Koshimizu’s landscape highlights range from the long dune area between the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Tofutsu to Mount Mokotoyama and the Furetoi Observatory. This offers different ways to plan your trip: explore the park’s plant life, take in views across the sea and mountains, or go hiking. The time estimates for each activity can help you plan these experiences.
Dunes, Flowers and Mountain Scenery
Koshimizu Wildflower Park is a narrow dune area about eight kilometers long between the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Tofutsu. A natural flower field has formed there. Up to 200 plant species can be seen from late April to late September. This period provides a seasonal guide; “up to” indicates a possible maximum, not a fixed number of species for every day of your visit.
Mount Mokotoyama offers a different scale of scenery. At about 1,000 meters, it is the highest mountain on the outer edge of the Kussharo Caldera. It extends across Koshimizu, Teshikaga, Ozora, and Bihoro, and was included in the “Hokkaido Natural 100.” The mountain therefore does not belong to Koshimizu alone, but is part of a landscape spanning four municipalities.
The Furetoi Observatory offers another perspective. The free viewpoint is on a low rise at the end of a dune; from there, you can see the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko Mountains. While Wildflower Park is known for its long dune area and flower field, this viewpoint combines an elevated location with views of the sea and mountains.
Seasonal and Train Planning
The seasonal JR Genseikaen summer station on the JR Senmo Main Line is located within Koshimizu Wildflower Park. The plant season and the station’s summer operation are two separate points to keep in mind: plant species can be seen in the park from late April to late September, while the station operates only in summer. Its operating dates may vary depending on the timetable. Check the timetable if you plan to include this stop in your itinerary.
The hiking trail to Mount Mokotoyama also has a specific time frame. Starting from Highland Koshimizu 725, it takes about an hour and a half. After the initial climb, the trail is comparatively gentle; it is considered suitable for families.
A Park with Natural and Cultural Heritage
Koshimizu Wildflower Park is in Abashiri Quasi-National Park and was registered as Hokkaido Heritage in 2004. These details provide two distinct ways of understanding the landscape: its location within a quasi-national park and its registration as Hokkaido Heritage. Together with its flower field and dune formations, they make the park a destination in its own right, alongside the mountain hike and viewpoint.
When choosing what to focus on, you can first consider whether you would prefer seasonal abundance of plants, the views from Furetoi Observatory, or the hiking trail on Mount Mokotoyama. The differences are specific: a period is given for the park, while the trail has an approximate duration and a characteristic route. This makes it possible to plan your trip around the kind of scenery in Koshimizu that interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Nanporo, Takikawa, Obihiro, Abashiri, Iwamizawa, Rishirifuji, Samani, Shibetsu.
For the full travel overview: Hokkaido.
