Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Ryuhyo Norokko Train 流氷ノロッコ号

Travelled 06.02.2013

Shiretoko-shari JR Station (0855 hrs) > Abashiri JR Station (1000 hrs)
Fee = 810 yen + 300 yen for reserved seats = 1,100 yen

Another seasonal sightseeing train available only during winter. There are a total of two trains in operation per direction daily. It travels along the section of Senmo line between Shiretoko-shari and Abashiri JR Stations.

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Highlights: 

- This section of Senmo line moves along the circumference of Hokkaido overlooking Okhotsk Sea, which is covered by huge masses of floating drift ice in winter. Similar to other series of "Norokko" trains in Hokkaido, this train moves at a much slower speed of 85 km/h, enabling passengers to get a better view of the vast Okhotsk sea during the journey. In reserved seats carriages, some of the wooden benches are oriented to face the window directly, allowing one to admire the scenery without straining his/her neck. Same train carriages are also seen in Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train, which is in operation between April to September.

- A small stand selling snacks and souvenirs is found in one of the train carriages. One of the most popular food on this train is milk pudding (made by Cafe&Cake 風花, a confectionary shop in Abashiri). Do grab one as soon as possible since only limited number is available on board (only 20 was for sale on the day of my travel). Similar to Fuyu-no-Shitsugen, coal stoves are also available in every train carriage. Decided to give it a try to grill a piece of dried squid over the stove, but the outcome was not to our expectation - found the meat too hard and chewy for our liking.

- Train makes a 10 minutes stop at Kitahama JR Station, the train station closest to Okhotsk Sea. An observatory is erected beside this train station, which offers a panoramic view of the majestic Okhotsk Sea.

- Not forgetting to collect a commemorative stamp before you alight the train!

- Related train information: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/tr026_01.html

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Commemorative stamps:

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 4 Itinerary: Abashiri 網走

Day 4 - 06.02.2013 (Wed)

Breakfast: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi (0745 hrs) > Shiretoko-shari JR Station (0835 hrs)
via Twinkle Bus Utoro-Shiretoko-shari line.
Fee = 1,000 yen

Shiretoko-shari JR Station (0855 hrs) > Abashiri JR Station (1000 hrs)
by Ryuhyo Norokko Train.
Fee = 1,110 yen (reserved seats)
- Train stopped for 10 mins at Kitahama JR Station.

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Check in: Hotel Route Inn Abashiri Ekimae

Abashiri JR Station > Michinoeki Drift Icebreaker Terminal
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 130 yen

Boarded Aurora Drift Icebreaker Cruise at 1100 hrs.
Fee = 3,300 yen

Lunch: Restaurant Daihyogen in Abashiri Central Hotel

Abashiri Bus Terminal > Abashiri Prison Museum
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 280 yen

Abashiri Prison Museum > Abashiri JR Station
via Abashiri Tourist Activity Bus. Fee = 230 yen

Dinner: Sukiya Restaurant, for beef rice bowl.

- End of Day 4 -

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Shiretoko-shari JR Station 知床斜里駅

Shiretoko-shari JR Station (B72), on Senmo main line.
Ryuhyo Norokko Train commutes between Abashiri and Shiretoko-shari train stations during winter season.

Note: There are no lifts and escalators in this train station.
This train station was last renovated in 2007 which explains its modern looking features.

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What's nearby?

(1) Shari Bus Terminal: local buses (Shiretoko line, 知床线) bound for Shiretoko National Park, Utoro Onsen and Rausu, and airport bus bound for Memenbetsu Airport.
Shiretoko line bus schedule: http://www.sharibus.co.jp/r_siretoko.html
Airport bus schedule: http://www.sharibus.co.jp/r_memanbetu.html

View Larger Map

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Commemorative stamps: 

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Shiretoko Aurora Fantasia 知床ファンタジア

Visited 05.02.2013
Year 2013: 05.02.2013 - 12.03.2013

Background: This laser light performance is held in Utoro Onsen annually - a major highlight in Hokkaido during the winter season. The aim of this event was to recreate the magical and beautiful Aurora Borealis, which was once spotted over the night skies of Shiretoko Peninsula back in 1958.

Straws were burnt to generate a "smoke-screen" and beams of colourful laser lights were shone into the smokey skyline. Accompanied by music, the dynamic transformations of laser lights created an amazing and stunning display of Aurora in the dark cold night - did intrigue me to see the real Aurora Borealis in future!

Duration of entire performance was about 20 mins. Tickets can be purchased from hotel front desk. As the event venue was less than 5 mins walk from the hotel we stayed in (Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi), this event came as a great entertainment after a hearty dinner. Do remember to bring your heat packs and don on extra layers of clothing as weather gets extremely chilly in the night.  

- Ended with sea angel bading farewell -

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Shiretoko Aurora Fantasia 知床ファンタジア
斜里町 ウトロ温泉流氷自然公園
Admission Fee = 500 yen
Laser light show starts at 2000 hrs.

より大きな地図で オロンコ岩 を表示

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Video: Showcasing a segment of Aurora Fantasia. Credits to Shari Tourism Association. 
 

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi 知床グランドホテル北こぶし

Stayed 05.02.2013 (1 day)
Booked through Japanican.

- Booked a twin room, inclusive of two meals (dinner and breakfast). Cost 23,520 yen (322 SGD). Was given room which looked out into Okhotsk Sea. Room was very spacious and comfortable. Was warmly welcomed by staffs upon arrival. Warm konbu tea and dried prune were served while waiting for check-in at the lobby.

- One main feature of this hotel is their communal hot spring bathhouse located on the 8th floor, overlooking the vast and magnificent Okhotsk Sea, which is fully covered with drift ice during winter season. Walk up the stairs to access the outdoor hot spring facility - personally preferred the open air one as the indoor one can get humid at times. Towels for usage in the bathhouse are placed in a rattan basket, found in the hotel room. Only sodium chloride hot spring is offered by the hotel.

- Both dinner and breakfast were buffet style. Huge array of food (both Western and Japanese) were provided by the hotel, which made us spoilt for choice. Overall dinning experience was enjoyable.

- Dinner -

- Breakfast -

- Souvenir shops are located on the ground floor of the hotel. Vividly remember that there is Seicomart located just in front of the hotel. Tickets to Aurora Fantasy (laser light show) during the winter season can be purchased directly from the front desk and the event venue is approximately 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Did not manage to explore the area around the hotel as we reached in the evening and had to depart early in the morning. Will love to visit Shiretoko Peninsula again in summer/autumn to explore the national park.

- Limited period Twinkle Bus bound for Utoro Onsen will allow passengers to alight at several major hotels, and this hotel is one of them. Alternatively, take Shari bus (Shiretoko line) from Shari Bus Terminal (beside Shiretoko-shari JR Station) and alight at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal. Hotel is within a few minutes walk from the bus terminal. Bus schedule: http://www.shiretoko.co.jp/access/index.html

Recognition: Was featured in Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012.

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Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi 知床グランドホテル北こぶし
〒099-4355 北海道斜里郡斜里町ウトロ東172番地
http://www.shiretoko.co.jp/english/index.html

View Larger Map

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Commemorative stamp: 

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Oshinkoshin Falls オシンコシンの滝

Visited 05.02.2013

Attraction on Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go Kawayu-Utoro Line.

Oshinkoshin Falls is located on Shiretoko Peninsula. This natural landscape is selected as one of Japan's 100 most beautiful waterfalls.

In winter (late January to early March), one will be able to catch the breathtaking sight of drift ice on Okhotsk Sea!

- Large masses of drift ice on Okhotsk Sea -

- Sunset -

- Overlooking Okhotsk Sea from Oshinkoshin Falls -

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Oshinkoshin Falls オシンコシンの滝

大きな地図で見る

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How to get there? 

(1) JR Twinkle Bus:
- Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go available from Feb to Mar. Fee = 1,000 yen.
- Twinkle Bus Doto Shiretoko/Akan & Doto Akan/Utoro available from July to August.
JR Hokkaido: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

(2) Shari Bus:
- Board Shiretoko line (知床线) from Shari Bus Terminal (beside Shiretoko-shari JR Station) and alight at Oshinkoshin Falls bus stop. Fee = 1,330 yen.
- Sightseeing Bus available from 28 April to 31 Oct. One bus per day. Starts from Shari Bus Terminal and ends at Utoro Onsen. Fee = 1,800 yen.
Refer to bus schedule: http://www.sharibus.co.jp/rosenbus_shiretokosen.html

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Mt Iwo 硫黄山

Visited 05.02.2013

Second attraction on Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go Shibecha-Kawayu Line.

Mt Iwo stands at 512 m tall and is an active volcano. Thick fumes can be seen arising continuously from several spots in the mountain, yet another first hand encounter with a "living" earth (after Jigokudani) right in front of my eyes.

Snow build up was too thick for us to venture closer towards the mountain. Therefore, it was mainly photo taking and snow playing in front of the fuming volcano.

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Mt Iwo/Iou-zan 硫黄山

http://www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/english/sightseeing.html

大きな地図で見る

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How to get there?

(1) JR Twinkle Bus: 
- Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go available from Feb to Mar. Fee = 1,000 yen.
- Twinkle Bus Doto Shitsugen/Shiretoko available from July to August.
JR Hokkaido: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

(2) Sightseeing bus:
- Operated by Akan Bus, this 1 day sightseeing bus departs from Kushiro JR Station and makes a stop at Mt Iwo.
Akan Bus: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/index.html
From April to October: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/s001.html
From January to February: http://www.akanbus.co.jp/sightse/w001.html

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go

Joined 05.02.2013, 06.02.2013

- Shiretoko-go and Sounkyo-go Twinkle buses (from JR Hokkaido website) -

As part of Hokkaido winter tourism campaign, JR company introduces additional bus services (Shiretoko-go and Sounkyo-go Twinkle Buses) between late January to early March, to various destinations in East Hokkaido. These destinations include majestic natural landscapes such as Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo, Mt Iou and Oshinkoshin falls, and hot spring paradise in Sounkyo, Kawayu and Utoro. What I like most about this service is that the departure/arrival timings of these buses are planned to fit into their existing train schedule, therefore allowing passengers to transit between bus and train efficiently!

Tip: Try as much as possible to reserve and purchase the bus tickets early (stated as 3 days beforehand in small prints), preferably at Twinkle Plaza which can be found at major train stations (Sapporo, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Hakodate, Kushiro and Abashiri). Did try to purchase the tickets on the day itself and fortunately was allowed to do that. As this bus service is exclusive to JR passengers only, you may be asked to show your JR Pass or tickets prior purchase.

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Summary: 

Made use of three out of five available routes for Twinkle Bus Shiretoko-go. The fee for each route cost 1,000 yen.

(1) Shibecha - Kawayu Line: 
- SL Fuyu-no-Shitusugen Train from Kushiro arrives at Shibecha JR Station at 1224 hrs.
- Allows passengers to transfer to this bus that departs at 1240 hrs.
- Attractions covered: Lake Mashu and Mt Iou

(2) Kawayu - Utoro Line: 
- Same bus serving Shibecha-Kawayu Line, therefore one do not need to alight or change to another bus if you are continuing the journey to Utoro Onsen.
- Attraction covered: Oshinkoshin Falls

(3) Utoro - Shiretoko-shari Line:
- Bus pick up passengers from hotels in Utoro Onsen between 0735 to 0745 hrs.
- Arrive at Shiretoko-shari JR Station at 0835 hrs to catch Ryuhyo Norokko Train that departs at 0855 hrs.

JR Hokkaido website: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html
Shiretoko-go & Sounkyo-go Twinkle buses (2013 edition): http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/ml201212.pdf

Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Day 3 Itinerary: Utoro Onsen ウトロ温泉

Day 3 - 05.02.2013 (Tue)

Breakfast: Kushiro Royal Inn

Early lunch: Washo Market (和商市场)

Kushiro JR Station (1109 hrs) > Shibecha JR Station (1224 hrs)
by DL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train.
Fee = 1,340 yen

Joined JR Twinkle Bus Course (1240 - 1615 hrs).
(1) Shibecha-Kawayu Line: visited Lake Mashu and Mt Iwo. Fee = 1,000 yen
(2) Kawayu-Utoro Line: visited Oshinkoshi Falls. Fee = 1,000 yen

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Check in: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Dinner: Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi

Watched 27th Shiretoko Aurora Fantasia at 2000 hrs.

- End of Day 3 -