http://www.kushiro-artmu.jp/english/

The Kushiro Art Museum was built on the Kushiro River.

which flows under the Nusamai Bridge in the downtown area of Kushiro City.

The building itself has two symbolic expressions which represent the characteristic spaciousness and freedom experienced in the Kushiro region.

The roof is one long panorama　supported by wide walls of glass facing the river. The brick walls on the street side were built from historical brick preserved from the old warehouses that were once the hub of Kushiro Port.

These contrasting designs symbolize the ambition of the museum: to bridge the past and the future of artistic culture.

The first floor of the building houses the lobby and the main functional facilities, and the second floor houses the public reading area and outside terrace.

The glass walls allow plenty of sunshine in, especially in the autumn and winter, and the terraces facilitate a continuation of space between the inside and outside environments. The design of the building gives one the impression that the museum is open to the community and wishes to harmonize with its environment.

Nusamai Bridge

This is the 5th incarnation of Nusamai Bridge, completed in 1976. There are statues at various points along the railings symbolising each of the four seasons. It was the first bridge in Japan to have statues on it, and even now is a famous Kushiro tourist attraction.

It is a lovely bridge with beautiful statues on each side, worth a stroll. 

Robata-yaki barbecue

Breakfast at Washo Market (Katte-don)

Ride the Kushiro Shitsugen (Marsh) Norroko-go train

From this big observatory you can see the Kushiro River wind its way through the massive and unspoiled Kushiro Marsh, ending at the Akan Volcanic Complex. The area's most iconic scenery.

Lake Mashu (摩周湖) (Ainu: Kamuy-to) is a endorheic crater lake formed in the caldera of a potentially active volcano. It is located in Akan National Park on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. The lake has been called the clearest lake in the world.

One of the mountains formed by the crater of an eruption 1700 years ago, it is called Atosanupuri (Naked Mountain) in the Ainu language because of the bare rock on its surface, and to this day it is an active volcano.

Lake Kussharo sightseeing + Sand baths experience

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

http://sunayu.teshikaga.asia/

NOTE：Ainucotan has a variety of souvenir and folk craft shops selling wood carvings and all kinds of other traditional Ainu items, and various other activities to keep Ainu culture alive. At Onnechise (The Big House), is dedicated to important Ainu cultural assets, and you can see traditional Ainu dancing. Opening periods and hours depend on the shop.

This sightseeing boat around Lake Akan is Akan’s most popular tour. From the boat you can see the unspoiled primitive forest that shows natural beauty in each season. The autumn leaves are particularly impressive. At the Spherical Moss Exhibition and Observation Center on Churui Island, you can see real Moss Ball known as Marimo, a natural treasure in Japan. You can also take the same tour in a motorboat.

http://www.akankisen.com/_eng/index.html

The biggest hot spring village in Taisetsuzan National Park, Sounkyo Hot Spring is located roughly in the middle of a 24km gorge with massive cliffs, with rows of hotels and inns. The village has a stunning natural beauty all year round, and around 3 million tourists come every year.

Kamikawa Tourism Department: 01658-2-1211 Accommodation Information: 01658-5-3350

spring qualities:Sulfur springs

The biggest hot spring village in Taisetsuzan National Park, Sounkyo Hot Spring is located roughly in the middle of a 24km gorge with massive cliffs, with rows of hotels and inns. The village has a stunning natural beauty all year round, and around 3 million tourists come every year.

Kamikawa Tourism Department: 01658-2-1211 Accommodation Information: 01658-5-3350

spring qualities:Sulfur springs

NOTE：http://www.sounkyo.net/english/

NOTE：With cliffs towering over you on both sides of the river, you'll feel like you're in a big box, which is how Obako (Japanese for "big box") got its name.

From the penguin house where you can see penguins all around you from an underwater tunnel, to the polar bear tunnel where you can see the mighty polar bears swimming, there’s plenty to see. In June 2008, a massive Wolf Forest was opened, where you can see three Mackenzie Valley wolves. With the concept of the visitor quietly walking through the wolves’ forest, the attraction challenges our idea of what nature is. There is even a park, so families can enjoy a leisurely day here. For information on admission and which days the zoo is open, see the official web page.

NOTE：Shopping in Asahikawa