Pension Porch

I liked the quiet, tucked-away location, though it isn't convenient in the usual sense. The owner gave us a short introduction to local stories, which was especially nice. My room was cozy and looked out over the wetland. The rooms on the other side face the ocean. Highly recommend it.

On the second day of my usual Golden Week trip around Hokkaido, I was looking for a guesthouse near Kiritappu. I found this one on Google Maps, checked its website, liked the look of the food, and booked. The setting is wide open, with views across Kiritappu Wetlands and the Pacific Ocean and no buildings or woods around. A boardwalk starts right at the front and leads into the marsh, just a few minutes' walk to its interior. The triangular roof and lodge-style exterior give it the feel of a mountain hut. Though it's wooden, I barely heard other rooms or footsteps in the hallway, so it was a quiet, solid stay. The host and his wife were very kind, and I felt at ease. Meals used local ingredients, including raw oysters at dinner. The inn has a bath, but I prefer public baths, so I went to Yuyu in Hamanaka Town instead. It's a lovely place to get up early and explore the marsh and coast.

I came across this place on Google Maps by chance and decided to stay. On my trip from Kushiro to Cape Nosappu in Nemuro, Cape Kiritappu, and Ayamegahara, the scenery around Kiritappu stood out as the most beautiful. I saw foxes on the marsh boardwalk, enjoyed good conversations with the owner and other guests, and loved the food his wife prepared. The Cono Sur wine was great value and made me very happy. The bathroom and toilet are shared, but that didn't bother me much. My room had binoculars and a mini-fridge. If you don't eat oysters, you can ask to switch them for something else in advance. Next time, I might stay longer.

I spent two days here from June 24th (Monday), on my first visit, and had a lovely stay at this charming guesthouse in Kiritappu Marsh. There isn't a TV in the room, but the binoculars let you take in the marsh views. Walking the boardwalk, I spotted a white-tailed eagle sitting still in a tree across the river and about three deer. After watching for a while, a pair of red-crowned cranes appeared nearby. A wonderful memory. That evening, there was an interesting slide presentation about the guesthouse's history and the environment around Kiritappu Marsh. And the wife's home cooking was absolutely delicious, without a fault. I'd love to stay again when I visit eastern Hokkaido.