Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station - Hokkaido
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station (道の駅 阿寒丹頂の里) is one of the roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located at 23 Sen-36-1 Akancho Kamiakan, Kushiro City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station |
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Details
If you're planning a scenic drive through Eastern Hokkaido, make sure to stop by Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station — one of the region’s best travel hubs along National Route 240, also known as the Marimo National Highway.
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| Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station - Kushiro City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
Registered as a roadside station on April 16, 1996
(Registration No. 30), it serves as a strategic gateway between Akan
National Park to the north and Kushiro-shitsugen National Park to
the east, making it the ideal base for nature and wildlife explorers.
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| Welcome to Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station |
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| Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station grounds map |
Discover Crane’s Terrace: A Blend of Nature and Architecture
In November 2016, the Information Center
"Tancho no Sato (Crane’s Terrace)" opened its doors to the
public. This beautifully designed building, crafted with local larch wood,
offers a warm and inviting space for visitors. Inside, you’ll find a Tourist
Concierge Desk where knowledgeable staff provide expert travel advice and
information about Kushiro, Akan, and the Tancho no Sato area.
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station facade
Local Flavors and Souvenirs: A Taste of Kushiro
The Specialty Products Sales Corner is a must-visit
for anyone seeking to experience the region's unique tastes and flavors. From locally
sourced meats and fresh vegetables to unique sweets and handcrafted goods,
there’s plenty to take home or enjoy on the go. Don’t miss the Ezo deer
burger or a refreshing soft-serve ice cream, perfect for a quick
snack on your road trip.
Inside Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station
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| Men's toilet area |
Relax and Recharge at Red Beret Hot Spring
Extend your stay with a visit to Red Beret, a natural
hot spring inn located within the roadside station complex. Here, you can
soak in 100% natural onsen water that flows directly from the source,
known for its skin-smoothing and body-warming properties. After your bath, dine
at Restaurant Tsuru, where you can savor local dishes such as Ezo
deer steaks, prepared with seasonal Hokkaido ingredients.
A Surprise for Pokémon Fans
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| The Kushiro City Pokémon manhole cover is installed here |
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| The Kushiro Pokémon manhole cover features Alolan Vulpix and Decidueye |
For those traveling with kids — or Pokémon fans of all ages
— the Kushiro Pokémon manhole cover is a charming surprise. Installed on
the station grounds, this exclusive design features Alolan Vulpix and
Decidueye, making it a fun photo spot and a unique part of your Hokkaido
Pokémon manhole hunt.
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Stamp
| Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Digital Stamp |
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| Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Stamp |
Team Nicerio visits Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station
Visiting all the roadside stations is one of the secondary
goals of our ambitious Hokkaido 179 journey, which aims to explore all 179
municipalities in the prefecture. My family and I stopped at Akan Tancho no
Sato Roadside Station for the first time on September 18, 2023, during the third day of
our “3-Day Respect for the Aged Road Trip.” This visit also marked my 686th day
in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. My daughter and I didn’t miss the
roadside station stamp for our collection. This roadside station was the last in our itinerary. Aside from the roadside stamp, we also made
sure to have a photo taken with the Kushiro Pokémon manhole cover that was
installed in the roadside station grounds.
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Fees
It’s FREE to park, enter, and use some of the facilities of
the roadside station. However, it is highly recommended that you bring cash in
case you want to buy souvenirs or refreshments sold in the roadside station.
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station Operating Hours
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station is open from 9:00 AM to
6:00 PM between May and September, and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM between October
and April. The restaurant operates daily from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with last
orders taken at 8:00 PM.
Why visit Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station?
Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station offers something for
every traveler — from relaxing natural hot springs and delicious local
delicacies to expert travel guidance and fun discoveries like the Pokémon
manhole cover. Its prime location between two national parks, along with its
warm hospitality and regional charm, makes it an essential stop on any Eastern
Hokkaido road trip.
Getting to Akan Tancho no Sato Roadside Station
From Kushiro Station, head out and go to the Kushiro Station Bus Terminal. Once there, board the Akan Line (Summer) [30] Lake Akan Bus Center (via Tottori Boulevard, Orakumo Station, Kushiro Airport, Akan Town, and Tancho Village) bus operated by the Akan Bus Company.
Board down at Tancho-No-Sato bus stop.
Travel time: 1 hour and 16 minutes
Fare: 1,480
Ratings
| Cleanliness |
| Overall ratings |
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