Nemuro

By train

Nemuro Station (根室駅) is the final stop on the JR Nemuro Main Line, called the Hanasaki Line between Kushiro and Nemuro. Service is sparse: two daily rapid trains (just over two hours from Kushiro) and six locals (just over three hours). Add on another four hours from Sapporo. Those who want to make a day trip from Kushiro to Nemuro and back should board the Hanasaki Rapid train leaving Kushiro at 05:55 (arr. 08:13) or 11:13 (arr. 13:38) and departing Nemuro at 11:12 (arr. 13:20) or 21:44 (arr. 23:53).
The second-to-last stop, Higashi-Nemuro Station (東根室駅), may be of interest to train buffs as the easternmost station in all of Japan. Several of the train cars and stations along the Hanasaki Line are emblazoned with characters from the Lupin III manga series, whose creator, Monkey Punch (Kazuhiko Katō), was born in Hamanaka, about halfway between Kushiro and Nemuro.

By plane

Nakashibetsu Airport (SHB) has shuttle service to Sapporo (Chitose) and Tokyo (Haneda).

• Nemuro Sightseeing Information Center

  address: 光和町２丁目１０
  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"

  phone: +81 153 24-3104
  address: JR Nemuro Station
  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.

• Cape NosappuJapan'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.

• Hoppo-kan

  phone: +81 153 28-3277
  address: 納沙布３６−６
  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).

• Hanasaki Lighthouse and KurumaishiHanasaki Port, visible from the lighthouse, is one of Japan's most productive fishing ports. The Kurumaishi (wheel stone) is a unique radial rock formation 6m in diameter.

• Shunkuni-tai Wild Bird Nature Center & Lake FurenShunkuni-tai and Furen-ko constitute site no. 1542 on Japan's Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance. Furen-ko is a brackish lagoon and estuary of the Furen River that has developed into a vast saltmarsh. Shunkuni-tai consists of ancient sand dunes covered by a forest of Sakhalin Spruce (Picea glehnii). Among the hundreds of bird species recorded here are the endangered Japanese Crane (Grus japonensis) and Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus), and the rare White-tailed Sea Eagle, Steller's Eagle, Black Woodpecker, and Blakiston's Fish Owl. Shunkuni-tai Wildbird Nature Center attracts 10,000 visitors annually, and various nature observation programs by local NGOs and other organizations.

• Cape OchiishiCape Ochiishi is about 21 km southeast of Nemuro City on the Pacific coast. Strong waves lash the shore, and seals and sea otters can sometimes be seen in the seas below the powerful lighthouse (visible up to 35 km away in clear weather). The long walk to and from JR Ochiishi Station passes fields of wildflowers in the summer, with azaleas in full flower in June.

• Meiji Koen

  address: Meiji-cho 1-chome
  This Nemuro city park features three red-brick silos that date from the 1930s, the second oldest in Japan. They are emblematic of the growth of the local dairy industry and, more generally, Japan's rush to modernize its economy after the end of the Tokugawa era and the beginning of the Meiji period.

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.

• Lake Sunset

  address: 東梅２１８−６
  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.

• Sushihan

  address: 大正町２丁目４１
  This small sushi restaurant serves standard sushi fare and the locally popular sea urchin (uni-don).

• Hanamaru

  address: 35番地9丁目花園町
  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. There are also branches in Sapporo and Nakashibetsu, but this is the original and the best!

• My Wing

  address: 光和町１丁目２３
  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 deserts. Also sells and grinds an original blend of coffee beans.

• Satin Doll

  address: 大正町１丁目２４
  This is a coffee shop that also serves alcohol. It plays jazz music all the time, and has a relaxing ambiance.

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.

• Lake Sunset

  address: 東梅２１８−６
  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.