Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus 2027 winter | Utoro → Shibecha No.6

Operation period

January 29 – February 28, 2027
Service available on SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train operating days only.

Time table

Boarding / alighting place	Arrival time	Departure time	Get on / off	Sightseeing
Respective Hotels in Utoro Onsen ※1		8:30~8:40	Get on
Michi no Eki Utoro Shiretoku		8:45	Get on
Oshinkoshin Falls	8:55	9:10	No	Sightseeing for 15 mins
Respective Hotels in Kawayu Onsen ※2	10:40	10:40	Get on	Get off
Mt. Io	10:45	11:05	No	Sightseeing for 20 mins
Roadside Station Mashu Onsen	11:25	11:45	No	Sightseeing for 20 mins
Mashu Station	11:50		Get off
Shibecha Station (Connected to SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train from 14:00)	12:20		Get off

※Operates only on SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train operating days.
※SL Winter Wetland issue Shibecha 14:00 departure (2026 time)
※1 You can choose from KITAKOBUSHI SHIRETOKO Hotel & Resort, KIKI SHIRETOKO NATURAL RESORT, and Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel
※2 You can choose from Kawayu Kanko Hotel, Oyado Kinkiyu Bettei Suikazura

Route Map

Ride fare

Utoro
4,600[2,300]	Kawayu
5,000[2,500]	-	Mashu
5,400[2,700]	3,400[1,700]	Shibecha

Child fares are shown in brackets. (Child fares apply to one child per adult.)

Each price includes a drift ice zero carbon cooperation fee of 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children.
The Drift Ice Zero Carbon Cooperation Fund will be used to protect drift ice and the natural environment around it.
Click here for details.

booking calendar

Click on your preferred date to go to the reservation page.

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Jan.

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Mar.

Operating Period

Out of Service Period

January 29 – February 28, 2027
Service available on SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train operating days only.

Route points

POINT 1

You may transfer to SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train after arriving at JR Shibecha Station. Note: Advance booking is required.

POINT 2

The bus will stop by Oshinkoshin Falls, which is one of the Shiretoko's 8 scenic spots called Shiretoko Hakkei.

POINT 3

The bus will stop by Mt. Io. You can see it blowing up steam of sulfur even in winter.

Request when boarding

※ Child Age Eligibility: Ages 3–11
※ Reservation Required. Please book via the button below by 17:00, three days prior to your travel date. Reservations may not be accepted if seats are fully booked.
※ Depending on the number of passengers, the service may operate with a jumbo taxi or standard taxi (except on Bus 4 and 5).
※ For same-day inquiries and travel agencies: e-mail: info-inbound@kosokubus.com (10:00–17:00, Monday–Friday)
※ This bus service is exclusively for guests staying at one of our partner Express Bus Hotels (minimum one night during your travel period). You can view the list of designated hotels here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations

When is the booking deadline?

For Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, reservations are accepted until 5:00 PM, three days before departure.
Vehicle types are determined seven days before departure based on the number of reservations. Seats may no longer be available for last-minute bookings, so we recommend booking early.
Depending on the number of passengers, a minibus or taxi may be used.
For Routes 4 and 5, reservations are accepted until 5:00 PM, five days before departure.

Is the drift ice cruise included in the bus fare?

No, the drift ice cruise is not included in the bus fare. Tickets may be available on the day, but as the cruise can sell out, we recommend booking directly with the cruise operator in advance.

Can I use the bus without staying at a partner facility?

Use of a partner facility is required to board the Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus. When boarding, please present documentation or a booking confirmation email showing that you have used or plan to use a partner facility.

Can I reserve a specific seat?

All seats are unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seat reservations are not available.

Is there a waiting list in case of any cancellations?

Unfortunately, we do not have a waiting list for this service.

Do I need a ticket to board?

Please present proof of your stay or upcoming stay at a partner accommodation to the driver, such as a booking confirmation email, accommodation voucher, or receipt.

Is there a discounted fare for passengers with disabilities?

Unfortunately, discounted fares for passengers with disabilities are not available. Thank you for your understanding.

Can I pay on the day of departure?

Advance payment is required. Payment on the day of departure is not accepted.

After Making a Reservation

What should I do if my flight, train, or ferry is canceled and I can't board the bus?

Please contact our reservation center at info-inbound@kosokubus.com.

How can I change my reservation?

Please make a new reservation for your preferred service and cancel your existing reservation.
Please note that cancellation fees apply from 10 days before departure.

How can I cancel my reservation?

Please log into Kosokubus.com and complete the cancellation procedure online.

Bus Operations

What happens if a bus delay causes me to miss the drift ice cruise? Will the bus wait if the cruise is delayed?

In severe weather conditions that may cause transportation services to be suspended, the bus may be delayed, causing passengers to miss their drift ice cruise. No compensation will be provided in such cases. This occurs approximately two or three times per season.
If the cruise is slightly delayed, the bus will wait for a short time. Significant cruise delays, however, are extremely rare.

Can bus services be canceled due to snow? Will I be notified if my bus is canceled?

In Hokkaido, road traffic generally continues even in snowy conditions, and bus schedules take winter road conditions into account.
However, services may be canceled if severe weather causes road closures. This occurs approximately two or three times per season.
If your bus is canceled, we will contact you. Please make sure to provide contact details where we can reach you during your trip.

Is there a restroom on the bus?

Unfortunately, there is no restroom onboard on this route.

Can I leave my luggage on the bus while sightseeing?

Yes, you may leave your belongings on the bus during sightseeing stops. However, please keep all valuables with you at all times.

Is there a tour guide on board?

A tour guide accompanies passengers on Routes 4 and 5. No tour guides or tour escorts are provided on the other routes.

About Eastern Hokkaido Express Bus

Service Period

January 29 – March 1, 2027 (Daily)
Operating dates may vary by route.

Note

Buses depart on schedule. Please confirm your boarding location and departure time, and arrive at least 5 minutes before departure. We are not responsible if you miss the bus due to late arrival.
Due to early departure times, breakfast may not be available at some hotels. Please check with your hotel in advance.
Bus routes may change due to road closures or other traffic restrictions.
The bus will not stop at a place where no reserved passenger is expected to board.
Admission fees, meals, and shopping expenses are not included in the bus fare and must be paid separately.
Opening hours and closure dates of tourist attractions are subject to change.
The vehicle may change to a midsize bus, a small bus, or a taxi depending on the number of passengers.
We kindly ask that you avoid eating, drinking (especially alcohol), and loud conversations while on board whenever possible.

Conditions of Use

To use this bus service, passengers must stay for at least one night at one of the partner hotels listed below during their trip. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

● Monbetsu (Monbetsu Prince Hotel, Monbetsu Central Hotel, Hotel Okhotsk Palace Monbetsu)
● Utoro (KITAKOBUSHI SHIRETOKO Hotel & Resort, KIKI SHIRETOKO NATURAL RESORT, Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel)
● Lake Akan (Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, Gozensui, New Akan Hotel, Akan Tsuruga Bessou HINANOZA, The Forest of Akan Tsuruga Resort (formerly Hanayuuka))
● Abashiri (HOKUTEN NO OKA Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort)
● Kawayu (Kawayu Kanko Hotel, KINKIYU, KINKIYU Bettei Suikazura)