Canonical page: /p/japan/kushiro-city/ Collected: 2026-10-18 JSON: /p/japan/kushiro-city/index.json [Ports](/ports/) Japan # Kushiro City [About the port](/p/japan/kushiro-city/)[Timetable](/p/japan/kushiro-city/timetable/2026-10/) Getting ashore Terminal by Fisherman's Wharf Into town Walk to the town centre Best starting point Fisherman's Wharf Currency [Japanese yen - JPY](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=JPY) ## Getting ashore The cruise terminal is in the centre of town, next to Fisherman's Wharf, in a new earthquake-resistant building. Larger ships that cannot reach the terminal dock at the 4th wharf in the West Area, a detail dating from 2024. Port Kushiro was established as an open port in July 1899 for trade with the United States and the United Kingdom, and the harbour stays ice-free in winter. Check the ship's notice for the exact berth, since the terminal arrangements may have changed. ## For walkers and architecture fans Kushiro is the capital of the Kushiro subprefecture and the most populous city in eastern Hokkaido, on both banks of the mouth of the Kushiro River. Its natural harbour has become a large commercial and fishing port that serves the coalfield worked nearby. Fisherman's Wharf is a tourism complex with a market, souvenir shops and restaurants, and it is a good place to start. From the wharf, walk to Nusamai Bridge, which has street lights and bronze statues of the four seasons. Lake Harutori is the largest lake within a city and is good for a stroll. The Kushiro City Museum is housed in a building that resembles a crane spreading its wings, and it is well worth a visit. ## For nature and outdoor fans Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, about 269 km², became a national park in 1987. It is known for wetlands and Japan's largest reedbeds, and it is home to the Japanese crane, which was thought extinct seventy years ago and is now protected. The park has a great view of the Pacific Ocean, and it is the best place to start a tour. The Kushiro River, 154 km long, starts at Lake Kussharo and is crossed by the park. Akan Mashu National Park, about 905 km², is known for volcanic craters, forests, clear lakes, hot springs and marimo, the lake balls. Both are reached by bus excursions from Kushiro, and the tour train through the Shitsugen wetlands is well worth riding. ## For shoppers Shops and department stores are generally open daily, except New Year, from about 10:00 or 10:30 to 19:30 or 20:00. Some specialty shops close on Sundays and national holidays, and department stores may close one day a week on an irregular basis. These hours date from 2024, so check on the day. The market at Fisherman's Wharf is the place for souvenirs. ## For eaters and drinkers The market at Fisherman's Wharf has restaurants next to the souvenir shops, so it is the easiest place to eat. Beautiful surroundings and lush forests greet visitors on arrival. ## Getting around and money Kushiro Airport is about 17 km northwest of downtown. It handles only domestic flights, with direct routes to Tokyo, Sapporo and Osaka, so air travel from abroad connects through another Japanese city. Super Ozora express trains link Kushiro with Sapporo, with 7 daily departures. JR Hokkaido runs the Nemuro Line and the Senmo Line. The city zoo is about 50 minutes by bus. Book the national park bus excursions through the ship or an operator, and keep the all-aboard time in mind for any longer trip out of town. The currency is the yen. Notes come in ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000, with coins of ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1. ATMs can usually withdraw from overseas accounts, and post offices have ATMs too. Major cards are taken in large urban areas, but Japan is still very much a cash society, so carry enough cash for rural areas. Tipping is not the custom, so do not tip. ## Accessibility & mobility The sources do not describe step-free routes or accessible transport in Kushiro. The wharf and the bridge are in the town centre, but no accessibility details appear in the archive or the wiki, so ask the ship about the berth and any accessible tour options before you go ashore. Plan your call ## Who's in port? 3 calls in the collected schedule. [View timetable](/p/japan/kushiro-city/timetable/2026-10/) ## Maps & transport - [Cruise port on Google MapsTerminal by Fisherman's Wharf ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=42.9840558252785,144.369878768921) - [Port wiki on CruiseMapperPort wiki with park excursions ↗](https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/kushiro-city-port-401?tab=wiki) ## Useful links - [WhatsInPort port guide (archived 2024)Archive copy, not current ↗](https://www.whatsinport.com/Kushiro.htm) - [CruiseMapper port wikiPort wiki and calendar ↗](https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/kushiro-city-port-401?tab=wiki) - [Convert yen to your currencyDaily reference rates ↗](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=JPY)