Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train, Easy rail trip to Kushiro Marsh for everyone.

Kushiro Shitsugen (Kushiro marsh) is national park and has the largest marsh wetland in Japan. It is well known as the home of endangered Japanese Cranes. JR Hokkaido’s Senmo line goes through this wetland and gives you a great scenery. Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train is operated on this line from late April to late September. This is the easiest way to enjoy a day excursion in Kushiro Shitsugen from Kushiro. And Kushiro can be reached by Limited Express Super Ozora from Sapporo easily. Both Super Ozora and Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass.

Let’s see the detail about this train.

Route and schedule

 

Hotels in Kushiro
Hotels in Sapporo

Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train is operated between Kushiro and Toro. This train usually start to run in late April and it runs until September. Please find the latest operation dates at Seasonal trains information.

All trains are connected with Limited Express Super Ozora at Kushiro. Even though it is super tight, a day trip from Sapporo to Kushiro marsh can be made.

Norokko is a combination word of “Noroi” and “Torokko” in Japanese. “Noroi” means very slow. Torokko originally means an openair car. This is very popular type of fleet for a cruising train during summer time. On the other hand, this train does not give you any luxury atmosphere. There are the wood bench seats only. But you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fresh air from the nature of Hokkaido.

The train crew is on board. They guide about Kushiro marshland (in Japanese) and sell drinks, snacks and souvenirs. Hosooka view point is one of the best point to see Kushiro marshland. It is 20 minutes away from Kushiro Shitsugen station. Be careful that it is not from Hosooka station.

Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train is extended to operate until October. And also the train goes to Kawayu Onsen from Kushiro via Kushiro marsh.

Operation dates

Please check the latest information at Seasonal trains Schedule.

View Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko in a larger map

Accommodation and train formation

This train is operated by open air observation car (=Torokko in Japanese). But this train has one regular seat car. There are reserved seat and non reserved. But the accommodations are completely same. There are the wood bench seat except one regular seat car (non reserved car).

Images

Train formation

R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat NR(R)=Non reserved ordinary seat (Regular seat car)