Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station - Hokkaido

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station (道の駅 知床·らうす) is one of the roadside stations of Hokkaido. It is located along National Road 335 at 361-1 Honcho in the town of Rausu, Menashi District, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station details

Located along National Route 335, Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station is a must-visit stop on the Rausu side of the Shiretoko Peninsula, registered as an official roadside station on August 27, 1999 (Registration No. 63). 

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station - Rausu town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Conveniently located between the Nemuro Strait and the towering Mount Rausu (1,661 meters), this travel hub offers visitors an immersive experience in nature, culture, and cuisine — all while serving as a launching point for exploring the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Shiretoko.

Welcome to Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

A Scenic and Strategic Location

Rausu is known as a "castle town of fish," thanks to its rich fishing traditions and abundant marine resources. From the station’s observation area, travelers can take in sweeping views of Kunashiri Island and the Northern Territories across the sea, while behind lies the rugged, untamed wilderness of Mount Rausu, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains. The area is a paradise for wildlife lovers, where brown bears roam the mountains, and killer whales patrol the seas, making Rausu a rare place where apex predators dominate both land and water.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station Facade

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station facade

道の駅 知床·らうす

Seafood Capital of Eastern Hokkaido

Rausu is one of the world’s most fertile fishing grounds, offering fresh seafood year-round. Depending on the season, you can enjoy:

• Winter: Ezo Bafun sea urchins, Alaska pollock
• Spring: Tokishirazu salmon
• Summer: Rausu kelp, grape shrimp
• Autumn: Autumn salmon (Keiji salmon), squid

Saw these Pacific Cod being sold at the roadside station

Nearby restaurants and accommodations make the most of these local specialties, offering travelers a true taste of Shiretoko's ocean bounty.

What to See and Do at Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

What makes Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station more than just a rest stop is its wide range of facilities and its strong local character. It serves as a convenient travel base for visitors exploring the Shiretoko Peninsula and offers various amenities to enhance your journey.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station lobby

The rest area and the souvenir shop area of the roadside station

On the first floor, you'll find the Shiretoko Rausu Tourist Information Center (TEL: 0153-87-3330), which is the perfect place to plan your adventure. The friendly staff provides maps, sightseeing schedules, updates on seasonal activities, and helpful recommendations for local dining and attractions. A large bulletin board shares real-time information on whale watching, bird watching, and trekking tours around Rausu.

Photos inside Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

For only 100 yen, you can get a pin of Raufisher. Rausu's mascot

Of course, you can buy some Raufisher products

For those looking to bring home a taste of Rausu, there are several seafood and souvenir shops within the roadside station. The Rausu Fisheries Cooperative Association Direct Store: Seafood Workshop (TEL: 0153-87-3542), Marudai Abe Shoten Co., Ltd. (TEL: 0153-87-2094), and Funaki Shoten Co., Ltd. (TEL: 0153-87-5666) all offer an impressive selection of local products. These include freshly caught seafood, high-quality Rausu kelp, dried fish, and unique local delicacies from this historic fishing town.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station Stamp

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station's digital stamp

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station's stamp

When it’s time for a meal, head to the Shiretoko Shokudo, a beloved restaurant also located on the first floor of the roadside station. Here, you can enjoy local dishes such as sashimi set meals, Rausu Atka mackerel teishoku, and kinki (nime) fish set meals. The restaurant is popular with both locals and tourists for its hearty servings and the freshness of its ingredients, making it a must-try spot for an authentic taste of Rausu.

Team Nicerio visits Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

Visiting all the roadside stations is one of the secondary goals of our Hokkaido 179 journey, where we aim to explore all 179 municipalities in the prefecture. My family and I stopped at Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station for the first time on September 17, 2023, during the second day of our “3-Day Respect for the Aged Road Trip.” This visit also marked my 685th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. My daughter and I didn’t miss the roadside station stamp for our collection. It was our last roadside station for the day.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station Fees

It’s FREE to park, enter, and use some of the roadside station facilities like the toilet and the WIFI. However, it’s recommended that you bring cash just in case you want to buy a souvenir from the roadside station shop or try the delicious food from Shiretoko Shokudo.

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station Operating Hours

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station is open from 9 AM to 5 PM (April to October) and 10 AM to 4 PM (November to March). Keep in mind that you won’t be able to press the roadside station stamp when the roadside station is closed.

Why visit Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station?

Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station is the ideal place to rest, shop, and learn more about the treasures of eastern Hokkaido. From stunning views and fascinating wildlife to unbeatable seafood and friendly service, this station has everything to enhance your Shiretoko adventure.

Getting to Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station

 

From Shiretoko Shari Station, head to the Shari Bus Terminal and board the Shiretoko Line bus bound for Shiretoko Goko, operated by the Shari Bus Company.

Get off at the Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal and transfer to the Rausu Line bus bound for Rausu, also operated by the Shari Bus Company.

Disembark at the Rausu Bus Stop. From there, it’s about a 1-kilometer walk to the Shiretoko Rausu Roadside Station.

Travel time: 2 hours and 14 minutes

Fare: 3,030 yen

 

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