Koshimizu: Dunes, Flower Field and Mountain Trail

When searching for hotels in Koshimizu, the area’s landscape themes can help structure your trip planning. The narrow dune area between the Sea of Okhotsk and Lake Tofutsu, the seasonal flower field and Mount Mokotoyama offer different perspectives on Koshimizu. Consider whether you are more interested in plants throughout the year, a viewpoint or a mountain trail: these themes lead to different ways of planning your days.

Mount Mokotoyama on the edge of the Kussharo Caldera

At about 1,000 meters, Mount Mokotoyama 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.” Koshimizu is therefore one of the four municipalities across which the mountain area extends. Its elevation, location on the edge of the caldera and reach across several municipalities give it a different scale from the narrow dune area of Wildflower Park. The mountain landscape thus forms a distinct theme alongside the flower field and coast.

Dunes and seasonal flower field

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. If you want to plan your trip around observing plants, this period offers a specific point of reference. The flower field adds a seasonal focus to the dune landscape, with the sea and lake forming the area’s geographical setting.

Viewpoint or hike?

Furetoi Observatory is on a low hill at the end of a dune. The free viewpoint offers views of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Shiretoko mountain range. This is one way to take in the landscape from a viewpoint. Another way to spend time in nature is to follow the hiking trail to Mount Mokotoyama from Highland Koshimizu 725. The hike is listed as taking about an hour and a half. After the initial climb, the mountain trail is comparatively gentle and is considered suitable for families. The two options can therefore be compared by their specific differences: a viewpoint overlooking the sea and mountains, or a hike with an initial climb followed by a less steep route.

Seasonal train service in the park

Koshimizu Wildflower Park is home to the seasonal JR Genseikaen summer station on the JR Senmo Main Line. It operates only in summer; operating dates may vary depending on the timetable. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates. For planning purposes, it is worth comparing the station’s season with the flower field’s season: the flower field period runs from late April to late September, while the station operates seasonally in summer. These are therefore different time frames; the station’s exact operating dates depend on the timetable.

Nature park and Hokkaido Heritage

Koshimizu Wildflower Park is located in Abashiri Quasi-National Park and was registered as Hokkaido Heritage in 2004. These details add two further points of reference to the description of the dune area and flower field: its location in the quasi-national park and its dated Heritage registration. If you would like to take these designations into account alongside the landscape when planning your trip, both are part of the park’s profile.

Discover more destinations: Minamifurano, Saroma, Nanporo, Furano, Kamikawa, Ashibetsu, Kamishihoro, Tokachi District

For the main travel overview: Hokkaido.