’m not even an animal lover, but seeing over 30 of them right in front of me — and so close — was absolutely thrilling and mind-blowing. They were so cool and majestic!

Last time we visited Rausu, we just stopped by for a quick check-in and left. This time, we decided to stay overnight and take our time exploring. This Shiretoko inn has been open for a few years and features only 10 twin rooms 🛏. Knowing we were tourists, they arranged a room for us on the first floor. The room was clean and simple, with standard bathroom facilities. 🍽 We opted for a package that included both breakfast and dinner. Dinner was Western-style, with delicious dishes ranging from appetizers and main courses to pasta. Additionally, we ordered half a crab 🦀, which was impressively large and incredibly fresh and sweet. We couldn’t finish it all, so we saved some for breakfast the next morning 🤣. Breakfast didn’t offer a wide variety of options, but the taste was decent and satisfying.

Summer is the peak season for whale watching in eastern Hokkaido. Many tourists will come to Shiretoko Rausu, and we are no exception. Unfortunately, the weather was unstable that day, and the whale tour boat stopped. I unexpectedly found that the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center is a good indoor place. This visitor center is very special. There are many wild animals found in the Shiretoko area, including: Yezo deer, brown bears, sea lions, foxes, etc. The most special thing is that these animals are real specimens😍👍🏻Adults and children can touch them in person, and there are many animal samples in the cabinet, such as deer antlers, fox skins, etc., which are usually difficult to see and touch😊The visitor center also has free movie screenings, you can learn more about Shiretoko wildlife🤟🏻

Brown bear stone and seaside hot spring in Rausu

The eruption effect is small

Get to see humpback and killer whale; incredible moments

Spring has finally come to Hokkaido! The sunshine is warm during the day, but at night it's back to winter❄️ Be sure to take precautions against the cold and enjoy the flavors of Rausu on the first night🦐

Located in Rausu Town, Shiretoko, Hokkaido, Rausu Seafood Market is a lively spot where fresh seafood just landed by local fishermen is lined up! 🐟 💞Reasons to visit The market is filled with freshly caught fish, octopus, and shellfish, and special tours are held to allow you to see the auction up close. On the tour, you will walk through the market with a guide from the fishing port, experience the excitement of the auction, and enjoy tasting seasonal seafood. 🚗Access About 5 minutes by car from the roadside station "Shiretoko Rausu" Parking lot also available (large bus parking available) General vehicles can enter from the entrance on the Kushiro Shinkin Bank side for smooth access. 🕰️Business hours It is recommended to check business hours and fishing holidays in advance. If you want to taste the bounty of the sea unique to Rausu and feel the energy of the local fishermen, be sure to visit Rausu Seafood Market! #Rausu Seafood Market #Shiretoko #Rausu #Hokkaido Gourmet #Fresh Seafood #Fishing Port #Seafood Tour #Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station #Hokkaido Trip #Food Trip #Enjoy Japan

Rausu's "Kuma no Yu" is a free natural open-air bath surrounded by the virgin forests of the Shiretoko Peninsula. It is a historic hot spring that local fishermen used to relieve their daily fatigue, and is now a popular spot where secret hot spring fans from all over the country gather. 💞Reasons why we recommend it: You can experience a bath with a sense of openness while enjoying the sound of the river and the forest scenery. The spring quality is a sulfur-containing sodium chloride spring, which is effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, and skin diseases. The water is quite hot, but you can adjust the temperature together with the locals, so communication is also one of the fun parts! 🏖️Facilities: There are separate changing rooms for men and women, so women can feel safe. It is free to use and can be used 24 hours a day, but please note that there are times in the early morning when it is closed due to cleaning. It is managed by local volunteers, so please follow the rules such as the "Ten Rules for Bathing in Kumano Yu" and use it with good manners. It is a secret hot spring unique to Rausu, where you can experience the blessings of nature and the warmth of people. #Kumanoyu #Rausu Onsen #Shiretoko #Secret hot spring #Free hot spring #Enjoy Japan

#0 yen trip "◆ Overview "Shiretoko Shokudo" at the roadside station in Rausu is a popular spot where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood. The seafood bowls and seafood are especially delicious! It's the best place to enjoy local flavors. ◆ Impressions The dishes, which used plenty of fresh seafood, were amazing! The seafood in particular was plump and delicious, and you'll never forget it once you've tried it. Eating the seafood bowl while looking at the sea was the best reward 🍣 ◆ Access / Tips - Within walking distance from the center of Rausu City - It gets crowded easily, so it's recommended to visit a little early - You can eat fresh fish purchased directly from local fishermen, so it's a place you'll want to visit regularly"

Quaint port village in east Hokkaido. Nice surroundings and clean place. Fresh sea smell that permeates the air! #Rausu

Rausu Pass (Rausu Toge) is a mountain pass located on the Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido. It forms part of National Route 334, connecting Shari Town and Rausu Town, and is known as the highest point of the Shiretoko Crossing Road. The pass is approximately 738 meters above sea level, and on clear days, you can see the Sea of Okhotsk and Kunashiri Island. Features and Highlights Scenery of the Shiretoko Mountain Range: You can enjoy a panoramic view of mountains such as Mount Rausu and Mount Iou, with beautiful landscapes that change with the seasons. Wildlife: The area is home to wildlife such as brown bears, Ezo deer, and red foxes, and if you're lucky, you might be able to observe them. Autumn Leaves and Fresh Greenery: In autumn, the vibrant fall foliage attracts visitors, while in spring and summer, the fresh greenery is equally captivating. Transportation and Access Due to heavy snowfall, the pass is often closed during the winter season and typically opens from late April to early November. Access is generally by car or tourist bus. Shiretoko Pass is part of the Shiretoko Peninsula, a World Natural Heritage site, and is a popular spot for nature lovers and tourists.

Located in Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, Shiretoko Shokudo is a famous restaurant where you can enjoy fresh seafood caught locally. The size of the conger eel rice bowl and the Atka mackerel will surprise you. Rausu is known as a "treasure trove of seafood," and Shiretoko Shokudo's dishes, especially those using Rausu kelp, are rich in flavor and have a local taste. Rausu has been a fishing region since the Edo period, and whaling and kelp fishing are still alive today, making Shiretoko Shokudo a fascinating place to experience the historic fishing culture and the bounty of nature. #RausuLunch #ShiretokoShokudo #0YenTripAutumn ──────────────────── Store name: Shiretoko Shokudo Address: 361-1 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido Opening hours: 08:00 - 19:00 Price: 1000 yen to 2000 yen ────────────────────

The coast of Rausu, where you can see Kunashiri Island, one of the Northern Territories [Jun's Banya from From the North Country]✨ The banya is faithfully reproduced, and is a must-see for fans of From the North Country❤️ Nostalgic photos from From the North Country are also on display, so you can immerse yourself in the world of the drama. The sea is right in front of you, so it's fun to take a walk around the area♫ I was surprised to see deer walking around like normal😊 💰Price per person: Sea urchin bowl 4,000 yen Kita no Kuni Kara set meal 1,700 yen 📍Location: 2-8 Rebun-cho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido 🕰️Opening hours: 9:00-15:00 Depending on the weather. Closed in winter. #Jun's Banya#From the North Country#Holy Land#Sea Urchin Bowl#Kita no Kuni Kara Set Meal#Rausu#Rausu Lunch#Shiretoko Peninsula #0 Yen Trip

#Sapporo Attractions Luoshan Mountain has a conical crater and cut cliffs, forming a unique and breathtaking landform. Hiking trails wind through forests and rocky terrain, offering views of lush vegetation and stunning volcanic scenery along the way. When reaching the summit, visitors are faced with a dramatic scene - clear blue skies, towering peaks, and a vast crater. The view from inside the crater is equally stunning, with flaming sulfur fumaroles, thick clouds of ash and bizarre geological formations. In addition, there are other volcanic relics such as hot springs and fountains near Luoyue Mountain, making the entire area a magical place that combines many elements such as volcanoes, geology, and nature. Visitors can not only enjoy the magnificent natural scenery here, but also get a close look at the movement mechanism and evolution process of the volcano and gain a unique adventure experience.

We had lunch at Marumi, a restaurant on the seafront, on a group tour. We were impressed by the surprisingly large scallops. The concentrated sea flavor and the thick scallops were extremely delicious. We had heard that the seafood in Rausu, where abundant plankton arrives with drift ice, is delicious, and it was indeed delicious. There was a flyer for lunch (11:00-13:30) on site, so if you are interested, please inquire. [Restaurant] Kaizokutei Restaurant [Accommodation] Rausu no Yado Marumi [Location] 24 Yagihama-cho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido [Access] About 2 minutes walk from "Yagihama bus stop" Date of visit: Mid-February 2024 #Sakura2024 #Travel #Tourism #Hokkaido #Drift ice #Seafood #Lunch #Rausu #Domestic travel

I was surprised at how cheap the fish was. Even in winter, there were many different fish and shellfish from Rausu on display, and I was impressed by the richness of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk. Inside the store, there was a display of the specialty Rausu kelp, and I was amazed at how large it was. This is a facility that can only be found at a store directly managed by the fishing cooperative. If you're visiting Rausu, be sure to stop by. [Name] Seafood Workshop, Directly Operated by the Rausu Fisheries Cooperative Association [Location] 361 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido, adjacent to the roadside station "Shiretoko Rausu" [Business hours] 09:00-18:00 [Closed] Irregular holidays [Name] Roadside Station Shiretoko Rausu [Location] 361-1 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun (along National Route 335) [Business hours] 09:00-17:00 (April-October) 10:00-16:00 (November-March) Visit date: February 2024 #Free Hong Kong Air Ticket #Hokkaido #Rausu #Souvenirs #Seafood #Domestic Travel

If you are going to Shiretoko during the drift ice season, this is a roadside station that you should definitely stop by. You can see drift ice in the sea right in front of you. What's more, you can eat sea urchin even in the middle of winter. It's really recommended as a souvenir or for sightseeing. [Store] Funaki Shoten Ezo Bafun Sea Urchin 500 yen per piece [Name] Roadside Station Shiretoko Rausu [Location] 361-1 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun (along National Route 335) [Opening hours] 09:00-17:00 (April-October) 10:00-16:00 (November-March) Visit date: February 2024 #Sakura2024 #Travel #Hokkaido #Rausu #Shiretoko #Drift ice #Sea urchin