Kutcharo Lakeside Campground - Hokkaido

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground (クッチャロ湖畔キャンプ場) is a scenic lakeside camping area located along the shores of Lake Kutcharo in Kutcharokohan in the town of Hamatombetsu in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground details

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground is a narrow public campground managed by the local government of Hamatonbetsu. It can accommodate more or less 100 tents. However, it has limited space for parking.

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground - Hamatombetsu Town, Hokkaido Prefecture

Photos of Lake Kutcharo

Lake Kutcharo

The campsite also offers a stunning view of Lake Kutcharo, particularly during the sunset. Its location makes it an ideal place for birdwatchers to stay for the night to watch the early morning flight of the hundreds of migratory birds that visit Lake Kutcharo.

Chaiko - This is where you pay for the camping fees

Hamatombetsu Map

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground

Pitching our tent after paying the camping fees

Here's our tent

We were to display this as it means that we already paid and have the right to pitch our tent

The toilet

The cooking and laundry area of the campground

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground is within walking distance of the Kutcharo Lakeside Shop which stands as the only tourist information center in the town. You can buy souvenirs and also ask for an itinerary here. It’s also where you pay the camping fees.

Waterfowl Observation Center

Aside from that, you can also visit the nearby Waterfowl Observation Center. You would learn a lot about waterfowl that visit Kutcharo Lake here. There are also outdoor telescopes installed here which you can use to view the migratory birds in the lake.

Hamatombetsu Onsen Wing

Lastly, Kutcharo Lakeside Campground has stairway access to Hamatombetsu Onsen Wing. It is a perfect place to refresh before calling it a day.

Team Nicerio at Kutcharo Lakeside Campground

Dinner by the lake

My family and I visited Kutcharo Lakeside Campground for the first time during the 4th day of our 5-day "Drive Up North" Road Trip last August 15, 2022. This was my 287th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme.  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the campground and also the refreshing onsen dip at Hamatonbetsu Onsen Wing. Sadly, it rained hard that night. Thankfully, the waterproofing of the tent held for several hours before the water started to seep in. Regardless, we were still able to get enough sleep for the last leg of our road trip. Given the chance, I would like to go back and camp there again. Hopefully, the weather will be better that time.

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground Fees

Unlike most campsites in Hokkaido which charge per tent, you must pay the camping fee per person.

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground Fees

Adults – 400 yen
Child – 200 yen

You should pay at the Kutcharo Lakeside Shop. However, keep in mind that it is open from 9 AM to 5 PM only.

Walk-in campers are allowed. If you have further inquiries, you can contact North Okhotsk Land at (01634) 2-4005

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground Operating Hours

The campsite is open to the public from May to October.

Why camp at Kutcharo Lakeside Campground?

Kutcharo Lakeside Campground is one of the best places to camp in northeast Hokkaido. Not only is it scenic, but if you visit in October, there is a high chance that you will see hundreds of migrating birds in the lake.

Getting to Kutcharo Lakeside Campground

From Asahikawa JR Station, head to the bus terminal in front of the station and board the Asahikawa - Onishibetsu bus of Jorudan Bus Company. 

Board down at Hamatombetsu Terminal and then walk for about 15 minutes going to Kutcharo Lakeside Campground. 

Travel time: 4 hours and 33 minutes

Fare: 4600 yen

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