Bihoro

Bihoro is a 20-minute bus ride away from Memanbetsu Airport (¥340). Bihoro is on the JR Sekihoku Line (石北本線) from Asahikawa to Abashiri. The Okhotsk limited express runs to Bihoro from Sapporo in about 5 hours at a cost of ¥9430. Bihoro is a major road junction and highways lead from here to Abashiri on the northern coast, to Teshikaga (Akan National Park) and to Asahikawa and Sounkyo Onsen (Daisetsuzan National Park). Buses run along most roads but only very intermittently. Bihoro's speciality is kumazasa-cha (熊笹茶), a type of herbal tea made from the kumazasa (lit. "bear grass") leaf that grows abundantly in this harsh climate. Steeply priced at ¥840 per bag, but worth a try. The small tourism office in the train station will be overjoyed at seeing an actual tourist. They can also book accommodation for you....