How to Get to Urahoro: JR Train, Airport Transfer & Driving Guide
- ichiao687
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Urahoro is a charming town with a population of around 3,900, located in the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido—about 60 km east of Obihiro. Surrounded by vast forests, fertile farmland, and the Pacific coastline, it is the perfect destination for travelers looking to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in Hokkaido’s nature and local life.
💡 Fun Fact:
The name "Urahoro" comes from the indigenous Ainu word Orap-oro, which refers to "a place where large-leaved plants grow near the river mouth." The 90.2 km Urahoro River flows through the heart of the town, joining two other rivers to nourish this fertile region before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.
How to Get to Urahoro
① From Nearby Airports
② From Major Train Stations
⚠️ Essential Travel Tips
Limited Train Services: Trains departing from Obihiro or Kushiro run only about 7 times a day. Please check train timetables in advance and arrive at the platform early to avoid long waits for the next train.
No IC Cards Allowed: IC cards (such as Suica, ICOCA, Kitaca, etc.) cannot be used anywhere in the Tokachi/Kushiro area. You must purchase a physical paper ticket from a ticket vending machine or ticket counter.
Unmanned Station Protocol: Urahoro Station is an unstaffed (simple) station.
Arriving: If no staff are present when you arrive, please drop your ticket into the collection box on the platform or hand it to the train conductor. We strongly recommend purchasing round-trip tickets in advance.
Departing: If boarding when no staff are present, please buy a ticket from the conductor on board, or pay at the ticket counter upon reaching your destination.
Gas Station Hours: Gas stations in Urahoro close by 7:00 PM. If you are driving, we recommend refueling in Obihiro or Kushiro before heading to Urahoro.
Method | Rating | Best For | Pros | Cons |
Rental Car | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Families, Photographers | Maximum convenience and flexibility | Driving is on the left side; extreme caution is required for winter snow driving. |
JR Train | ⭐⭐⭐ | Rail enthusiasts, Backpackers | Enjoyable scenic views; Highly recommended to use the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass for long distances | More expensive than buses; potential wait times when transferring. |
Express Bus | ⭐⭐ | Budget travelers | Affordable and less likely to be canceled due to bad weather | Longer travel time |
Getting Around Urahoro
Getting around Urahoro is super easy!
All essential local amenities—including convenience stores, local supermarkets, restaurants, and accommodations—are concentrated within a 5 to 10-minute walk from Urahoro Station. You can easily explore the area on foot without needing extra local transportation!
Stay at HAHAHA Hostel to enjoy exclusive bicycle rentals for guests!
Looking for a Hot Spring? A free shuttle bus operates 4 days a week, offering round-trip transfers between the town center and Rushin Onsen!
Timetable：Mon. / Wed. / Fri. / Sat. every week
No. | Bus Stop | Outbound | Inbound |
① | Konan Welfare Center | 13:15 (Dep.) | 16:15 (Arr.) |
② | Sumiyoshi Community Center | 13:17 | 16:13 |
③ | Minamimachi Welfare Center | 13:21 | 16:09 |
④ | Central Community Center | 13:26 | 16:00 |
⑤ | Cosmic Hall（Near JR station） | 13:30 | 15:57 |
⑥ | Nursing Home (Near Roadside station) | 13:33 | 15:57 |
⑦ | Takaramachi Welfare Center | 13:36 | 15:54 |
⑧ | Hokuei Community Center | 13:40 | 15:50 |
⑨ | Tsunetoyo Community Center | 13:43 | 15:47 |
⑩ | Former Tokomuro Elementary School （TOKOMURO Lab） | 13:46 | 15:44 |
⑪ | Maruyama Community Center | 13:50 | 15:40 |
⑫ | Rushin Post Office | 13:53 | 15:37 |
⑬ | Rushin Onsen | 14:00 (Arr.) | 15:30 (Dep.) |
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