Rausu

Rausu (羅臼) is a town in Nemuro, Hokkaido, and is one of the gateways to the Shiretoko National Park. The town occupies the southern half of the Shiretoko Peninsula facing Kunashir, Russia across the Nemuro Strait.

Understand

Rausu is a town whose economy relies on tourism and fishing.

Tourist information sites

• The town government has an official Japanese-only guide site.

• The local toursit association also has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in

Akan Bus operates local bus service from Kushiro via Nakashibetsu, with 4 round trips on weekdays and 2 round trips at weekends. There is another bus service from Utoro, Shari with 4 round trips per day during the period 15 Jun-14 Oct.

See

Tourist boat

There are 4-5 cruise ship companies in Rausu. Whale watching and Cape Shiretoko tourism in summer, and drift ice tourism in winter. About 2½ hr, fare ¥8,000-9,000. Be sure to book.

• Marumi (まるみ), 24, Yagihama-machi,, ☏ +81 153 88 1313. The hotel has its own boat mainly for whale watching. ¥8,000 (summer), ¥9,000 (winter). 
• Hamanasu (はまなす観光), 15, Rebun-cho,, ☏ +81 153 87 3830. Mainly whale watching. ¥8,000. 
• Shiretoko nature Cruise (知床ネイチャークルーズ), 27-1, Honmachi, ☏ +81 153 87 4001, fax: +81 153 87 4002, captain-h@e-shiretoko.com. ¥8,000. 

Do

• 1 Kumano-yu (熊の湯), Yunosawa (2 km from town center). 07:00-05:00. Free outdoor hot spring. Bathtub is divided by gender. Temperature of the hot water is very hot to suit the taste of patrons. Free. 
• 2 Aidomari Hot Spring (相泊温泉), Aidomari, (20 km from town center). Open about Apr - Nov. Free open-air hot spring on the coast. You can take a bath while watching the fishing boats and Kunashir. Hot water hut by gender is to be built from Jul - Sep. Free. 
• 3 Seseki Hot Spring (瀬石温泉) (about 23 km from Rausu). Free open-air hot spring. Free. 
• 4 Mount Rausu (羅臼岳). Mountain trails for advanced climbers. About 6 hours from Rausu to the top. 

Buy

• Rausu Kombu (羅臼昆布). Kelp (Kombu), which is harvested in this town, is famous as the "Rausu Kombu". The beach of summer, sight is the dried kelp that is harvested can be seen. 
• 1 Michi-no-Eki Shiretoko Rausu (道の駅 知床らうす), 361-1, Honmachi, ☏ +81 153 87 5151. 09:00-17:00. Road site Station. There is a restaurant and direct sales shops managed by the fishery cooperative. (updated Feb 2023)

Eat

Rausu boastes a fishing industry. Such as sea urchin, kinki (rock fish), salmon, hokke (akta mackerel), crab, and squid take according to the season. Dishes made ​​with fresh seafood, you can eat in the restaurants and inns in the town.

Sleep

• 1 Rausu Onsen Campground (羅臼温泉野営場), Yunosawa,, ☏ +81 153 87 2126. Nearby Kumanoyu. ¥300. 
• 2 Minshuku Marumi-Shokudō (民宿まるみ食堂), 27, Asabu,, ☏ +81 153 88 2146, fax: +81 153 88 2922. The inn features a restaurant that serves large portions. +2 meals ¥7,300. 
• 3 Hotel Minenoyu (ホテル峰の湯), 7-3, Yunosawa. Bath is hot spring with outdoor bath. Stay with 2 meals ¥9,600+. Only bathing ¥500. 
• 4 Rausu Daiichi Hotel (らうす第一ホテル), 1, Yunosawa, ☏ +81 153 87 2259. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Bath is the hot spring with outdoor bath. High season ¥15,900+, Off season ¥7,500+ for single. 

Go next

• Shari
• Shibetsu