Nemuro

Understand

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site (including Russian!).

Getting there

By train 1 Nemuro Station (根室駅). (updated Sep 2025) is the terminus of the Nemuro Main Line and the easternmost railway station in Japan. Service is sparse: There are only 5 trains daily from Kushiro and, apart from the once daily rapid Hanasaki (2h), all are local services (2h 30min). Do note that Higashi-Nemuro Station, the former easternmost station in Japan, was closed in March 2025.

By plane Nakashibetsu Airport (SHB IATA) has shuttle service from Sapporo (Chitose) and Tokyo (Haneda). Kushiro Airport also has flights from Sapporo and Tokyo, and with more flights, it may be more convenient.

Getting around

1 Nemuro Sightseeing Information Center (根室観光インフォメーションセンター), 光和町２丁目１０ (20m from JR Nemuro Station.), ☏ +81 153 24-3104, fax: +81 153 24-7811, [email protected]. The staff here can help you find directions, things to do, lodging, and food. They have free maps, too. There is also a small gift shop. Scheduled Tour Bus "Nosappu" (定期観光バス「のさっぷ号」), JR Nemuro Station (bus ticket booth inside station), ☏ +81 153 24-3104. May to October, 08:25 to 10:40 (Route A) & 10:45 to 13:30 (Route B). The tours are closely timed to meet the Rapid trains from Kushiro. Route A starts at 08:25 and circles the eastern end of the peninsula, stopping 45 min at Cape Nosappu and 20 min at Kotohira (Konpira) Shrine (which overlooks Nemuro harbor), then returns to the train station at 10:40, in time for the 11:12 Rapid train to Kushiro. Route B starts at 10:45 and circles the western end of the peninsula, stopping at the Hanasaki Lighthouse Kurumaishi (wheel stone), the Shunkuni-tai Wild Bird Nature Center, and other spots along the coast, then returns to the station at 13:30. The young tour guides are very informative, at least in Japanese. ¥1850/adult, ¥930/child (Route A); ¥1030/adult, ¥520/child (Route B); ¥2260/adult, ¥1130/child (Routes A&B).

See

1 Cape Nosappu (納沙布岬 Nosappu-misaki). Japan's easternmost point. The lighthouse here is the oldest in Hokkaido (built in 1872), and perhaps the most photographed. Behind the lighthouse is a birdwatching hide. Many monuments to the former Japanese residents of the Kurile archipelago (now under Russian control) can be found at lookout points along the shore. On clear days, you can see Russia, or at least the nearest of the Kuril Islands. 2 Hoppo-kan (北方館), 納沙布３６−６ (near the large tower at Cape Nosappu), ☏ +81 153 28-3277, fax: +81 153 28-3280. 09:00-17:00. The small museum of the North (北方 hoppou) provides some history of Cape Nosappu, Nemuro, and the formerly Japanese Kuril Islands: Habomai, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Etorofu. Adjoining it is the House of Nostalgia (望郷の家 boukyou no ie) for life on those islands. There are maps, photos, and telescopes. Nearby stands the Bridge to the Four Islands (四島のかけ橋 shima no kakehashi), a large archway with a permanent flaming torch. This whole area, with its buildings, monuments, and lookouts, makes up the Cape of Nostalgia Park (望郷の岬公園 boukyou no misaki kouen).. Free. 3 Nemuro Peninsula Chashi. The Ainu built over 500 Chashi, often referred to as forts/castles, during the 16th-18th centuries all over Hokkaido Island. With 30 of them here, the Nemuro Peninsula has the largest concentration of chashi. Twenty-four of these chashi have been labeled National Historic Sites and are also the first entry on Japan's Top 100 Castles list, so efforts have been made to preserve them. The chashi were built by the ocean near cliffs, mostly semi-circular in shape but sometimes rectangular, with only mud walls and a moat separating them from the outside. Their purpose is still debated. Some believe they were built for rituals and only used as forts when necessary or in later periods while others believe they were built specifically in preparation for war with the Japanese. In spite of their designations, many of the sites are unmarked or inacc

Eat

Even within Japan Nemuro is renowned for its fish and is a contender for one of the best dining destinations in Hokkaido. Sanma and Hanasaki crab are local delicacies which also merit their own festivals. There is a surprisingly wide array of cuisines and eateries in this otherwise quiet and far-flung town.

1 Lake Sunset (レイクサンセット), 東梅２１８−６ (on the north side of Highway 44 about 10 km west of central Nemuro), ☏ +81 153 25-3510, fax: +81 153 25-3510. This restaurant also has cabins for rent. It is located on the edge of a large lake, which makes for good bird watching. There are even binoculars at the tables for customers to use while waiting for food to arrive. ¥1000-2000. 2 Sushihan (鮨半), 大正町２丁目４１ (on the corner of Highway 44 and Ekimae Dori, 2 blocks N of Nemuro Station), ☏ +81 153 24-4233. This small sushi restaurant serves standard sushi fare and the locally popular sea urchin (uni-don). Lunch special ¥900. Nemuro Hanamaru (根室花まる), 35番地9丁目花園町 (on the main road into town, about a 10-minute walk from Nemuro Station), ☏ +81 153-24-1444. 11：00-22：00. Nemuro's finest kaiten-sushi restaurant serving extremely fresh locally caught fish. Very popular with locals, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, waits possible, but worth it. The chain (English page)has many branches in other areas of Hokkaido and even in Tokyo, but this is the original and the best! My Wing (マイウイング), 光和町１丁目２３ (a 2-minute walk from Nemuro Station), ☏ +81 153-24-7337. Tu-F 11:00-21:00, Su 12:00-21:00; closed on M and 2nd and 4th Su. A cosy log cabin restaurant and coffee house with eclectic décor. The wood burning stove is particularly welcome in winter. Serves mostly western food adapted for Japanese tastes. The Yaki Curry is a particular recommendation, as are the seasonal desserts. Also sells and grinds an original blend of coffee beans.

Drink & nightlife

1 Satin Doll (サテンドール), 大正町１丁目２４ (between Nemuro Station and Highway 44 on the east side of the road.), ☏ +81 153 24-8052. 10:00-22:00. This is a coffee shop that also serves alcohol. It plays jazz music all the time, and has a relaxing ambiance. Coffee ¥400.

Sleep

As with much of Hokkaido, tent campers should feel free to set up tent after dark at a public rest area or parking area. If the tent is taken down before 9AM, nobody will mind.

1 Lake Sunset (レイクサンセット), 東梅２１８−６ (on the north side of Highway 44 about 10km west of central Nemuro.), ☏ +81 153 25-3510, fax: +81 153 25-3510. This place has many cabins for rental. There are cabins for 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, or 6-8 people. There is also an attached restaurant. Depending on cabin size, ¥3800 per person, ¥800 for breakfast.

Go next

Hamanaka Akkeshi Kushiro Shiranuka Betsukai Nakashibetsu Shibetsu Shibecha Tsurui