10 Things to Do in Kutchan
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| 10 Things to Do in Kutchan |
Kutchan (倶知安町) is a town located in the Shiribeshi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan, renowned for being one of the snowiest places on Earth. The name of the town is believed to come from the Ainu language, reflecting the pronunciation of the Ainu term ku-shan-i, which translates roughly to “the place where the channel flows.” However, some suggest that it may also derive from Kucha-an-nai, meaning “stream of a hunting lodge.”
For those planning to visit the town to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Kutchan:
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| Kutchan manhole cover |
1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Kutchan. So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole cover in the town. It's commonly found in different parts of the town.
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| Kutchan Shrine |
2. Visit the Kutchan Shrine (倶知安神社). It’s the main shrine of Kutchan. You can pay your respects and offer prayers here at any time of the day. Don’t forget to avail yourself of the shrine’s goshuin if you are collecting them.
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| Lerch Memorial Park |
3. Stroll around Lerch Memorial Park (レルヒ記念公園). This park is dedicated to Theodor von Lerch, who was a major in the Austro-Hungarian Army. He is considered the pioneer of alpine ski instructor in Japan. The park isn’t that vast, but it has a clean toilet and a playground. What makes this park stand out is that it has a good view of Mt. Yotei.
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| 六花 RIKKA |
4. Dine at Roku Hana Rikka (六花 RIKKA). This Japanese restaurant offers amazing omakase. Aside from that, the oyster is also a must-try. Heads up, though, some dishes are a bit pricey.
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| Shu Ogawara Museum of Art |
5. Visit Shu Ogawara Museum of Art (小川原脩記念美術館). It has a good collection of art made by local artists. If you love art, then its exhibits are all worth checking out. This museum also has a good view of Mt. Yotei.
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| Kutchan Museum of Natural History |
6. Visit the Kutchan Museum of Natural History (倶知安風土館). It’s a place to learn about the history of the town. There is a plethora of exhibits that make you feel that you have traveled back in time.
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| Zaborin Ryokan |
7. Stay overnight at Zaborin Ryokan (坐忘林). The kaiseki breakfast is superb, and the onsen experience is top-notch. What I like about this place is that it is on the outskirts of the town and is surrounded by nature. Heads up, this place is very pricey.
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| Hangetsu Lake |
8. Explore the crescent-shaped Hangetsu Lake (半月湖) within Hangetsukohan Nature Park (半月湖畔自然公園). It's a tranquil and picturesque spot. However, to truly appreciate the lake's distinctive shape, you'll need a drone for an aerial view.
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| Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu |
9. Ski at Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu (ニセコ東急 グラン・ヒラフ). Despite the name, this place is actually in Kutchan and not in Niseko. It’s one of the most popular ski resorts in Kutchan.
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| Mt. Yotei |
10. Explore Mt. Yotei (羊蹄山) by hiking its trails or simply admiring its beauty from various spots around Kutchan. One option is the Lake Hangetsu Trail, which offers stunning views but includes some challenging sections along the way.
I hope my list of the 10 Things to Do in Kutchan gave you an idea and inspiration to visit this picturesque town in the Shiribeshi Subprefecture of Hokkaido.
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#KutchanHokkaido
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